Personal Injury Law

Consumer Reports "Don't Buy" Warning prompts Toyota to Halt Sales of 2010 Lexus GX 460

By LaBovick Law

Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) has suffered another blow to its already tarnished safety record. Following a Consumer Reports 'Don't Buy' warning, the carmaker issued a temporary sales halt on April 14 for its 2010 Lexus GX 460 luxury sport-utility vehicle. Consumer Reports found the popular SUV to be a 'safety risk' due to its susceptibility to flip over in certain situations.

Tests of the SUV by Consumer Reports found that the rear of the vehicle was prone to slide out during sharp turns or other emergency maneuvers, despite an electronic stability control system seemingly designed to prevent such occurrences. As a result, Consumer Reports found the SUV susceptible to potentially life threatening rollover accidents.

'We believe that in real-world driving, that situation could lead to a rollover accident, which could cause serious injury or death,' Consumer Reports noted on its Cars Blog about the situation. 'As a result, we are urging consumers not to buy the GX 460 until the problem has been fixed.'

Julia Piscitelli, a spokesperson for a division of the Transportation Department, advised drivers of the Lexus GX 460 to "use care and caution. Drivers of all vehicles should avoid excessive speed and aggressive maneuvering in order to maintain control of their vehicles."

The Los Angeles Times reports that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is planning to review the findings of Consumer Reports.

Don't Buy: Safety Risk--2010 Lexus GX 460 – Consumer Reports

Toyota temporarily halts sale of Lexus GX 460 SUV – Los Angeles Times

Lexus GX 460 Sales HALTED: Toyota Responds To ‘Don't Buy' Warning From ‘Consumer Reports' – The Huffington Post

Full post as published by LaBovick Injury Law Blog on April 15, 2010 (boomark / email).