Electrical System. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

15 crash reports0 fire reports5 injury reports

Structure complaints

16 reports

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70,000 miles · Jul 5, 2013

Electrical SystemStructureUnknown Or Other

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THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND P0AA6 WARNING ILLUMINATED AND VEHICLE WENT COMPLETELY DEAD, COULD NOT START UP. THERE WERE CRACKED BODY SEAMS ABOVE THE REAR DOOR STRUT MOUNTS ALLOWING WATER INTRUSION TO FLOOD THE ENTIRE BOTTOM WELL UNDER THE FLOOR BOARDS WHICH SHORTED OUT THE ENTIRE HYBRID BATTERY SYSTEM. THERE WERE NO VISIBLE SIGNS OF WATER INTRUSION INSIDE THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE, NOTHING WAS WET. APPARENTLY, LEXUS HAS TWO TSB'S ON THIS ISSUE, L-SB-0019-09 & L-SB-0045-09, ON HOW TO REPAIR THE SEAMS SINCE OVER TIME THERE APPEARS TO BE A STRUCTURAL FLAW ALLOWING THE SEAMS TO SEPARATE. THE WATER INTRUSION HAPPENS SILENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING AND PRESENTS A SEVERE SAFETY HAZARD AS YOU GET WATER INTO AN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND PARTS BEGIN SHORTING OUT WITHOUT ADVANCED WARNING. IMAGINE TRAVELING AT A HIGH SPEED AND THE HYBRID BATTERY SHORTS AND THE VEHICLE ABRUPTLY STOPS! OR AN ELECTRICAL SHORT STARTS A FIRE! LEXUS IS AWARE OF THE POTENTIAL PROBLEM AND HOW COSTLY THE DAMAGE IS AND THE SAFETY RISKS ASSOCIATED AS A RESULT AND HAS CHOSEN NOT TO ISSUE A RECALL OR LIMITED CAMPAIGN TO ALLOW FOR A SIMPLE REPAIR OF THE SEAMS TO PREVENT MAJOR DAMAGE FROM OCCURRING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10523290

96,300 miles · Apr 15, 2013

StructureVehicle Speed ControlCrash

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AS I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE ON THE 4TH LEVEL OF A 6 STORY PARKING BUILDING, I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE WAS COMING TO A STOP, SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED (LOUNGED) FORWARD. THERE WERE STEEL CABLES (RAIL GUARDS) THAT STOPPED THE VEHICLE FROM GOING OVER AND NOSE DIVING ONTO THE STREET BELOW. THE FRONT BUMPER AND THE HOOD WERE DAMAGED. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL LEXUS DEALER AND HAD THEM CHECK THE BRAKING SYSTEM FOR ANY DEFECTS. AFTER DOING A "HEALTH CHECK" ON THE VEHICLE THE LEXUS REP TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM. I ALSO FILLED A REPORT WITH LEXUS CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY TOLD ME, A TECHNICAL INSPECTOR WILL GO TO THE DEALERSHIP AND CHECK THE VEHICLE OUT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10508299

145,000 miles · Dec 2, 2010

Structure

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2006 LEXUS RX400H (AND OTHER TOYOTA/LEXUS MODELS). ANTI BACTERIAL / MOLD COATING ON A/C EVAPORATOR BEGINS SHEDDING WITH AGE/TIME AND BLOWS WHITE POWDER/DUST THROUGH VEHICLE. LEXUS SAYS IT'S ALUMINUM HYDROXIDE, AND IT'S PERFECTLY SAFE. HOW CAN IT BE SAFE TO INHALE / INGEST A FOREIGN SUBSTANCE? HAS LEXUS / TOYOTA DONE ANY STUDIES REGARDING ALUMINUM HYDROXIDE. IF IT'S SAFE, WHY DOES LEXUS / TOYOTA NOW OFFER (AND INSTALL IN NEW VEHICLES) AN A/C EVAPORATOR WITHOUT THE COATING? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10368620

Mileage unknown · May 4, 2010

StructureInjury

MY UNCLE BUMPED HIS LEG ON THE DOOR EDGE OF HIS 2006 LEXUS400H, CUTTING HIS LEG WHICH REQUIRED 5 STITCHES. THE EXTERIOR PANEL IS MUCH BIGGER THAT THE INTERIOR PANEL WHICH LEAVES A HUGE POINTED SECTION THAT STICKS OUT RATHER THAN TAPERING SAFELY IN: IF YOU LOOK STRAIGHT DOWN ON IT YOU CAN SEE HOW IT STICKS OUT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10328804

