2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid: engine stalls while driving

Filed Aug 15, 2019 · Fuel system · 185,000 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota highlander hybrid. The contact received a recall notice for the federal safety agency campaign number: 13v396000 (hybrid propulsion system: inverter). While in a parking lot, the vehicle went into fail safe limp home mode and the vehicle stalled. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed to newark toyota world (230 e cleveland ave, newark, de 19711, (302) 368-6262) to be diagnosed, but the failure could not be duplicated. Additionally, diagnostic testing would cost $600. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 185,000.

Filed Jul 30, 2018 · Electrical, Fuel system · 81,000 miles · VA

Vehicle hybrid/engine shut off while driving. Various warning lights lit up including vsc, hybrid system, and check engine. I was forced to change lanes with the car off but moving at about 40 MPH and pull over on a side street. I as able to restart the vehicle and continue my drive. The following day, even though the check engine light and all warnings had cleared, the car turned off again while I was driving and breaking at a red light. The car failed to properly restart after this second incident. The vehicle was towed to a toyota dealership which specified that the issue is the hybrid inverter. The vehicle only has about 81,000 miles and according to toyota a recall had already been performed on the intelligent power module for the inverter in 2014.

Filed May 24, 2017 · Brakes · 220,000 miles · AL

Brake malfunction/ ABS malfunction/ needs new brake actuator/ 3600.00 to repair this. Happened when we had to apply brakes repetitively in stalled traffic.

Filed Apr 17, 2017 · Engine · 120,000 miles · NC

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota highlander hybrid. While driving 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.

Filed Nov 9, 2016 · Electrical, Engine · 120,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota highlander hybrid. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the engine stalled and the instrument panel warning indicators flashed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that there was water in the hybrid battery compartment and the compartment needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

Filed Jun 29, 2016 · Electrical, Steering · 150,000 miles · CA · fire

My car has the same problem as described here and in many places online and toyota refused to include my vehicle for recall. The problem as described by the federal safety agency as follows report receipt date: sep 04, 2013 the federal safety agency campaign number: 13v396000 component(s): hybrid propulsion system all products associated with this recall expand details close 12 associated documents expand manufacturer: toyota motor engineering & manufacturing summary: 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. Consequence: 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:

Filed Jan 6, 2016 · Electrical, Fuel system · 90,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota highlander hybrid. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle stalled and the slip, brake, and master warning lights illuminated. The vehicle restarted after twenty five minutes. The failure recurred on the initial start up on two separate occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but they could not diagnose the cause of the failure. The mechanic was unable to duplicate or locate the failure. Recently, the vehicle was towed to the dealer for a second diagnostic. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 13v396000 (hybrid propulsion system). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.

Filed Sep 18, 2015 · Electrical, Engine · 108,000 miles · CO

I purchased a new 2008 highlander hybrid. Though I had no problems, in november 2013, the inverter was recalled at 79,000 miles, and replaced. We had no problems with the car for the next 22 months. On september 6, 2015, the car stalled and could not be restarted. We had the car towed 55 miles to the dealership. Investigation of the car over 2 days was unsuccessful in discovering the cause. On september 9, I asked if it was the inverter. I was told it was not. The service manager had contacted toyota, who recommended taking apart the hybrid system to look for a shorted wire. On thursday, september 10, I was told that they found a wire, would but the system back together, and would take it for a test drive. On friday, september 11, the car stalled and died on the third test drive. At this time, I was informed it was the inverter. The service manager agreed with me in feeling that since toyota had taken out an inverter that was seemingly working fine, and replaced with one that failed in less than 2 years, that toyota would take care of me. On tuesday, september 15, I was informed that the cost for the part was $8800, and that the regional service/parts manager, offered to pay half of the cost for replacement. I was not happy with this offer, as it still left me with a bill of several thousand dollars for a part that failed in less than 2 years after the recall. At this time, I have not accepted the offer. I was told to call customer service. I was informed that because the regional manager had made me an offer, there was nothing else she could do. My frustration is that toyota recalled my vehicle for the inverter. And I believe a bad inverter was put it the car instead. This current inverter, that toyota told me to put in the car, lasted approximately 29,000 miles and 22 months. This seems like a far cry from the expected life of an inverter.

Filed Jul 2, 2013 · Electrical, Engine · 125,200 miles · PA

My wife and daughter were driving on a busy highway when they heard a "pop" noise from the engine. The car stalled on the road. By the grace of god, they were able to drift to the side and did not have an accident. Next day, the dealer informed that the issue was with the hybrid system - the inversion part. The cost for repair would be $11,000! We live about an hour from our workplaces and thus put a good many miles on our car - the 125,000 miles on the car put the drivetrain out of warranty. We have had all recall services performed at the dealer, and kept regular maintenance. Not once were we advised by toyota that the hybrid system was showing wear and may be in need of service. There was no indication (warning lights, etc.,) that the hybrid system needed attention - no fore warning at all prior to the incident. In doing research, we really got upset to find toyota had recalled 06 and 07 models for the very same hybrid issue. We also noticed there are many people with complaints on the same issue in various online forums. To cap it off -- after the dealer told us the repair bill is $11,000, we were advised to discuss with a toyota case manager. We did and their offer? $1,500 toward a new toyota purchase. We were highly frustrated by this response. We feel they are well aware of the problem and should provide better warnings to users and better resolutions to the problem - and recall all effected hybrids!

Filed Jun 3, 2013 · Fuel system · 2,860 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota highlander hybrid. The contact stated that while in reverse, the vehicle stalled with the illumination of the check hybrid and check brake system warning lights. The vehicle was taken the to the dealer for diagnosis where it was advised to the contact that the power inverter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 2,860. Kmj

Filed Apr 18, 2013 · Electrical · 150,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota highlander hybrid. The contact stated that while traveling approximately 20 MPH, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The vehicle was towed a dealer where it was found the electrical inverter had failed. The vehicle was being repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000.

Filed Jan 1, 2013 · Electrical · 154,000 miles · NY

I was driving to queens ny and suddenly after paying hte tolls at the queens midtown tunnel the vehicle suddenly stalled . It was towede to queensboro toyota where it was diagnosed as the power inverter had died and cost $8504.50 to have it replaced .