On April 13, 2010, following the news that Consumer Reports Magazine gave the Lexus GX460 a “Don’t Buy” rating, Toyota’s Lexus division has requested that its dealers stop sale of the 2010 GX460 model. The GX460, which is a large luxury sport-utility vehicle (“SUV”), was given the rating by following tests in which Consumer Reports found that the vehicle its electronic stability control was not immediately responsive causing its rear wheels to dangerously roll over during sharp turns.

While no rollovers occurred in the two GX460s tested, Consumer Reports said that this finding could lead to rollovers if the vehicle were to strike an object or a curb. Toyota said the move to suspend sale of the GX460 was temporary to allow the automaker to conduct thorough tests of its own on the GX460.

It is very rare for a car to receive Consumer Reports’ “Don’t Buy” rating. The last vehicle to receive the “Don’t Buy” rating was the 2001 Mitsubishi Montero Limited SUV. This news comes on the heels of Toyota’s recent recall troubles, which resulted in the recall of millions of Toyota vehicles due to problems relating to the slippage of driver floor mats and gas pedals.

The Lexus GX460 went on sale in November 2009. It is the second generation of the Lexus GX SUV model line and features a new 4.6 liter, V-8 engine that produces 301-horsepower. The vehicle has luxurious interior amenities such as leather trimmed seats and surfaces, 10-way power adjustable heated/ventilated front seats, power moon roof, and automatic climate control. Toyota has thus far sold about 6,000 GX460s, which has start out a manufacturers’ suggested retail price of about $52,000. The GX460 is built on the same platform as the Toyota 4-Runner, but is three inches taller. Consumer Reports did not find the 4-Runner to have the same problem. Read the rest of this entry »