Mileage unknown · Aug 8, 2008

Structure

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AS I'M SURE YOU ARE AWARE ' HYBRID CARS ARE VERY QUIET AND THUS PRESENT A DANGER TO PEOPLE WALKING THROUGH PARKING LOTS. THE DANGER IS PARTICULARLY SERIOUS WHEN THOSE DRIVING THE HYBRIDS ARE BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPACES - NO MATTER HOW CAREFULLY THE DRIVERS ARE BACKING OUT! PEDESTRIANS DEPEND ON THEIR HEARING TO ALERT THEM TO CARS BACKING OUT, SO THEY SIMPLY WALK RIGHT BEHIND A CAR THAT IS ALREADY MOVING. I OWN A 2006 LEXUS 400H AND I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO PURCHASE REPLACEMENT BACK-UP LIGHTS THAT BEEP TO ALERT PEDESTRIANS, BUT NONE ARE AVAILABLE FROM ANY SOURCE. I URGE THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION TO TAKE QUICK ACTION TO ENSURE THAT FUTURE MODELS INCLUDE EXTERNAL SOUND FOR HYBRIDS WHEN THEY ARE BACKING UP AND ALSO TO MAKE IT POSSIBLE TO PURCHASE REPLACEMENT BACK UP LIGHTS THAT PROVIDE THAT SAME CAPACITY FOR OLDER HYBRID MODELS. MARCIA GARB *TR

NHTSA ODI #10237465

30,000 miles · Sep 21, 2007

Structure

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WHILE DRIVING MY 2006 RX400H, I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES AND MY HEEL WENT THROUGH TWO CARPETS AND THE FLOOR BOARD. MY HEEL WAS STUCK IN A HOLE IN THE FLOOR BOARD. I CAN NOW PLACE MY FINGER INTO A HOLE AND FEEL WIRES AND EMPTY SPACE UNDER THE GAS AND BREAK PATH. LEXUS HAS AGREED TO FIX THE PROBLEM FOR A FEE. (50%) THE SALES MANAGER INFORMED ME THAT THE DESIGN OF THE FRONT FLOOR BOARD HAS RIPPLES. (LIKE PEAKS AND VALLEYS). THERE ARE TWO HOLES LINED UP DIRECTLY UNDER EACH PEDAL. THE CONSEQUENCE: HEELS AND RIPPLES UNDER A FLOOR BOARD DON'T MIX.... THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10203633

Official recalls

13V396000 · Hybrid Propulsion System: Inverter

Sep 4, 2013

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 & remedy

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: 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.

11V539000 · Engine And Engine Cooling

Nov 9, 2011

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 AVALON VEHICLES; 2004 AND 2005 CAMRY, CAMRY SOLARA, HIGHLANDER, AND SIENNA VEHICLES, 2006 HIGHLANDER HYBRID; 2004 AND 2005 LEXUS ES330 AND RX330; AND 2006 LEXUS RX400H VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 1, 2004 THROUGH MARCH 31, 2005, EQUIPPED WITH THE 1MZ-FE OR 3MZ-FE ENGINE. THE AMOUNT OF ADHESIVE AGENT APPLIED BETWEEN THE OUTER RING AND THE TORSIONAL RUBBER DAMPER (INNER RING) IN THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY MAY BE INADEQUATE. IF THE ADHESIVE IS INSUFFICIENT, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE OUTER RING MAY BECOME MISALIGNED AND IT MAY NOT PROPERLY ROTATE WITH THE INNER RING, CAUSING NOISE AND/OR ILLUMINATION OF THE BATTERY DISCHARGE INDICATOR LIGHT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN SOME CASES, THE BELT FOR THE POWER STEERING PUMP MAY BECOME DETACHED FROM THE PULLEY WHICH COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND A SUDDEN INCREASE IN STEERING EFFORT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL CHECK THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY TO IDENTIFY WHETHER IT WAS PRODUCED BY THE U.S. SUPPLIER. IF SO, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE PULLEY WITH A NEW ONE AT NO CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING EARLY JANUARY 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

11V342000 · Electrical System

Jun 29, 2011

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2007 HIGHLANDER HYBRID AND LEXUS RX400H PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 16, 2005, THROUGH AUGUST 30, 2006. A MODULE INSIDE THE INVERTER MODULE MAY CONTAIN INADEQUATELY SOLDERED TRANSISTORS THAT DURING HIGH-LOAD DRIVING, MAY BE DAMAGED BY HEAT CAUSED BY THE LARGE CURRENT. 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 & remedy

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: TOYOTA/LEXUS MAILED AN INTERIM OWNER NOTIFICATION ON JULY 19, 2011 TO ADVISE OWNERS OF THIS RECALL AND THE FACT THAT THEY WILL RECEIVE A FUTURE NOTICE WHEN PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE TO COMPLETE REPAIRS. TOYOTA DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE HYBRID INVERTER PRODUCTION NUMBER TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE INVERTER CONTAINS SUSPECT TRANSISTORS AND REPLACE THE MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

