Toyota vehicles are slated to be taken off the road worldwide as the giant Japanese carmaker confirmed on Wednesday a massive recall order of some 7.4 million units, comprising of popular Toyota sedans, compact cars and mid-sized SUVs.

In a statement, Toyota said affected car models were determined to have been installed with potentially defective master power-window switches, which could malfunction if left unfixed and could lead to a fire in worst-case scenario.

The same problem was cited earlier this week by another Japanese carmaker, Honda, when it ordered the global recall of close to 500,000 vehicles.

Yet unlike the Honda recall directive, Toyota's fresh vehicle woes will be felt in Australia, where a total of 297,931 cars will require inspections and likely repair works.

According to Toyota Australia spokesman Mike Breen, the local recall was wholly meant for "precautionary measures," assuring too that to date, no known risks or injuries have been attributed to the problematic car parts.

Mr Breen also told Fairfax Media that at least six car models have been identified for the recall in Australia, namely Yaris, Corolla, Camry, Aurion, RAV4 and Kluger, all which built between 2006 and 2010.

The global recall, Toyota said, will commence by the end of October and owners of concerned vehicles will be notified by Toyota dealers around the world, including Australia.

The repair, when required, is free of charge and should only take under one hour, according to Mr Breen.

The market mostly affected by the recall, according to Toyota, is the United States, where some 2.5 million cars will be subjected to inspection and repairs starting later this month.

Toyota service repairman will also conduct likely fixes in China and Europe, where about 1.4 million and 1.39 million vehicles will be recalled, The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday.

The latest recall order will serve as the biggest for Toyota following the successive recalls that spanned from 2009 through 2010, The New York Times said, that forced the company to pull from U.S. roads some 11 million Toyota and Lexus, which is a Toyota subsidiary, vehicles.

According to The Associated Press (AP), the problems then were centred on gas pedals, brakes and floor mats, which U.S. authorities have blamed for the 2009 death in a car crash of four family members in California, including a highway patrol officer.