2010 Lexus RX Added to Accelerator Pedal Recall

The 2010 Lexus RX 350 & RX 450h have now been added to the 2009 recall that addresses the possibility of unsecured or incompatible floor mats entrapping the accelerator pedal.
Kevin · June 29th, 2012

2011 Lexus RX 350 Recalled for VDIM Issue

Lexus has issued a recall for a small number of RX 350s equipped with Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM) systems. The issue stems from improper calibration of the hydraulic control valves, which may cause the front right wheel to function incorrectly during ABS (Antilock Braking System) or VSC (Vehicle Stability Control) activation
Kevin · August 3rd, 2011

Lexus Recall Issued for 06-07 GS 300/350, 04-07 RX & 08-11 LX 570

Lexus announced a voluntary safety recall on approximately 20,000 GS 300/350s made from 2006 to early 2007 to modify a plastic pad under the driver side carpet: In the event that the floor carpet around the accelerator pedal is not properly replaced in the correct position after a service operation, there is a possibility that …
Kevin · February 24th, 2011

Lexus Recalls 06-07 GS 350 & 06-09 IS 250/350 Over Fuel Pressure Sensor

Lexus has announced a voluntary safety recall on the select 2006-2007 GS 300/350, 2006-2009 IS 250, & 2006-2008 IS 350 models due to the possibility of a loose fuel pressure sensor — from the Lexus USA press release: Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., today announced that it will conduct a voluntary Safety Recall involving …
Kevin · January 26th, 2011

Lexus LX 470 Recall Announced

A voluntary safety recall has been announced for certain 2003-2007 Lexus LX 470s due to an issue with the steering shaft: Lexus has determined that the construction of the steering shaft on involved LX 470s is such that the snap ring on the shaft may disengage when the vehicle experiences an unusually severe impact to …
Kevin · July 29th, 2010

NHTSA Update on Lexus Sudden Acceleration Investigation

According to the Wall Street Journal, the U.S. Department of Transportation has analyzed a number of Toyota & Lexus black boxes taken from vehicles involved in “sudden acceleration” accidents, and have discovered that drivers were accidentally pushing the acceleration pedal instead of the brake: The results suggest that some drivers who said their Toyota and …
Kevin · July 13th, 2010

Full Lexus Engine Recall List

Lexus USA has filed its official papers (PDF Link) for the LS/IS/GS valve spring recall, here is the full list of affected vehicles: Also included in the recall document is a timeline of how the valve spring fault was discovered, which I’m reprinting here in full after the jump. (Thanks FYI!)
Kevin · July 8th, 2010

Keeping Perspective on Lexus Recall

Bloomberg is reporting that Lexus has been aware of the engine problems behind the recent recall since 2007: The carmaker received the first customer complaints in March 2007 in Japan regarding defective valve springs that may cause engines to stall, Toyota spokeswoman Ririko Takeuchi said by phone today from Tokyo. The problem occurs when foreign …
Kevin · July 7th, 2010

More on the Lexus Engine Recall

Lexus USA will be formally submitting their recall of approximately 138,000 Lexus vehicles next week with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The recall will apply to certain 2006, 2007 & 2008 GS, IS, and LS models equipped with 4.6 and 5.0L V8 and 3.5L V6 engines. Here’s the full breakdown: GS 350: 2007-2008 GS …
Kevin · July 2nd, 2010

Lexus Confirms Engine Recall

Toyota has announced that there will be a recall on 270,000 Lexus (and one model Toyota) worldwide — from The New York Times: Toyota will recall a total of 90,000 Lexus and Crown sedans in Japan, and is “making preparations to take similar, appropriate actions” for 180,000 more cars that carry the same engine worldwide, …
Kevin · July 1st, 2010

Potential Lexus Engine Recall

Toyota has announced today that they may be recalling 270,000 Lexus cars after discovering a problem with the 4.6L V8 and 3.5L V6 engines used throughout the lineup — from the Wall Street Journal: The auto maker has found a problem with the valve spring of 4.6 liter V8 engines and 3.5 liter V6 engines …
Kevin · July 1st, 2010

Lexus HS 250h Recalled Over Crash Test Fuel Leak

Lexus has issued a recall and stop sale on the HS 250h after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration discovered that too much gasoline leaks in a rear-impact test. The recall, which will affect 17,000 vehicles in the USA, is a result of a test that involves striking the vehicle with a deformable barrier from …
Kevin · June 25th, 2010

Lexus LS Recall Video Demonstration

Here’s a video demonstrating the steering issue that made the current Lexus LS recall necessary: All in all, this LS steering issue looks to be relatively non-critical — something that should be fixed and deserving of a recall, to be sure, but of minor importance to anyone outside of the affected owners. Still, good on …
Kevin · May 27th, 2010

LA Times Reports on 4th Generation ES Transmission Issues, Lexus Responds

This weekend, the LA Times published another chapter in their long-running battle against Toyota & Lexus, this time asserting that the transmission issues experienced by some 2002-2006 Lexus ES owners was indicative of a bigger problem: The documents show that Toyota repeatedly tried to solve the lurching problem by modifying the car’s computer software. But …
Kevin · May 24th, 2010

Lexus LS Recall FAQ

Lexus has officially issued a recall on late 2009 & certain 2010 Lexus LS vehicles equipped with the Variable Gear Ratio Steering (VGRS) system. This recall affects the LS 460, LS 460L, LS 600h, and LS 600hL, but no other Lexus models. All owners affected by the recall will be contacted via mail when the …
Kevin · May 23rd, 2010

