Toyota voluntary recall on certain Lexus LS 460 and LS 600h L models

Toyota announced today a voluntary safety recall involving about 3,800 Lexus late-2009 and certain 2010 model year LS 460 and LS 600h L sedans.

The affected cars are equipped with Variable Gear Ratio Steering, and a computer fix is needed "to address a temporary steering wheel off-center condition that may develop under a specific driving maneuver," according to Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. Inc.

No other Toyota, Lexus, or Scion vehicles are involved in the recall.

The VGRS system enables easier handling during low-speed driving and provides better stability during high-speed driving than conventional steering by changing the gear ratio.

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On the affected vehicles, the VGRS system "may exhibit a temporary steering wheel off-center condition after driving away quickly from a very tight turn where the steering was at full lock position," according to Toyota.

"The steering wheel off-center position will automatically be corrected in approximately five seconds by the VGRS system as the vehicle is driven. The driver may notice the system auto correcting as the steering wheel slowly moves to the center position while driving straight during the VGRS correction."

The condition will not occur during normal driving such as changing lanes or turning at intersections, according to the company.

Lexus recently received one customer report in the United States regarding the condition, but no accidents or injuries have been reported, according to Steve St. Angelo, Toyota's chief quality officer for North America.

"Our entire company is taking major steps to become a more responsive and safety-focused organization," he said. "We're listening closely to our customers and taking action to address this steering issue in certain Lexus models quickly."

As soon as the remedy parts are available, Lexus will begin sending notification letters by first-class mail to owners of the involved vehicles, advising them to bring the car to a Lexus dealer to have the Steering Control computer replaced with a newly designed one at no charge.

The computer replacement is expected to take less than one hour, depending on dealer workload.

Detailed information about the recall is available by calling 1-800-25LEXUS or 1-800-255-3987, or online at www.lexus.com/recall.