2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID Engine And Engine Cooling Problems

I WAS PULLING INTO OUR DRIVEWAY AND WHEN I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR, THE CAR STOPPED AND BEGAN TO ROLL BACKWARDS. ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON ALONG WITH A WARNING ON THE LCD PANEL THAT STATED "CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM" AND "CHECK VSC". IT WAS TOWED TO A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. THEY INDICATED THAT THE HYBRID INVERTER AND ESU HAD FAILED AND THEY REPLACED THEM. THE VEHICLE STILL DISPLAYED SEVERAL WARNINGS AND AFTER SEARCHING FOR ALMOST 1 WEEK, THEY DETERMINED THAT THE POWER STEERING ESU WAS ALSO BAD ALTHOUGH THIS WAS NOT THE CASE PRIOR TO THE HYBRID FAILURE. THEY SAID THAT THE 12 VOLT BATTERY ALSO NEEDED REPLACING ALTHOUGH IT WAS ONLY 8 MONTHS OLD AND WAS PURCHASED AT THE DEALERSHIP. WHEN I ASKED HOW THIS COULD HAVE HAPPENED, I WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE MUST HAVE BEEN STRUCK BY LIGHTNING! OCTOBER 1, 2011 IN OUR STATE WAS A BEAUTIFUL, CLEAR DAY AS IT HAD BEEN FOR A WHILE. I SUGGESTED THAT THE INVERTER AND ESU FAILURE CAUSED THE POWER STEERING ESU FAILURE, NOT A PHANTOM LIGHTNING STRIKE. MY VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY STILL AT THE DEALERSHIP AS I AWAIT THEIR REPLY. HYBRID COMPONENTS ARE COVERED UNDER THE EXTENDED HYBRID WARRANTY BUT THE STEERING ESU IS NOT AND WILL COST $1,000 TO REPLACE UNLESS TOYOTA WILL ACCEPT THAT THE FAILURE OF THE HYBRID COMPONENTS COULD HAVE CAUSED A POWERFUL ELECTRICAL SURGE THAT DAMAGED THE POWER STEERING ECU AS WELL AS THE 12 VOLT BATTERY. *KB

Mileage: 92,100

THERE HAVE BEEN FOUR INCIDENTS WITH THIS VEHICLE IN WHICH THE HYBRID SYSTEM SHUTTING DOWN. THE FIRST THREE TIMES THE VEHICLE WAS FINE WHEN I TURNED IT OFF, BUT WOULD NOT RESTART. WITH ALL THREE OF THESE INCIDENTS THE VEHICLE WOULD RESTART WITH NO ISSUES AFTER A FEW HOURS. THE CSV AND THE CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM LIGHTS AS WELL AS MOST OF THE PANEL LIGHTS WOULD COME ON. THE DEALERSHIP CHECKED IT TWO TIMES AND SAID IT WAS FINE. IN THE MOST RECENT EVENT, I WAS WAITING AT THE BOTTOM OF A DRIVEWAY. WHEN I WENT TO PROCEED I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR AND THE ENGINE MADE A LOUD SOUND THAT SEEMED EQUIVALENT TO IT RUNNING AT A HIGH RPM. THE CAR WOULD NOT GO FORWARD OR REVERSE. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND THEN ON AGAIN, IT MADE THE SAME SOUND AND AGAIN DID NOT MOVE. THE CSV AND THE "CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM" LIGHTS AS WELL AS THE PANEL LIGHTS CAME ON. I ROLLED THE CAR OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND TURNED IT OFF AGAIN. DUE TO THE PREVIOUSLY DESCRIBED HISTORY OF THE CAR, I CHOSE TO WAIT AN HOUR BEFORE TRYING TO RESTART IT. AFTER WAITING AN HOUR, I ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE CAR AND THE EXACT SAME THINGS HAPPENED. AFTER PUTTING THE CAR ON THE SCOPE THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. I WAS CALLED AFTER TWO DAYS OF THE DEALER RUNNING MANY TESTS AND TOLD IT WAS THE INVERTER. THE PRICE QUOTED TO ME WAS $8000. I INSISTED THAT THEY NEEDED TO LOOK INTO THE TOYOTA RECALL OF THE HYBRID INVERTERS. I WAS TOLD MY VEHICLE WAS CHECKED BY ANOTHER DEALERSHIP ON AUGUST 15,2011, AND IT WAS "CLEARED." I ASKED THEM TO RECHECK THIS RECALL TO SEE IF MY CAR FIT INTO THE CATEGORY. I WAS INFORMED THEY WERE NOT GOING TO RECHECK IT, BUT THEY WOULD INSTEAD CONTACT TOYOTA. HAD THIS HAPPENED WHILE I WAS DRIVING UP OR DOWN MY DRIVEWAY, I WOULD MOST CERTAINLY WOULD HAVE GONE OVER THE 50 FOOT EMBANKMENT ON MY DRIVEWAY OR THE CLIFF DIRECTLY ACROSS THE STREET FROM MY HOUSE. *TR

