GX Consumer Reports Warns Against 2010 Lexus GX 460 Because Of Rollover Risk

[HighestOfHigh]

Toyota to temporarily halt sales of Lexus GX 460

Toyota Motor Corp. is temporarily halting sales of the 2010 Lexus GX 460 after Consumer Reports issued a rare "Don't Buy" warning amid concerns the large SUV has handling problems that could cause it to roll over during sharp turns.

The Japanese automaker said Tuesday it had asked dealers to temporarily suspend sales of the SUV while it conducts its own tests on the GX 460.

"We are taking the situation with the GX 460 very seriously and are determined to identify and correct the issue Consumer Reports identified," said Mark Templin, Lexus vice president and general manager.

The decision to stop selling the SUV is the latest blow to Toyota's tarnished safety reputation after the recall of millions of cars and trucks over gas pedals that are too slow to retract or that can become stuck under floor mats. The GX 460 is not covered by the pedal recalls.

But it reflects Toyota's attempt to respond more quickly to safety concerns after federal investigators accused the automaker of dragging its feet on recalls to address the faulty gas pedals. Toyota faces a $16.4 million fine from the Transportation Department and has until April 19 to decide whether to contest the penalty or accept it.

Toyota said about 6,000 GX 460s from the 2010 model year have been sold since the vehicle went on sale in late December and an estimated 1,600 of the SUVs are at dealerships.

Consumer Reports is closely read by many car buyers before choosing a new car or truck. In January, it pulled its "recommended" rating on eight vehicles recalled by the automaker due to faulty gas pedals.

The magazine said the Lexus problem occurred during tests on its track. In a standard test, the driver approached a turn unusually fast, then released the accelerator pedal to simulate the response of an alarmed driver. This caused the rear of the vehicle to slide outward.

In normal cases, the electronic stability control should quickly correct the loss of control and keep the SUV on its intended path. But with the GX 460, the stability control took too long to adjust, which could cause a rollover accident if one of the sliding wheels were to strike the curb or another obstacle, said Gabriel Shenhar, Consumer Reports' senior auto test engineer who was one of four testers who experienced the problem.

The magazine said it is not aware of any reports of the GX 460 rolling over. It tested two separate vehicles, both of which experienced the problem, but neither rolled over.

The warning label on the model will remain until Toyota addresses the handling issue with the seven-seat SUV.

Templin said in a statement he was "confident that the GX meets our high safety standards" and said Toyota's engineering teams were testing the GX using Consumer Reports' specific parameters. Lexus will provide a loaner car for any customer who bought a 2010 GX 460 and is concerned about driving the vehicle, Templin said.

Customers who have questions or concerns about the GX 460 can call Lexus at (800) 255-3987.

The "Don't Buy" label is unlikely to hurt Toyota's broader sales since the GX 460 accounts for a fraction of its total, said Erich Merkle, president of the consulting company Autoconomy.com in Grand Rapids, Mich. However, it comes at an unfortunate time as the automaker tries to move beyond the recalls.

"I think it will have a bigger impact from a negative-PR perspective than from an actual sales perspective," Merkle said.

The GX 460, which starts at about $52,000, is built on the same platform as the Toyota 4Runner. However, Consumer Reports said the problem did not occur during similar tests on the 4Runner. According to Toyota's Web site, both vehicles are about six feet tall but the GX 460 is about 3 inches taller.

Consumer Reports said the last vehicle to receive such a safety warning was the 2001 Mitsubishi Montero Limited, a large SUV. In that case, testers said the wheels lifted off the road during standard avoidance-maneuver tests, which also posed a rollover risk.

At the time, Mitsubishi disputed the magazine's findings and did not make any modifications to the vehicle, Mitsubishi spokesman Dan Irvin said. The designation appeared to have little effect on the Montero's sales, which increased overall during the second half of 2001.

The Montero remained on sale in the U.S. until 2007 and continues to be sold overseas as the Mitsubishi Pajero.

Toyota shares traded in the U.S. fell 52 cents to $79.03.

