2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid complaints

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT ANY WARNINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE INVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V342000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) THAT MAY BE RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

2006 HIGHLANDER HYBRID, 34,000 MILES BOUGHT USED. FAIRLY OFTEN WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKES AT LOWER SPEEDS, THE SUV SURGES FORWARD LIKE THE BRAKES HAVE RELEASED FOR A MOMENT AND THEN HAVE REAPPLIED. IT IS DANGEROUS. I TOOK THE CAR TO LEE'S TOYOTA (ON 03/03/12) FOR RECALL NOT RELATED TO THIS. THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS SOME AIR IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM, THE MECHANIC FIXED. AND I WILL NOT BE CHARGED FOR. THE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE CUT AND PADS CHANGED. WHEN I GOT HOME I TOOK THE WHEELS OFF AND THE ROTORS AND PADS ARE FINE. THE DEALER DID NOT GENERATE THE TICKET NUMBER FOR THE PROBLEM. I DID NOT MAKE ANYTHING OF IT BECAUSE THEY DID NOT CHARGE ME. JUST THE OTHER DAY WHILE BACKING UP THE SUV DID JUST THAT AND THE BUMPER ENDED UP ON THE STOP SIGN POLE. I DID ONLINE RESEARCH & NOW I KNOW I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. IT'S DEFIANTLY DANGEROUS AND IT SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR

WHILE DRIVING ON I40 JUST AFTER LEAVING I17 AT FLAGSTAFF, AZ, DURING HEAVY RAINSTORM, VEHICLE DECELERATED ABRUPTLY TO ABOUT 45 MPH (WHILE ON CRUISE CONTROL SET AT 65), MANAGED TO PULL OFF AT NEXT OFF RAMP AND CAR DIED COMPLETELY ABOUT HALFWAY UP OFFRAMP (COUNTRY CLUB ROAD EXIT). WARNING MESSAGES INCLUDED "CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM", "CHECK 4WD SYSTEM", AND "CHECK AVS SYSTEM". AFTER CALLING FINDLAY TOYOTA IN FLAGSTAFF AND WHILE WAITING FOR TOW TRUCK, TURNED SYSTEM OFF FOR A FEW MINUTES AND ATTEMPTED RESTART WHICH WAS SUCCESSFUL AND DROVE TO TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. AFTER 2 DAYS OF DIAGNOSTIC CHECKS AND TECHNICIAN CALLS WITH TOYOTA, THEY TRIED TO TELL ME PROBLEM WAS DIRTY MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR. THIS VEHICLE HAD RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE AND HAD INVERTER AND AVS SYSTEM REPLACED AT A LITTLE OVER 100,000 MILES. EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD WITH POWER SYSTEM FAILURE ON INTERSTATE IN RAINSTORM SURROUNDED BY 18 WHEELERS. *TR

AS I ACCELERATED FROM A STOP AT A SIDE STREET TO ENTER HIGHWAY TRAFFIC, I WAS NEARLY REAR ENDED BY A LARGE TRUCK WHEN THE HH INVERTER FAILED. THE CAR SIMPLY SUDDENLY FAILED TO RESPOND WITH NO ADVANCE WARNING. SEVERAL DASHBOARD SYMBOLS LIT UP, INCLUDING CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM,'AND I WAS ONLY ABLE TO STEER TO SIDE OF THE ROAD. IT WOULD NOT RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER CHECKED FOR RECALLS AND SAID THERE WERE NONE. I MENTIONED THE JUNE 2011 NOTICE WE'D RECEIVED, AND THAT WE WERE TOLD THAT THE PART WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL JAN. 2012. WE DID NOT RECEIVE MORE INFORMATION FROM TOYOTA AND CALLED THE DEALER IN JAN. FOR AN APPOINTMENT. AFTER A BRIEF INSPECTION, WE WERE TOLD THE PART WAS NOT DEFECTIVE AND NO REPLACEMENT NECESSARY.' WE HAD BEEN EXTRA CAUTIOUS AND LIMITED THE USE OF OUR HH FOR MONTHS, AND WERE DISAPPOINTED THAT THERE WAS NO EFFORT TO EXAMINE THE PART EARLIER OR VERIFY THE CONDITIONS OF USE OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER THE CAR WAS TOWED IN APRIL 2012, THE DEALER SAID WE NEEDED A PART, WHICH THEY ORDERED AND INSTALLED AT NO COST TO US WITHIN A FEW DAYS. THE MANAGER SAID THAT IT WAS A VERY EXPENSIVE PART, TOOK A LONG TIME TO INSTALL, AND THAT WE WERE "LUCKY TO HAVE THE WARRANTY."' THERE WAS NO MENTION OF THE INVERTER RECALL BUT THE INVOICE INDICATED THAT THERE WAS A "BOJ RECALL." THERE MAY HAVE BEEN AN EARLIER CLUE: ON DEC. 1, 2011 THE SAME DASHBOARD INDICATORS (CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM AND VRC) LIT UP IN THE MORNING WHEN I WENT TO START IT AND COULDN'T. WE ASKED DEAL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REVERSE FROM A RESIDENTIAL DRIVE WAY, THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED A LOUD POPPING NOISE AND ALL OF THE WARNING LAMPS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE INVERTER AND ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V342000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 113,000.