Mileage: 114,500

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE BEFORE STALLING. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE INTELLIGENT POWER MODULE LOCATED IN THE ENGINE WAS DEFECTIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,010.

Mileage: 130,000

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 *CN

Mileage: 87,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE INVERTER ASSEMBLY WAS DEFECTIVE AND REPLACED IT WITH CONVERTERS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 58,311.

Mileage: 58,311

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE HYBRID INVERTER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Mileage: 137,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A DIAGNOSIS OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA DEFECT INVESTIGATION ACTION NUMBER: PE11005 (HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM: INVERTER) AND BELIEVED THE INVERTER WAS CAUSING THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000.

Mileage: 53,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE STALLED WITH AN ILLUMINATION OF THE ENGINE AND VSC WARNING INDICATORS. THE ENGINE FAILED TO RESTART AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A RESPONSE FROM THE DEALER TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED AN OPEN INVESTIGATION FOR THE FAILURE UNDER NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE11005 (HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM: INVERTER). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 55,000. UPDATED 03/29/11*LJ THE IGNITION COILS WERE REPLACED. UPDATED 04/22/11

Mileage: 55,000

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". *TR

Mileage: 55,803

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE HYBRID INVERTER FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 146,851. UPDATED 04/05/11*LJ

Mileage: 146,851

I MADE A RIGHT HAND TURN AND WAS ACCELERATING, HEARD A POP AND THE CAR SHUT DOWN. I COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE CAR WOULDN'T START. THE CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN THE CHECK VSC LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP SAID THE HYBRID INVERTER FAILED.

Mileage: 109,486

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 65 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED; THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THERE WAS ALSO A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE CHECK VSC AND CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE INVERTER FAILED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 118,000.

Mileage: 118,000

WHILE DRIVING ON MAJOR EXPRESSWAY I LOST ALL POWER AND WAS (THANK GOODNESS) ABLE TO SAFELY COAST TO SHOULDER. ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS LIT UP TOGETHER WITH THE ALTERNATING MESSAGES: "HYBRID SYSTEM FAILURE" AND "VSC FAILURE." THE CAR WOULD NOT RESTART. I WAS FORTUNATE IT WAS A SUNDAY MORNING AND I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY REACH THE SHOULDER. THE EXPRESSWAY I DRIVE MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY (I-595 IN BROWARD COUNTY FLORIDA) IS VERY HEAVILY TRAVELED AND, DUE TO CONSTRUCTION, HAS MANY SECTIONS WITHOUT A SHOULDER. MY 2006 HIGHLANDER HYBRID HAD TO BE TOWED. I WAS ADVISED THAT THE HYBRID INVERTER, A $7,000 PART, HAD FAILED. *TR

Mileage: 119,500

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HV. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, ALL OF THE SERVICE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART SO IT WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE INVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 113,000.

Mileage: 113,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO RESTART THE VEHICLE A SERVICE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL TO CHECK THE HYBRID SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE INVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER WAS REPLACING THE INVERTER WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 99,681. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Mileage: 99,681

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID ON A TURNPIKE. AS SHE DROVE ON EXIT RAMP THE CAR LOST POWER AND WARNING LIGHTS SIGNALED A PROBLEM WITH HYBRID SYSTEM. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO TOYOTA DEALER. WE WERE TOLD PART WOULD COST $8,200 AND $800 FOR LABOR. REPAIR IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY SINCE CAR HAS 130,000 MILES. PROBLEM HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. *TR

