(March 18, 2010) Toyota, facing historic recall problems, has told U.S. regulators it is considering ways to prevent unexpected stalling several models of the Corolla, the world’s most popular nameplate.

In a letter to the National Highway Safety Administration, the embattled automaker insisted the problem does not pose “an unreasonable risk,” but is nonetheless looking at ways to prevent stalling, which it has traced to engine control modules provided by two of its suppliers.

Vehicles involved total 1.2 million.

NHTSA reports it has so far received 76 complaints involving 2005 through 2007 versions of the Corolla and Matrix models involving stalls that have occurred unexpectedly, sometimes at high speeds.

The problem is, ironically, believed to be related to a fix for a previous problem with those two vehicles.

“Based upon its analysis, Toyota does not believe that the alleged defect creates an unreasonable risk to … safety,” the maker said in a letter to federal regulators that was obtained by the Detroit Free Press, adding that it estimated the problem will occur in less than 1% of those vehicles and would always trigger a warning light.

Exactly what Toyota might plan to do to fix the problem and when, the automaker has declined to say.