DRIVING IN 6 LANES OF HEAVY TRAFFIC WE HEARD A 'THUNK' AND LOST ALL POWER. I WRESTLED THE VEHICLE TO GET IT TO COAST OFF OF THE ROAD. CAR WAS TOWED TO TOYOTA DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE INVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. COST WAS $7600, AFTER A SUBSTANTIAL DISCOUNT FROM THE DEALER, WHO WAS OBVIOUSLY EMBARRASSED ABOUT CHARGING SO MUCH FOR A SINGLE PART. THE INCIDENT COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT, SINCE ALL POWER AND ELECTRICALLY ASSISTED DRIVING FUNCTIONS FAILED SIMULTANEOUSLY. FORTUNATELY IT DIDN'T. SUBSEQUENTLY I FOUND THAT TOYOTA HAD UPGRADED THEIR INVERTERS BEGINNING IN 2007. WE HAVE ALSO RECEIVED IN 2011 FROM TOYOTA AN "INTERIM SAFETY RECALL NOTICE" FOR THE INVERTER, BUT HAVE HEARD NOTHING SINCE. *TR

DRIVER'S SIDE VISOR WILL NO LONGER RELIABLY STAY UP, SO THE VISOR SOMETIMES FALLS DOWN SUDDENLY AND BLOCKS MY VIEW. WHEN IT DOES STAY UP, IT ONLY STAYS UP PART WAY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED AND CAUSED A CRASH. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES, BUT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000. UPDATED 04/02/13*LJ UPDATED 04/12/2013 *JS

MY HH HAS ABOUT 160,000 MILES ON IT. I HAD RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE AND CALLED MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP 3 TO 5 TIMES, EACH TIME WAS PUT OVER TO "RECALL CENTER", WHICH EQUALS VOICE MAIL WITH NO RETURN CALL. EVER. LAST WEEK WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED RUNNING AND WAS FLASHING ERROR MESSAGES ON DASHBOARD, INCLUDING CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM. IT ENDED UP AT THE DEALER AS CLOSEST MECHANIC DID NOT HAVE COMPUTER SYSTEM TO CHECK IT. I ASKED THE DEALER TO CHECK AND REPAIR THE RECALL(S) WHILE THEY REPAIRED THE CAR. THEY ENDED UP TELLING ME THAT THE ISSUE, WHILE RELATED TO A RECALL INVOLVING PART OF THE INVERTER, THAT THE PARTS REQUIRED FOR THE REPAIR WOULD COST $9000 OVER WHAT THE RECALL INVOLVED, BUT THAT, THEY WOULD BE SO NICE AS TO ONLY CHARGE ME $4000 FOR THE REPAIR BECAUSE THE CAR HAD BEEN SERVICED EVERY 5000 MILES UP TO 100,000 MILES AT A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. IN RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM, I SEE THAT THOUSANDS OF 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID OWNERS HAVE HAD SAME PROBLEM AND, IN FACT, TOYOTA ACKNOWLEDGED PROBLEM NOT ONLY BY CHANGING THE INVERTER IN 2007 MODELS, BUT ALSO BY DOING THIS COMPLETE REPAIR JOB THAT MY VEHICLE NEEDS FOR MANY, MANY OWNERS FOR UNDER $1000. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN INADEQUATELY RESPONSIVE TO THESE ISSUES; I HAVE NOW CONTACTED TOYOTA'S "CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE CENTER" AND AM AWAITING THEIR RESPONSE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE PLASTIC HEADLIGHT COVERS WERE MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THERE WAS NOT A DEFECT FOUND IN THE VEHICLE. THE REGIONAL MANAGER ALSO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF ALL OF THE WARNING INDICATORS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V342000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS BUT THE DEALER EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTIES IN PERFORMING THE REMEDY FOR THE RECALL DEFECT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000. UPDATED 5/11/12 *LJ

FOR THE PAST MONTH OR SO, THE HIGHLANDER HAS BEEN MAKING A SQUEAKING NOISE AT THE END OF A MODERATELY HARD STOP. IT ALSO MAKES THE SAME SOUND SOMETIMES WHEN BEGINNING TO MOVE AFTER START-UP AND THE BRAKES ARE RELEASED. I WENT TO THE DEALER ON FEB. 21, 2012, AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE ABS ACTUATOR MAKING THE NOISE. THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE TOLD ME THAT THE NOISE WAS NO PROBLEM, HE SAID IT WAS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE, AND THAT THE ABS ACTUATOR ONLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IF I DID NOT WANT TO PUT UP WITH THE SOUND. IT IS A VERY EXPENSIVE PART TO REPLACE, AND SHOULD BE EXPECTED NOT TO FAIL OVER THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. I READ ONLINE THAT ABS ACTUATORS HAVE BEEN AN ISSUE IN HIGHLANDER HYBRIDS, SO I HAVE REPORTED THIS INCIDENT. *TR