- Toyota to temporarily halt sales of Lexus GX 460 - Yahoo! News

 

[Merc1]

I have never, ever really felt sorry for Toyota.....no matter what happened to them, but I'm almost there. This is just getting plain stupid at this point. They just ran the story on the local news here. There are only probably 4 suvs that wouldn't tip over or be in danger of tipping over in such a situation: ML63 AMG, X6/X6 M, Cayenne and Jeep GC SRT-8. Anything else I can think of would be in danger of flipping too.

Anyone buying such a vehicle should have a brain in their head and know that you can't drive a GX460 like a sports car. Duh, its a real-honest-to-goodness SUV, i.e. body on frame....meaning its a real truck underneath.


M

 

[Sayyaaf]

Viral Default Player

 

[Human]

I am the last person on this planet to by Japanese, but since the collapse of GM & Chrysler it seems that the American Authorities and media/press has a hostile thing going against their biggest rival - Toyota... IMO never thought I would but I do feel sorry for them - so does Dieter Zetsche from DAIMLER

 

[HighestOfHigh]

Well I worked for Toyota and I own one. On the other hand, if they messed up then that is on them. The Media will run this into the ground just like they did the Tiger Woods cheating scandal.

I'm just just glad it isn't my beloved Mercedes-Benz. But keep in mind this could happen to anyone. Most automotive companies have recalls...this one just seems to get the most attention right now.

 

[Monster]

Did other American made SUV receive the "don't buy'' sticker as well?

 

[Sayyaaf]

I dunno but in the video the car appeared safe, just having some fun at the tail. I bet if this was an X5 or Cayenne it would be praised for doing that

 

[NarutoRamen]

I dunno but in the video the car appeared safe, just having some fun at the tail. I bet if this was an X5 or Cayenne it would be praised for doing that

Aint that the truth brother. Not to mention if anyone who drives an SUV like that on the roads will hit another car LONG before they get the tail out that much.

 

[HighestOfHigh]

What is amazing is how Toyota reacted so quickly to this. Guess they wanted to stop the media in their tracks.

 

[Sayyaaf]

I feel sorry for Toyota, really. They are doing tremendous job with their cars, their quality and reliability really pushed the envelop. I smell a conpiracy behind this. Isn't GM considered a goverment company now ?

 

[HighestOfHigh]

DetNews: Toyota recalling Lexus GX to address rollover concern

The moment Lexus GX owners have been waiting for since Consumer Reports first blacklisted the SUV last week has finally arrived – Toyota has recalled the vehicle. According to The Detroit News, the Japanese manufacturer will announce the move later this afternoon, and the recall is expected to cover around 5,000 vehicles currently on the road. As expected, Lexus dealers will install new traction control software to correct potentially dangerous handling characteristics.

Last week, Consumer Reports branded the Lexus GX with its infamous "Do Not Buy" rating after the vehicle failed a standard test. During hard downhill braking, the traction control would allow the vehicle's rear-end to step out much farther than normal. On a public road, CR says, that could lead to a rollover.

The GX recall joins a flurry of others that have cropped up over the past few months. From stuck accelerators to rusting frames and corroding spare tire carrier cables, Toyota has had to deal with one problem after another. At least this time the company acted swiftly enough to comply with department of transportation regulations. The carmaker recently agreed to pay a $16.4 million fine for failing to recall 2.3 million vehicles in a timely enough fashion.

- DetNews: Toyota recalling Lexus GX to address rollover concern — Autoblog

 

[HighestOfHigh]

Video: Lexus GX recall remedy in action

TMC Announces Remedy for Vehicle Stability Control in Lexus GX 460 and Toyota Land Cruiser Prado

Toyota City, Japan-Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) announces its remedy for the problem concerning the Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) program in its Lexus GX 460 and certain Land Cruiser Prado vehicles.

In circumstances in which advanced driving skills are required, such as when a driver of the involved vehicle sharply turns the steering wheel in high-speed conditions, or when the driver negotiates a curve at excessive speeds, the vehicle could slide sideways, due to the insufficient activation of the VSC.

