More Toyota Problems..

[ColoradoSkiCountry]

NEW YORK (AP) - Consumer Reports has given a "Don't Buy" warning _ its first in nine years _ to the 2010 Lexus GX 460, saying the large SUV has handling problems that could cause it to roll over during sharp turns.

 

The warning is Toyota's latest rebuke from Consumer Reports, which in January pulled its "recommended" rating on eight vehicles recalled by the automaker due to faulty gas pedals. The magazine is closely read by many car buyers before choosing a new car or truck.

 

The magazine said the Lexus problem occurred during tests on its track. In a standard test, the driver approached a turn unusually fast, then released the accelerator pedal to simulate the response of an alarmed driver. This caused the rear of the vehicle to slide outward.

 

In normal cases, the electronic stability control should quickly correct the loss of control and keep the SUV on its intended path. But with the GX 460, the stability control took too long to adjust, which could cause a rollover accident if one of the sliding wheels were to strike the curb or another obstacle, said Gabriel Shenhar, Consumer Reports' senior auto test engineer who was one of four testers who experienced the problem.

 

The magazine said it is not aware of any reports of the GX 460 rolling over. It tested two separate vehicles, both of which experienced the problem, but neither rolled over.

 

The warning label on the model will remain until Toyota addresses the handling issue with the seven-seat SUV. About 5,400 have been sold since the vehicle went on sale in late December, Consumer Reports said.

 

Toyota said it is concerned about the findings, adding that its engineers will try to duplicate the magazine's tests to determine the next steps. The GX 460 still "meets or exceeds" government testing requirements, Toyota said.

 

"We take the Consumer Reports' test results seriously," the automaker said.

 

The warning is the latest blow to Toyota's tarnished safety reputation after the recall of millions of cars and trucks over gas pedals that are too slow to retract or that can become stuck under floor mats. The GX 460 is not covered by the pedal recalls.

 

The "Don't Buy" label is unlikely to hurt Toyota's broader sales since the GX 460 accounts for a fraction of its total, said Erich Merkle, president of the consulting company Autoconomy.com in Grand Rapids, Mich. However, it comes at an unfortunate time as the automaker tries to move beyond the recalls.

 

"I think it will have a bigger impact from a negative-PR perspective than from an actual sales perspective," Merkle said.

 

The GX 460, which starts at about $52,000, is built on the same platform as the Toyota 4Runner. However, Consumer Reports said the problem did not occur during similar tests on the 4Runner. According to Toyota's Web site, both vehicles are about six feet tall but the GX 460 is about 3 inches taller.

 

Consumer Reports said the last vehicle to receive such a safety warning was the 2001 Mitsubishi Montero Limited, a large SUV. In that case, testers said the wheels lifted off the road during standard avoidance-maneuver tests, which also posed a rollover risk.

 

At the time, Mitsubishi disputed the magazine's findings and did not make any modifications to the vehicle, Mitsubishi spokesman Dan Irvin said. The designation appeared to have little effect on the Montero's sales, which increased overall during the second half of 2001.

 

The Montero remained on sale in the U.S. until 2007 and continues to be sold overseas as the Mitsubishi Pajero.

 

Toyota shares traded in the U.S. fell 52 cents to $79.03.

[Jubei69]

"When it rains, it FLOODS......"

[truckofwinandawesome]

And there goes ANOTHER Chunk of Crapota's Armor! If this keeps up, Crapota MIGHT Have to Pull out of the US Market!

[hockeypro1411]

The magazine said the Lexus problem occurred during tests on its track. In a standard test, the driver approached a turn unusually fast, then released the accelerator pedal to simulate the response of an alarmed driver. This caused the rear of the vehicle to slide outward.

 

That's when you get back on the gas and smoke the tires for what they're worth.

[P71_CrownVic]

The magazine said the Lexus problem occurred during tests on its track. In a standard test, the driver approached a turn unusually fast, then released the accelerator pedal to simulate the response of an alarmed driver. This caused the rear of the vehicle to slide outward.

 

That's when you get back on the gas and smoke the tires for what they're worth.

 

 

Exactly...it's called oversteer Consumer Reports. Now take off your dress, put down your purse and embrace it.

 

In a few years...all that will be on the road is 42HP pickups and FWD crap-boxes. Oversteer is going the way of the V8...

 

This is just stupid...stopping all sales due to oversteer...this country has officially gone down the toilet.

[hockeypro1411]

The magazine said the Lexus problem occurred during tests on its track. In a standard test, the driver approached a turn unusually fast, then released the accelerator pedal to simulate the response of an alarmed driver. This caused the rear of the vehicle to slide outward.

 

That's when you get back on the gas and smoke the tires for what they're worth.

