Toyota owners, beware: Company is asking you to return your cars in case they kill you

JAPAN (Web Desk) - Automotive giant  Toyota is recalling 1.43 million vehicles globally for defective air bags. Being recalled are the Prius hybrid, Prius plug-in and the Lexus CT200h produced between October 2008 and April 2012.

The recall includes some 495,000 cars sold in North America, 743,000 in Japan as well as vehicles in Europe, China and other regions.

In a statement relating to the recall, the carmaker said the vehicles had a Takata airbag inflator that could have a small crack in a weld which could widen over time.

The airbag could partially inflate and parts of the inflator could enter the vehicle interior, leading to "an increased risk of injury".

Safety devices made by Takata have been linked to 11 deaths and more than 100 injuries. However, Toyota Motor Corp. said it was not aware of any injuries or deaths related to the recall.

Globally, 12 carmakers have been affected with more than 100 million Takata-related recalls under way or expected.