TOKYO — Toyota's massive recalls over problem gas pedals in the U.S. are being extended to Europe, the latest blow to the world's top automaker as it struggles to salvage its safety reputation.

The announcement today in Europe comes after the company earlier this week said it was suspending U.S. sales of eight models — including the Camry, America's top-selling car — to fix faulty gas pedals that could stick and cause acceleration without warning.

The scale of recalls over problems with sticking gas pedals and floor mats that can trap the accelerator have rapidly snowballed. On Thursday, Toyota announced an additional recall of 1.09 million vehicles in the United States covering five models — 2008-2010 Highlander, 2009-2010 Corolla, 2009-2010 Venza, 2009-2010 Matrix, and 2009-2010 Pontiac Vibe, which Toyota makes. A week before the U.S. sales suspension, Toyota issued a recall for the same eight models, affecting 2.3 million vehicles.

Those steps came on top of a recall in late 2009 involving 4.2 million vehicles amid concerns that floor mats could bend across gas pedals, causing sudden acceleration. In Europe, Toyota is still unsure how many vehicles are affected.

Colin Hensley, a manager at the carmaker's European operations, said the company is checking how many European models use the parts involved in the latest U.S. recall.

The automaker said it would communicate with European owners of vehicles that are affected by the problem of sticking pedals. "Toyota is making every effort to address this situation for our customers as quickly as possible," it said.

The problem is rare, Toyota said, and customers who are concerned should contact customer service for help before recall instructions are issued.

The sales suspension in the U.S. — Toyota's biggest market — could endanger the company's fledgling earnings recovery. Toyota only returned to the black for the July-September quarter with net income of $241 million after three straight losing quarters.

Toyota said it will fix or replace the accelerator pedals for the recalled vehicles to avoid the risk of floor mat entrapment. The company said it will replace mats as well for the latest recalled vehicles.