 

 

Exactly...it's called oversteer Consumer Reports. Now take off your dress, put down your purse and embrace it.

 

In a few years...all that will be on the road is 42HP pickups and FWD crap-boxes. Oversteer is going the way of the V8...

 

This is just stupid...stopping all sales due to oversteer...this country has officially gone down the toilet.

 

 

Maybe the driver shouldn't be trying to take a turn at 40 MPH to begin with... If I rolled my truck trying to do that, I'd sue the lift company for not making it idiot proof. There's gotta be some kind of standard set for what is and isn't driver error. Computers can apply brakes to individual wheels, but they can't fix stupid.

[Gregorio]

The magazine said the Lexus problem occurred during tests on its track. In a standard test, the driver approached a turn unusually fast, then released the accelerator pedal to simulate the response of an alarmed driver. This caused the rear of the vehicle to slide outward.

 

That's when you get back on the gas and smoke the tires for what they're worth.

 

 

Exactly...it's called oversteer Consumer Reports. Now take off your dress, put down your purse and embrace it.

 

In a few years...all that will be on the road is 42HP pickups and FWD crap-boxes. Oversteer is going the way of the V8...

 

This is just stupid...stopping all sales due to oversteer...this country has officially gone down the toilet.

 

 

AMEN!

[truckofwinandawesome]

The magazine said the Lexus problem occurred during tests on its track. In a standard test, the driver approached a turn unusually fast, then released the accelerator pedal to simulate the response of an alarmed driver. This caused the rear of the vehicle to slide outward.

 

That's when you get back on the gas and smoke the tires for what they're worth.

 

 

Exactly...it's called oversteer Consumer Reports. Now take off your dress, put down your purse and embrace it.

 

In a few years...all that will be on the road is 42HP pickups and FWD crap-boxes. Oversteer is going the way of the V8...

 

This is just stupid...stopping all sales due to oversteer...this country has officially gone down the toilet.

 

 

Its ALREADY Happened in Europe! all you see are either Dull German Cars, FWD Crap cars, and even crappy electric city cars!

[RumorsOFsurF]

Wow, what a load of hogwash. Translation: "Don't buy this vehicle because it can't compensate for your lack of common sense and driving skills."

 

Imagine, if you take a corner too fast it will spin out...WHAT?!?!? This is unacceptable! Let's make it understeer so you hit something head on when you enter a turn too fast and your front end washes out because you're sipping your latte and talking on the cell phone instead of actively driving.

 

Automotive industry - "Attempting to protect people from their own stupidity for over 30 years!"

[ColoradoSkiCountry]

And here I thought Consumer Reports was Toyota's best friend.

[Nick The Great]

And here I thought Consumer Reports was Toyota's best friend.

 

[amtz.zero]

Wow, what a load of hogwash. Translation: "Don't buy this vehicle because it can't compensate for your lack of common sense and driving skills."

 

Imagine, if you take a corner too fast it will spin out...WHAT?!?!? This is unacceptable! Let's make it understeer so you hit something head on when you enter a turn too fast and your front end washes out because you're sipping your latte and talking on the cell phone instead of actively driving.

 

Automotive industry - "Attempting to protect people from their own stupidity for over 30 years!"

 

 

 

I agree with you! People need to focus on DRIVING when they're behind the wheel of a car. A couple of times, I've been close to calling the cops cause I think there's a drunk driver in front of me, but when I get closer, it's some idiot either putting on makeup or talking on the phone.

[revrnd]

Didn't CR do a similiar hatchet job on Jeep or Subaru? They subjected the vehicle to a maneuver that an SUV or 4x4 wouldn't be expected to do & when the vehicle handled poorly they called it unsafe.

 

You don't drive a CJ-5 like a Corvette.

[P71_CrownVic]

The magazine said the Lexus problem occurred during tests on its track. In a standard test, the driver approached a turn unusually fast, then released the accelerator pedal to simulate the response of an alarmed driver. This caused the rear of the vehicle to slide outward.

 

That's when you get back on the gas and smoke the tires for what they're worth.

 

 

Exactly...it's called oversteer Consumer Reports. Now take off your dress, put down your purse and embrace it.

 

In a few years...all that will be on the road is 42HP pickups and FWD crap-boxes. Oversteer is going the way of the V8...

 

This is just stupid...stopping all sales due to oversteer...this country has officially gone down the toilet.

 

 

Its ALREADY Happened in Europe! all you see are either Dull German Cars, FWD Crap cars, and even crappy electric city cars!

 

 

I know...with all of the bland junk coming out of the automakers lately...we will be Europe in no time.

[ColoradoSkiCountry]

Considering I heard somewhere that the European vehicles don't have a good of reliability ratings as the Domestics do, that's sad!