Automotive

Toyota Announces Voluntary Recall on Certain Lexus LS 460 and LS 600h L Vehicles


TORRANCE, Calif.—(ENEWSPF)–May 21, 2010 – Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., today announced it will conduct a voluntary safety recall on approximately 3,800 Lexus late 2009 and certain 2010 model year LS 460 and LS 600h L vehicles in the U.S. equipped with Variable Gear Ratio Steering (VGRS) to address a temporary steering wheel off-center condition that may develop under a specific driving maneuver.  No other Toyota, Lexus, or Scion vehicles are involved in this recall.

The VGRS system enables easier handling during low-speed driving and provides better stability during high-speed driving than conventional steering by changing the gear ratio.

The VGRS system may exhibit a temporary steering wheel off-center condition after driving away quickly from a very tight turn where the steering was at full lock position. The steering wheel off-center position will automatically be corrected in approximately five seconds by the VGRS system as the vehicle is driven.  The driver may notice the system auto correcting as the steering wheel slowly moves to the center position while driving straight during the VGRS correction.

Due to the specific driving circumstances, this condition will not occur during normal driving such as changing lanes or turning at intersections.  Lexus recently received one customer report in the U.S. regarding this condition; no accidents or injuries have been reported.

“Our entire company is taking major steps to become a more responsive and safety focused organization.” said Steve St. Angelo, Toyota chief quality officer for North America.  “We’re listening closely to our customers and taking action to address this steering issue in certain Lexus models quickly.”

As soon as the remedy parts are available, Lexus will begin sending notification letters by first class mail to owners of the involved vehicles.  The letter will advise owners to bring their vehicle to a Lexus dealer to have the Steering Control computer replaced with a newly designed one at no charge.  The computer replacement is expected to take less than one hour, depending on dealer workload.

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

 

 

Source: Toyota.com


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