Personal Injury Law

Toyota to Recall 11,500 Lexus Vehicles Overseas

By Jane Akre

Toyota Motor Corp. based in Toyota City, Japan, will recall 4,500 Lexus vehicles in Japan and 7,000 overseas for a steering problem.

Business Week reports the recall includes 3,800 Lexus vehicles in the U.S.

The giant automaker has received a dozen complaints about problems with the computerized steering, specifically, that it does not return to the original position quickly enough.

Business Week reports the problem is both mechanical and software-related.

Toyota says it knows of no accidents that have resulted. The Lexus model under recall is the 'LS' including the LS 460, 460, 600h L. The computerized steering controls the tires, reports AP.

The most recent recall for 50,000 2003 Sequoia SUVs that have a traction control problem, may be related to electronic sensors.

Last month the giant automaker said it would recall the Lexus GX 460 SUV that Consumer Reports gave a 'Don't Buy' rating because of instability. The company has repaired about 13,000 GX 460s and Consumer Reports has lifted the warning.

Recalls overseas often forecast a recall in the U.S.

Toyota waited 11 months after a recall in Japan for trucks before issuing the same recall for more than 977,000 trucks in the U.S. for a steering defect.

Worldwide, Toyota has recalled between 8 to 9 million vehicles for unintended acceleration and Tuesday paid a $16.4 million fine for delays in reporting problems with sticking gas pedals on 2.3 million cars.

Toyota is bouncing back nicely from the fall in profits and confidence it took following the unintended acceleration problems for Toyota vehicles. Last week the company revealed projections for 2010 of a gain of 48% to $3.32 billion.

The fourth quarter began the recovery with a net profit of more than $1 billion after taking more than a $7 billion loss a year earlier. #

Full post as published by InjuryBoard on May 19, 2010 (boomark / email).