2007 Lexus LX470

Defect. TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2003-2007 LEXUS LX470 VEHICLES. THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE STEERING SHAFT IS SUCH THAT THE SNAP RING ON THE SHAFT MAY DISENGAGE WHEN THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCES AN UNUSUALLY SEVERE IMPACT TO THE FRONT WHEELS. IF THE SNAP RING BECOMES DISENGAGED AND THE STEERING WHEEL IS THEN REPEATEDLY TURNED TO THE LOCKED POSITION, OVER TIME THE STEERING SHAFT MAY BECOME DISCONNECTED.

Risk. THIS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SNAP RING WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED ONE AND INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL COMPONENT WHICH WILL PREVENT SEPARATION OF THE STEERING SHAFT. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 23, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.

PURCHASED VEHICLE FROM DEALERSHIP. DROVE HOME ON THE EXPRESSWAY. AT 40-60 MPH AFTER FIVE MINUTES THE ENTIRE UNDER CARRIAGE STARTING VIBRATING AND MAKING A WHISTLING SOUND. WHEN I TURN THE VEHICLE LEFT OR RIGHT THE CAR LOOSES BALANCE. I BROUGHT IT BACK THREE TIMES TO THE DEALERSHIP AND IT IS NOT FIXED. THEY CHANGED THE WHEEL BEARINGS BOTH SIDES IN THE FRONT, AND A WHEEL ALIGNMENT WHICH DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. I PURCHASED THIS AT M&I MOTORS IN HIGHLAND PARK ILLINOIS.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 LEXUS LX470. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION WAS INOPERATIVE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION CYLINDER. ALSO, THE WARNING LIGHTS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO MOVE TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT AND WOULD NOT STOP WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000.

I PARKED MY CAR AND TOOK THE KEYS FROM THE IGNITION. I LEFT THE CAR AND TURNED AROUND TO LOOK AT SOMETHING AND THE CAR WAS ROLLING BACKWARDS. EVIDENTLY, THE SHIFTER FOR THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE WAS EITHER BUMPED BY THE DOG OR BUMPED WHEN I PICKED UP MY PURSE - AND THIS LEVER OVERRIDES THE TRANSMISSION BEING IN PARK. NO KEY WAS IN THE IGNITION ? THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS NOT PRESSED - THE CAR WAS IN PARK!!!! A FOUR WHEEL DRIVE LEAVER ON THE CONSOLE CAN BE MOVED WITH NO KEYS, NO PRESSING OF THE BRAKE (WHICH IS REQUIRED TO MERELY TAKE THE CAR OUT OF PARK WHEN YOU DO HAVE THE KEYS IN THE IGNITION) AND NO SAFETY SWITCH................ I ALMOST WAS RUN OVER BY THE CAR BUT WAS ABLE TO GET IT STOPPED BY JUMPING BACK IN - WHICH ALSO COULD HAVE HAD CATASTROPHIC RESULTS. I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT THIS ISN'T A MAJOR ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN! *TR