The following conditions combine to cause the problem:

- In the GX 460 and Land Cruiser Prado, heavy components, such as the fuel tank, are located on the left side, and in left-hand drive versions, the left side is made even heavier because of the presence of the driver.
- For vehicles with certain tires (on 18-inch wheels) and equipped with the Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS*) and VSC, the activation of the VSC may not be sufficient in certain circumstances due to the setting of the VSC program.
- Circumstances may require advanced driving skills, such as sharp turns of the steering wheel in high-speed conditions or negotiating a curve to the right at excessive speeds.

As a remedy, Toyota will update the VSC program to enhance the effectiveness of the VSC so that the risk of the vehicle sliding, even to the point that it is almost sideways, will be reduced.

Vehicles involved are as follows:

- GX 460: Approx. 13,000 units in total Approx. 9,400 units in the United States, approx. 1,000 units in Russia, approx 1,000 units in Oman
- Land Cruiser Prado: Approx. 21,000 units in total (only left-hand drive vehicles with KDSS and VSC) Approx. 4,400 units in Oman, approx. 4,000 units in Russia, approx. 1,500 units in the United Arab Emirates. No right-hand drive units have this problem.

In total, approximately 34,000 units worldwide are involved. In North America, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. (TMS) and Toyota Canada Inc. (TCI) each announced a voluntary recall on April 19 (local time). As for other regions and countries involved, such as in Europe and the Middle East, TMC will work to implement similar measures as soon as possible.

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- Video: Lexus GX recall remedy in action — Autoblog

 

[Merc1]

All fixed! Seems there was really something to be slightly concerned about for those who might drive like that or get caught out in that type of situation.

M

 

[HighestOfHigh]

Lexus GX officially off Consumer Reports "Don't Buy" list

LEXUS GX 460 PASSES RETEST
CONSUMER REPORTS' "DON'T BUY" LABEL LIFTED

Consumer Reports is lifting the Don't Buy: Safety Risk designation from the 2010 Lexus GX 460 SUV after recall work corrected the problem it displayed in one of their emergency handling tests.

CR's engineers originally experienced the problem in a test that they use to evaluate what's called lift-off oversteer. In this 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. When testers did this with their GX 460, its rear end slid out until the vehicle was almost sideways. Although the GX 460 has electronic stability control, which is designed to prevent a vehicle from sliding, the system wasn't intervening quickly enough to stop the slide. CR considers this a safety risk because in a real-world situation this could cause a rear tire to strike a curb or slide off of the pavement, possibly causing the vehicle to roll over. Tall vehicles with a high center of gravity, such as the GX 460, heighten CR's concern. CR is not aware, however, of any reports of injury related to this problem.

Lexus recently duplicated the problem on its own test track and developed a software upgrade for the vehicle's ESC system that would prevent the problem from happening. Dealers received the software fix last week and began notifying GX 460 owners to bring their vehicles in for repair.

CR contacted the Lexus dealership from which they had anonymously bought the vehicle and made an appointment to have the recall work performed. The work took about an hour and a half.

Following that, CR's engineers again put the SUV through the full series of emergency handling tests. This time, the ESC system intervened earlier and its rear did not slide out in the lift-off oversteer test. Instead, the vehicle understeered-or plowed-when it exceeded its limits of traction, which is a more common result and makes the vehicle more predictable and less likely to roll over. Overall, CR did not experience any safety concerns with the corrected GX 460 in CR's handling tests.

CR urges all affected GX 460 owners to have the recall work performed as soon as possible. Meanwhile, repaired GXs have gone back on sale.

With the fix, the GX 460's handling is ultimately secure but is still ponderous and ungainly, as is common with traditional body-on-frame SUVs. In addition, the vehicle rides comfortably, has a plush, quiet, interior, and provides quick acceleration, but its third-row seat is cramped. Overall, there are better choices if you're looking for a seven-passenger SUV, including the Acura MDX and Buick Enclave. To help buyers see how the GX 460 compares with competitive vehicles, CR is also posting its ratings and full road test of it today (available to ConsumerReports.org subscribers).

- Lexus GX officially off Consumer Reports "Don't Buy" list — Autoblog