Toyota Motor Korea, the local importer of the world's largest automaker, is recalling 12,579 vehicles sold here due to problems with heated seats and hybrid motor control systems, the transportation ministry said Tuesday.

The problem with substandard materials used in heated seats affects six models and 5,232 vehicles, while the hybrid system's troubles involve 7,347 Prius vehicles, according to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

"Tests carried out on heated seats during the standard conformity test found that materials used were failing both local safety rules, as well as the flammability of interior material requirements outlined by the U.S. government," it said.

Seat flammability tests are designed to protect passengers in case of a fire.

Camry, Camry hybrid, Camry V6, Avalon sedans and Sienna two-wheel and four-wheel drive minivans made by the Japanese carmaker are subject to recall.

The cars were all made in Toyota's U.S. plant from Nov. 26, 2012 through Jan. 3 of this year.

In regard to the Prius, the ministry said the recall has been decided for software problems in the hybrid system that limits speed or, in more serious cases, makes it impossible to drive the car.

Prius vehicles to be recalled were made in Japan from Feb. 26, 2009 through Feb. 5, 2014.

The ministry said Toyota's service centers throughout the country will fix the cited problems free of charge from Tuesday onwards. (Yonhap)