Recall: Lexus to update 2010 GX 460 stability control software

Apr 19, 2010 3:59 PM

Toyota Motor Sales (TMS) has announced that it will conduct a voluntary safety recall of the 2010 Lexus GX 460 to update the stability control software on approximately 9,400 SUVs worldwide. The recall comes in response to Consumer Reports notifying Toyota that our auto-test engineers discovered a problem in one of our standard emergency-handling tests. In one of our tests, when pushed to its limits on our track's handling course, the rear of the GX we bought slid out until the vehicle was almost sideways before the electronic stability control system was able to regain control.

Consequently, Consumer Reports designated the 2010 Lexus GX 460 SUV a "Don't Buy: Safety Risk" because we believe that in real-world driving, this situation could lead to a rollover accident.

A few days before our announcement on April 13th, Consumer Reports notified Toyota and Toyota technicians visited our Auto Test Center to inspect the vehicle.

"TMS maintains the highest regard for the testing procedures at the Consumer Reports testing facility and appreciates its feedback on their test results," said John Hanson, national manager, environmental, safety & quality communications.

The problem occurred during an exercise used to evaluate what's called lift-off oversteer. In the test, as the vehicle is driven through a turn, the driver quickly lifts his foot off the accelerator pedal to see how the vehicle reacts.

"From the moment we heard about this issue, Lexus and our dealers acted quickly to resolve the situation. Our dealers will now personally reach out to customers to set up appointments to make this modification," said Mark Templin, Lexus group vice president and general manager in a released statement.

Lexus dealers will have the software update by the end of April, and GX owners will be notified by mail beginning early May. The work is estimated to take an hour.

As it has done with previous recalls, Lexus is offering a courtesy vehicle to owners who are concerned about this problem until the recall work is completed.

For more information, owners can contact Lexus Customer Satisfaction at 1-800-255-3987.

Like any consumer, we will have our GX recall performed at a dealer once it’s available and again run the vehicle through our suite of emergency handling tests.

Also read:
Lexus GX 460 passes retest; Consumer Reports lifts "Don't Buy" label
Lexus resumes sale of 2010 Lexus GX
Fix for Lexus GX 460 expected "shortly"
Toyota tests more SUVs to assess safety risk, suspends GX sales overseas
Q&A: Consumer Reports on the Lexus GX 460 test
Toyota stops sale of 2010 Lexus GX 460 after Consumer Reports safety alert
Don't Buy: Safety Risk--2010 Lexus GX 460

—Jeff Bartlett