It is not yet clear which Toyota models in Malta could be affected by a defect in the accelerator pedal, which has seen the carmaker recall over three million vehicles in the US.

Toyota said it would directly communicate with European customers who owned vehicles affected by the problem. The problem is caused by around a worn accelerator pedal mechanism that may "stick in a partially depressed position or return slowly to the idle position".

A spokesman for Toyota Malta said it was not yet clear which models could be involved and, before this was known, it was not possible to ascertain whether and how the Malta market could be affected.

"The standard recall process, if it becomes necessary, results in our company having a list of those cars that could be affected as well as the names of their owners.

"Each of these owners would be contacted and asked to call at our premises for relevant checking and possible rectification," the spokesman explained.

Toyota said the problem was rare and concerned customers should contact Toyota Customer Service for help before recall instructions were issued.

The company is already using different parts in models it is now producing in Europe and says it has "no need or intention to stop production in Europe".

Toyota said a driver whose car was affected might notice that the pedal was harder to depress and slower to return.

"A rough or chattered feeling may also be experienced when depressing or releasing the accelerator pedal," Toyota said.