Toyota withdraws Lexus SUV in ‘roll over’ scare

Plagued by technical faults and vehicle recalls in recent months, Toyota has a new problem. The Japanese carmaker has had to suspend sales of its new Lexus GX 460 in the United States after a respected consumer group gave the SUV a "Don't buy: safety risk" rating.

Consumer Reports, a non-profit organisation, found that in certain situations, two Lexus GX 460s it tested were prone to roll over.

In particular, when the car was driven around a corner and the foot taken off the accelerator - a standard test - the vehicle's rear slid out. "In real-world driving, that situation could lead to a rollover accident, which could cause serious injury or death," Consumer Reports said.

SUVs have in the past been criticised for their tendency to roll over, which is caused by their high centre of gravity. But no other SUV tested by Consumer Reports "in recent years" has slid out as far as the GX 460 - not even the closely related four-wheel drive, the Toyota 4Runner.

The Lexus GX is also sold in Russia, the Middle East and Australia, but no decision has been made as to whether it will be removed from those markets.

Toyota moved quickly to limit the fall-out, telling Reuters: "Our understanding is that there is no problem with models other than the GX 460."

Lexus appeared to defend its own vehicle testing procedures, which had apparently missed the issue identified by Consumer Reports, saying in a statement: "Lexus' extensive vehicle testing provides a good indication of how our vehicles perform and we are confident that the GX meets our high safety standards. 

"Our engineering teams are vigorously testing the GX using Consumer Reports' specific parameters."

Around 5,400 Lexus GX 460s have been sold in the US. All drivers will be offered a courtesy car if they want one.

Shares in Toyota have proved surprisingly robust recently, having fallen only 11 per cent since January when reports of 'sticky' accelerator pedals caused the first wave of recalls of various Toyota models.

Sales, which initially fell, made a spectacular recovery in March, rising 41 per cent year-on-year thanks to discounts of up to $5,000. However, the Japanese car maker still faces a fine by the US government of up to $16.4m - the maximum allowed - for allegedly delaying a recall of faulty cars.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Since this item was posted, Toyota has suspended sales of the 2010 Lexus GX 460 worldwide while roll-over tests are conducted. The company also announced in Tokyo that it would put all its other SUVs through roll-over tests, though sales of others models would not be suspended. ·