Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) has announced it is to begin a new recall of vehicles including some models of a Lexus hybrid.
The car giant says that around 11,500 vehicles are affected globally by the recall of some of its hybrid Lexus LS 600h model and some of its LS 460 models, to fix a steering fault. So far, the carmaker estimates that around 40 models sold in the UK will be affected by the recall which will seek to fix a potential fault with the Variable Gear Ratio Steering (VGRS).
The VGRS is designed to make handling easier during low-speed driving and provides better stability during high-speed driving than conventional steering by changing the gear ratio. A problem can occur at low speed when manoeuvring the steering wheel to full lock position. If the driver then returns the steering wheel very fast, the steering wheel can remain off-centre condition even though the driving wheels would be straight. The carmaker has been investigating the problem since March this year and says that when this fault occurs the steering wheel will resolve automatically after a few seconds.
In a statement to the press, the company reports that it has received approximately 10 complaints in Japan, while ‘no accidents have been reported relating to this issue’ and ‘have received no reported cases of this concern in the UK market’.
VOSA have been notified that a recall will be initiated in the UK.