I SWERVED AND STOPPED SUDDENLY WHEN SOMEONE PULLED OUT FROM A SIDE STREET TO AVOID A COLLISION. WHEN I TRIED TO RESTART THE CAR, I COULDN'T. EVERYTHING "SEIZED" UP. I JUST COULD NOT MOVE THE CAR. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY INVESTIGATED AND SAID THAT THE ACTUATOR WAS STUCK OPEN AND ALLOWING BRAKE FLUID TO CONTINUALLY ENTER THE WHEELS, THEREBY ENGAGING THE BRAKES. IN FACT, THE MECHANIC COULD ONLY MOVE THE CAR ONCE HE DISABLED EITHER THE BRAKES OR THE ACTUATOR, HE WASN'T SPECIFIC. FROM READING OTHER CUSTOMER DISCUSSIONS ONLINE, IT APPEARS THAT THIS PART IS SUPPOSED TO HAVE A LIFETIME WARRANTY. MY DEALERSHIP LOOKED UP THE GENERAL WARRANTY AND SAID THAT THIS WOULDN'T BE COVERED. MY CAR HAS HAD REGULAR MAINTENANCE. I THINK A PART LIKE THIS SHOULD BE COVERED AND IT SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR *KB

DRIVING HOME AND CAR LOST POWER. "CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM" LIGHT CAME ON. LUCKILY, IT WAS LATE, SO THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC, AS THE CAR JUST DIED. I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND PUT INTO PARK BEFORE ROLLING BACK DOWN HE HILL WE WERE DRIVING UP. CAR TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE INVERTER FAILED, AND WOULD COST $9,000 TO REPAIR, WHICH IS NOT MUCH LESS THAN WHAT THE CAR IS WORTH WHEN IT IS RUNNING. CAR HAS BEEN RECALLED, BUT DEALER SAYS THE PARTS SERIAL NUMBER IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. CALLED TOYOTA CORPORATE WHO HAS ASSIGNED A CASE MANAGER WHO IS TO CONTACT ME WITHIN ONE BUSINESS DAY. *TR

WHEN I BRAKE AND HAVE MY FOOT FIRMLY AND GRADUALLY DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE CAR SLOWS BUT THERE ARE THESE ONE SECOND INSTANCES WHEN THE CAR CONTINUES TO COAST/LUNGE FORWARD AS IF IT IS NOT GOING TO STOP. THESE PROBLEMS OCCUR BETWEEN 25 MPH AND 30 MPH AND ALSO SOMETIMES AT 5 MPH. THIS CREATES AN UNSAFE FEELING THAT I AM NOT IN CONTROL OF THE CAR. *TT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V342000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE FAILURE WITHOUT GIVING REASONABLE EXPLANATION TO THE CONTACT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND SIDED WITH THE DEALER, ADVISING THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD RELEASE ANOTHER NOTICE TO INFORM CONSUMERS WHEN THEY WOULD BE AVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE WORK RECALL WORK ON SELECTED VEHICLES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 136,000.

THE FRONT WINDOW DEFROSTER AND HEATER CONTROLLER POTENTIOMETER ASSEMBLY IS DEFECTIVE. ICE BUILD-UP ON THE FRONT WINDOW IS KNOWN TO IMPAIR A DRIVER'S VISIBILITY AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THE NUT ON MY TEMPERATURE CONTROLLER WAS SEVERAL TURNS LOOSE! THE ORIGINAL MULTI-STRANDED WIRES SOLDERED TO THE TEMP-CONTROLLER POTENTIOMETER WERE RIGID BECAUSE THEY WERE TOO WELL TINNED WITH SOLDER AND BROKE FROM VIBRATION FATIGUE; DUE TO THE LOOSE NUT ON THE TEMP-CONTROLLER POTENTIOMETER SHAFT. TOYOTA OR SUMITOMO (VENDOR) SHOULD COVER THIS UNDER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY DUE TO THE LOOSE NUTS (POOR WORKMANSHIP)! THE PROBLEM IS WELL DOCUMENTED WITH PHOTOS AT "HTTP://WWW.DEVALCOURT.COM/2010/03/FIXING-2004-TOYOTA-HIGHLANDER-AC-AND-HEAT-ISSUE/#IDC-COVER". OVER 385 PEOPLE HAVE LEFT COMMENTS THERE; SEVERAL OTHER WEBSITES DOCUMENT THE SAME PROBLEM. *KB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE CHECK HYBRID AND VRC SYSTEM WARNING LIGHTS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE TEST RESULT SHOWED A DEFECT IN THE HYBRID BATTERY. THE CONTACT DID NOT AUTHORIZE THE DEALER TO PERFORM ANY MORE TESTS OR REPAIRS ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 10 MPH WHEN THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A CURB AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE POWER STEERING AND THE HYBRID COMPUTER SYSTEM FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 60,000.

WHEN RUNNING AND DECELARATING WHEN ARRIVING AT A STOP, I APPLIED A REGULAR PRESSURE ON THE BRAKES. AT SOME POINT IN THE BREAKING THE SYSTEM STOP BRAKING AND TRUCK KEEPS RUNNING. AFTER FEW SECONDS AND EXTRA PRESSUR THE TRUCK STAR BRAKING AGAIN. TWO MONTHS LATER I HAVE TO CHANGE BOTH BEARINGS ON MY TRUCK. AS A PROFESSIONNAL ELECTRICAL ENGINEER, I WOULD SAY THAT THE HYBRID SYSTEM SEEMS DEFECTIVE AND SOME CURRENT IS FLOWING TO THE GROUND. THIS RESULT IN BEARING DISCHARGE. THIS NON-BRAKING BEHAVIOR IS OCCURING FREQUENTLY AROUND 3 TO 4 TIMES A WEEK. *TR

THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WHILE STOPPED AT A LIGHT AND HAD TO BE TOWED. DEALER SERVICE NOTES THAT INVERTER FAILED ALONG WITH COMPONENT THAT GOES WITH IT. VEHICLE NON-FUNCTIONAL. *KB

TOYOTA IS NOT FOLLOWING CRA (CORRECTIVE REPAIR ACTION) FOR PRE-NOTIFICATION REMEDIES. ACCORDING TO THE DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT DATED JUNE 29, 2011 REGARDING INVERTER FAILURE RECALL, ITEM 7 "THE OWNER LETTER WILL INSTRUCT VEHICLE OWNERS WHO HAVE PAID TO HAVE THIS CONDITION REMEDIED PRIOR TO THIS CAMPAIGN TO SEEK REIMBURSEMENT PURSUANT TO TOYOTA'S GENERAL REIMBURSEMENT PLAN." HOWEVER, THE 'INTERIM' RECALL NOTIFICATION LETTER TO OWNERS DID NOT SUPPLY INSTRUCTIONS TO VEHICLE OWNERS WHO PAID TO HAVE THE CONDITION REMEDIED. THE INVERTER IN MY 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID FAILED. I REPLACED THE INVERTER AT MY OWN EXPENSE. I CONTACTED TOYOTA MOTORS CORP CUSTOMER CARE AND THEY REQUESTED THAT I HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED TO DOCUMENT THE REPAIR WAS COMPLETED, MAIL OR FAX THE PAID INVOICE FOR THE INVERTER, PROOF OF OWNERSHIP AND THE INSPECTION REPORT IN FOR PAYMENT. THIS INFORMATION WAS FAXED AND SENT VIA US MAIL ON OCTOBER 19, 2011. I WAS CONTACTED VIA PHONE BY TOYOTA MOTORS CORP ON 11/10/11 AND WAS INFORMED THAT MY CLAIM WAS DENIED BECAUSE "TOYOTA DOES NOT HAVE A RECALL" ON THE INVERTER . I REFERRED THE TOYOTA REPRESENTATIVE TO THE NHTSA WEBSITE. I WAS TOLD MY CLAIM WAS DENIED BECAUSE THE LETTER WAS AN 'INTERIM LETTER" AND NOT A RECALL. I WAS INFORMED THAT BECAUSE THE PART IS NOT OFFICIALLY RECALLED, I WOULD NEED TO WAIT UNTIL IT WAS OFFICIAL BECAUSE TOYOTA DOES NOT HAVE A REMEDY FOR THE FAILURE. MY CONCERN IS THAT THE 'INTERIM' LETTER IS ALMOST 4 MONTHS OLD AND TOYOTA DOES NOT OFFE

BOTH FRONT HEADLIGHT CASINGS MELTED AFTER USING "BRIGHTS". *TR

I WAS PULLING INTO OUR DRIVEWAY AND WHEN I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR, THE CAR STOPPED AND BEGAN TO ROLL BACKWARDS. ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON ALONG WITH A WARNING ON THE LCD PANEL THAT STATED "CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM" AND "CHECK VSC". IT WAS TOWED TO A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. THEY INDICATED THAT THE HYBRID INVERTER AND ESU HAD FAILED AND THEY REPLACED THEM. THE VEHICLE STILL DISPLAYED SEVERAL WARNINGS AND AFTER SEARCHING FOR ALMOST 1 WEEK, THEY DETERMINED THAT THE POWER STEERING ESU WAS ALSO BAD ALTHOUGH THIS WAS NOT THE CASE PRIOR TO THE HYBRID FAILURE. THEY SAID THAT THE 12 VOLT BATTERY ALSO NEEDED REPLACING ALTHOUGH IT WAS ONLY 8 MONTHS OLD AND WAS PURCHASED AT THE DEALERSHIP. WHEN I ASKED HOW THIS COULD HAVE HAPPENED, I WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE MUST HAVE BEEN STRUCK BY LIGHTNING! OCTOBER 1, 2011 IN OUR STATE WAS A BEAUTIFUL, CLEAR DAY AS IT HAD BEEN FOR A WHILE. I SUGGESTED THAT THE INVERTER AND ESU FAILURE CAUSED THE POWER STEERING ESU FAILURE, NOT A PHANTOM LIGHTNING STRIKE. MY VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY STILL AT THE DEALERSHIP AS I AWAIT THEIR REPLY. HYBRID COMPONENTS ARE COVERED UNDER THE EXTENDED HYBRID WARRANTY BUT THE STEERING ESU IS NOT AND WILL COST $1,000 TO REPLACE UNLESS TOYOTA WILL ACCEPT THAT THE FAILURE OF THE HYBRID COMPONENTS COULD HAVE CAUSED A POWERFUL ELECTRICAL SURGE THAT DAMAGED THE POWER STEERING ECU AS WELL AS THE 12 VOLT BATTERY. *KB

DRIVING THE UPPER ROADWAY OF THE QUEENSBORO 59TH ST BRIDGE THE CAR JUST DIED. FLASHING ON THE PANEL READ CHECK THE VSC SYSTEM WAITED FOR A TOW AROUND A DANGEROUS CURVE, WE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. OTW TO THE TOYOTA DEALER TO SEE IF THEY WILL HONOR THE RECALLED INVERTER PART. *TR

I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE. THIS VEHICLE IS USED ON STANDARD SUBURBAN AND HIGHWAY PAVED ROADS. NO DIRT OR SPECIAL CONDITION DRIVING. IN MARCH 2011 AT ABOUT 82,000 MILES, THE FRONT WHEELS STARTED MAKING A GRINDING NOISE WHICH WAS NOTICEABLE AT SPEEDS OF 35MPH OR GREATER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE RIGHT FRONT HUB AND BEARING ASSEMBLY. THIS SOLVED THE PROBLEM. THEN AT 87,943 MILES IN SEPTEMBER 2011, THE SAME GRINDING NOISE HAPPENED TO THE REAR WHEELS. THE DEALER REPLACED THE LEFT AND RIGHT REAR HUB ASSEMBLIES AND BEARINGS. THIS SOLVED THE PROBLEM. I HAVE NEVER OWNED A CAR THAT HAD 3 OUT OF 4 WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES AND BEARINGS BREAK. *TT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO PARK IN A RESIDENTIAL GARAGE. WITH THE BRAKES APPLIED, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO THE GARAGE WALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS WHERE THE TECHNICIANS PERFORMED THE REPAIR UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 06V253000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL). THE MANUFACTURER SENT AN ENGINEER TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE FOR THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION FAILURE. THE INSPECTOR DETERMINED THERE WAS NO ABNORMAL FAILURE AND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.

THERE HAVE BEEN FOUR INCIDENTS WITH THIS VEHICLE IN WHICH THE HYBRID SYSTEM SHUTTING DOWN. THE FIRST THREE TIMES THE VEHICLE WAS FINE WHEN I TURNED IT OFF, BUT WOULD NOT RESTART. WITH ALL THREE OF THESE INCIDENTS THE VEHICLE WOULD RESTART WITH NO ISSUES AFTER A FEW HOURS. THE CSV AND THE CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM LIGHTS AS WELL AS MOST OF THE PANEL LIGHTS WOULD COME ON. THE DEALERSHIP CHECKED IT TWO TIMES AND SAID IT WAS FINE. IN THE MOST RECENT EVENT, I WAS WAITING AT THE BOTTOM OF A DRIVEWAY. WHEN I WENT TO PROCEED I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR AND THE ENGINE MADE A LOUD SOUND THAT SEEMED EQUIVALENT TO IT RUNNING AT A HIGH RPM. THE CAR WOULD NOT GO FORWARD OR REVERSE. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND THEN ON AGAIN, IT MADE THE SAME SOUND AND AGAIN DID NOT MOVE. THE CSV AND THE "CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM" LIGHTS AS WELL AS THE PANEL LIGHTS CAME ON. I ROLLED THE CAR OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND TURNED IT OFF AGAIN. DUE TO THE PREVIOUSLY DESCRIBED HISTORY OF THE CAR, I CHOSE TO WAIT AN HOUR BEFORE TRYING TO RESTART IT. AFTER WAITING AN HOUR, I ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE CAR AND THE EXACT SAME THINGS HAPPENED. AFTER PUTTING THE CAR ON THE SCOPE THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. I WAS CALLED AFTER TWO DAYS OF THE DEALER RUNNING MANY TESTS AND TOLD IT WAS THE INVERTER. THE PRICE QUOTED TO ME WAS $8000. I INSISTED THAT THEY NEEDED TO LOOK INTO THE TOYOTA RECALL OF THE HYBRID INVERTERS. I WAS TOLD MY VEHICLE WAS CHECKED BY ANOTHER DEALERSHIP ON AUGUST 15,2011, AND IT WAS "CLEARED." I ASKED THEM TO

PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED. CAR CAME TO AN IMMEDIATE AND ABRUPT HALT. COULD NOT BE RESTARTED. *TR

DRIVERS SIDE SUNVISOR ON TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID WILL NOT STAY UP. SUNVISOR FALLS AND BLOCKS VIEW OF THE ROAD. FORCED TO HOLD SUNVISOR UP WITH LEFT HAND WHILE DRIVING. *TR

I WAS DRIVING OUR 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID UP THE DRIVEWAY AND AROUND TO THE BACK OF OUR HOME WHERE WE HAVE A REAR ENTRY GARAGE. AS I TURNED IN THE DRIVEWAY I STARTED TO SLOW/STOP THE CAR SO I COULD BACKUP TO PULL INTO THE GARAGE THE CAR ACCELERATED SUDDENLY STRIKING A SMALL TREE IN THE YARD DOING A LOT OF DAMAGE TO THE LEFT FRONT, LEFT FRONT WHEEL AND LEFT QUARTER PANEL. IT'S POSSIBLY TOTALLED. IT WAS AS IF A SOMETHING SIEZED THE CAR AND SUDDENLY PULLED IT FORWARD AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. IF THE TREE HAD NOT STOPPED THE CAR I WOULD HAVE STRUCK THE HOUSE. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I AM BRUISED AND SORE BUT OTHERWISE OK. I HAD BEEN RUNNING ON BATTERY THROUGH OUR NEIGHBORHOOD AND UP THE DRIVEWAY BUT AFTER IT HAPPENED I NOTICED THE ENGINE WAS NOW RUNNING SO I DON'T KNOW IF THE SURGE WAS THE RESULT OF THE GAS ENGINE KICKING IN OR SOME OTHER SUDDEN ACCELERATION PROBLEM. *TT

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE BEFORE STALLING. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE INTELLIGENT POWER MODULE LOCATED IN THE ENGINE WAS DEFECTIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,010.

