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.
2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid electrical complaints
Page 3 of 4: complaints 41 to 70 of 74, newest first, as owners wrote them.
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 federal safety agency 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 offer relief to owners. Further, I am very concerned that the toyota representative told me repeatedly that they do not have a recall on this part.
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.
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.
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 recheck this recall to see if my car fit into the category. I was informed they were not going to recheck it, but they would instead contact toyota. Had this happened while I was driving up or down my driveway, I would most certainly would have gone over the 50 foot embankment on my driveway or the cliff directly across the street from my house.
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.
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
While driving at speed on the highway the inverter/converter failed the vehicle was coasted to a stop on the highway shoulder. Now again on 04/28/2011 with 88,856 miles on the vehicle the same failure has occurred while acceleration up-hill on the highway at about 40 MPH. Most of the damaged components (inverter/converter & an ecu) where covered by warranty. I am very concerned about the safety of this vehicle and my wife continuing to drive it even though it has been repaired again.
On may 2, 2011 the inverter assembly broke down.
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 toyota highlander hybrid. While driving approximately 65 MPH the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The technicians stated that the inverter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 125,000.
The 2006 highlander hybrid was parked on a steep hill. Turned on the ignition, put it into reverse, and went about one foot (uphill) when it made a loud "clank" sound and stopped. "check vsc", "check hybrid", and "check awd" warning messages were then displayed on the instrument panel. I could not turn the engine on and drive it, so I had it towed to a local toyota dealer where it was diagnosed as having an inverter failure. Within 4 days, the inverter was replaced under warranty.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 toyota highlander hybrid. While driving approximately 5 MPH, the engine stalled and the check hybrid system and cvc warning indicators illuminated. The engine was restarted followed by a loud noise. When the accelerator pedal was engaged, there was no response and the steering wheel would not function normally. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer where they informed the contact that the failure was related to a faulty inverter. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 toyota highlander hybrid. The contact stated that as she decelerated to a complete stop, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was then towed to an authorized dealer but the failure was unable to be diagnosed. The manufacturer was contacted and advised the contact that the vehicle should be driven every daily in order to prevent the failure. No further assistance was offered. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 200 and current mileage was 16,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 toyota highlander hybrid. The contact was driving 65 MPH when the check hybrid system, check ESC system and check all wheel drive warning lights illuminated. The vehicle lost all power and was towed to an authorized dealer who advised that the hybrid inverter system would need to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The current and failure mileage were approximately 172,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 toyota highlander hybrid. The contact was driving approximately 25 MPH when the engine stalled with an illumination of the engine and vsc warning indicators. The engine failed to restart and the vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer for diagnostic testing. The contact was awaiting a response from the dealer to determine the cause of failure. The contact referenced an open investigation for the failure under the federal safety agency action number: pe11005 (hybrid propulsion system: inverter). The failure mileage was approximately 55,000. Updated 03/29/11*lj the ignition coils were replaced. Updated 04/22/11
2006 toyota highlander hybrid consumer states that toyota sold her a vehicle in unsafe condition and writes regarding an engineering defect *tgw the consumer stated her son dropped a cup with liquid inside and managed to get into the hybrid's battery that was located beneath the back passenger seat. The vehicle shut off and the check hybrid system and check vsc system lights illuminated.
I was backing out of our driveway into the middle of the street & the vehicle died. It couldn't be started & the gearshift could not be moved into any other gear, therefore it remained in reverse. Nothing electrical would work either & the car's interior is fully electric , (windows, door locks, nav, seats, radio ect). The "check engine" message was on. At first we thought it was the battery, as per tow truck driver . The car had to be towed. First towed the car to get a new battery but after installation of the newly purchased battery, the car still was inoperable & had to be towed again to the toyota dealer. This was an additional out of pocket expense. The dealer replaced the "inverter" & something listed on the receipt as "super long life c".
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 toyota highlander hybrid. The contact was driving approximately 35 MPH when the check ESC warning light illuminated and the entire hybrid system shut down, causing the vehicle to come to a complete stop. The vehicle was towed to the contacts residence where he contacted the dealer and was advised that the failure was common for his year, make and model. The vehicle was neither inspected nor repaired. The VIN was unavailable. The current and failure mileage was approximately 191,000. Updated 03/23/11 *bf updated 1/5/12
The computer on 2006 toyota highlander hybrid won't allow engine to start. 12v battery will not start auto until a small charge is connected to battery I have had it in the dealership 3 times with the same problem. The first time was when the vehicle was less than 1 week old - was told that I must have left a door open, and nothing was wrong with it. Second time to the dealership - same problem - same response, again, they said nothing was wrong. New battery was installed 1/1/11. Still having the same problem - car will not start-get stranded and car will not start. On 2/22/11 I took vehicle back to the dealership, along with documentation on service bulletin 01605, the federal safety agency item number 10015806 - serviceman said that they (the service department) do not pay any attention to any of the federal safety agency bulletins that I would have to pay to have a diagnostic test. No lights left on or accessories left on. Heater, radio, seats, are turned off.
