2014 Lexus GX460

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 LEXUS GX460. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V012000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE CONTACT CALLED THE TOM WOOD LEXUS DEALER LOCATED AT 4610 E. 96TH ST, INDIANAPOLIS, IN 46240, AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID

11350072

Incident

Jan 13, 2020

I JUST PURCHASED THIS USED 2014 LEXUS GX 460 WITH 27,500 MILES WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AT 40 MPH OR MORE I NOTICED THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT VIBRATION OR SHAKE,I TOOK IT INTO TO HAVE IT CHECK OUT THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT MY ALIGNMENT AND BALANCE ARE GOOD AND THE SEAT VIBRATION THAT'S NORMAL.

NHTSA ID

10863522

Incident

Mar 15, 2016

Mileage

27,500 mi

BRIDGESTONE DUELER HT TIRE BLOW OUT ON 2015 LEXUS GX460. SYSTEM WOULD NOT ALLOW 2015 GX460, SO ENTERED AS 2014. TIRE BLEW OUT SIDEWALL AT 70 MPH WITH NO TREAD DAMAGE OR PUNCTURE. PRESSURE WAS NOT LOW AS PER TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR. TIRE ONLY HAD 1300 MILES IN 3 MONTHS OF DRIVING NEW LEXUS GX460. TIRE WAS P265/60R18 109H DOT ELXTJJK4514.

NHTSA ID

10732286

Incident

Jun 26, 2015

Mileage

1,300 mi

AROUND 5000 MILES I NOTICED MY VEHICLE PULLING THE RIGHT. I TOOK THE CAR INTO LEXUS AND ASKED FOR IT TO BE REPAIRED. WHEN I PICKED THE CAR UP IT SEEMED BETTER BUT STILL NOT DRIVING STRAIGHT. I TOOK IT BACK AGAIN AND THEY REPAIRED IT AGAIN. BACK IN JULY AROUND 10000 MILES I NOTICED THE VEHICLE LEANING TO THE RIGHT MORE THAN 1 INCH. I TOOK IT IN FOR REPAIR AND WAS TOLD THEY WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND WOULD GET BACK TO ME WHEN THEY HAD A RESOLUTION. I FELT UNSAFE DRIVING THE CAR AND FORCED THE ISSUE AND WAS ABLE TO TAKE THE CAR BACK THE NEXT DAY AND GET A LOANER. 2 WEEKS LATER MY CAR WAS ABLE TO BE PICKED UP AND DID APPEAR TO BE DRIVING BETTER AND LEANING LESS. I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM LEXUS AFTER FILING A FINAL REPAIR NOTICE THAT "MY CONCERNS WERE NOT CAUSED BY A DEFECT IN THE WORKMANSHIP". NOW AS OF FEBRUARY THE LEAN IS BACK. I CONTACTED THE PERSON WHO WROTE THE LETTER AND WAS TOLD THIS WAS A "CHARACTERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE" AND NOT A DEFECT OR ANY AFFECT ON PERFORMANCE. I STILL DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW IT IS SAFE TO DRIVE AROUND IN A CAR THAT LEANS TO THE RIGHT. IF I WERE TO SLAM ON BRAKES HOW DO THEY KNOW IF WOULD NOT ROLL OVER. AND HOW DO THEY KNOW THIS IS NOT CAUSING OTHER ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE AS FAR A WEAR ON PARTS AND/OR TIRES. I AM NOW FILING A VEHICLE REPURCHASE REQUEST WITH LEXUS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10680615

Incident

Mar 1, 2014

Mileage

5,000 mi

VEHICLE LEANS EXCESSIVELY TO THE RIGHT (PASSENGER SIDE). WE FEEL THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE. IT APPEARS TO PROMOTE PREMATURE WEAR OF TIRES ON LEANING SIDE.LEXUS SAYS IT'S WITHIN IT'S SPECIFICATIONS. WE DID FIND OUT THE COMPANY , DEALER MANAGEMENT, SALES, AND SERVICE WAS FULLY AWARE OF THE DEFECT PRIOR TO THE SALE TO US. THE DEALER DID AN UPGRADE WHICH 'DID NOT' SOLVE THE LEAN. ALSO THERE REMAINS A ACIDIC SMELL LIKE DRIED URINE WHICH WILL NOT GO AWAY. WE THOUGHT IT WAS THE NEW CAR SMELL BUT HASN'T GONE AWAY. *TR

NHTSA ID

10658874

Incident

Feb 14, 2014

ENTIRE SUV LEANS 5 DEGREES TO RIGHT LEXUS SAYS IT IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE AND HAVE NO PLANS TO FIX IT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10610666

Incident

Jul 9, 2014

I AM HAVING ISSUES WITH THE BRAKES AND RIDE HEIGHT. RIGHT FRONT IS LOW IN THE SUSPENSION. MATERIALLY LOWER THAN THE LEFT SIDE. AT DOWNHILL GRADE, BRAKE PEDAL FOES DOWN BUT DOES NOT HOLD THE CAR INTERMITTENT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10607235

Incident

Jan 16, 2014

Mileage

5,089 mi

DL: On December 20, 2022, a settlement of claims for certain low pressure fuel pumps was approved by the federal court. The settlement includes Lexus?s agreement to provide a Customer Support Program for certain 2013-2020 model year (MY) vehicles originally equipped with low pressure fuel pumps repaired under Safety Recall 20LA01 or Special Service Campaign 21LC01. The purpose of this Customer Support Program letter is to help clarify how to administer this coverage in accordance with the settlement.

TSB: Some 2013 ? 2020 model year Lexus vehicles may exhibit a hard start and/or MIL ON condition with one or more of the following Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs): ?DTC P0171 and/or P0174 (System Too Lean Bank 1/Bank 2) ?DTC P0087 Fuel Rail / System Pressure ? Too Low Techstream data list analysis may reveal positive fuel trims including a no pressure condition verified by a manual fuel pressure gauge. Follow the Repair Procedure in this bulletin to address these conditions.

TI: 19LE05 Expired December 1, 2022

DP: Limited Service Campaign KLG expired December 01, 2022

DP: Customer Support Program 19LE05 expired December 1, 2022.

TI: 19LE05 Expired December 1, 2022