Image caption The recalls have cast a shadow over Toyota in 2010

Toyota has announced another recall involving more than one million cars in the US and Canada with potentially faulty engine control systems.

The models affected are the Corolla and Matrix made between 2005 and 2008.

TheJapanese carmaker said three unconfirmed accidents were "alleged to be related" to the problem, one of which resulted in a "minor injury".

Last month, Toyota recalled 700,000 cars worldwide and has now recalled about 10 million in the past year.

The two recalls in July were due to steering and engine problems, while those earlier in the year were because of sticking accelerator pedals.

Engine failure

The latest recall involves 1.1 million cars sold in the US and Canada.

THE STORY SO FAR September 2009: Toyota recalls almost 4m vehicles globally on fears that accelerator pedals could become trapped in floormats

January 2010: Toyota recalls about 2.3m vehicles in the US to fix potentially faulty accelerator pedals

February 2010: Toyota's president apologises to the US Congress and Toyota owners for safety problems that led to deaths and the worldwide recalls

Toyota's president apologises to the US Congress and Toyota owners for safety problems that led to deaths and the worldwide recalls April 2010: Toyota agrees to pay a record fine of $16.4m (£10.7m) in the US for failing to report defects

July 2010: Toyota recalls a further 700,000 mainly Avalon, Crown and Lexus models in two stages.

The problem with what Toyota calls the models' engine control module may result in a crack in solder points or on some electronic componentry.

If a crack appears, the engine may not start or, "in limited instances, the engine could stop while the vehicle is being driven", the carmaker said.

"This recall is an example of our commitment to standing by our products and being responsive to our customers," said Steve St Angelo, Toyota's chief quality officer for North America.

"Our goal is to help ensure that Toyota drivers are completely confident in the safety and reliability of their vehicles."

Toyota was harshly criticised for not acting sooner over the accelerator pedal recalls, and was fined $16m by US authorities.

Recalls in the car industry are common, but the extent of Toyota recalls is unprecedented - the firm has now issued 14 recalls in 2010.