11V112000 · Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal

Feb 24, 2011

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 HIGHLANDER, HIGHLANDER HYBRID, AND MODEL YEAR 2004-2007 LEXUS RX330, RX350, AND RX400H VEHICLES. IF THE FORWARD RETENTION CLIP USED TO SECURE THE FLOOR CARPET COVER, WHICH IS LOCATED IN FRONT OF THE CENTER CONSOLE, IS NOT INSTALLED PROPERLY THE COVER MAY LEAN TOWARD THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND INTERFERE WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ARM.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY TEMPORARILY BECOME STUCK IN A PARTIALLY DEPRESSED POSITION RATHER THAN RETURN TO THE IDLE POSITION. A STUCK ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY RESULT IN UNINTENDED AND SUSTAINED VEHICLE SPEEDS AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO STOP, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FLOOR CARPET COVER WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED ONE FREE OR CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MARCH 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

06V253000 · Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal

Jul 13, 2006

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY AND HYBRID VEHICLES, THE TWO RETAINING CLIPS FOR THE DRIVER'S SIDE FORWARD CENTER CONSOLE CAN BECOME LOOSE. IF BOTH CLIPS SEPARATE FROM THE FLOOR CARPET COVER, THE COVER MAY LEAN TOWARD THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, CAUSING INTERFERENCE WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ROD.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION MAY INTERFERE WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL RETURNING TO THE IDLE POSITION INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TWO FLOOR CARPET COVER RETAINING CLIPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 24, 2006, AND SHOULD BE COMPLETED BY EARLY SEPTEMBER 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331 OR LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

DP22005 · Pedestrian Alert Sounds

Opened Jan 27, 2023 · Closed Aug 7, 2023

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:propulsion System

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.

PE11005 · Hybrid Inverter Failure - Vehicle Stall

Opened Feb 15, 2011 · Closed Jul 20, 2011

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Hybrid Propulsion System: Inverter

In a June 29, 2011 letter to NHTSA, 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 (NHTSA 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.

RQ10003 · Unintended And Uncontrolled Acceleration

Opened Feb 16, 2010 · Closed Mar 1, 2011

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:software; Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal

On February 16, 2010, NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened RQ10-003 to determine whether the scope of prior Toyota recalls relating to potential unintended acceleration were sufficiently broad, including, among others, Toyota recalls 07E-082, 09V-388, 10V-017, and 10V-023.NHTSA also requested information regarding potential electronic causes of unintended acceleration in Toyota and Lexus vehicles.I. Pedal Interference from Floor mats, Carpet Covers and Plastic Pads in Carpets.During the RQ10-003 investigation, ODI reviewed a large volume of documents to assess whether additional vehicles should be recalled.Following the agency's analysis, NHTSA requested that Toyota recall additional vehicles.Toyota complied with the agency's request.The details of these recalls are set forth more fully in Toyota's reports to NHTSA pursuant to 49 CFR Part 573.These recalls are as follows:Recall 11V-112: (1) model year (MY) 2004-2006 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid; and, (2) MY 2004-2007 Lexus RX330,RX350, and RX400h (hybrid model). The total estimated population under this recall is 769,379 vehicles.This recall remedies potential accelerator pedal entrapment caused by a loose floor carpet cover (trim panel). Recall 11V-113: (1) MY 2003-2009 through 2009 Toyota 4Runner; (2) MY 2006-2010 Toyota RAV4; and, (3) MY 2008-2011 Lexus LX570.The total estimated population under this recall is 1,381,000 vehicles.This recall supplements recall 09V-388 and remedies potential accelerator pedal entrapment by an unsecured floor mat.Recall 11V-115: (1) MY 2006-2007 Lexus GS300 (all wheel drive vehicles); and, (2) MY 2006-2007 Lexus GS350 (all wheel drive vehicles). The total estimated population under this recall is 19,647 vehicles.This recall remedies potential accelerator pedal entrapment caused by inadequate clearance between the pedal linkage and a plastic pad embedded in the vehicle's carpet.II. Potential Electronic Causes of Unintended Acceleration.After NHTSA opened RQ10-003, NHTSA launched a ten-month study of potential electronic causes of unintended acceleration in Toyota vehicles.NHTSA launched the study in the spring of 2010 in light of concerns aired in Congressional hearings.NHTSA enlisted engineers at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) with expertise in areas such as computer controlled electronic systems, electromagnetic interference and software integrity to assess whether electronic systems or electromagnetic interference played a role in incidents of unintended acceleration in Toyota vehicles.That study has concluded.Two reports are associated with the study and are available on NHTSA's website.NASA's report is entitled Technical Support to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on the Reported Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) Unintended Acceleration (UA) Investigation, NESC Assessment No. TI-10-00618 (Jan. 18, 2011).NHTSA's report is entitled Technical Assessment of Toyota Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) Systems (Feb. 2011).Both reports should be read in conjunction with each other. As stated in its report, NASA did not find an electronic cause of large throttle openings that can result in unintended acceleration incidents. NHTSA did not find a vehicle-based cause of unintended acceleration incidents other than the physical pedal interference causes that are being addressed by Toyota's recalls. This RQ is closed.

Additional source detail variants (6)

Electrical System:software

Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal