Lexus Issues Recall For 2013 GS350

Don’t panic! The recall isn’t over a catastrophic oversight, but a technical issue with the steering alignment. A bug could cause the steering wheel to be registered off-center after the car has been parked with the wheels turned. Of course, trying to drive off without knowing your steering wheel is misaligned could lead to accident, hence the recall.

Toyota will contact customers that might be affected by the problem. They’ll be able to get it fixed for free in early June 2012. The full press release is below.

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–May 24, 2012.

Summary: Toyota is recalling certain model year 2013 Lexus GS350 vehicles, manufactured from December 12, 2011, through February 7, 2012. The steering control Electronic Control Unit (ECU) programming for the Variable Gear Ratio Steering (VGRS) system could cause the steering wheel to become off-centered when restarting immediately after the vehicle is parked with the steering wheel turned.

Consequence: If this occurs, the driver may not realize that the steering wheel is off-centered when pulling from a parked position, the vehicle could maneuver in an unexpected direction, resulting in a crash.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and Lexus dealers will update the VGRS system free of charge. The Safety Recall is expected to begin in early June 2012. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.

Notes: Customers may contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); or go to http://www.safercar.gov.
Source: dot.gov