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.
2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid fuel system problems
53 complaints (14% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 108,000. 1 crash reported.
- owner complaints
- 53
- of this car's complaints
- 14%
- typical mileage
- 108,000
- crashes
- 1
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Inverter40
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Toyota Highlander Hybrid fuel system problems in other years
Related recalls
Hybrid propulsion system: inverter
- What is wrong
- Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid vehicles manufactured February 16, 2005, through July 29, 2010; and model year 2006-2008 Lexus RX400h vehicles manufactured February 23, 2005, through December 2, 2008. The Intelligent Power Module (IPM) inside the inverter module may contain transistors that have higher operating temperatures than the solder can support and the transistors may be heat damaged by the solder. If this occurs, various warning lamps, including the malfunction indicator lamp, slip indicator light, brake system warning light, and master warning light, will be illuminated on the instrument panel.
- Risk
- The vehicle may enter a fail-safe/limp-home mode that limits the drivability of the vehicle. It is possible that the hybrid system will shut down while the vehicle is being driven, causing the vehicle to stall unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the IPM free of charge. Owners may contact Toyota at 1‑800‑331‑4331. Vehicles that had their IPM replaced under recall 11V‑342 are not affected by this campaign.
Recall number 13V396000 · Recall details
Related investigations
Hybrid inverter failure - vehicle stall
In a June 29, 2011 letter to the federal safety agency, Toyota submitted a Defect Information Report regarding a safety recall of certain Toyota Highlander Hybrid and Lexus RX400h vehicles to address a defect condition with the hybrid inverter assembly (the federal safety agency Recall No. 11V‑342).Toyota's letter identified a defect related to inadequately soldered transistors on the Intelligent Power Module (IPM) of some of the subject vehicles that could result in sudden loss of power while driving.Toyota's remedy procedure instructs dealers to inspect the hybrid inverter production number to determine if the inverter contains suspect transistors.If so, the dealer will replace the IPM.The recall covers approximately 45,528 model year (MY) 2006 and 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid vehicles manufactured from February 16, 2005 through August 29, 2006 and approximately 36,745 MY 2006 and 2007 Lexus RX400h vehicles manufactured from February 23, 2005 through August 30, 2006.This Preliminary Evaluation is closed.
PE11005
What 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled with the check hybrid system and two other unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact managed to coast the vehicle to the side of the highway; however, the vehicle failed to restart. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where a diagnostic test was performed. The mechanic discovered that there was a leak in the inverter cooling system. Upon investigation, the contact discovered an unknown recall that was related to the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but informed her that the vehicle was not included in the unknown recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 280,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 toyota highlander hybrid. The contact stated that the vehicle did not start and the hybrid warning indicator illuminated. The contact also stated that the vehicle was repaired three previous times by naguabo auto toyota (carretera 31 km 3.9, naguabo, pr 00718) regarding the hybrid module. The vehicle was not repaired again. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 toyota highlander hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled and the entire instrument panel illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 13v396000 (hybrid propulsion system). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 toyota highlander hybrid. The contact stated that while driving from a complete stop, the hybrid warning message illuminated and the vehicle failed to accelerate higher than 40 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 13v396000 (hybrid propulsion system). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 106,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 toyota highlander hybrid. While driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle suddenly shut off. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the hybrid inverter malfunctioned. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.
Engine mechanical ~|~check and report...check engine light and vsc light on dash, .found inverter pump not working properly ~|~replaced inverter water pump
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
There was fire in the inverter assembly. The wiring harness for the inverter and the transmission were completely cooked and melted. The professional opinion of a toyota national engineer is that the generator in the trans axle surged and caused a fire melting the components. How can this go un-investigated with so many of these vehicles on the road. My family and I could have been burned alive or in a fatal crash due to this completely unsafe system. How can toyota continue to say they are all about safety when they will not do anything about issues like this. They have sent me a $16,000 bill for this issue that is completely a product of their poor and unsafe vehicle.
I was driving the vehicle and heard a loud popping noise on the way to the dealership for recall work. Once the technician opened the inverter case we found the wiring harness for both the inverter and transmission were completely melted and cooked due to a fire inside the inverter. I am now looking at a $15000 repair bill with toyota and luckily my family and I were not burned alive or in an accident resulting in fatalities.
Questions about the 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid fuel system
Does the 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid have fuel system problems?
Owners have filed 53 complaints about the fuel system of the 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, 14% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid fuel system problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 108,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid fuel system?
Yes, 1 recall: 13V396000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Toyota Highlander Hybrid have the most fuel system problems?
The Toyota Highlander Hybrid model years with the most fuel system complaints are 2006 (53 complaints), 2007 (22 complaints) and 2008 (14 complaints).
Other 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid problems
Brakes 137Electrical 74Engine 53Acceleration 33Driver assistance 26Steering 25Transmission 19Lights 15Visibility 10Airbags 9Suspension 4Tires 4Body 1Seats 1Wheels 1
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