Toyota recalls four models of its Lexus luxury car over steering complications
TOYOTA said it plans to recall four models of its Lexus luxury car due to steering problems, its latest move in a series of massive recalls.
The recall is likely to cover about 4,500 cars in Japan and 3,800 cars in the United States. The total could reach 11,500 worldwide, Toyota spokeswoman Mieko Iwasaki said yesterday. The models in question were also sold in Europe and China. The US recall will be filed with safety regulators on Friday, said Brian Lyons, a company spokesman in the United States. The models covered by the recall are the LS460 and LS460L, and hybrids LS600h and LS600hL.
There have been 10 complaints to the automaker in Japan and an unknown number in the United States, said Lyons. He said Toyota was not aware of any injuries or crashes related to the issue.
Delivery of the Lexus LS models were stopped to the US market on 14 May, Lyons said.
At issue is an option called the “variable gear ratio steering” system that puts the steering wheel back into a central position after certain manoeuvres such as U-turns.