Service Brakes. Review the 76 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 74 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Hybrid Propulsion System. Review the 45 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

34 crash reports7 fire reports6 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

74 reports

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80,000 miles · Aug 22, 2012

Electrical System

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT ANY WARNINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE INVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V342000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) THAT MAY BE RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ODI #10471915

124,512 miles · Aug 14, 2012

Electrical System

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WHILE DRIVING ON I40 JUST AFTER LEAVING I17 AT FLAGSTAFF, AZ, DURING HEAVY RAINSTORM, VEHICLE DECELERATED ABRUPTLY TO ABOUT 45 MPH (WHILE ON CRUISE CONTROL SET AT 65), MANAGED TO PULL OFF AT NEXT OFF RAMP AND CAR DIED COMPLETELY ABOUT HALFWAY UP OFFRAMP (COUNTRY CLUB ROAD EXIT). WARNING MESSAGES INCLUDED "CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM", "CHECK 4WD SYSTEM", AND "CHECK AVS SYSTEM". AFTER CALLING FINDLAY TOYOTA IN FLAGSTAFF AND WHILE WAITING FOR TOW TRUCK, TURNED SYSTEM OFF FOR A FEW MINUTES AND ATTEMPTED RESTART WHICH WAS SUCCESSFUL AND DROVE TO TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. AFTER 2 DAYS OF DIAGNOSTIC CHECKS AND TECHNICIAN CALLS WITH TOYOTA, THEY TRIED TO TELL ME PROBLEM WAS DIRTY MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR. THIS VEHICLE HAD RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE AND HAD INVERTER AND AVS SYSTEM REPLACED AT A LITTLE OVER 100,000 MILES. EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD WITH POWER SYSTEM FAILURE ON INTERSTATE IN RAINSTORM SURROUNDED BY 18 WHEELERS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10470674

113,000 miles · Jun 21, 2012

Electrical System

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REVERSE FROM A RESIDENTIAL DRIVE WAY, THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED A LOUD POPPING NOISE AND ALL OF THE WARNING LAMPS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE INVERTER AND ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V342000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 113,000.

NHTSA ODI #10462614

103,000 miles · Jun 1, 2012

Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

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DRIVING IN 6 LANES OF HEAVY TRAFFIC WE HEARD A 'THUNK' AND LOST ALL POWER. I WRESTLED THE VEHICLE TO GET IT TO COAST OFF OF THE ROAD. CAR WAS TOWED TO TOYOTA DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE INVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. COST WAS $7600, AFTER A SUBSTANTIAL DISCOUNT FROM THE DEALER, WHO WAS OBVIOUSLY EMBARRASSED ABOUT CHARGING SO MUCH FOR A SINGLE PART. THE INCIDENT COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT, SINCE ALL POWER AND ELECTRICALLY ASSISTED DRIVING FUNCTIONS FAILED SIMULTANEOUSLY. FORTUNATELY IT DIDN'T. SUBSEQUENTLY I FOUND THAT TOYOTA HAD UPGRADED THEIR INVERTERS BEGINNING IN 2007. WE HAVE ALSO RECEIVED IN 2011 FROM TOYOTA AN "INTERIM SAFETY RECALL NOTICE" FOR THE INVERTER, BUT HAVE HEARD NOTHING SINCE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10460253

165,000 miles · Mar 26, 2012

Electrical System

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MY HH HAS ABOUT 160,000 MILES ON IT. I HAD RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE AND CALLED MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP 3 TO 5 TIMES, EACH TIME WAS PUT OVER TO "RECALL CENTER", WHICH EQUALS VOICE MAIL WITH NO RETURN CALL. EVER. LAST WEEK WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED RUNNING AND WAS FLASHING ERROR MESSAGES ON DASHBOARD, INCLUDING CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM. IT ENDED UP AT THE DEALER AS CLOSEST MECHANIC DID NOT HAVE COMPUTER SYSTEM TO CHECK IT. I ASKED THE DEALER TO CHECK AND REPAIR THE RECALL(S) WHILE THEY REPAIRED THE CAR. THEY ENDED UP TELLING ME THAT THE ISSUE, WHILE RELATED TO A RECALL INVOLVING PART OF THE INVERTER, THAT THE PARTS REQUIRED FOR THE REPAIR WOULD COST $9000 OVER WHAT THE RECALL INVOLVED, BUT THAT, THEY WOULD BE SO NICE AS TO ONLY CHARGE ME $4000 FOR THE REPAIR BECAUSE THE CAR HAD BEEN SERVICED EVERY 5000 MILES UP TO 100,000 MILES AT A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. IN RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM, I SEE THAT THOUSANDS OF 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID OWNERS HAVE HAD SAME PROBLEM AND, IN FACT, TOYOTA ACKNOWLEDGED PROBLEM NOT ONLY BY CHANGING THE INVERTER IN 2007 MODELS, BUT ALSO BY DOING THIS COMPLETE REPAIR JOB THAT MY VEHICLE NEEDS FOR MANY, MANY OWNERS FOR UNDER $1000. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN INADEQUATELY RESPONSIVE TO THESE ISSUES; I HAVE NOW CONTACTED TOYOTA'S "CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE CENTER" AND AM AWAITING THEIR RESPONSE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10452985

