The impact of a worldwide recall of 6.5 million Toyota vehicle is still being assessed in New Zealand.

A Toyota NZ spokesperson said they had not yet received any information regarding how, or how many, vehicles were impacted by Thursday's recall, which is for a defective power window switch that can overheat, melt and lead to fires.

Toyota models affected by the recall include Camrys, Yaris, Corollas, RAV4 and Highlander. Photo: File.

'However, it's likely there will be New Zealand vehicles involved,” the company said.

Associated Press reports that one injury in the US, to a person who suffered a burn on the hand, has been reported.

Toyota has also received 11 reports of cases in which the switch or part of the car door burned, with seven in North America, two in Japan and two in other areas. There have been no reported accidents or injuries in New Zealand so far.

New vehicles which may be involved in the global recall are Yaris, Corolla, Camry, RAV4 and Highlander models.

Japanese imported used vehicles are Vitz, Ractis, Belta, Ist, Matrix and Auris.

The defect was caused when grease was improperly sprayed during the manufacturing of electrical contact modules. Debris or moisture could enter the module, and that could lead to a short circuit, Toyota says.

Dealers will replace an internal circuit board if the switches are not working normally. If they are working properly, a heat-resistant grease will be applied.

Toyota dealers will inspect the power window master switch circuit board and apply heat-resistant grease to the switch.

If the switch is already demonstrating signs of malfunction, the circuit board will be replaced. Toyota dealers will perform required rectification free of charge to the vehicle owner.

Toyota has promised to be quicker with recalls after suffering a scandal starting in 2009 which ballooned into a massive recall over various problems, including faulty floor mats, defective brakes and sticky gas pedals.

The episodes resulted in fines imposed on Toyota by US authorities.

Other automakers have been embroiled in scandals since then, including General Motors Co. over an ignition switch recall, Japanese supplier Takata Corp. over defective air bags, and more recently Volkswagen AG of Germany over rigged emissions tests.