Shanghai's quality bureau has recalled about 530 Toyota RAV4 sport-utility vehicles suspected of having problems with their gas pedals.The recall, however, will cover 2,021 RAV4s in the city, the Shanghai Bureau of Quality and Technical Supervision said yesterday, adding that the recall is expected to be completed in two months.

Toyota announced a recall of 75,522 RAV4 SUVs in China in late January, among the 8.5 million vehicles recalled globally since October. On Monday, Akio Toyoda, its president, said sorry to Chinese consumers in Beijing.

Huang Xiaoqiang, director of the bureau's products management center, said the SUVs will be tested and examined carefully after the repairs before their return to the owners.The recall in the city started on February 17. The RAV4 SUVs were found to have gas pedals that could stay stuck and prevent vehicles from slowing down, Toyota said.

Huang said he believed there were problems with the pedal design and vehicle tests. "In fact, such pedal failure should have been found in tests which should be carried out in different weather conditions," he said. "I am puzzled why Toyota failed to notice the problem."