New York/Tokyo  - The world's largest car manufacturer, Toyota Motor Corp, is recalling 3.8 million cars in the United States because of problems with floor mats.

The recall is its largest in the United States since Toyota entered the market there in 1957.

It affects seven models, including Toyota's popular hybrid Prius cars, the company's US marketing arm said Tuesday.

Toyota Motor Sales USA Inc said the accelerator could get stuck under a mat and prevent the car from braking, potentially causing an accident.

The recall affects more cars than Toyota sold in the United States last year - around 2.2 million - and comes at a time when the company is trying to cut its huge losses as the US economy recovers.

Sales of new Toyotas fell 29 per cent in the US from January to August as a result of the global economic downturn.

There have recently been signs of a recovery for Toyota, thanks to the temporary US cash-for-clunkers scheme, which provided incentives for consumers to trade in their old cars for new, more fuel-efficient models.

The Camry (2007-2010), Avalon (2005-1010), Prius (2004-2009), Tacom (2005-2010), Lexus ES350 (2007-2010), Tundra (2007-2010), IS250 and IS350 (2006-2010) models are being recalled.

Only the US is affected, but the Japanese news agency Kyodo reported Toyota plans to check whether cars have been sold with loose foot mats in other countries. (dpa)