- NHTSA is investigating possible safety issues with the 2010 Lexus GX 460.
- Consumer Reports recently labeled the GX a "Don't Buy" due to rollover concerns.
- NHTSA is now inspecting the vehicle that Consumer Reports tested.
DETROIT — The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Thursday it is stepping into the fray over the 2010 Lexus GX 460. The federal safety agency will investigate safety questions raised by Consumer Reports earlier this week when it urged the public not to buy the Lexus SUV because of rollover concerns.
David Strickland, the NHTSA administrator, told reporters at the SAE World Congress meeting here that the agency is looking into whether the Lexus GX 460 meets federal safety standards. The agency is inspecting the vehicle that Consumer Reports tested.
"We should probably be getting answers on that very soon," said Strickland.
NHTSA has come under as much fire as Toyota for its response to the Japanese automaker's recalls earlier this year. NHTSA took heat from congressional investigators in late February and March for what some perceived as too-close ties to the auto industry.
As of Friday morning, NHTSA had yet to post a defect investigation of the GX 460. While consumers are beginning to post complaints with NHTSA about the Lexus SUV, none have raised any issues about handling. The complaints mainly deal with fears over driving the Lexus GX 460 and the desire to get their money back. "I leased a 2010 GX 460 from Lexus," wrote one consumer on April 13. "I am now afraid to drive it and would like to return it."
Toyota issued a stop-sale order on the 2010 Lexus GX 460 earlier this week and said it would be testing all Toyota and Lexus SUVs to assure consumers that they are safe to drive.
In the meantime, Consumer Reports said the fix for the Lexus will likely involve a software upgrade that adjusts the electronic stability control.
Inside Line says: With Consumer Reports, Toyota and the federal government all over the Lexus GX 460 problem, we should get some answers fairly soon. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
Add A Comment »
dustyred14 says:
05:51 PM, 04/17/2010
And furthermore, I am all for technology, but they focused way too much on having stability control make the good driving decisions for them! Know what you are driving and what it can do!
dustyred14 says:
05:50 PM, 04/17/2010
I'd have to agree with those who think this is ridiculous.
First off, Consumer Reports has the least credit for giving unbiased vehicle reviews and I saw their video. With the speed at which they took that massive SUV around that curve, they should feel lucky that it DIDN'T flip.
Someone who purchases an SUV of that size and price tag is not likely to be someone who is stupid enough to fly that fast around a blind curve in that huge thing.
Conveniently, this happens just as Toyota is in the federal court spotlight. I mean, I'm all for Toyota getting raked over the coals for their cover-ups, but it looks to me that Consumer Reports might have some publicity in mind here.
Don't worry CR, we promise we won't forget about you and your biased reviews anymore.
But in all honesty, this is just more information we should consider when we try to decide whether to listen to them or Motor Trend. Sorry CR, I'd have to agree that Samsung makes the best LCD, but you're not reviewing refridgerators here. You've been out of your league with vehicles since you started with them. ;)
nicked says:
11:49 AM, 04/17/2010
All the sudden a fun-to-drive Lexus SUV becomes a target of criminal investigation. What's wrong with a SUV that allow more direct control from the driver? People can't control their luxury SUVs will either causing accidents or drive like a Grandma.
mazda609 says:
04:55 PM, 04/16/2010
@ ivan_99
Couldn't agree with you more.
carolinagirl4 says:
12:46 PM, 04/16/2010
I realize this posting board is probably geared more towards those who have more knowledge in the automotive industry (my husband used this site to help buy our car), however, being a mom who drives a GX 460 and is sick to death of people asking me "what are you going to do about your new car," I thought I would add my two cents.
First of all, if you drive an SUV, you probably have 2 or more children with you, a minimum of one riding in a booster or car seat and perhaps a couple of children that don't belong to you. You probably have open drinks, snacks and DVD's playing in the background and arguing.. not to mention the older children's electronics competing, school buses stopping in front of you and your cell phone ringing wildly. With all of that going on, extra care has to be taken to drive this vehicle anyway. Driving a car "like you stole it" just doesn't happen under normal everyday conditions. And if you drive a vehicle like this carelessly, expect it to flip. Seriously, most people who drive this way should know better not to buy a high profile, gas guzzling vehicle in the first place.
With all of that said, I love this car and am anxious to see where all of this goes. But being a parent, we would hate to say "would've, should've" so we asked to use a loaner from our dealership until more clarity could be provided. We have been so impressed with the urgency that Lexus is taking to look into this issue and possibly make an adjustment. Our dealership was fantastic.....prompt with delivering a loaner car and they have been very open to discuss the matter with us. In fact they are proactively calling all customers who purchased these vehicles from their dealership to let them know what sorts of things they are willing to do in the meantime.
So we will spill our snacks and drinks in their loaner car until this is all resolved..... too bad there is no DVD or navigation.
cacressida says:
12:10 PM, 04/16/2010
"I leased a 2010 GX 460 from Lexus," wrote one consumer on April 13. "I am now afraid to drive it and would like to return it."
Nuff said..
atenza94546 says:
10:24 AM, 04/16/2010
But NHTSA does not have technology to test the software on vehiceles, what they need again is to have NASA to step in. So why don't we dismantle NHTSA and just use NASA to our safety division.
jonthecarguy says:
10:12 AM, 04/16/2010
Did the government investigate the old Montero when CR "uncovered" a similiar problem? The Montero continued to be sold for the next 4 or so years. What about the Escape and Liberty when the NHTSA was able to tip them up when they put them through the side crash test?
Did the government investigate the Cavalier, Astro, Venture/Transport minivans, F-150 etc...for being death traps?
Here's a thought...Don't buy a big, heavy, tall SUV and drive it like a sports car. If you do then your stupid!
half_ton says:
10:01 AM, 04/16/2010
I've stated this before; Toyota's are known for having ESC's that (too) quickly intervene during swooping turns. If they make any adjustments to their system that causes the ESC to kick in any sooner they will virtually eliminate whatever fun factor that may be remaining in their vehicles.
I also continue to be amazed at how much hoopla this one test from a sub-standard publication has generated when we ALL know that this would be almost a non-issue if not for the recall.
Lastly, before I go completly insane, can someone please tell me who the uninformed simpleton is who bought their GX460, drove it for approx one week (probably with a BIG smile cuase they had a "Lexus") and now is afraid to drive it and wants a refund!?!?! WHO DOES THAT!?!?!? Espicaly from a suspect (in terms of auto recommendations) publication like CR.
This is soo sad it's pathetic . . .
jeremy_c says:
09:57 AM, 04/16/2010
Consumer Report also list a number of plasma tv, DVD players, vacuum cleaners as do not buys. Should congress investigate these too?
Sorry about ranting on but I am so annoyed by this circus.