Consumer Reports Drops 'Don't Buy' Rating for Lexus GX 460

Consumer Reports has lifted its “Don’t Buy” rating for the 2010 Lexus GX 460 after the automaker adjusted its electronic stability control software. The publication had been recommending that car buyers stay away from the SUV after it failed emergency handling test.

According to Consumer Reports, the rear of the GX 460 slid sideways on its test track during a specific emergency maneuver. Toyota has since then updated the software for the vehicle’s electronic stability control system, and now the magazine says the GX 460 has passed its test. The Japanese automaker stopped selling the GX 460 in April and recalled roughly 10,000 of them to implement the fix.

Toyota had already resumed sales of the SUV in late April after updating the electronic stability control software at individual dealerships.

Lexus to Recall 2010 GX 460 SUV

Today, Lexus announced it would issue a recall for the 2010 GX 460, which fell under scrutiny last week after Consumer Reports found a fault with the SUV and issued a “Don’t Buy” recommendation.

Lexus says the recall of nearly 6,000 SUVs in the U.S. will begin in the next two weeks and will focus on the electronic stability system.

The company says it will continue to offer loaner cars to any owners until the work is completed. We expect the recall will be posted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration next Monday.

Customers can contact Lexus at 800-255-3987 with any questions or concerns. 

Toyota Testing More SUVs

In the wake of Consumer Reports’ recent “Don’t Buy” finding on the Lexus GX SUV, Toyota is now re-examining and retesting all of its SUVs. The company announced that it would conduct tests similar to the one that Consumer Reports did, which found a flaw in the time it took the GX’s stability control system to engage during hard cornering.

As we reported earlier, Toyota’s own tests are slightly different in terms of speed and angle. The company is not recalling or stopping the sale of any of its other SUVs at this point. Also, Consumer Reports and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have tested the company’s more mainstream offerings in the past, like the RAV4. We list all of the company’s SUVs and NHTSA rollover ratings below.

Toyota Conducting Safety Tests on All SUV Models (USA Today)

NHTSA Responds to Lexus GX 460 Report

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has just issued a statement regarding the test conducted by Consumer Reports (which is owned by Consumers Union) on the 2010 Lexus GX 460, which it found unsafe and issued a warning to shoppers not to buy.

In the statement, NHTSA says:

“We’re in the process of testing the 2010 Lexus GX460 SUV to ensure it complies with NHTSA’s safety standard for electronic stability control (ESC), and to understand better the results obtained by Consumers Union (CU) reported today. It is our belief that ESC should prevent the kind of fishtail event described in CU’s tests.

“As we review the findings, NHTSA remains in close communication with CU. We are also in contact with Toyota about this issue.

“NHTSA advises drivers of the 2010 Lexus GX460 SUV to use care and caution. Drivers of all vehicles should avoid excessive speed and aggressive maneuvering in order to maintain control of their vehicles.

“For nearly 45 years, NHTSA has been testing vehicles to make sure they meet all federal safety standards.”

Lexus Was Alerted to GX Issue Last Week

News broke earlier today that Consumer Reports was issuing a “Don’t Buy” recommendation on the redesigned 2010 Lexus GX 460 SUV, but the publication alerted Toyota to the problem last week, and engineers from the automaker were on hand last Friday to watch the tests themselves.

Lexus spokesman Bill Kwong said it had rained at the Consumer Reports proving grounds, so another test could not be replicated for the engineers. Kwong said the company has been working to replicate the tests since that time and was instantly in contact with teams in Japan via video conference. He said the company was very concerned about Consumer Reports’ tests and that “all hands are on deck” to reproduce the problem and fix it if found.

He explained that the tests Consumer Reports and Toyota run are very similar but have slightly different speeds and approach angles.

Kwong also explained why the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration lacks a rollover rating for the GX. The federal government doesn’t actually crash-test low-volume or high-end vehicles. It requires automakers to complete crash tests in accordance to set guidelines, and the tests can be audited if needed. We have not heard back from NHTSA if it will look into this matter specifically.

Consumer Reports Flags 2010 Lexus GX 460

Consumer Reports recently tested the 2010 Lexus GX 460 and found that it could tip over during extreme cornering tests. These tests are supposed to simulate the type of sharp turn drivers experience when taking highway off-ramps, where the first reaction to a steep turn is to lift your foot off the accelerator to slow down.

Consumer Reports says in these instances, it takes too long for the stability control to engage and could lead to rollovers. The publication has flagged the 2010 GX with “Don’t Buy: Safety Risk.” It paid for a second GX to retest and got the same results. Neither GX actually rolled over, however. Consumer Reports also tested the new Toyota 4Runner, which the Lexus is based on, and didn’t experience the same problem.

Toyota has already responded to the report, saying it has tested the GX rigorously and that it meets all federal safety guidelines. Toyota will try to re-create the Consumer Reports test to conclude whether the company thinks the publication’s finding has merit or not.

Unfortunately, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does not have a star rating for rollover or any other crash tests listed for the GX on its website. We have left voicemails with the agency to see if the tests have actually been completed or not. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety also has not tested the GX.

The GX was completely redesigned for 2010 and went on sale in late 2009. It was not part of either of Toyota’s two recent recalls for sticky pedals and pedal entrapment. Through March, sales of the GX were up 185% for the year compared with 2009. Almost 5,000 have been sold in total. While that number is small, the GX starts at $52,000 and is a profitable model for the brand.

A video of the test is embedded below.

2010 Lexus GX 460 Video

The “corporate cousin” to the Toyota 4Runner, the 2010 Lexus GX 460 comes off as a more refined version of that SUV. Boasting improvements in power and fuel economy, the 2010 GX 460 also features a new safety system. Cars.com’s Patrick Olsen takes you on a brief tour of the changes to this Lexus SUV in this video.

2010|Lexus|GX 460

2010 Lexus GX: First Look

• Competes with: Land Rover LR4, Mercedes-Benz M-Class, Audi Q7
• Looks like: The previous GX 470 with styling tweaks here and there
• Drivetrain: 301-hp, 4.6-liter V-8 with six-speed automatic transmission, full-time four-wheel drive
• Hits dealerships: Late December 2009

Lexus’ midsize truck-based SUV, the GX, has been redesigned for 2010. The new luxury SUV features a more powerful V-8 engine, slightly improved gas mileage and revised styling inside and out. For the first time, the GX will be offered in two grades: base, which will carry an MSRP of $51,970, and Premium, which will be priced at $56,765. The MSRP does not include a delivery charge of $875. The all-new GX 460 will be on display for the first time at the L.A. Auto Show in early December. It hits U.S. dealerships in late December.