| Vehicle Make / Model: | | Model Year(s): | | LEXUS / LS460 | | 2009-2010
| | LEXUS / LS460L | | 2009-2010
| | LEXUS / LS600H | | 2010
| | LEXUS / LS600HL | | 2010
| | Manufacturer: TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC. | Mfr's Report Date: MAY 21, 2010 | | NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 10V218000 | N/A NHTSA Action Number: N/A | |
| Component: STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM |
| Potential Number of Units Affected: 3,800 |
Summary:
 TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 AND 2010 LEXUS LS460 AND LS600 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 20, 2009 THROUGH MAY 13, 2010. A PROGRAMMING CHANGE OF THE STEERING CONTROL ECU FOR THE VARIABLE GEAR RATIO STEERING (VGRS) SYSTEM CAN CAUSE IMPROPER ACTIVATION OF THE STEERING SYSTEM PROTECTION LOGIC DESIGNED TO PROTECT THE SYSTEM WHEN LARGER THAN NORMAL STEERING INPUTS ARE APPLIED AT A FULLY TURNED POSITION. |
Consequence:
IMPROPER ACTIVATION OF THE STEERING SYSTEM PROTECTION LOGIC CAN CAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL TO BECOME OFF-CENTERED UP TO 90 DEGREES. THIS MAY OCCUR AFTER THE DRIVER HAS FULLY TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL IN ONE DIRECTION THEN QUICKLY ATTEMPTS TO TURN IT BACK TO THE CENTER POSITION. SHOULD THIS OCCUR WHILE DRIVING, THE RISK OF A CRASH IS INCREASED. |
Remedy:
TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND LEXUS DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STEERING CONTROL ECU.
Normally Lexus makes just about the most reliable and defect-free vehicles around. But let me see if I got this one right. So you turn a corner (that's the 90 degree steering wheel turn they are talking about) and then you quickly turn the steering wheel back to drive straight ahead, the computer in the car won't let you. You know, I'm all for having smarter cars, but steering seems to me to be something that they ought to leave up to the driver. The Lexus "steering system protection logic" sounds pretty illogical to me.
It also sounds like a deadly dangerous defect too.
If you've got one of these potential lemon Lexus cars, don't take a chance. If your dealer doesn't take care of you promptly, be careful. If they won't help you, we will. Getting rid of lemon Lexus cars is what we do. Every day. We've been doing it since 1978.
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