(February 14, 2010) Toyota will recall about 8,000 model-year 2010 Tacoma pickup trucks in the United States due to a potential defect in front propeller shafts that may result in a loss of vehicle control.

In a document sent to U.S. dealers on Thursday and obtained by Reuters, Toyota said the all-wheel-drive version of the 2010 Tacoma trucks may have a component containing cracks in the joint portion of the propeller shaft due to an "improper manufacturing process control."

The cracks may lead to the separation of the propeller shaft, and the separated shaft may come into contact with the road surface, potentially causing drivers to lose control of the vehicle, the document showed.

The subject front propeller shafts are manufactured by Dana Holding Corp., and the affected vehicles were produced from mid-December 2009, to early February, according to the document.

Toyota notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on Thursday of its intention to conduct a safety recall, the document showed.

The latest move follows a string of recalls in recent months covering more than 8.5 million vehicles globally due to the risk that a loose floor mat or a sticky accelerator pedal may lead to unintended acceleration.