Mileage: 130,000

THE INVERTER ( A VERY EXPENSIVE ELECTRICAL COMPONENT) ON MY 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID FAILED RESULTING IN A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER ON THE HIGHWAY. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALER. IT TOOK A WEEK TO DIAGNOSE AND REPAIR. REPAIR WAS COVERED UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT APPLIES TO HYBRID COMPONENTS. I HAVE ASKED, BUT TOYOTA CAN/WILL NOT TELL ME HOW OFTEN THIS TYPE OF FAILURE HAS OCCURRED; THE INTERNET HAS STORIES FROM OTHERS WHO EXPERIENCED THIS TYPE OF FAILURE. COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER ON THE HIGHWAY IS CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE. WITH TOYOTA'S REPUTATION, I CAN'T HELP BUT WONDER IF THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT THEY DON'T WANT DISCUSSED. *TR

Mileage: 38,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE AND CHECK VSF WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE FROM THE ROADWAY WHERE IT WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC AND FOUND GENERAL POWER INVENTOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 144,000.

Mileage: 144,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THE HYBRID CONVERTER FAILED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER OPERATIONAL. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THE REPAIR WOULD BE AT HIS EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED HE HAD EXPERIENCED SOME DIFFICULTY IN TRYING TO GET THE DEALER TO MAKE REPAIRS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 129,000.

Mileage: 129,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HV. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATE SPEEDS OF 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND LOST ALL POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER WHERE THE DEALER ADVISED THE INVERTER WITHIN THE HYBRID SYSTEM HAD FAILED. THE INVERTER WAS REPLACED UNDER THE CONTACT'S FACTORY WARRANTY. THE FAILURE DID NOT RECUR. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 62,000.

Mileage: 62,000

COMMENTS: DEAR SIR OR MADAM, I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE YOU AWARE OF A PROBLEM WITH OUR 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. IN AUGUST OF 2008 WHILE BACKING OUT OF OUR DRIVEWAY I SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER & CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS NO BRAKE NOR STEERING. I WAS ABLE TO EVENTUALLY STOP THE VEHICLE BEFORE ANY PROPERTY DAMAGE WAS DONE. MY HUSBAND WRESTLED THE VEHICLE OFF THE ALLEYWAY & THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE "ELECTRIC LINK ASSEMBLY" & THEY SAID THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED. YESTERDAY MORNING AT 6AM I GOT INTO THE CAR & TURNED THE KEY, THE "READY" LIGHT CAME ON & I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE & PUT THE CAR INTO REVERSE, AS SOON AS I PUT THE CAR INTO GEAR, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, THE GAS ENGINE CAME ON FULL POWER & THE CAR FLEW BACKWARD. I TRIED FRANTICALLY TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL TRYING TO STOP THE CAR & STEER THE CAR WHILE CAREENING IN REVERSE. THE CAR SLAMMED INTO OUR REAR NEIGHBORS VEHICLE (WHICH IS TO THE BACK & RIGHT OF OUR GARAGE ACROSS THE ALLEY) OUR CAR PUSHED THEIRS OVER 4-6 FEET & CONTINUED TRYING TO REVERSE FULL POWER OVER THEIR BUSHES I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO SO I SLAMMED THE CAR INTO THE "PARK" POSITION. THE CAR STOPPED BUT THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RACE. I SHUT IT OFF & JUMPED OUT. I WAS NOT INJURED, HOWEVER OUR CAR & OUR NEIGHBORS WAS DAMAGED. THE CAR WAS AGAIN TOWED TO TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. I CONVEYED TO THEM WHAT HAPPENED & THE CAR IS THERE NOW GETTING CHECKED. I CALLED THEM IN THE EVENING TO ASK WHAT THEY HAD FOUND & THEY STATED THEY WERE TRYING TO "REENACT" WHAT HAPPENED. THEY MUST FIND WHAT IT IS IN THIS CARS COMPUTER THAT CONTINUES TO CAUSE THESE CATASTROPHIC MALFUNCTIONS. HAD I BEEN AT A SCHOOL OR SHOPPING LOT SOMEONE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. I AM A PERSON WHO BELIEVES IN ACCOUNTABILITY & OWNERSHIP OF RESPONSIBILITY & IF THIS WERE MY FAULT IN ANY WAY I WOULD NOT BE WRITING YOU TODAY. I FEEL YOU NEED TO BE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM SO NO ONE IN THE FUTURE IS SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. *TR

