LOS ANGELES -- Toyota Motor Corp. announced another large recall of autos in the United States on Thursday, this time for a steering problem in 373,000 Avalon sedans built for the 2000-2004 model years. A separate recall covers almost 40,000 Lexus SUVs.

The automaker said that because of an improper casting, a component of the steering lock system can crack. When the Avalon is steered hard to the right, there is a chance the piece will break, locking up the steering wheel and boosting the crash risk.

There have been six reports of the problem in the United States, with three accidents but no injuries, said Toyota spokesman Brian Lyons.

Toyota says it plans to replace the steering-column bracket on the vehicles, a procedure that takes about two hours to complete. Toyota said it would notify owners by first-class mail beginning in late August to take their vehicles to a dealer to have the work done at no charge.

The automaker also said it would recall another 39,000 of its Lexus brand LX 470 SUVs from the 2003-2007 model years to fix a steering-shaft condition unrelated to the Avalon problem. Mr. Lyons said Toyota was not aware of any accidents resulting from the Lexus steering-shaft problem.

In the Lexus SUV, a part called a snap ring on the steering shaft may disengage when the vehicle experiences a very strong impact to the front wheels, such as striking a deep pothole. This can cause the steering shaft to disengage over time.

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