2010 GX 460 voluntary recall (update to the ECU VSC coming out end of April)
04-19-10 | 12:59 PM
#1
Thread Starter
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,241
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From: MO
2010 GX 460 voluntary recall (update to the ECU VSC coming out end of April)
My dealer just called and Lexus is coming out with an update to the ECU for VSC around the end of April.
From what he said, the VSC will kick in faster under extreme conditions.
He couldn't release the document, it's for internal use only.
Lexus will contact customers by first class mail.
Just thought I would let people know...
From what he said, the VSC will kick in faster under extreme conditions.
He couldn't release the document, it's for internal use only.
Lexus will contact customers by first class mail.
Just thought I would let people know...
04-19-10 | 01:12 PM
#2
Lexus Champion
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 8,695
Likes: 2
From: CA
Yes, it's official: http://pressroom.toyota.com/pr/tms/l...ll-157109.aspx
Toyota Announces Voluntary Recall on 2010 Model-Year Lexus GX 460 to Update Vehicle Stability Control Software
TORRANCE, Calif., April 19, 2010 – Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., today announced it will conduct a voluntary safety recall on approximately 9,400 2010 Model Year Lexus GX 460 sport utility vehicles to update software in the vehicle’s Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system. No other Toyota, Lexus, or Scion vehicles are involved in this recall.
The VSC system helps control a loss of traction in turns as a result of front or rear wheel slippage during cornering.
“Toyota’s objective is to provide a high level of safety and quality, while meeting or surpassing governmental regulations. Our engineers have conducted tests to confirm the VSC performance issue raised by Consumer Reports, and we are confident this VSC software update addresses the concern,” said Steve St. Angelo, Toyota chief quality officer for North America.
All Lexus dealers will have the VSC software update by the end of April. Once the software update is available at dealerships, vehicle owners are encouraged to bring their 2010 GX 460 to a dealer at their earliest convenience for the update at no cost. The update should take approximately one hour depending on the dealers’ work schedule.
“From the moment we heard about this issue, Lexus and our dealers acted quickly to resolve the situation. Our dealers will now personally reach out to customers to set up appointments to make this modification. Lexus has always been about providing exemplary customer satisfaction and this will be another opportunity to demonstrate that,” said Mark Templin, Lexus group vice president and general manager.
Starting in early May, Lexus will begin mailing letters to GX 460 owners included in this recall. Lexus will provide a courtesy vehicle to anyone who has purchased a 2010 GX 460 and has concerns about driving it until the recall work has been completed.
Detailed information about this recall is available through Lexus Customer Satisfaction at 1-800-25 LEXUS or 1-800-255-3987 or at www.lexus.com/recall.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Toyota Motor Sales, Corporate Communications
(310) 468-5297
(310) 468-7359
TORRANCE, Calif., April 19, 2010 – Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., today announced it will conduct a voluntary safety recall on approximately 9,400 2010 Model Year Lexus GX 460 sport utility vehicles to update software in the vehicle’s Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system. No other Toyota, Lexus, or Scion vehicles are involved in this recall.
The VSC system helps control a loss of traction in turns as a result of front or rear wheel slippage during cornering.
“Toyota’s objective is to provide a high level of safety and quality, while meeting or surpassing governmental regulations. Our engineers have conducted tests to confirm the VSC performance issue raised by Consumer Reports, and we are confident this VSC software update addresses the concern,” said Steve St. Angelo, Toyota chief quality officer for North America.
All Lexus dealers will have the VSC software update by the end of April. Once the software update is available at dealerships, vehicle owners are encouraged to bring their 2010 GX 460 to a dealer at their earliest convenience for the update at no cost. The update should take approximately one hour depending on the dealers’ work schedule.
“From the moment we heard about this issue, Lexus and our dealers acted quickly to resolve the situation. Our dealers will now personally reach out to customers to set up appointments to make this modification. Lexus has always been about providing exemplary customer satisfaction and this will be another opportunity to demonstrate that,” said Mark Templin, Lexus group vice president and general manager.
Starting in early May, Lexus will begin mailing letters to GX 460 owners included in this recall. Lexus will provide a courtesy vehicle to anyone who has purchased a 2010 GX 460 and has concerns about driving it until the recall work has been completed.