UPON ACCELERATION THE 2006 HIGHLANDER HYBRID 2 WD SUDDENLY AND RAPIDLY ACCELERATED. THIS HAPPENED ONCE IN REVERSE AND ONCE IN DRIVE BOTH TIMES THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AT ONSET. IT HAS NOT HAPPENED AGAIN THUS FAR (2 DAYS AGO). THE SUV WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP YESTERDAY WHERE THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. I AM NOW AWARE THAT THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE WITH TOYOTA'S, ESP THE CAMRY, UPON WHICH THE HIGHLANDER IS BASED. *TR

Mileage: 31,000

MY 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID SUDDENLY STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. THE CAR WAS LATER TOWED TO THE TOYOTA DEALER IN HANFORD,CA. THE CAR HAS 140 MILES OVER 100,000 MILES AND THE DEALER TOLD ME IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE HYBRID SYSTEM WAS LATER POINTED OUT TO THE INVERTER AND IT WILL COST ME ROUGHLY $5,000. *TR

Mileage: 100,140

DASH BOARD DWSCRIPTION: CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM. CHECK VSC SYSTEM THE CAR WOULD NOT RESTART. TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID 2006 HYBRID FAILURE. SUV JUST STOPPED CAUSING ME TO HAVE WHIP LASH. VERY DANGEROUS. EMAIL BELOW EXPLAINS MORE... EMAIL: YESTERDAY 08/04/08 AROUND 05:17 PM, MY HIGHLANDER HYBRID SUV HYBRID SYSTEM FAILED. IT HAPPENED WHILE I WAS DRIVING AROUND 30 MPH. THE CAR JUST HALTED. IT ACTED LIKE IF YOU WENT FROM 5TH GEAR TO 2ND GEAR, A BIG JOLT; CAUSING ME TO HAVE A WHIP LASH. MY LEFT SIDE OF MY NECK REALLY HURTS AND I CANNOT TURN MY HEAD TO MY RIGHT....MY QUESTION TO TOYOTA IS WHY DIDN'T THE SYSTEM DEFAULT TO THE GAS ENGINE INSTEAD OF JUST STOPPING? YOU KNOW IF THIS HAPPENED TO ME ON THE HIGHWAY, I MAY HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY HURT OR EVEN KILLED. I THINK THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS FAILURE. WHAT WILL TOYOTA DO TO MAKE ME FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR WITH MY FAMILY? I DO NOT WANT THIS TO HAPPEN TO ME AGAIN, BECAUSE WHO KNOWS IF I WILL SURVIVE IT OR NOT. *TR

Mileage: 33,000

I BOUGHT AN '06 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID IN JUNE OF '07. FOR THE LAST 9 MONTHS I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. MY MAIN CONCERN IS IT STALLS OUT IN TRAFFIC. IT HAS STALLED ON THE INTERSTATE, HIGHWAYS, WAITING TO MAKE TURNS AND SITTING IN TRAFFIC. THE ONLY WAY TO GET IT STARTED AGAIN IS TO TURN IT OFF AND RESTART IT. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO THE DEALERSHIP ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS REGARDING THIS BUT BECAUSE IT IS NOT REGISTERING AN "ERROR" CODE THEY CLAIM THAT THERE IS "NOTHING THEY CAN DO." IT HAS BECOME SO BAD THAT I FEAR FOR MY FAMILY, MYSELF AND OTHER DRIVERS SURROUNDING ME. ONE OF THE EMPLOYEES AT THE DEALERSHIP SAYS HE BELIEVES THAT THERE IS A SOFTWARE ISSUE. THE DEALERSHIP MAKES ME FEEL LIKE IT IS GOING TO TAKE SOMEONE GETTING HURT OR KILLED BEFORE THEY DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT! WHY SHOULD IT COST MY FAMILY OR THE SURROUNDING PUBLIC THEIR LIFE OR INJURY FOR DEALERSHIPS TO REALLY MAKE AN EFFORT TO WORK ON A VEHICLE? I PUT THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT DOWN AS THE INCIDENT DATE BUT IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. *TR

