Number one global carmaker Toyota Motors Corporation is on a recall mode anew as the Japanese firm announced on Monday that close to 100,000 units of Sienna minivans would be pulled out from American roads in January 2011 for some minor switch replacements.

Toyota said that the new recall orders affect the 2011 Sienna minivan model, which it said suffers from possible defective brake lamp switch bracket that could leave the unit's brake light unnecessarily on.

Located on the left panel of the brake pedal assembly, the switch bracket activates the brake lamp, which in turn provides the indication that the brake pedal has been duly activated.

Toyota said that drivers operating the vehicle could inadvertently hit the switch bracket and deform it in the process of applying pressure on the parking break pedal.

Once the switch bracket has been deformed, the service brake could partially engage and lead to brake drag, noise and vibration in the vehicle, all factors that the company said could accelerate the wearing down of the brakes.

Despite the identified issue, Toyota said that no known accidents or injuries were reported to have been caused by the break switch defect.

Toyota first identified of the deformed bracket in December 2009 and immediately initiated an investigation that ultimately resulted to the recall orders, which it revealed would cover a total of 94,126 units as per the company's report lodged before the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The recall order would formally commence on the first month of 2011 and Sienna owners would be notified about the necessary parts replacement but the new switch bracket installation would not be made until late February, by which time the replacement parts would have become available.

The carmaker has been beset by recall issues in the past year that so far resulted to some 10 million Toyota vehicles returned on dealers' outlets owing to a number of safety issues such as faulty gas pedals, accelerator-trapping floor mats, stalling engines and defective brakes.

Also, Toyota is presently dealing with numerous lawsuits from family members of individuals allegedly killed in accidents caused by uncontrolled acceleration on motor vehicles assembled and sold by the company in the United States.