Detailed information about this recall is available through Lexus Customer Satisfaction at 1-800-25 LEXUS or 1-800-255-3987 or at www.lexus.com/recall.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Toyota Motor Sales, Corporate Communications
(310) 468-5297
(310) 468-7359
04-19-10 | 02:06 PM
#5
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: Florida
Yes, it's official: http://pressroom.toyota.com/pr/tms/l...ll-157109.aspx
Let's hope CR retests the GX460 as soon as possible to accomplish two things:
1) ensure the fix does in fact completely resolves the issue.
2) Remove the stigma that has been attached to a fine vehicle.
Lets see how CR handles what has been a fast and in my opinion proper handling of the situation by Toyota.
At least we don't see the blue screen of death on our navigation
Trending Topics
04-19-10 | 02:44 PM
#8
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 936
Likes: 0
From: WV
Via Overnight Mail
April 19, 2010
Subject: Safety Recall ALB – Preliminary Notice
Certain 2010 Model Year GX 460 Vehicles
VSC ECU Update
Dear Dealer Principal:
On April 19, 2010, Lexus filed a Defect Information Report (DIR) with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) informing the agency of our intent to conduct a voluntary Safety Recall on certain 2010 model year GX 460 vehicles.
On certain 2010 Model Year Lexus GX460 vehicles, if the vehicle is driven through a sharp turn at specific high speed conditions, this could cause the rear tires to slip so that the vehicle slides in a sideways direction. In an extreme case, if the vehicle strikes a curb or slides off pavement, a crash could occur.
During a test conducted by Consumer’s Union (Consumer Reports), the Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) did not activate at the initiation of tire slippage. This is due to the gentle yaw rate level generated by this model’s high suspension performance system known as KDSS (Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System).
Lexus dealers will be requested to install a newly designed software update (reflash) to the VSC electronic control unit (ECU) at no charge to the vehicle owner, when it is made available in late April.
The following vital information is provided to inform you and your staff of the owner notification phase of the safety recall and your degree of involvement.
Owner Notification Mailing Date
The owner notification will commence in early May, 2010. The Lexus Q&A is attached for your use when responding to customer questions.
Only owners of the vehicles covered by the safety recall will be notified. If your dealership is contacted by an owner who has not yet received a notification letter, please verify vehicle eligibility by confirming through Dealer Daily/TIS prior to performing repairs. Dealers should perform the reflash program as outlined in the Technical Instructions which will be made available and posted on TIS in late April.
Identification of Involved Vehicles
There are approximately 9,400 2010 Lexus GX 460 vehicles covered. The affected vehicle VIN range is listed below.
Model WMI Year VIN Range
VDS Range
GX 460 JTJ 2010 BM7FX A5000145 – A5013347
JM7FX A5000143 – A5013345
NOTE:
•
The Vehicle Distribution Centers will be performing the Safety Recall prior to dealership delivery once the newly designed software is available. Please verify TIS prior to conducting the Safety Recall at dealerships.
•
Not all vehicles in the VIN range are covered by this Safety Recall.
•
If a dealership is contacted by an owner who has not yet received a notification, it should verify eligibility by confirming
2
through Dealer Daily/TIS prior to performing repairs.
•
Dealers should perform the repair as outlined on the Technical Instruction to be posted on TIS in late April.
Implementation at Dealerships
Technical instructions, warranty claim submission instructions and VIN lists will be provided in late April. All associates who have a part in this safety recall should be familiar with the contents of this letter.
Vehicles in Dealer Inventory
As required by Federal law, dealers are not to deliver any new vehicles in their inventory which are involved in a safety recall unless the defect has been remedied. Vehicle safety recall applicability and completion can be verified through TIS.
A VIN list containing vehicles in dealer inventory will be provided shortly.
Parts Ordering
The reflash process will not require any parts.
Customer Handling
Please consider this safety recall as a great opportunity to focus on assuring your customers that their safety remains Lexus’ highest priority, which will go a long way toward preserving their faith in your dealership and the Lexus brand. Please continue to welcome these customers and answer any questions they may have. The attached Q&A is provided to assure a consistent message is communicated.
