Toyota is recalling 19,000 cars in Ireland over an airbag defect. The car maker says all the owners affected have been notified as they had previously been recalled.

The models involved are Yaris, Corolla and Avensis, manufactured between November 2000 and March 2004.

Globally more than 2,250,000 cars are being recalled.

It follows on from an earlier recall two months ago for similar problems, in which six million vehicles were recalled because of similar issues.

The company said the driver's airbag module is connected to the airbag control unit by a flexible flat cable (FFC) and some of the wires can become damaged when the steering wheel is being turned.

If this happens, the airbag warning light will come on and the driver's airbag may become de-activated.

The carmaker said "There have been no reports worldwide of any accidents or injuries related to these issues".

Customers who have a query can contact their local dealer, or Toyota Ireland on 01-4190-222.

Toyota was once renowned for impeccable build quality but that reputation has been hit in recent years. In 2012, it recalled more than 3 million vehicles over safety issues and last February 1.9 million Prius Hybrids were recalled.

The Toyota announcement is the latest in a series of high-profile recalls to hit the sector.

General Motors recently recalled more than 2.4 million North American vehicles over ignition switch issues - with its CEO grilled by politicians in Washington DC - while the world's second biggest carmaker, Volkswagen, recalled 2.6 million vehicles late last year.