WHILE DRIVING THROUGH VIRGINIA FOOTHILLS, THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ON MY HYBRID STOPPED WORKING. I HAD SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED BRAKING ABILITY, NO POWER STEERING AND WAS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY SERIOUS INCIDENT IF I HAD TO STOP FOR AN EMERGENCY. I SLOWLY PULLED OVER SHUT THE SYSTEM DOWN AND AFTER A WHILE THE WARNING LIGHTS AND WARNING BUZZER WENT OFF. *KB

THE SUN VISOR IN MY 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID DROOPS DOWN FROM THE CEILING ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. APPARENTLY THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND YOU HAVE RECEIVED NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS, YET TOYOTA HAS DONE NOTHING TO REMEDY THIS PROBLEM. *TR

2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID BRAKING SYSTEM TEMPORARILY RELEASES WHEN HITTING A BUMP OR UNEVEN ROAD CONDITIONS. THIS PROBLEM ORIGINALLY STARTED IN WINTER, WHEN TEMPS WERE BELOW FREEZING. IT IS NOW HAPPENING NO MATTER WHAT THE WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN BACK TO THE TOYOTA DEALER 3 TIMES AND EACH TIME THEY SAY THEY CANNOT REPRODUCE THE FAULT, NOR DO THEY FIND ANY INFORMATION ABOUT IT WHEN THEY SEARCH THEIR DATABASE. THE INCIDENT DATE CITED IN THIS COMPLAINT IS THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS LENS WAS MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THE 3M PLASTIC COULD HAVE CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE PLASTIC WAS REMOVED FROM THE LENS AND THE VEHICLE WAS FURTHER INSPECTED WHERE THERE WERE NO ELECTRICAL FAILURES FOUND. THE INVESTIGATION CONCLUDED THAT THE LIGHT BULB WAS DEFECTIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY DENIED THE CLAIM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 58,000. UPDATED 10/12/11*LJ UPDATED 3/22/12 *CN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD MAKE A LOUD SOUND WHILE DRIVING, THE CHECK ENGINE AND HYBRID SYSTEM LIGHTS WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, AND THE VEHICLE WOULD DRIVE ROUGH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO STATED THAT SOMETHING WAS BLOCKING THE CRANK SHAFT AND VARIOUS PIECES OF THE ENGINE COULD POSSIBLY BE OUT OF PLACE. A FULL DIAGNOSIS OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT PROVIDED BECAUSE THE ENGINE WOULD HAVE HAD TO HAVE BEEN TAKEN APART TO DO SO. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 87,000. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE PROBLEM WAS RELATED TO THE ENGINE AND NOT THE HYBRID SYSTEM. IT WAS DETERMINED A VALVE SPRING BROKE IN THE ENGINE. SOMEHOW, THERE WAS A WEAKENING IN THE VALVE SPRING IN THE CYLINDER HEAD THAT CAUSED THE VALVE SPRING TO BREAK AND CAUSE INTERNAL DAMAGE. TOYOTA STATED THE SHORT BLOCK AND BOTH CYLINDER HEADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WITH NEW PARTS AND LABOR, THE ESTIMATED COST WAS $11,000. UPDATED 08/31/11*JB UPDATED 9/16/11 *CN UPDATED 2/9/2012 *CN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. IN JULY 2010, THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 35 MPH, WHEN SHE HEARD A LOUD POPPING NOISE AND SHE ALSO NOTICED THAT THE CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER WHERE IT WAS TOWED TO A DEALER. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE INVERTER ASSEMBLY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. IN JULY 2011, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE WHEN SHE HEARD A LOUD POPPING NOISE AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE INVERTER ASSEMBLY FAILED AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL NUMBER: 11V342000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS AWAITING REPAIRS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,600. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,072. UPDATED 09/15/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED TOYOTA FINALLY ADMITTED THE VEHICLE WAS APART OF A RECALL. THE INVERTER ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME. HOWEVER, THE ACTUAL PART THAT WAS RECALL, WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL THE JANUARY 2012. UPDATED 11/18/11

I WAS PARKING MY HIGHLANDER HYBRID IN A PARKING GARAGE , IT STARTED TO ACCELERATE AS I STARTED TO PUT ON BY BRAKES. I HIT THE CONCRETE WALL. THE RADIATOR,BUMPER AND HOOD AS DAMAGED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *KB

WE WERE DRIVING OUR 2006 HIGHLANDER HYBRID FROM VIRGINIA TO OHIO. WE PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE OH TURNPIKE JUST BEFORE MILE MARKER 218 TO CHANGE DRIVERS AS THE PAST FEW SERVICE STOPS WERE CLOSED FOR RENOVATIONS. WE DID NOT TURN OFF THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE NEW DRIVER PRESSED ON THE GAS PEDAL TO RETURN TO THE HIGHWAY, THE CAR MADE A FUNNY SOUND THEN THE DASHBOARD LIT UP WITH ALTERNATING ERRORS FOR THE HYBRID SYSTEM AND VSC SYSTEM. THE CAR WAS FROZEN AND WOULD NOT MOVE. WE HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. SEVERAL DAYS LATER, THE VEHICLE IS STILL AT BEDFORD TOYOTA IN OH BEING AWAITING DELIVERY & REPLACEMENT OF THE INVERTER. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS OR INDICATIONS OF PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. IN FACT, IT HAD JUST BEEN IN FOR ITS 65,000 MILE CHECK-UP TWO WEEKS EARLIER. *TR