Media Contacts
For news media inquires only: Due to the nature of this Safety Recall, it is imperative that all media contacts (local and national) receive a consistent message. In this regard, all media contacts must be directed to [names] in Corporate Communications. (Please do not provide these numbers to customers or direct dealership associates to call). Please provide these contacts to only media associates.
Please review this entire package with your staff to familiarize them with the proper step-by-step procedures required to implement this Safety Recall.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Lexus, A Division of Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc.
Attachment
CC: Customer Satisfaction Manager Sales Manager
General Manager Service Manager
Parts Manager
April 19, 2010
Subject: Safety Recall ALB – Preliminary Notice
Certain 2010 Model Year GX 460 Vehicles
VSC ECU Update
Dear Dealer Principal:
On April 19, 2010, Lexus filed a Defect Information Report (DIR) with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) informing the agency of our intent to conduct a voluntary Safety Recall on certain 2010 model year GX 460 vehicles.
On certain 2010 Model Year Lexus GX460 vehicles, if the vehicle is driven through a sharp turn at specific high speed conditions, this could cause the rear tires to slip so that the vehicle slides in a sideways direction. In an extreme case, if the vehicle strikes a curb or slides off pavement, a crash could occur.
During a test conducted by Consumer’s Union (Consumer Reports), the Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) did not activate at the initiation of tire slippage. This is due to the gentle yaw rate level generated by this model’s high suspension performance system known as KDSS (Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System).
Lexus dealers will be requested to install a newly designed software update (reflash) to the VSC electronic control unit (ECU) at no charge to the vehicle owner, when it is made available in late April.
The following vital information is provided to inform you and your staff of the owner notification phase of the safety recall and your degree of involvement.
Owner Notification Mailing Date
The owner notification will commence in early May, 2010. The Lexus Q&A is attached for your use when responding to customer questions.
Only owners of the vehicles covered by the safety recall will be notified. If your dealership is contacted by an owner who has not yet received a notification letter, please verify vehicle eligibility by confirming through Dealer Daily/TIS prior to performing repairs. Dealers should perform the reflash program as outlined in the Technical Instructions which will be made available and posted on TIS in late April.
Identification of Involved Vehicles
There are approximately 9,400 2010 Lexus GX 460 vehicles covered. The affected vehicle VIN range is listed below.
Model WMI Year VIN Range
VDS Range
GX 460 JTJ 2010 BM7FX A5000145 – A5013347
JM7FX A5000143 – A5013345
NOTE:
•
The Vehicle Distribution Centers will be performing the Safety Recall prior to dealership delivery once the newly designed software is available. Please verify TIS prior to conducting the Safety Recall at dealerships.
•
Not all vehicles in the VIN range are covered by this Safety Recall.
•
If a dealership is contacted by an owner who has not yet received a notification, it should verify eligibility by confirming
2
through Dealer Daily/TIS prior to performing repairs.
•
Dealers should perform the repair as outlined on the Technical Instruction to be posted on TIS in late April.
Implementation at Dealerships
Technical instructions, warranty claim submission instructions and VIN lists will be provided in late April. All associates who have a part in this safety recall should be familiar with the contents of this letter.
Vehicles in Dealer Inventory
As required by Federal law, dealers are not to deliver any new vehicles in their inventory which are involved in a safety recall unless the defect has been remedied. Vehicle safety recall applicability and completion can be verified through TIS.
A VIN list containing vehicles in dealer inventory will be provided shortly.
Parts Ordering
The reflash process will not require any parts.
Customer Handling
Please consider this safety recall as a great opportunity to focus on assuring your customers that their safety remains Lexus’ highest priority, which will go a long way toward preserving their faith in your dealership and the Lexus brand. Please continue to welcome these customers and answer any questions they may have. The attached Q&A is provided to assure a consistent message is communicated.
Media Contacts
For news media inquires only: Due to the nature of this Safety Recall, it is imperative that all media contacts (local and national) receive a consistent message. In this regard, all media contacts must be directed to [names] in Corporate Communications. (Please do not provide these numbers to customers or direct dealership associates to call). Please provide these contacts to only media associates.
Please review this entire package with your staff to familiarize them with the proper step-by-step procedures required to implement this Safety Recall.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Lexus, A Division of Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc.
