Hybrid Propulsion System Inverter Problems of Toyota Highlander Hybrid - part 2

My 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid had sudden inverter failure while trying to accelerate out of a toll plaza. After paying toll, I pressed down on the accelerator pedal and began to move forward. After just a couple moments of acceleration, there was a loud pop from the engine compartment and I lost all drive power to the wheels. There was a faint burnt rubber smell. The dash board flashed multiple warning lights including "check vsc system" and something like "check hybrid system. " I was lucky to be able to coast to the side of the toll plaza. The gasoline engine remained running and the car had electrical power and airconditioning. It would not, however, move in either forward or reverse. This sudden loss of power could have been disasterous if I was pulling on to a busy street or entering an intersection. The car was towed to the nearest Toyota dealership for repair.

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On may 18, 2011, my 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid stalled with a loud pop and no power while pulling out at a busy intersection. The car was on a hill and I had to let it "coast" in neutral backward down the hill to turn into a less busy street. It would not start nor would the engine run. I had to tow it to the Toyota dealership where all my service has been performed on the scheduled basis. It took over a week to diagnose the problem as an inverter failure with an estimated repair at approximately $9000. The car is less than 5 years old with 160,000 miles but in excellent shape. Upon research, I noted that there are issues with the 2006 model Highlander Hybrid inverter system that may warrant investigation/recall.

At 0130 I was accelerating quickly from a stop in my 2006 Highlander Hybrid. Without warning the acceleration of my car ceased; pressing the gas pedal all the way down had no response. [fortunately, I had not yet turned in front of the large truck I was about to pass, because if I had cut in front of him then suddenly DE-accelerated, a collision would have been the likely result. ] the dash had lit up several check engine lights. I was 1/2 way through an intersection headed towards the on-ramp to highway 96. The car was still rolling, I steered it away from the on-ramp and onto the service drive, where I coasted to a stop. All other electric systems were to be working: lights, radio, brakes, wipers, fan, signals, locks. My gas tank was more than half full. My display was alternating “check hybrid system" and "check vsc. €� I attempted to restart the SUV several times, with the same result. A local police officer had to use his vehicle to push my SUV off the road for safety. My car had to be towed, and it took over an hour for a tow truck to arrive, fortunately I was only 30 minutes from my dealership- as I doubt many other mechanics could have diagnosed the problem. The next business day, my local Toyota dealership service manager called to tell me the inverter was broken, and the inverter would cost $7000 plus labor. The part would have to be shipped from corporate. My car was beyond the 100,000 mile drivetrain warranty (100k might be michigan specific), and was at 105,000 miles. VIN #jtedw21a160013461 a front wheel drive Highlander Hybrid. One of the service employees confirmed my VIN was 'before the production break' in 2006 Highlander Hybrids when a 'new and improved' inverter was used instead of the 'defective' one.

My wife and I are owners of a 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid and experienced the stall with no restart issue yesterday. I had noticed for 6mths - 1 year that on more than gentle acceleration the vehicle may pause (lose power) for 1-2 seconds before continuing. During this pause, a warning would be displayed along with alarm sound reporting "water temp" even though the water temp gauge is still holding in middle of range without moving. I had hoped that subsequent servicing would address until it would occur again at a later time. It occurred regularly enough to be a concern, but as the car proceeded a sec or two later the urgency was lost. In retrospect if it was known that this was a sign of possible significant future entire engine power loss, my concern to have this reported and addressed would have been higher. Yesterday after displaying the same message and sound, the vehicle lost complete power and engine warning light came on, along with other warnings messages. We had barely any power (very slow walking pace at best) to move from stop to the side of the road. Engine appeared to still be active to some degree when pushing accelerator but extremely minimal power provided to wheels. Vehicle had to be towed to local dealership. Report from Toyota dealership that inverter failed and needs to be replaced for $7000+ and labor, etc. Vehicle has approx 108,000 miles.

