Lexus Has Fix for GX, Porsche Takes Black Eye on Panamera
By Michelle Krebs April 30, 2010The well-watched unfolding of Lexus' safety recall of the 2010 GX 460 SUV comes to 
something of a close with parent Toyota Motor Sales USA announcing Thursday dealers have in hand a software reprogramming package for the GX 460's stability control system.
Toyota also recalled about 50,000 2003-model Sequoia SUVs for a stability-control reprogramming because the system may cut in too early and unnecessarily curtail acceleration.
The issue of the 2010 GX 460's extreme-maneuver handling was called into question when Consumer's Union, parent of Consumer Reports, issued a derogatory "do not buy" recommendation after GX 460s it tested slewed sideways in an extreme-handling test, a situation that a properly functioning tability-control system should have mitigated.
Toyota said it will continue to offer loaner vehicles to all GX 460 owners who do not wish to drive the vehicle until the fix has been adopted.
The news comes on the same day that Toyota also named six automotive quality and safety experts to a newly formed North American Quality Advisory Panel, the formation of which was prompted by Toyota's handling of recent quality-control and safety problems, most notably how the company handled worldwide reports of unintended acceleration in a variety of vehicles. The Panel will report to Toyota's similarly new North American Quality Task Force.
Toyota's alleged stonewalling of reporting its knowledge of problems with the electronically controlled throttles of some vehicles culminated in Toyota paying a record $16.375-million fine to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Toyota paid the fine but did not admit to breaking any law in regard to the situation.
Porsche Panamera Recalled
Meanwhile, Porsche AG, now owned by the Volkswagen Group, also is dealing with a blow to its reputation after announcing the safety-related recall of all of its new Panamera sedans to fix potentially faulty seatbelt pre-tensioners.
The all-new Panamera model was launched in high-profile manner as Porsche's first 4-door sedan. The Panamera is meant to compete with some of the industry's most expensive and exclusive models, such as the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, BMW 7-Series and Maserati Quattroporte.
In the U.S., the 2010 Panamera starts at $89,800. Reports say 11,300 Panameras built so far are affected by the recall. - Bill Visnic, Senior Editor
LEAVE A COMMENT