2010 Lexus GX 460 Recalled To Update Stability Control Software

TORRANCE, California — Toyota on Monday said it will recall 9,400 2010 Lexus GX 460 SUVs, just days after it suspended sales of the vehicle in the wake of a "don't buy" warning from Consumer Reports. The Japanese automaker said it will update the vehicle stability control software in the $52,845 luxury SUV.

News of this latest Toyota recall comes on a day rife with blows to the automaker's once-sterling image. Toyota today agreed to pay a $16.4-million fine levied by the federal government for dragging its heels on an unrelated recall. It also is recalling 600,000 Sienna minivans to fix a faulty spare-tire carrier.

Toyota said all Lexus dealers will have the software update for the Lexus GX 460 by the end of April. Toyota also said that Lexus will provide a courtesy vehicle to anyone who has purchased a 2010 GX 460 and "has concerns" about driving it until recall work is finished.

"Our 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's new chief quality officer for North America, in a statement.

Consumer Reports issued the rare "don't buy" warning because it said the GX 460 posed a "safety risk." It said the big SUV was prone to slide when driven in sweeping turns and could roll over. The subsequent suspension of sales of the GX 460 by Toyota was another dismal chapter in the automaker's ongoing quality crisis — a public relations nightmare for the automaker that has routinely won kudos from Consumer Reports in the past.

Lexus GX 460 owners can contact Lexus at (800) 255-3987 or via the recall Web site.

Inside Line says: If you own the aforementioned Lexus, get it into your dealer ASAP. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent