Toyota has recalled 138,000 RAV4, Yaris and Auris models in the UK due to an electric window fault.

On certain RAV4, Auris and Yaris  models built between September 2006 and December 2008 it is possible the driver’s door window switch may begin to feel uneven or notchy when operated.

In a statement Toyota said: “Continued operation in this condition may cause the switch to stick or become inoperable.

“The switch is not designed to be lubricated with commercially available lubricants. Application of these lubricants could lead to overheating and/or melting of the switch assembly.”

There has been one reported case in the UK. Toyota said there are no reported accidents related to this issue.

All affected owners will be contacted by Toyota GB within the next six weeks and asked to make an appointment to bring their car to their nearest Toyota centre.

The dealer will check the operation of the switch which will be replaced with a new unit if necessary. The work will take up to an hour and will be carried out free of charge.

The recalls affects 7.4 million cars globally.

Despite manufacturer recalls being a common occurance, Toyota in particular has suffered under a media spotlight for its recall in 2009 which affected 12 million cars across the world.

Richard Matthews, head of product liability at international law firm Eversheds, said: "Recalls in the automotive sector are not rare events, but the size and scale of this particular recall is unusual.

"Toyota faced heavy public scrutiny for the way it handled recalls in 2009-10, culminating in a record fine of $16.4 million from the US Transportation Department.

"Toyota’s approach this time around is perhaps indicative of an increasingly ‘belt and braces’ approach to managing risk.

"It clearly recognises the benefits of proactive communications with its customer base where its reputation is at stake.

"The recall comes at a time when the brand is already experiencing trading issues, with anti-Japanese sentiment taking hold in China – one of the manufacturer’s key export markets.

"Although Toyota’s brand has proved remarkably resilient: in August it announced a quarterly profit of Y290 billion, the highest in four years, and the business still claims the top spot for global sales, with 4.87m units sold in the first half of 2012."

UK dealers were praised by Toyota at the time with how they handled customers during the 2009 recall.