2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid: check engine light

Filed Jan 15, 2026 · Fuel system · 150,455 miles · WA

The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving 72 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The check engine and traction control warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the "Check Hybrid System", "Check AWD", and "Check VCS" messages were displayed. The contact was able to coast to the side of the road and had the vehicle towed to the residence. The contact notified an independent mechanic of the failure, and the mechanic stopped by the residence. The independent mechanic retrieved a DTC that the power inverter for the hybrid system had failed and caused the vehicle to go into LIMP Mode. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact called the dealer and was informed that there were no recalls associated with the VIN. The contact stated that when the dealer searched the VIN on the website, the VIN search showed that the VIN was included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 13V396000 (HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the recall did not apply to the VIN. The vehicle remained at the residence unrepaired. The failure mileage was approximately 150,455.

Filed Jun 19, 2019 · Engine · 250,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 toyota highlander hybrid. While driving approximately 15 MPH, the vehicle lost power, the check engine and ABS warning indicators illuminated, and the vehicle stalled. Also, "check hybrid system" appeared on the instrument panel. Fred haas toyota world (20400 interstate 45 n, spring, tx 77373) was notified. The vehicle was not diagnosed because the test was not free. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 250,000.

Filed Mar 22, 2018 · Electrical · 84,000 miles · MA

Car has 84,000 miles on it. After a 40 minute hiughway drive, car lost power and stalled. Engine lights "check hybrid system" "check ABS" and "check vcs" came on. Towed to dealer, diagnostic check said the problem was with a wiring harness for the hybrid electrical cable, which suffered from corrosion and thus was leaking voltage. Cost to fix minimum of $3500. Faulty design??

Filed May 11, 2015 · Electrical, Engine · 71,893 miles · CA

Engine mechanical ~|~check and report...check engine light and vsc light on dash, ,,car lost power while driving, had to pull over and get the vehicle towed in to the dealership... ~|~tech pulled code p0a05,p0a08,p0a93, ...found inverter pump not working properly ~|~replaced inverter water pump

Filed May 11, 2015 · Electrical, Engine · 161,359 miles · CA

Engine mechanical ~|~check and report...check engine light and vsc light on dash, .found inverter pump not working properly ~|~replaced inverter water pump

Filed Apr 17, 2015 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · 49,936 miles · PR

I was driving on a straight highway between 45 -50 MPH. Sudden a bunch of lights and warnings came up in the dashboard. I lost power steering and motor propulsion too. I pressed the accelerator and nothing happened. Although I had the ability to brake, it seemed that the braking was also impaired. However because I was going up an incline I did not need strong braking. I managed to coast over to the breakdown lane. Luckily there were only a couple other cars near me so it wasn't too difficult to maneuver by them and coast to the other side of the road where the breakdown lane was. Once I was completely stopped I shut the car down completely and restarted in the normal hybrid startup manner. The car propulsion and steering came back but now the message was alternating between "maintenance needed" and "check vsc system", and the check engine light and symbol was on. I shut off everything electrical to minimize electrical drain. I was able to drive the car another 8-10 miles to get home but I was constantly looking to see where I could pull over if the car stopped again. I made it home. Tomorrow bring it to the toyota dealer. Significantly, I recently had the brake actuator replaced at a cost of around $2700, specifically because they warned me that I could lose braking and other electronic facilities unpredictably. I thought that expensive repair would avoid this. Unfortunately it appears that what they were predicting could happen did happen, but after the repair! I was on a highway when the car died but with not much traffic and an easy access breakdown lane. Had it been 10 minutes later I might have been on a much busier highway in a place where a breakdown lane is much harder to reach. That would have been a dangerous situation. Had it been daytime and in a safer area I would have stopped and called for a tow truck.

Filed Sep 24, 2013 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 140,250 miles · TX

As I pulled out of the parking lot of a hotel the check vcs system, check hybrid system, check awd system warnings began to illuminate and alternate. The master warning light, slip indicator light, check engine warning light and the electronically controlled brake system warning light were all illuminated as well. The car would drive, however, the power steering and ABS were not working. I was able to drive the car to the closest toyota dealership. I was originally told that the car simply needed a new battery. Once the battery was replaced, I was told that the ecu for the ABS system had died and would need to be replaced at the cost of $2000. When I mentioned the recall and the fact that the symptoms were directly in line with the recall notice for the imp I was told that while my VIN fell under the boj recall, the specific serial # of my imp did not. I was also told that this was not the problem my car was having. When I asked whether the serial numbers of the d1m recall were checked I was told this was an "interim recall" and that they were not authorized to do repairs on this one yet so they couldn't check. Research has indicated that an imp failure can cause and ecu failure. Furthermore, an ecu failure would not have caused the system to go into fail safe mode as it did. I have a toyota case #, but they have told me there is nothing they can do.

Filed Jul 19, 2011 · Engine · 87,000 miles · FL

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

Filed Jun 20, 2011 · Fuel system · 105,000 miles · WA

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 miles. Vin [xxx] a front wheel drive highlander hybrid. One of the service employees confirmed my VIN was 'before the production break' in 2006 highlander hybrids when a 'new and improved' inverter was used instead of the 'defective' one. **tt updated 07/10/2012 *js information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)

Filed May 12, 2011 · Fuel system · 108,000 miles · CA

My wife and I are owners of a 2006 toyota highlander hybrid and experienced the stall with no restart issue yesterday. I had noticed for 6mths - 1 year that on more than gentle acceleration the vehicle may pause (lose power) for 1-2 seconds before continuing. During this pause, a warning would be displayed along with alarm sound reporting "water temp" even though the water temp gauge is still holding in middle of range without moving. I had hoped that subsequent servicing would address until it would occur again at a later time. It occurred regularly enough to be a concern, but as the car proceeded a sec or two later the urgency was lost. In retrospect if it was known that this was a sign of possible significant future entire engine power loss, my concern to have this reported and addressed would have been higher. Yesterday after displaying the same message and sound, the vehicle lost complete power and engine warning light came on, along with other warnings messages. We had barely any power (very slow walking pace at best) to move from stop to the side of the road. Engine appeared to still be active to some degree when pushing accelerator but extremely minimal power provided to wheels. Vehicle had to be towed to local dealership. Report from toyota dealership that inverter failed and needs to be replaced for $7000+ and labor, etc. Vehicle has approx 108,000 miles.

Filed Apr 25, 2011 · Fuel system · 110,252 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 toyota highlander hybrid. The contact was driving approximately 40 MPH when the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that several various warning lights began to illuminate on the dashboard, including the check engine and brake lights. The vehicle rolled to a stop before being towed to an authorized dealer. The contact was advised that the vehicle would need a new inverter. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 110,252.

Filed Mar 3, 2011 · Electrical, Engine · 55,803 miles · CA

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".