NHTSA Recall 10V218000
Filed by Toyota Motor Corporation. Component: Steering. Reported 2010-05-21. An estimated 3,800 vehicles are affected. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer.
Defect
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.
Risk
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.
What the manufacturer will do
TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND LEXUS DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STEERING CONTROL ECU FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 12, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
Notes
OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .