NEW YORK – Consumer Reports has given the Lexus GX460
a rare "Don't Buy" warning, saying a problem that occurred during
routine handling tests could lead the SUV to roll over in
real-world driving.
In the latest blow to Toyota's reputation, the magazine said that
during a test of the vehicle's performance during unusual turns,
the rear of the vehicle slid until it was nearly sideways before
the electronic
stability control system kicked in.
Consumer Reports said in real-world driving, such a scenario could
cause a rollover accident. As a result, the magazine has given the
seven-seat SUV a "Don't Buy: Safety Risk" label until the problem
is fixed.
"In a real world situation, by that time, the car can hit the curb
or the side of the road and that's the situation where, in a
vehicle like that, it could cause it to roll over," said Gabriel
Shenhar, senior auto
test engineer at Consumer Reports, who was one of four
testers to experience the problem.
Consumer Reports said the last vehicle to receive such a warning
was the 2001
Mitsubishi Montero Limited. It said among the 95 SUVs in its
current ratings, no other slid as far as the GX460.
Starting at about $52,000, the GX460 is a small-volume vehicle for
Lexus, Toyota Motor Corp.'s luxury brand. But the warning
represents yet another blow for Toyota's tarnished reputation for
safety following recalls of millions of vehicles for faulty gas
pedals. The GX460 is not covered by the pedal recalls.
Consumer Reports said the problem occurred during a handling test
on its test
track. During the test, the driver approaches a turn
unusually fast, then releases the accelerator pedal to simulate a
typical driver's response. This causes the rear of the vehicle to
slide.
In normal cases, the vehicle's electronic stability control should
quickly correct the loss of control. But Shenhar said in the case
of the GX460, the stability control took too long to adjust,
causing a risk of rolling over.
However, Consumer Reports said it is not aware of any reports of
the vehicle rolling over. The magazine said it tested two separate
vehicles, both of which experienced the problem, but neither rolled
over.
Consumer Reports said it has notified Toyota and said the automaker
is investigating the problem.