Attachment
CC: Customer Satisfaction Manager Sales Manager
General Manager Service Manager
Parts Manager
Last edited by encore888; 04-19-10 at 03:29 PM. Reason: phone #s
04-19-10 | 03:20 PM
#9
Lexus Champion
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 8,695
Likes: 2
From: CA
During a test conducted by Consumer’s Union (Consumer Reports), the Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) did not activate at the initiation of tire slippage. This is due to the gentle yaw rate level generated by this model’s high suspension performance system known as KDSS (Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System).
Lexus dealers will be requested to install a newly designed software update (reflash) to the VSC electronic control unit (ECU) at no charge to the vehicle owner, when it is made available in late April.
Lexus dealers will be requested to install a newly designed software update (reflash) to the VSC electronic control unit (ECU) at no charge to the vehicle owner, when it is made available in late April.
04-19-10 | 03:26 PM
#10
Pole Position
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 294
Likes: 1
From: BC
04-19-10 | 04:23 PM
#11
Pole Position
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 373
Likes: 1
From: NY
EBAY Special...
I can clearly see the EBAY auto auctions in 2011 & 2012... 
Special edition of Lexus GX460 2010 model, without FACTORY mandated MOD. Allows your GX460 to drift in tight turns, one of the ORIGINAL 5000 GX460 initially sold. You've seen ebay pricing on ebay for a MINT condition 2010 with low miles selling for over $100,000. Min bid starts at $75K - Low mileage, less than 50 miles and stock Michelin tires... Going fast hurry and don't delay as these SUVs are getting harder to find without the FACTORY mandated firmware mod...
***********************************
On a more serious tone, I'm very happy to see Toyota/Lexus taking such a PROACTIVE approach to the GX40 and Sienna Minivan issue... I'm sure within no time, Toyota will easily become #1 again, especially in light of how they're reacting...
IMHO...
Special edition of Lexus GX460 2010 model, without FACTORY mandated MOD. Allows your GX460 to drift in tight turns, one of the ORIGINAL 5000 GX460 initially sold. You've seen ebay pricing on ebay for a MINT condition 2010 with low miles selling for over $100,000. Min bid starts at $75K - Low mileage, less than 50 miles and stock Michelin tires... Going fast hurry and don't delay as these SUVs are getting harder to find without the FACTORY mandated firmware mod...
***********************************
On a more serious tone, I'm very happy to see Toyota/Lexus taking such a PROACTIVE approach to the GX40 and Sienna Minivan issue... I'm sure within no time, Toyota will easily become #1 again, especially in light of how they're reacting...
IMHO...
04-19-10 | 04:35 PM
#13
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 626
Likes: 12
From: DE
http://blogs.consumerreports.org/car...-software.html
"T[oyota]M[otor]S[ales] maintains the highest regard for the testing procedures at the Consumer Reports testing facility and appreciates its feedback on their test results," said John Hanson, national manager, environmental, safety & quality communications."
I think that Toyota and Lexus not only accepted and agreed with CR's results without reservation, but also were compelled to say "thank you" to Consumer Reports for finding them! It remains to be seen whether they will also have to say "we're sorry" ... to their customers, certainly, but will they have to pay another fine to the government?
Regards,
SaniDel
"T[oyota]M[otor]S[ales] maintains the highest regard for the testing procedures at the Consumer Reports testing facility and appreciates its feedback on their test results," said John Hanson, national manager, environmental, safety & quality communications."
I think that Toyota and Lexus not only accepted and agreed with CR's results without reservation, but also were compelled to say "thank you" to Consumer Reports for finding them! It remains to be seen whether they will also have to say "we're sorry" ... to their customers, certainly, but will they have to pay another fine to the government?
Regards,
SaniDel
04-19-10 | 04:45 PM
#14
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 936
Likes: 0
From: WV
04-19-10 | 05:31 PM
#15
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 626
Likes: 12
From: DE
Lexus has set a "world's record" on how to quickly, effectively and thoroughly reply to a credible challenge to their product quality. To our knowledge, there has been no "push back" such as arguing the facts with Consumer Reports, hiding behind the defense that the GX 460 passed all required testing or claiming that the issue is so remotely unlikely that it should not be given serious consideration.
All in all ... a class act ... and one that other manufacturers now have to match ... if they can. If they can't ... or won't ... well, Lexus stands to gain market share at their expense, right?
Regards,
SaniDel