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NHTSA recall · Reported May 16, 2012

LEXUS 2013: STEERING

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2013 LEXUS GS350 VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 12, 2011, THROUGH FEBRUARY 7, 2012. THE STEERING CONTROL ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU…

Recall #
12V221000
Compiled from official public sources by the editorial team.
Verify with NHTSA →
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Lexus recalled TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2013 LEXUS GS350 VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM DECEM… - a critical-severity action.

LEXUS 2013: STEERING was recalled by Lexus in May 16, 2012. Reason: TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2013 LEXUS GS350 VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 12, 2011, THROUG…. Remedy: TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND LEXUS DEALERS WILL UPDATE THE VGRS SYSTEM FREE OF CHARGE. …. Verify recall #12V221000 with the NHTSA before acting.

The recall

Lexus issued this critical-severity NHTSA recall-TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2013 LEXUS GS350 VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 12, 2011, THROUG….

Critical
severity level
May 16, 2012
reported

Sourced from official NHTSA enforcement records. Verify recall #12V221000 with the agency before acting. Full product description, hazard, remedy, and related recalls are below.

Recall Insight

This NHTSA action (record #12V221000) was formally reported on May 16, 2012. It is classified under Critical severity, with a current status of Active. Lexus is listed as the recalling firm. The number of affected units is not disclosed in the agency filing, which is common for drug and food recalls where lot-level tracking supersedes unit counts.

The documented reason for this recall is: TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2013 LEXUS GS350 VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 12, 2011, THROUGH FEBRUARY 7, 2012. THE STEERING CONTROL ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) PROGRAMMING FOR THE VARIABLE GEAR RATI… The specific hazard cited in the filing is: IF THIS OCCURS, THE DRIVER MAY NOT REALIZE THAT THE STEERING WHEEL IS OFF-CENTERED WHEN PULLING FROM A PARKED POSITION, THE VEHICLE COULD MANEUVER IN AN UNEXPECTED DIRECTION, RESULTING IN A CRASH.. Distribution data in the federal record shows the product reached: United States. Distribution scope directly affects the consumer exposure window and determines whether a recall remains regional or escalates into a nationwide advisory. The remedy documented by the agency is: TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND LEXUS DEALERS WILL UPDATE THE VGRS SYSTEM FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 7, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331. - consumers holding this product should act on that instruction rather than relying on general guidance.

Within the same product category the archive holds 6 closely related recalls - clustering in a narrow category often points to a systemic quality-control or supplier issue rather than a one-off defect. Always verify the recall number against the official agency record before acting.

Vehicles recalls over time

Where this recall sits in its category - 7,642 vehicles recalls on record

0200400600 20052008201120142017202020232026 82
Severity2487872426High severity (most serious)Moderate severityLow severity
Where this recall sits in the database

Of 101,704 recalls in the database, 24,878 are high severity, 72,426 moderate, and 4,400 low. This recall is classified high severity.

Counts reflect market size and reporting activity, not inherent danger, we do not rank products by risk from raw recall volume.

Severity

Critical

Affected scope

Unknown

Related Recalls

6

0 from same agency

Product description

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2013 LEXUS GS350 VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 12, 2011, THROUGH FEBRUARY 7, 2012. THE STEERING CONTROL ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) PROGRAMMING FOR THE VARIABLE GEAR RATIO STEERING (VGRS) SYSTEM COULD CAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL TO BECOME OFF-CENTERED WHEN RESTARTING IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE VEHICLE IS PARKED WITH THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED.

Reason for recall

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2013 LEXUS GS350 VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 12, 2011, THROUGH FEBRUARY 7, 2012. THE STEERING CONTROL ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) PROGRAMMING FOR THE VARIABLE GEAR RATIO STEERING (VGRS) SYSTEM COULD CAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL TO BECOME OFF-CENTERED WHEN RESTARTING IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE VEHICLE IS PARKED WITH THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED.

Hazard

IF THIS OCCURS, THE DRIVER MAY NOT REALIZE THAT THE STEERING WHEEL IS OFF-CENTERED WHEN PULLING FROM A PARKED POSITION, THE VEHICLE COULD MANEUVER IN AN UNEXPECTED DIRECTION, RESULTING IN A CRASH.

Remedy, what to do

TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND LEXUS DEALERS WILL UPDATE THE VGRS SYSTEM FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 7, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

Recall Profile

Structured summary of the NHTSA recall record
Attribute Value
Agency National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Severity class Critical
Status Active
Recall number 12V221000
Date reported May 16, 2012
Date initiated May 16, 2012
Recalling firm Lexus
Affected scope Not disclosed
Distribution United States
Official source NHTSA notice →

Profile values are sourced directly from the official NHTSA enforcement record. Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

What to do with this recall

TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND LEXUS DEALERS WILL UPDATE THE VGRS SYSTEM FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 7, 2012…

  • Check the recall number (12V221000) and product description against the item you own. Search the archive
  • Confirm the current status and remedy on the official NHTSA notice before acting. NHTSA notice
  • This is a Class I (high-risk) recall, stop using the product immediately and follow the disposal or return instructions. What to do next

This page summarizes the official NHTSA record for research and awareness; it is not legal, medical, or safety advice. Verify with the issuing agency before acting.

Frequently Asked Questions

What product was recalled?
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2013 LEXUS GS350 VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 12, 2011, THROUGH FEBRUARY 7, 2012. THE STEERING CONTROL ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) PROGRAMMING FOR THE VARIABLE GEAR RATIO STEERING (VGRS) SYSTEM COULD CAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL TO BECOME OFF-CENTERED WHEN RESTARTING IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE VEHICLE IS PARKED WITH THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED.. Recalled by Lexus.
Why was this product recalled?
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2013 LEXUS GS350 VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 12, 2011, THROUGH FEBRUARY 7, 2012. THE STEERING CONTROL ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) PROGRAMMING FOR THE VARIABLE GEAR RATIO STEERING (VGRS) SYSTEM COULD CAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL TO BECOME OFF-CENTERED WHEN RESTARTING IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE VEHICLE IS PARKED WITH THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED.
What should consumers do?
TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND LEXUS DEALERS WILL UPDATE THE VGRS SYSTEM FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 7, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
Which agency issued this recall?
This recall was issued by the NHTSA on May 16, 2012. Severity: Critical. Recall number: 12V221000.
Where was the recalled product distributed?
Distribution: United States.
How do I check if my product is affected by a recall?
Check the product description and recall number (12V221000) against your product. Visit the official NHTSA website for the most current information. You can also use our Recall Checker tool to search by product name or brand.
How do I report an injury from a recalled product?
Report injuries to the issuing agency: CPSC at SaferProducts.gov, NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem, or FDA via MedWatch. Document the product (photos, model/serial numbers, purchase receipts) and seek medical attention. Injury reports help agencies track hazard patterns and may strengthen enforcement actions.

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Every figure on PlainRecalls is rendered directly from official FDA, CPSC and NHTSA recall records, no number is typed in by an editor. This recall: NHTSA, reported May 16, 2012. Severity classes follow each agency's own taxonomy (FDA Class I/II/III; CPSC and NHTSA by hazard type), and related-recall context is computed across the full archive. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of July 2026.