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Lexus GX 460 passes retest;
Consumer Reports lifts "Don't Buy" label

MAY 7, 2010

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 our emergency handling tests. (See the original report below)

We originally experienced the problem in a test that we 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 we did this with our 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. We consider 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 our concern. We are 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.

We contacted the Lexus dealership from which we 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, we again put the SUV through our 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, we did not experience any safety concerns with the corrected GX 460 in our handling tests.

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

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2010 Lexus GX460 Consumer Reports Safety Concern

Lexus will conduct a voluntary safety recall on approximately 9,400 2010 Model Year Lexus GX 460 sport utility vehicles to update software in the vehicle’s Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system. No other Lexus vehicles are involved in this recall.

The VSC system helps control a loss of traction in turns as a result of front or rear wheel slippage during cornering.

Lexus released a software update to all dealers on April 28th.  Owners are encouraged to bring their 2010 GX 460 to a dealer at their earliest convenience for the update at no cost. The update should take approximately one hour depending on the dealers’ work schedule.

"Engineers have conducted tests to confirm the VSC performance issue raised by Consumer Reports, and we are confident this VSC software update addresses the concern," said Steve St. Angelo, Toyota chief quality officer for North America.

Starting in early May, Lexus will begin mailing letters to GX 460 owners included in this recall. Lexus will provide a courtesy vehicle to anyone who has purchased a 2010 GX 460 and has concerns about driving it until the recall work has been completed.

In addition, Lexus has lifted the temporary "Stop Sale" on April 28th for all dealer Inventory of the GX460.

Detailed information about this recall is available through Lexus Customer Satisfaction at 1-800-25 LEXUS or 1-800-255-3987.

Q1: Why is Lexus conducting a Safety Recall?

A1: On certain 2010 Model Year Lexus GX460 vehicles, if the vehicle is driven through a sharp turn at specific high speed conditions, this could cause the rear tires to slip so that the vehicle slides in a sideways direction. In an extreme case, if the vehicle strikes a curb or slides off pavement, a crash could occur.

Q1a: What are the specific conditions of the “sharp turn at the high speed”?

A1a: The specific conditions are: 1) the vehicle is driven straight forward until reaching a speed of 65mph, at which time the driver releases the accelerator pedal; 2) the vehicle is then advanced into a corner with a radius of 200ft, and when the vehicle speed slows to 55mph, the driver turns the steering wheel sharply without applying either the brake pedal or accelerator pedal.

Q2: Why does this occur?

A2: During a test conducted by Consumer’s Union (Consumer Reports), the Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) did not activate at the initiation of tire slippage. This is due to the gentle yaw rate level generated by this model’s high suspension performance system known as KDSS (Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System).

Q2a: What is “VSC”?

A2a: The VSC system manages engine output and brake hydraulic pressure to ensure vehicle stability. However, the system is not able to exert control in all of the driving situations.

Q2b: What is the “KDSS (Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System)”?

A2b: The KDSS (Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System) optimally adjusts the front and rear stabilizer bars depending on the driving conditions. The stabilizers are disengaged in rough road conditions to allow for suspension movement when driving over rough terrain. The stabilizers are activated for on road driving, thereby preventing vehicle body roll during cornering.

Q3: Are there any steps a driver may take if they experience this condition?

A3: Each circumstance may vary, and drivers must use their best judgment. Drivers should operate their vehicles in accordance with the posted speed limits and warning signs, as well as taking into consideration road and weather conditions. If the brakes are applied when turning at high speeds the VSC is designed to activate.

Q4: Which and how many vehicles are involved?

A4: There are approximately 9,400 GX 460 (2010 model year) vehicles involved in the U.S.

Q5: What is the production period of the affected vehicles?

A5: The vehicles specific to this Safety Recall were produced from November 16, 2009 to April 8, 2010


Q6: Are there any other Toyota or Lexus vehicles involved?

A6: No, there are no other Lexus or Toyota vehicles involved in the North American market. However, the Toyota Prado vehicles equipped with left hand drive and KDSS are involved in other overseas markets.

Q6a: Why are other Toyota and Lexus SUV’s not involved in the North American market?

A6a: Due to differences in a combination of weight balance, front and rear suspension design, and equipped tires, no other Toyota or Lexus vehicles are involved in the North American market.

Q7: What is Lexus going to do?

A7: Owners of the affected vehicles will be notified by first class mail to bring their vehicles to a Lexus dealer beginning in early May. Lexus dealers will install a newly designed software update (reflash) to the VSC Electronic Control Unit (ECU) at no charge to vehicle owners.

Q7a: How will the newly designed software reduce the possibility of this condition?

A7a: The newly designed software will activate the Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) stronger than the originally equipped software when a slide or skid is detected.

Q8: When will the newly designed software becomes available?

A8: Lexus released the software update on April 28th.

Q9: How many incidents of this condition have been reported?

A9: There have been no incidents reported related to this condition.

Q10: Have there been any accidents reported?

A10: There have been no accidents reported related to this condition.

Q11: What should an owner do if they experience this condition or have immediate concerns about his/her vehicle?

A11: Owners with questions or concerns are asked to contact their local Lexus dealer for diagnosis, and if applicable, repair. Owners may also contact Lexus Customer Satisfaction at 1-800-255-3987.