Toyota says the Yaris accounted for nearly a quarter of its sales in Europe last year. Callback includes Europe-registered Yaris models

Toyota  said it will recall around 185,000 vehicles globally, including the Yaris subcompact, owing to a glitch in the electric power steering system that could make the steering heavier.

Toyota is recalling around 130,000 vehicles in Japan, more than 7,400 in Italy, some 7,050 vehicles in Germany and about 7,000 in France, as well as in other countries, including Britain and the United States, spokeswoman Shiori Hashimoto said.

Toyota manufactures the Yaris in Europe at its plant in Valenciennes, France. A third-generation gasoline variant was launched in Europe in summer 2011, followed by a hybrid variant in June 2012.

Models of the Yaris, known in Japan as the Vitz, that were made between November 2010 and March 2012, have been recalled. Toyota said it was also recalling the Verso-S, known in Japan as the Ractis, made from August 2010 to August 2011.

Short circuits could be caused in the vehicles by water droplets forming on certain wires in the power steering control module. As a result, the power steering assist could be suspended, making the steering heavier, Toyota said in a statement.

No accidents or injuries have been reported from the glitch, she said.

Toyota will replace the power steering control module, which will take one to two hours, the spokeswoman said. She declined to comment on how much the recall will cost.

Last month, the automaker announced it would recall about 242,000 hybrid vehicles worldwide, including the best-selling Prius, due to a brake design flaw.

With a volume of 182,841 units, the Yaris accounted for nearly 22 percent of Toyota’s total European sales in 2012, the automaker said.