Lexus GX 460 Identified as “Don’t Buy” by Consumer Reports

Consumer Reports issued a safety warning on the Lexus GX 460, prompting Toyota to suspend sales of the new 2010 model.

This week Consumer Reports announced an increased risk of rollover during a turn after discovering the problem during routine tests. The shopping guide warned shoppers not to buy the GX 460 until the problem is fixed. According to CNNMoney.com, approximately 5,000 GX460s have been sold in the three months since the model has been on sale.

Lexus Group vice president and general manager, Mark Templin, responded by saying, “We are taking the situation with the GX 460 very seriously and are determined to identify and correct the issue Consumer Reports identified.”

According to Douglas Love, a spokesman for Consumer Reports, the SUV’s electronic stability control program failed to keep the vehicle in line during a severe handling maneuver, allowing it to slide almost completely sideways. The magazine said, “CR believes that, in real-world driving, that situation could lead to a rollover accident which could cause serious injury or death.” To date, Consumer Reports is not aware of any injuries or deaths caused by the problem.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the government agency that monitors auto safety in the United States, has no crash test or rollover ratings listed for the GX 460 on its web site.