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  Defect Investigation of Hybrid Inverter Failure - Vehicle Stall

Investigation of Hybrid Inverter Failure - Vehicle Stall

Subject: Hybrid inverter failure - vehicle stall
Components covered:
  • Hybrid propulsion system: inverter
Investigations Summary: This investigation was opened on Feb. 15, 2011. It was closed on Jul. 20, 2011. Note: this investigation has resulted in a vehicle safety recall.
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.
Vehicles Affected by this investigation:
  • 2006 Lexus Rx Hybrid
  • 2007 Lexus Rx Hybrid
  • 2006 Lexus Rx400h
  • 2007 Lexus Rx400h
  • 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
  • 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

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