This is just not Toyota's year.

The world's largest automaker announced in Japan yesterday that 270,000 vehicles face engine problems that could cause the cars to stall while in motion. How Toyota found out about the problem, or came to that precise number of affected vehicles, was not disclosed.

No accidents related to the issue have been reported, according to Toyota, and a recall has not been announced. The company has said that it is examining the situation to determine the next steps.

Affected vehicles across the globe (about 90,000 of which were sold in Japan, according to reports) include several Lexus models: Lexus GS 350, GS 450h, GS 460, IS 350, LS 460, LS 600h and LS 600h L. The Toyota Crown, which is now sold mainly in Japan and other Asian countries, is also affected.

So we can't yet add the 270,000 count to the total recall tally; count it as a pyrrhic victory for Toyota that the number is relatively small compared with the roughly 8 million vehicles the company has recalled over the past year or so.