I made a right hand turn and was accelerating, heard a pop and the car shut down. I coasted to the side of the road and the car wouldn't start. The check hybrid system light came on and then the check vsc light came on. The car was towed to the dealership. Dealership said the hybrid inverter failed.
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 toyota highlander hybrid. While the vehicle was parked, the vehicle would not start. The contact had the vehicle jumpstarted . The failure occurred between three and four times. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who replaced the battery; the battery had been placed four times in five years. The vehicle was at the dealer. The failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage was 108,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 toyota highlander hybrid. While attempting to drive in reverse, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated the vsc light illuminated on the instrument panel after the vehicle had stalled. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The technicians stated the inverter had failed and stated the transaxle and the inverter needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact they were aware of a possible inverter problem with those models and would contact the manufacturer to see if the repairs could be made free of charge since the warranty had expired. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 125,000.
2006 toyota highlander hybrid. Consumer states that the vehicle shut off while driving 75 MPH. *kb the consumer stated the vehicle had to be towed to the dealer where the inverter was replaced in the hybrid system.
2006 toyota highlander hybrid power inverter failed causing sudden loss of all power, including brakes, and steering. $9500 replacement cost was negotiated down to $4700 with dealer and toyota. A number of 2006 highlander hybrids have had the same failure, with no ability to use the battery to get the vehicle off the road and out of danger.
2006 hybrid highlander. Well maintained. On two occasions, the engine died without warning. Lights flashed the car stalled in heavy traffic areas. Towed to toyota dealership. Each time the dealership said could not replicate the problem. It happened at 96,000 miles and again at 105,000. I was offered a low trade in price for an new rav 4. The dealership said they can not replicate the problem. I suggested the problem was above their feeble minds. Ill trained brains can not comprehend complex issues. It is real easy, put in an new inverter. New month I will have a larger settlement check for a business venture. Last toyota product I buy. I have owned 8 vehicles from this dealership. Looks like I am going back to american it was very scary on top of the interstate 12 during rush hour with a hard rain failing..
My wife was parked in front of our apartment building, idling with her foot on the brake, when our 2006 toyota highlander hybrid suddenly accelerated and crashed into a gate. Before the car crashed, she repeatedly applied the brake and even put the car in park. The car did not stop. After the impact, the engine continued to rev and accelerate before finally stopping. This had never happened before. The body has been repaired, but per toyota, nothing mechanical or electronic has been touched. Last week toyota sent a specialist out to inspect the car and download data. We were present at the time, and 5 dtc codes displayed. The descriptions displayed on the investigator's lap top mentioned vehicle speed sensors on right wheel and left wheel, the emps, body ecu switch circuit and "low or high power supply voltage". The car was test driven, and no errors or codes were reported. The car is now waiting to be taken to a dealer to be reviewed and fixed.
Have a toyota 2006 highlander hybrid and was driving the car less than a week ago and was on the parkway doing 65 in the middle lane and car started to decelerate, lost the power steering, could not brake nor was I able to push the pedal for the gas. Able to get to the shoulder and car stopped. Put it in drive and went to restart car, would not turn on the entire dashboard lit up with check hybrid system, check vsh, brake light etc..... Brought to a toyota dealership thursday, still no word. States it might be an electrical problem part is approximate. 1500 to start. Theycannot even evaluate the car till they place this part in. Sounds costly to me . Went on another website, appears that other owners of the 2006 highlander hybrid have had similar problems when they are over 100,000 miles. October 4 email:"finally got my car back after 3 weeks. They put in a new control panel and inverter, I paid $1400 for the control panel and was compensated for the $8800 inverter. Plus they fixed a steering wheel recall and the rear brakes were shot (my fault). [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 toyota highlander hybrid. While driving approximately 30 MPH the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that no warning lights came on before the failure occurred. She drove onto the shoulder of the road and called a tow company. The vehicle was towed to her home, then to an authorized dealer. The dealer advised her that the inverter for the hybrid failed, and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was serviced by an authorized dealer 10 days before the failure occurred. The approximate failure and current mileages were 122,231.
I have an 06 toyota highlander hybrid with 64,900 miles on it, we were driving on interstate 5 south on central ca, suddenly vsc and check hybrid system flashed on the instrument panel and the car was totally dead, tried to start it a couple of times but to no avail. The car was towed too a nearest dealership and the problem was the hybrid inverter. 2 days before the incident the car's battery was totally drained, not a single light will turn on. I jump started the car to make run. The inverter was replaced under warranty and it would have caused us $8200 w/o installation to replaced it if it was not covered under warranty. I did some research and found out that a lot of people the same problem with their highlander hybrid inverter failure. This can happen anytime again w/o warning and could lead to accidents , and I don't feel safe on driving this car again.
Tl-the contact owns a 2006 toyota highlander hybrid. While driving at approximately 70 MPH the vehicle stalled and would not start. It towed to an authorized dealer where she was told a wire shorted and blew out the hybrid system. She was told the failure occurred within the inverter. The authorized dealer also informed her this failure was a manufactured defect. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 131,600. Sm.
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