96,000 miles · Mar 6, 2012

Electrical System

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF ALL OF THE WARNING INDICATORS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V342000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS BUT THE DEALER EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTIES IN PERFORMING THE REMEDY FOR THE RECALL DEFECT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000. UPDATED 5/11/12 *LJ

NHTSA ODI #10450526

72,000 miles · Feb 2, 2012

Electrical SystemService Brakes, Hydraulic

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I SWERVED AND STOPPED SUDDENLY WHEN SOMEONE PULLED OUT FROM A SIDE STREET TO AVOID A COLLISION. WHEN I TRIED TO RESTART THE CAR, I COULDN'T. EVERYTHING "SEIZED" UP. I JUST COULD NOT MOVE THE CAR. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY INVESTIGATED AND SAID THAT THE ACTUATOR WAS STUCK OPEN AND ALLOWING BRAKE FLUID TO CONTINUALLY ENTER THE WHEELS, THEREBY ENGAGING THE BRAKES. IN FACT, THE MECHANIC COULD ONLY MOVE THE CAR ONCE HE DISABLED EITHER THE BRAKES OR THE ACTUATOR, HE WASN'T SPECIFIC. FROM READING OTHER CUSTOMER DISCUSSIONS ONLINE, IT APPEARS THAT THIS PART IS SUPPOSED TO HAVE A LIFETIME WARRANTY. MY DEALERSHIP LOOKED UP THE GENERAL WARRANTY AND SAID THAT THIS WOULDN'T BE COVERED. MY CAR HAS HAD REGULAR MAINTENANCE. I THINK A PART LIKE THIS SHOULD BE COVERED AND IT SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR *KB

NHTSA ODI #10446342

117,000 miles · Jan 21, 2012

Electrical System

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DRIVING HOME AND CAR LOST POWER. "CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM" LIGHT CAME ON. LUCKILY, IT WAS LATE, SO THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC, AS THE CAR JUST DIED. I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND PUT INTO PARK BEFORE ROLLING BACK DOWN HE HILL WE WERE DRIVING UP. CAR TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE INVERTER FAILED, AND WOULD COST $9,000 TO REPAIR, WHICH IS NOT MUCH LESS THAN WHAT THE CAR IS WORTH WHEN IT IS RUNNING. CAR HAS BEEN RECALLED, BUT DEALER SAYS THE PARTS SERIAL NUMBER IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. CALLED TOYOTA CORPORATE WHO HAS ASSIGNED A CASE MANAGER WHO IS TO CONTACT ME WITHIN ONE BUSINESS DAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10444755

13,600 miles · Jan 17, 2012

Electrical System

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V342000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE FAILURE WITHOUT GIVING REASONABLE EXPLANATION TO THE CONTACT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND SIDED WITH THE DEALER, ADVISING THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD RELEASE ANOTHER NOTICE TO INFORM CONSUMERS WHEN THEY WOULD BE AVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE WORK RECALL WORK ON SELECTED VEHICLES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 136,000.

NHTSA ODI #10444131

75,000 miles · Dec 29, 2011

Electrical SystemVisibility

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THE FRONT WINDOW DEFROSTER AND HEATER CONTROLLER POTENTIOMETER ASSEMBLY IS DEFECTIVE. ICE BUILD-UP ON THE FRONT WINDOW IS KNOWN TO IMPAIR A DRIVER'S VISIBILITY AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THE NUT ON MY TEMPERATURE CONTROLLER WAS SEVERAL TURNS LOOSE! THE ORIGINAL MULTI-STRANDED WIRES SOLDERED TO THE TEMP-CONTROLLER POTENTIOMETER WERE RIGID BECAUSE THEY WERE TOO WELL TINNED WITH SOLDER AND BROKE FROM VIBRATION FATIGUE; DUE TO THE LOOSE NUT ON THE TEMP-CONTROLLER POTENTIOMETER SHAFT. TOYOTA OR SUMITOMO (VENDOR) SHOULD COVER THIS UNDER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY DUE TO THE LOOSE NUTS (POOR WORKMANSHIP)! THE PROBLEM IS WELL DOCUMENTED WITH PHOTOS AT "HTTP://WWW.DEVALCOURT.COM/2010/03/FIXING-2004-TOYOTA-HIGHLANDER-AC-AND-HEAT-ISSUE/#IDC-COVER". OVER 385 PEOPLE HAVE LEFT COMMENTS THERE; SEVERAL OTHER WEBSITES DOCUMENT THE SAME PROBLEM. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10441679

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.

09V223000 · Equipment:other:labels

Jun 15, 2009

TOYOTA IS RECALLING 27,080 MODEL YEAR 2005 THROUGH 2010 PASSENGER CARS BUILT FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 TO MAY 4, 2009. THESE VEHICLES WERE NOT EQUIPPED WITH LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: INCORRECT LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS COULD RESULT IN THE VEHICLE BEING OVERLOADED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE THEM WITH A NEW, ACCURATE LABEL TO BE INSTALLED OVER THE INACCURATE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 18, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-888-270-9371.

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