We were driving our 2006 Toyota highlander 5-8-11 with 67k miles at approx 35 -40 mph, we were forced to brake to conform with traffic conditions. We accelerated from 10 - 15 mph upon acceleration we heard a large pop, as I pressed the accelerator again I noticed the engine was reving up with no forward movement of the vehicle. I immediately pulled to the side of the road. As we pulled to the side of the road we had two messages appear on the dash board "check hybrid system " & "check vsc system". We consulted our owners manual and found out that the vehicle needed to be serviced by a Toyota dealer and that there was nothing we could do. The vehicle was towed to a local Toyota dealership for service.

I purchased a 206 Toyota highlander SUV hybrid in Dec 2005 1st generation. My car has 166k miles. The SUV stop running without any warning on the highway as I proceeded on a Sunday morning going to volunteer for the avon breast cancer walk, 1 may 11. I conduct regular maintenance checks on my vehicle. I was quite surprise to learn that the part cost over $9k to replace not including labor. The part to replace is called inverter assembly. I contacted hq's totyota to ask for some assistance with the replacement of this part. I was refused helped. I proceeded to conduct research and found this website: a class action lawsuit against Toyota for this same make, model and year as mines. . Read more...

The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact was driving 70 mph when the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle and the vehicle was towed to dealer. The dealer performed a diagnostic test and the test results concluded that the inverter had malfunctioned. The contact referenced NHTSA action number: pe11005 ( hybrid propulsion system: inverter) for an investigation for the failure but there were no recalls. The failure mileage was 120,000.

The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact was driving approximately 40 mph when the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that several various warning lights began to illuminate on the dashboard, including the check engine and brake lights. The vehicle rolled to a stop before being towed to an authorized dealer. The contact was advised that the vehicle would need a new inverter. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 110,252.

Engine lost power and shut down while driving. Needed to be towed to dealer. Dealer determined failure in invertor. Estimate over $9000.

Hybrid inverters on 2006 Toyota highlanders are failing, vehicle all of the sudden stops and lights on the instrument panel will go on. You try to restart the vehicle and its useless. Inverters are failing and the cost of the part itself is over $7000 plus the cost of labor. Inverters are covered under warranty up to 100,000 miles. My highlander has 107,000. I am no longer under warranty and I don't have the money to get it repaired. I think that Toyota is well aware of this problem in 2006 highlanders and should do something to get the problem fixed before there is a tragedy on the roads.

My 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid was running normally with 68,791 miles on it. When I started the car on 1/19/2011 and shifted into drive, I heard a pop, the dash lit up with many error messages, the car ran roughly, and when I press the gas pedal I began to roll down the hill is was parked on backwards. The car felt like it was in neutral, but the brakes were functional. I placed the car into park and called the Toyota dealership. The car was towed at my expense to the dealer. Toyota informed me that the inverter had failed, the air box was cracked, power steering link was under recall, the induction system was clogged, and the brakes needed replacement. Please keep in mind that this vehicle was at the same dealership a few weeks earlier (12/31/2010) for a brake inspection, oil change, and 68,000 mile service. Toyota replaced the inverter with another 2006 inverter stating that there was nothing wrong with the design of the original inverter. The work was done under the warranty. The car has be running normally since the repair.

In January 2011, we were reversing out of a parking stall when our 2006 Toyota highland hybrid shut down. We could not restart the car at all. Several lights on the dashboard lit up, such as "check engine" and "check vsc system. " we had the car towed to the dealer's repair place. After three weeks, it was diagnosed that our inverter had failed and would need to be replaced.

While driving my 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid on the interstate highway I lost all power and the engine shut off I had to cost the vehicle across three lanes of high speed traffic to get to the side of the road while almost getting hit by a passenger bus. All power was gone and vehicle would not start. Had vehicle towed to a dealer. Was informed the power inverter system had over heated and fried. Just the parts for a new inverter were quoted at $9,000.

The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 mph, the check hybrid system warning light illuminated then the vehicle suddenly stalled. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician stated that the hybrid inverter would have to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred two more times. The approximate failure mileage was 21,000. Updated 6/21/13 updated 07/18/2013.

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Getting on freeway on ramp heard "bang" and car went dead. No brakes, steering or any function. Managed to pull off and call tow truck. Toyota said the "inverter" blew and all electrical function was lost. They replaced the invertor and said they never saw this before. Car has bben ok since.