toyota has recalled more than nine million vehicles since november

wow

DETROIT — Toyota on Monday added another model to its long list of recalls, hours after agreeing to pay the largest fine ever imposed by the government against an automaker.

Toyota said it would recall the Lexus GX 460 to fix a problem with its stability control system that was first disclosed last week by Consumer Reports magazine. The recall covers 9,400 vehicles, a fraction of the number Toyota has recalled for defective accelerator pedals, but it adds another black mark to a reputation that has lost considerable luster in recent months.

Consumer Reports said the GX, a luxury sport utility vehicle that is new for the 2010 model year, failed to prevent its rear end from sliding sideways during sharp turns. Toyota has temporarily stopped building and selling the vehicle in response.

“Toyota’s objective is to provide a high level of safety and quality, while meeting or surpassing governmental regulations,” Steve St. Angelo, Toyota’s newly appointed chief quality officer for North America, said in a statement. “Our engineers have conducted tests to confirm the V.S.C. performance issue raised by Consumer Reports, and we are confident this V.S.C. software update addresses the concern.”

Toyota said Lexus dealers would receive a software update for the GX by the end of the month and that the repair would take about one hour. The company is offering loaner vehicles to owners who are concerned about driving their vehicle before the repair is made.

Toyota has recalled more than nine million vehicles since November.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/20/business/global/20toyota.html?ref=global-home&pagewanted=print