Lexus LS to be Recalled for VGRS Issue

Lexus is preparing to issue a recall of Lexus LS models equipped with Variable Gear Ratio Steering (VGRS): This matter has been under investigation by TMC since March this year who have received approximately 10 complaints in Japan.  No accidents have been reported relating to this issue and we have received no reported cases of …
Kevin · May 19th, 2010

Consumer Reports Tests Lexus GX 460 Update

Consumer Reports have performed a test of the Lexus GX 460 software update: The magazine also posted a final comment on the safety issue they discovered, which ultimately led to current Lexus GX 460 recall: That’s what happened with the GX 460. The problem with the vehicle’s emergency handling capabilities was discovered by our auto …
Kevin · May 11th, 2010

Consumer Reports Removes Lexus GX 460 Safety Warning

Consumer Reports has lifted its Don’t Buy: Safety Risk rating on the Lexus GX 460 after testing the stability control software update — from the press release: CR contacted the Lexus dealership from which they had anonymously bought the vehicle and made an appointment to have the recall work performed. The work took about an …
Kevin · May 7th, 2010

Updated Lexus GX 460 Resumes Sales and Production

Today Lexus announced that the Vehicle Stability Control update for the 2010 GX 460 is now available at all U.S. and Canadian dealerships. Dealers have begun contacting owners to set up service appointments for the software fix, and most should receive messages within the next week. Concurrently, sales of the GX 460 are resuming, as …
Kevin · April 29th, 2010

Lexus GX 460 Recall Announced

In response to last week’s Consumer Reports warning of the GX 460’s handling during a high-speed test, today Lexus announced a voluntary recall of all 9,400 2010 model year GX 460s sold to date.  These models will receive a software update to the Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system.  Quoting from the press release: The VSC …
Kevin · April 19th, 2010

Lexus USA & Canada Temporarily Halt GX 460 Sales

Both Lexus USA & Lexus Canada have issued a sales stoppage on the new GX 460 until the stability problem discovered by Consumer Reports is resolved—here is the full press statement from Mark Templin, Lexus Group Vice President and General Manager: “For more than 20 years, Lexus has made customer safety and satisfaction our highest …
Kevin · April 13th, 2010

Lexus HS 250h Voluntary Recall Announced

A voluntary recall of the 2010 Lexus HS 250h has been announced by Toyota USA—from the press release: The ABS, in normal operation, engages and disengages rapidly (many times per second) as the control system senses and reacts to tire slippage. Some 2010 model year Prius and 2010 HS 250h owners have reported experiencing inconsistent …
Kevin · February 8th, 2010

Lexus HS 250h to be Part of Toyota Prius Brake Investigation

Taking the upmost caution in the face of increasingly ridiculous media attention, Toyota has announced that the Lexus HS 250h will be investigated alongside the 2010 Toyota Prius for a software glitch that is causing problems with Toyota’s hybrid braking—even though the two models don’t even use the same software: The mechanical parts that make …
Kevin · February 5th, 2010

A Note on the Recent Toyota Recall

In order to head off the emails I’ve been receiving over the last couple days regarding Toyota’s recent accelerator pedal recall—it is important to note that this is strictly a Toyota issue and does not affect any Lexus car or SUV. There was a Lexus ES 350 & IS 250/350 recall announced in December regarding …
Kevin · February 3rd, 2010

Lexus ES 350 & IS 250/350 Recall Extended to Canada

The Lexus ES 350 & IS 250/350 safety recall that was announced in the USA has been extended to Canada. The recall will address the possible risk of unintended acceleration due to improperly installed floor mats by installing a new accelerator pedal and by installing a brake override system that will cut engine power went …
Kevin · November 27th, 2009

Lexus ES 350 & IS 250/350 Recall Announced

Toyota has announced the recall of the Lexus ES 350 & IS 250/350 models to have their accelerator pedals reshaped and/or replaced. This recall is to be a permanent solution to the risk of unintended acceleration, no matter what floor mat is being used. Starting in early 2010, dealerships will be equipped to reshape the …
Kevin · November 25th, 2009

Lexus Temporary Safety Recall Solution Announced

A temporary solution to the ongoing safety recall affecting the Lexus ES 350 & IS 250/350 has been announced—according to Automotive News, zip ties will be used to hold down the floor mats until a permanent solution is ready: “We have reviewed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration what we’re calling a semipermanent floor …
Kevin · October 8th, 2009

Toyota President Apologizes For Recent Troubles

During a speech to the Japan National Press Club on Friday, new Toyota president Akio Toyoda was frankly apologetic over the company’s recent troubles: He expressed grief over a fatal crash that led to a recall of 3.8 million cars, regrets about an expected second consecutive annual loss and sorrow over the decision to close …
Kevin · October 4th, 2009

Lexus ES & IS to be Recalled over Floor Mats

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has issued a recommendation that 2007-2010 Lexus ES 350 & 2006-2010 Lexus IS 250/IS350 owners remove their drivers side floor mat, which may cause the accelerator to become stuck open under certain conditions: “This is an urgent matter,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “For everyone’s sake, we strongly …
Kevin · September 29th, 2009

Lexus Customer Service Examples

Nancy Fein, Lexus’ Vice-President of Customer Services, recently gave a talk at the Source Media Customer Engagement Symposium, where she discussed how Lexus reacts when things go wrong. Bill Taylor, co-founder of Fast Company and business author, was at the event and recapped the presentation: …what happens when big dreams get mugged by reality? That’s …
Kevin · December 17th, 2007

Lexus Issues Recall of 2006 GS 300, IS 250 & IS 350

Lexus has announced a recall of the 2006 editions of the GS 300, IS 250 and the IS 350, in regards to a problem with the fuel pipe design. Over time, a crack may form in fuel pipes located in the engine compartment, the company said today in a statement. The problem is blamed on …
Kevin · November 28th, 2007