Tokyo, July 16 (RHC)-- Japan's automobile manufacturing giant, Toyota, has recalled 625,000 hybrid vehicles globally, mostly the Prius model known for being environment-friendly, over a defect that can bring the car to an unexpected stop.

The automaker said on Wednesday that the problem was caused by a software that controls a power converter. A similar issue had happened last year, leading to 1.9 million Prius cars being recalled. It was Toyota's biggest ever recall for its gasoline-electric vehicle, AFP reported.

The company, which is the world's biggest carmaker, said in a statement that no accidents or injuries have been so far reported in connection with the defect.

"In limited instances, the hybrid system might shut down while the vehicle is being driven, resulting in the loss of power, bringing the vehicle to stop," the statement added.

The latest callback affected the Prius V, which is also sold as the Prius Alpha and Prius+, as well as some Auris hybrid vehicles. According to the company's announcement, more than half of the recalled vehicles were sold in Japan and the majority of others were sold in North America and Europe between May 2010 and November 2014.

Toyota's Prius was one of the first models of hybrid cars to reach mass production and was rapidly adopted as a symbol of green technology. Toyota has sold more than seven million hybrid cars across the globe since the debut of its Prius hybrid in 1997.

The company has about 30 hybrid models sold in more than 90 countries worldwide.