2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID POWER INVERTER FAILURE - A $9,000 REPAIR. MY 2006 HIGHLANDER HYBRID CAME TO A DEAD HALT LAST FRIDAY AFTERNOON GOING JUST OVER 40 MPH ON A BUSY STREET IN AUSTIN, TX. THE ENGINE WOULD RUN, BUT IT WOULD NOT MOVE IN ANY GEAR. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE TOYOTA DEALER ON I-35 AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A FAILED POWER INVERTER - A $9,000 REPAIR. IT HAS 70K MILES AND I JUST PURCHASED IT FOR $18K A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO. THE ORIGINAL OWNER PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY TO 100K MILES, SO VERY FORTUNATE THAT THIS VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR WAS COVERED INCLUDING A FREE RENTAL CAR FOR THE WEEK IT WAS IN THE SHOP. I WILL DEFINITELY PURCHASE ANOTHER WARRANTY WHEN THIS ONE EXPIRES AS WHO CAN AFFORD THIS TYPE OF REPAIR ON A USED VEHICLE! I AM CONSIDERING SELLING THIS VEHICLE AND TOOK IT TO THE SAME TOYOTA DEALER THAT REPLACED THE POWER INVERTER TO GIVE ME A TRADE IN APPRAISAL. THEY RAN A CAR FAX HISTORY REPORT ON IT AND THERE IS NO INDICATION THAT THE CAR HAS HAD THE POWER INVERTER REPLACED! THEY SHOW IT SERVICED ON THE DATE OF THE REPAIR, BUT DID NOT INDICATE THAT THE POWER INVERTER HAD BEEN REPLACED - ARE THEY TRYING TO HIDE THIS PROBLEM????? *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THEY WERE DRIVING ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND TRYING TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ROLL FORWARD FORCING THE CONTACT TO DRIVE ONTO THE SERVICE LANE. THE CONTACT HEARD A POPPING NOISE AND THE CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND AFTER THE FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED, THE DEALER STATED THEY DID NOT FIND ANY FAILURES WITH THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 108,000. THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL OF THE PART BUT I DID NOT GET A LETTER IN THE MAIL YET. UPDATED 09/08/2011 *LN *TR

DRIVING NORTH ON INTERSTATE 75 NEAR WARNER ROBINS, GA IN OUR 2006 HIGHLANDER HYBRID. GOING 75 MPH IN THE LEFT LANE WHEN THE DASHBOARD LIT UP WITH VSC, CHECK HYBRID, AND ESP LIGHTS. IMMEDIATELY LOST ALL POWER. NO POWER STEERING, LIMITED BRAKING, NO ACCELERATION. BARELY AVOIDED A CATASTROPHIC ACCIDENT (4 PEOPLE IN MY CAR) AND MADE IT TO THE BREAKDOWN LANE. TOWED TO A LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER BY AAA. CAR HAS 85000 MILES ON IT AND TOYOTA DIAGNOSED A FAULTY INVERTER. IT IS BEING COVERED AS A WARRANTY REPAIR. WAITING FOR COMPLETION OF REPAIRS IN GEORGIA TO COMPLETE DRIVE HOME TO NEBRASKA (ALL THE WHILE INCURRING NON-TRIVIAL EXPENSES FOR HOTEL, RENTAL CAR, ETC.). *TR

2006 HIGHLANDER HYBRID INVERTER FAILURE CAUSED A COMPLETE POWER SHUT DOWN AND LEFT ME STRANDED ON THE ROAD. THERE WAS NO POWER, NO BRAKES, NO STEERING. I COULD HAVE BEEN HIT BY CARS IN FRONT OR BEHIND. LUCKY THAT I WAS NOT ON THE FREEWAY GOING 70 MPH. THE FAILURE HAD NO WARNING NOR ANY SYMPTOMS. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, I DROVE THE CAR APPROXIMATELY 70 MILES EARLIER DURING THE DAY. *TR

ON JUNE 9, 2011 AT APPROXIMATELY 11:00PM CENTRAL TIME, MY FAMILY (WIFE, TWO DAUGHTERS, ONE SON AND I) WERE DRIVING OUR 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLAND HYBRID DOWN I65 ABOUT 20 MILES NW OF LAFAYETTE, INDIANA. WE SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND COULD NOT DRIVE THE CAR. WE WERE GOING ABOUT 70MPH AND LUCKILY THERE WERE NO CARS AROUND US AT THE TIME, AS WE HAD EXTREME DIFFICULTY IN STEERING THE CAR AND STRUGGLED TO PULL IT OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. IT SAID SOMETHING ON THE SCREEN ABOUT CHECK VSD AND HYBRID SYSTEM. THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO WHIRL, BUT WE COULD NOT START CAR OR DO ANYTHING WITH IT. WE CALLED A TOW TRUCK & WAITED IN THE DARK ON SIDE OF INTERSTATE 65 TO WAIT FOR THEM TO PICK US UP. IT TOOK ABOUT 45 MINUTES TO GET THE TOW TRUCK THERE AND FOR SOMEONE TO COME PICK US UP. WE DEFINITELY FELT LUCKY TO GET OFF OF THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT GETTING HURT AS THIS AREA HAD NO LIGHTS AND WAS VERY DARK (EXCEPT FOR THE RED LIGHTS ON THE WIND MILLS ALL AROUND US). WE WENT TO A HOTEL IN LAFAYETTE AND THE TOW TRUCK DROPPED THE CAR OFF AT THE DEALERSHIP. THE NEXT MORNING, THE DEALERSHIP SENT A COURTESY CAR TO PICK ME UP & TAKE ME OVER THERE. I SPOKE WITH THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD EVALUATE THE PROBLEM. I TOLD HIM IT MIGHT BE THE INVERTER, AS MY FATHER OWNED A LEXUS RX400 HYBRID AND THE INVERTER ON HIS CAR FAILED AND LEXUS GAVE HIM THE PART. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TOLD ME THAT HE PERSONALLY HAD NEVER CHANGED AN INVERTER, SO HE DID NOT THINK IT WAS THAT. I RENTED A CAR AND MY FAMILY AND I CO