Mileage: 10,000

WE DROVE OUR 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID HOME FROM TOWN AT ABOUT 7:00 P.M. ON A COOL EVENING, (SIX MILES) 1/2 MILE IS A FAIRLY STEEP HILL TO CLIMB. ON PULLING INTO THE DRIVEWAY AND STOPPING I NOTICED A BURNING SMELL AND TOLD MY HUSBAND I THOUGHT THE BRAKES WERE HOT. AFTER A COUPLE MINUTES HE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM AROUND THE HOOD. HE OPENED IT AND THERE WERE FLAMES COMING FROM THE LOWER CENTER AREA OF THE ENGINE UNDER THE RADIATOR HOSE. HE GOT A FIRE EXTINGUISHER FROM THE GARAGE AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE FOLLOWING MORNING WE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER IN UKIAH. THEY HAD THE CAR FOR 22 DAYS. AFTER THE FIRST DAY THEY REPORTED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAD SET THE MOTOR MOUNT ON FIRE AND THAT TOYOTA WAS SENDING A TEAM OF ENGINEERS TO LOOK INTO THE CAUSE. THE FRONT MOTOR MOUNT, THE RADIATOR HOSE, AIR FUEL SENSOR, FRONT WIRING HARNESS, SEALS AND GASKETS WERE REPLACED. ACCORDING TO THE DEALERS SERVICE SUMMARY, "THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE INCIDENT COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. NO MANUFACTURERS DEFECTS WERE FOUND. " WE FIND IT STRANGE THAT A TWO YEAR OLD TOYOTA WITH 24,000 MILES AND HAVING BEEN SERVICED ONE WEEK BEFORE THE INCIDENT SHOULD CATCH ON FIRE AFTER DRIVING 6 MILES. THEY CLAIM THE CAR IS RESTORED TO ITS ORIGINAL CONDITION BUT WITHOUT KNOWING WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE WE DON'T KNOW IF IT IS SAFE TO DRIVE. *TR

Mileage: 25,590

HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING BRAKING PROBLEMS ... DRIVING IN TRAFFIC OR COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP FAIRLY QUICKLY (I.E. STOP SIGN), THE BRAKE ENGAGES ... LETS GO FOR A SECOND... CATCHES, CAR STOPS. THIS DIDN'T HAPPEN ALL THE TIME, BUT IT BEGAN HAPPENING QUITE FREQUENTLY ... TOOK IT TO TOYOTA. THEY CHANGED THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS ON THE FRONT ... SINCE THERE WAS A TECHNICAL BULLETIN ON THE NEWER MODEL, BUT NOT MINE. RIVING ON A SERVICE ROAD ... 55-60 MPH ... THE CAR STARTS SLOWING DOWN BY ITSELF ... CONSTANTLY.. KEPT SPEEDING UP AND IT KEPT SLOWING DOWN, AS IF BRAKES WERE BEING APPLIED... NO BRAKE LIGHTS THOUGH. TODAY I WAS DRIVING THE CAR ... GOING DOWN A GRADUAL SLOPE ... ON A TURN ... BRAKED ... THE CAR SPED UP .. WENT FROM 30 MPH TO ABOUT 35 MPH, WHILE BRAKING ... CAR SKIDED OFF THE ROAD, SKID LIGHT CAME ON, BEEPING NON STOP ... HIT A POLE... SHATTERED MY MIRROR AND SCRATCHED THE SIDE ... CAR WOULDN'T STOP ... THREW IT INTO PARK AND FINALLY SKIDDED TO A STOP. DRIVING ON THURSDAY, ABOUT TO COME TO A STOP AND .... IT DOES THIS SHORT STOP THING RECENTLY.. WHERE IT BRAKES RATHER FORCEFULLY AND ABRUPTLY WHEN IT IS COLD... SO AFTER THAT HAPPENS ...THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUTS OFF... AND COMES TO A FULL STOP. NO LIGHTS. NO ENGINE. BRAKE PEDAL GOES ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. CAR IS STILL IN DRIVE, KEY STILL IN IGNITION ...PUSH IT INTO PARK, TAKE OUT KEY... RESTART.... DRIVING AGAIN. THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT LIGHT DOESN'T TURN ON ANYMORE NOW. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES SINCE LAST THURSDAY NOW. THERE ARE ALOT MORE INCIDENCES AND DIFFERENT FAILURES. *JB

Mileage: 15,000

2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 4WD HYBRID STALLED DURING LEFT TURN (IN FRONT OF TRAFFIC) WHEN TRAVELING TO WORK. BOTH THE GAS AND ELECTRIC ENGINE STALLED - I.E. I PUSHED THE GAS AND NOTHING HAPPENED. TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AND RESTARTED, AND EVERYTHING HAS WORKED WELL SINCE (4 DAYS). *NM

Mileage: 1,450