Thousands of Toyota drivers have been warned to return their car due a potentially deadly defect.

The federal transport department issued a recall for Toyota Yaris models, both petrol and hybrid variants, manufactured between 2020-2023.

Up to 9000 cars are being recalled across Australia.

The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts warns in its recall of vehicles suffering a “durability issue”.

“The front lower suspension arm may develop cracks and corrode when exposed to road snow melting agents. This could cause the suspension to collapse and detach from the vehicle,” it said.

“As a result, the vehicle may experience a sudden loss of steering control.”

The department states a potential loss of steering control could increase the risk of an accident causing injury or death to vehicle occupants and/or other road users.

Owners of affected vehicles will be contacted by Toyota in writing, and are asked to make an appointment to have the lower suspension arm replaced, free of charge.

A full list affected vehicle identification numbers is available here.