AT 0130 I WAS ACCELERATING QUICKLY FROM A STOP IN MY 2006 HIGHLANDER HYBRID. WITHOUT WARNING THE ACCELERATION OF MY CAR CEASED; PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL ALL THE WAY DOWN HAD NO RESPONSE. [FORTUNATELY, I HAD NOT YET TURNED IN FRONT OF THE LARGE TRUCK I WAS ABOUT TO PASS, BECAUSE IF I HAD CUT IN FRONT OF HIM THEN SUDDENLY DE-ACCELERATED, A COLLISION WOULD HAVE BEEN THE LIKELY RESULT.] THE DASH HAD LIT UP SEVERAL CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS. I WAS 1/2 WAY THROUGH AN INTERSECTION HEADED TOWARDS THE ON-RAMP TO HIGHWAY 96. THE CAR WAS STILL ROLLING, I STEERED IT AWAY FROM THE ON-RAMP AND ONTO THE SERVICE DRIVE, WHERE I COASTED TO A STOP. ALL OTHER ELECTRIC SYSTEMS WERE TO BE WORKING: LIGHTS, RADIO, BRAKES, WIPERS, FAN, SIGNALS, LOCKS. MY GAS TANK WAS MORE THAN HALF FULL. MY DISPLAY WAS ALTERNATING 'CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM" AND "CHECK VSC.' I ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE SUV SEVERAL TIMES, WITH THE SAME RESULT. A LOCAL POLICE OFFICER HAD TO USE HIS VEHICLE TO PUSH MY SUV OFF THE ROAD FOR SAFETY. MY CAR HAD TO BE TOWED, AND IT TOOK OVER AN HOUR FOR A TOW TRUCK TO ARRIVE, FORTUNATELY I WAS ONLY 30 MINUTES FROM MY DEALERSHIP- AS I DOUBT MANY OTHER MECHANICS COULD HAVE DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM. THE NEXT BUSINESS DAY, MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP SERVICE MANAGER CALLED TO TELL ME THE INVERTER WAS BROKEN, AND THE INVERTER WOULD COST $7000 PLUS LABOR. THE PART WOULD HAVE TO BE SHIPPED FROM CORPORATE. MY CAR WAS BEYOND THE 100,000 MILE DRIVETRAIN WARRANTY (100K MIGHT BE MICHIGAN SPECIFIC), AND WAS AT 105,000 MILE

2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID SUN VISOR DROPS DOWN UNEXPECTEDLY HINDERING DRIVERS VIEW. COULD NOT SEE TRAFFIC LIGHT WHICH CHANGED TO RED. FORTUNATELY NO OTHER VEHICLES IN THE INTERSECTION. VISOR WILL NOT STAY UP. INTERNET SEARCH SHOWS THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND DESIGN DEFECT. *TR

ON A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID 4X4. ENGINE STALLED WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH ON HIGHWAY. VEHICLE COASTED TO SIDE AND WOULD NOT RESTART. HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED HOME AND ENGINE STILL WILL NOT START. WILL HAVE TO TAKE IT TO DEALER. *TR

OUR 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID SIMPLY STOPPED RUNNING YESTERDAY IN THE MIDDLE OF A VERY BUSY STREET. WE HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO TOLD US THAT THE INVERTER ( PART OF THE HYBRID PORTION OF THE VEHICLE ) WAS FINISHED AND THAT THE REPAIR WOULD BE $7800.00. THEY ALSO TOLD US THAT THIS IS THE ONLY YEAR OF THIS VEHICLE WHICH IS EXEMPT FROM THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA REQUIREMENT OF A 150,000 WARRANTY ON HYBRID VEHICLES . TOYOTA WILL NOT STAND BEHIND THIS VEHICLE ALTHOUGH IT IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR THAT THEY ARE FAMILIAR WITH AND HAVE MADE CORRECTIONS TO. THIS IS A SERIOUS, DANGEROUS AND EXPENSIVE PROBLEM FOR WHICH TOYOTA SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. THE CAR AS EASILY HAVE STOPPED ON THE FREEWAY OR SOME OTHER MORE DANGEROUS SPOT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND IT STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE HYBRID SYSTEM LIGHT CAME ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE INVERTER HAD FAILED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.