Toyota New Zealand says a small number of Kiwi owners may be affected by the Japanese carmaker's recall of four models of its Lexus luxury car due to steering problems, its latest move in a series of massive recalls.

The recall is likely to cover about 4500 cars in Japan and 3800 cars in the United States. The total could reach 11,500 worldwide, Toyota spokeswoman Mieko Iwasaki said.

The models in question were also sold in Europe and China.

The models covered by the recall are the LS460 and LS460L, and hybrids LS600h and LS600hL.

However, the number of those models sold in New Zealand were very low, Lexus New Zealand national manager Debbie Pattullo told NZPA today.

"It might be just one or two customers involved but we are awaiting for confirmation from Japan and then we will go ahead with the upgrade.

"The LS models are in the higher end of Lexus models, so there are very few sold to customers."

The company said at issue was an option called the "variable gear ratio steering" system that puts the steering wheel back in a centred position after certain manoeuvres were made.

The recall is the latest in a series of recalls and incidents that have tarnished Toyota's reputation for quality.

The carmaker has recalled more than eight million Toyota and Lexus vehicles worldwide in 2009 and this year, including 6.5 million in the United States, mainly due to complaints about unintended acceleration.

-With Reuters