Lexus recalls 57,000 cars worldwide
According to Reuters, automaker Toyota is calling 57,000 2006 Lexus IS and GS models both in the U.S. and overseas for potentially faulty front seatbelts. The recall affects 29,000 units plying American roads, along with a further 11,000 Japanese examples.
Lexus dealers will replace the buckles in both front seats, which can presently jam due to a faulty part. No accidents attributable to the defect have been reported, and the automaker advises that drivers can avoid the issue by 'releasing the seatbelt slowly.'
Toyota has not released estimated recall costs.
[Source: Reuters via CNN/Money]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Presto 12:08PM (4/13/2006)
Oh boy... the anti-Toyota posters are going to pounce on this one.
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MadeinDetroit 12:14PM (4/13/2006)
MMMMMMM Another Service Hug from Toyota. Now thats Movin' Forward.
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Optimus Prime 12:22PM (4/13/2006)
Its a seat belt part that 'can' jam ... big wup. Can't people just unjam it themselves?
Actually, i think this is good on Lexus' part. Owners will get the recall notice for a belt buckle and think 'whats the big deal, its not like the engine is gonna blow up or the tranny is going to drop out at 10k ... hmm, Lexus is paying attention to the details and is looking out for me'
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Ted Y 12:30PM (4/13/2006)
Hey, Chevrolet looks out for their customers too.
I had a Chevy Citation and got a recall notice for the doors. Seems some were rusting and falling off. Their solution--a 10 year, 100,000 mile warranty on the doors.
Of course these cars had the seatbelts mounted in the doors, and I always drove very carefully after that thanks to GM's thoughtfullness.
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Puff Chippy 12:37PM (4/13/2006)
After the bad experience I had with my 1991 LS400 I'm not suprised Toyota is launching yet another recall. After a blown out A/C system at 65k miles that ran $2200 I started getting real nervous when the engine starting having electrical issues. The thought of another Lexus sized repair bill began haunting my dreams so I bailed. I pity the fool that ended up with that POS. Lexus sure gets great ratings but based on reliability and durability, so far the Chevy Suburban we own has put that over priced Toyota to shame.
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Mike 12:40PM (4/13/2006)
wow, when even a post about a toyota recall turns into bashing a GM vehicle that hasn't even been produced in 22 YEARS, there are some seriously close-minded people on this board.
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dionysus 12:41PM (4/13/2006)
Well, then it's time to get it serviced, with free gased-up, and a free RX loaner overnight! Service with Lexus is always enjoyable. Oddly, I wish Lexus has more recalls.
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Ted Y 12:58PM (4/13/2006)
"a GM vehicle that hasn't even been produced in 22 YEARS"
Mike,
My bad, it was an 89 Corsica--getting forgetful in my old age, might have even been a 91. Anyway, it wasn't GM bashing, just meant to be humor. I'm actually rooting for GM now because they've got hold of my favorite marque--Saab.
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Sgt. Hulka 1:02PM (4/13/2006)
Mike - Beautiful, ain't it? Lexus has bad seatbelts and it's GM's fault. My Honda tranny failed at 45k and I immediately fired off a letter to Bill Ford and Mark Fields blaming FoMoCo.
After all, isn't GM, Ford and the US of A at fualt for just about everything in this world?
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Joel A 1:03PM (4/13/2006)
Someone once commented on another recall to check the supplier especially when they're this large or are this widespread. Note that such advice applies to ALL automakers.
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Logic 1:13PM (4/13/2006)
Faulty seatbelts? Who needs to worry about that when you're driving a LEXUS! Bling Bling, yo! Ya naw I mean? I don't know about you -- but aren't jeweled headlights and shiny, chromed-up taillamp treatments and tons of "wood" trim and chrome "accents" all over the interior what's REALLY IMPORTANT? Seatbelts? Yo, I don' be wearin' no seatbelts in mah Lex, kiid. I'm gangsta like dat... Yo, peep mah new 78" rims and mah 56 DVD players I got in mah headliner, gawd... Pimpin!!
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Corey W. 1:19PM (4/13/2006)
I can already predict that a blog about a Toyota recall, will turn into a GM bashing session (again!!) If GM had put out the EXACT same recall notice, there would be 60+ post about how GM sucks, they should just fold, UAW is a bunch of crooks...etc, etc, etc, you know the rest, it's the same crap comments every time.
In the perfect world, I would hope there was never a recall on my vehicle, but if given the choice, I'd rather have the transmission die, get it fixed, then to just die because I was an accident with a faulty seat belt.
Thanks to whoever coined the phrase "Service Hugs" for Toyota, I split my side laughing every time I see it.
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CivicG06 1:29PM (4/13/2006)
Our friend had this repaired when she first bought it. They came and picked it up, a 70 mile round trip drive, and then gave her a choice of gifts for the inconvenience(she took the expresso machine). They also asked her not to fill out any surveys indicating she had a problem with the car. Initial Quality Funny Business?
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Pete M 1:32PM (4/13/2006)
I bought an IS350 in November, and have already had the car back to the dealer twice because of the seatbelts. The second time they replaced the unit (drivers side) from another car on the lot, after telling me it would take 2 months to get the parts.
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Ted Y 1:36PM (4/13/2006)
"After all, isn't GM, Ford and the US of A at fualt for just about everything in this world?"
Sgt. Hulka, err, Sgt F'n Dumbass
If GM had cared as much about customer safety as this in the 80's and 90's, they wouldn't be where they are today.
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Don L 1:45PM (4/13/2006)
I take credit for "service hugs", Corey. From a couple of weeks ago I think, for some other Toyota recall.
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Chris 1:46PM (4/13/2006)
Seat belts are for losers. Real men never buckle up. If you get caught by the police, You're just not all there in the noggin.
The key is avoiding accidents, not relying on safety features to save you, while taking 10's of thousands of dollars out of your pocket for medical bills and vehicle repair or replacement of a totalled car.
These cars with high safety features for crashes, but not enough features for accident avoidance, such as maneuverability, are a waste of money and human quality of life.
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Sorenson 2:02PM (4/13/2006)
I want nothing to do with another Lexus, I bought a 2002 LS 400, it leaked when we went for a wash at 2 weeks. 2 1/2 years later and numerous times in the shop it still leaked in the floorwell behind the drivers seat. It's gone and I don't want another one.
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Vinny 2:37PM (4/13/2006)
It's a seatbelt. Not a gas tank problem nor an ignition that catches fire for no apparent reason nor a hatch back that flings open at random or a throttle pedal that gets stuck to the carpet.
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jigga what? 2:39PM (4/13/2006)
The rednecks will be all over this one like stink on shit.
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