Lexus recalls SUV’s and GS models in Europe

Chauffeurs in Europe who operate Land Cruiser and Lexus GS are facing a voluntary recall of the models.

Toyota Motor Europe has announced it would make a voluntary recall of around 7.500 units of Toyota Land Cruiser 150 (Prado) and Lexus GX 460 in Europe in order to carry out a reprogramming of the Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) software to improve its responsiveness in very limited circumstances and to ensure customer satisfaction.

While the recalled vehicles are apparently safe to drive under normal driving conditions, on certain vehicles equipped with the optional Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System, when the driver makes a sharp turn of the steering wheel at high speed, or when the driver negotiates a curve to the right at excessive speed, there is a possibility for the car to slide out, even though it is a controllable situation.

The manufacturer says this is due to an insufficient activation of the VSC system when the vehicle is driven under certain extreme driving conditions. The issue was investigated following a report in a US based consumer magazine.

The affected vehicles in Europe are only left-hand drive versions, no right-hand drive models are affected. The voluntary recall includes the Toyota Land Cruiser 150, available across Europe, and the Lexus GX 460 which is only available in certain Eastern European markets. A remedy for this issue has been announced by Toyota Motor Corporation.