After getting a rare “Don’t Buy” warning from Consumer Reports magazine , a trusted name in consumer ratings, Toyota Motor Corp. has stopped sales of the 2010 Lexus GX 460 due to concerns about possible rollover car accidents.  Consumer Reports claims the problem with the GX 460 happened on its test track when a driver turned going unusually fast and let go of the accelerator to simulate a panicked driver and caused the back of the vehicle to slide out.

Our car accident lawyers know that all vehicles have their potential design defects that can cause car crashes.  Thankfully, magazines like Consumer Reports run their own tests to give consumers some kind of idea of how reliable and safe a vehicle is.  Toyota has already come under a lot of pressure from consumers following several recalls, and this latest problem doesn’t help Toyota’s already worsening reputation.

The Lexus GX 460 has potential rollover car accident concerns.

After receiving the “Don’t Buy” warning from Consumer Reports magazine, Toyota stopped production of the 2010 Lexus GX 460 due to potential for rollover car accidents. (SOURCE: AP)

In normal cases, an electronic stability control system should quickly correct losing control of the SUV and keep it level, but the system took too long to adjust, which can cause a rollover car accident if one of the wheels sliding hits a curb or another object.

The “Don’t Buy” label from Consumer Reports may not hurt Toyota’s sales overall considering the GX 460 only counts for a small fraction of Toyota’s line of cars.  Consumer Reports said the last car to get the “Don’t Buy” safety warning was the 2001 Mitsubishi Montero Limited, another large SUV.  In that car, the wheels lifted entirely off the road during standard avoidance tests, another rollover car accident risk.

Lexus officials say they are confident they can correct the issue.

“We are taking the situation with the GX 460 very seriously and are determined to identify and correct the issue Consumer Reports identified,” said a Lexus vice president and general manager.

Our car accident attorneys in San Diego want to remind consumers that no vehicle is made perfectly right off the assembly line.  With any car, there are all types of possibilities for design defects that can cause car accidents.  It’s important to do your own research before choosing a car for you and your family.

Please contact us for a FREE consultation with an experienced car accident attorney — we speak both English and Spanish — at (800) 655-6585.   Click here and you may also submit your case for a Free Review.  No fee if no recovery.