This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
Vehicle hybrid/engine shut off while driving. Various warning lights lit up including vsc, hybrid system, and check engine. I was forced to change lanes with the car off but moving at about 40 mph and pull over on a side street. I as able to restart the vehicle and continue my drive. The following day, even though the check engine light and all warnings had cleared, the car turned off again while I was driving and breaking at a red light. The car failed to properly restart after this second incident. The vehicle was towed to a Toyota dealership which specified that the issue is the hybrid inverter. The vehicle only has about 81,000 miles and according to Toyota a recall had already been performed on the intelligent power module for the inverter in 2014.
I purchased a new 2008 Highlander hybrid. Though I had no problems, in November 2013, the inverter was recalled at 79,000 miles, and replaced. We had no problems with the car for the next 22 months. On September 6, 2015, the car stalled and could not be restarted. We had the car towed 55 miles to the dealership. Investigation of the car over 2 days was unsuccessful in discovering the cause. On September 9, I asked if it was the inverter. I was told it was not. The service manager had contacted Toyota, who recommended taking apart the hybrid system to look for a shorted wire. On Thursday, September 10, I was told that they found a wire, would but the system back together, and would take it for a test drive. On Friday, September 11, the car stalled and died on the third test drive. At this time, I was informed it was the inverter. The service manager agreed with me in feeling that since Toyota had taken out an inverter that was seemingly working fine, and replaced with one that failed in less than 2 years, that Toyota would take care of me. On Tuesday, September 15, I was informed that the cost for the part was $8800, and that the regional service/parts manager, offered to pay half of the cost for replacement. I was not happy with this offer, as it still left me with a bill of several thousand dollars for a part that failed in less than 2 years after the recall. At this time, I have not accepted the offer. I was told to call customer service. I was informed that because the regional manager had made me an offer, there was nothing else she could do. My frustration is that Toyota recalled my vehicle for the inverter. And I believe a bad inverter was put it the car instead. This current inverter, that Toyota told me to put in the car, lasted approximately 29,000 miles and 22 months. This seems like a far cry from the expected life of an inverter.
While trying to get back on the freeway, the indicator lights for the ABS system, the vsb system, the 4WD system and anti-skid system came on and the vehicle lost all drive power. It defaulted to failsafe/limp mode even though the engine was still running. The car will start and move but within 60 seconds reverts to fail safe mode.
Highlander hybrid lost complete power while traveling on highway at 65mph. Vehicle was towed to dealer and diagnosed as failure of the power inverter. Estimated cost to repair quoted as $9,140.
The car completely shut off when driving, without any warning! luckily, the driver was not rear- ended!! the car was towed to Toyota where we were told that the inverter needs to be replaced for $9000! the car is in otherwise great shape and has been serviced at Toyota regularly. The last check up was last month at 118,000 miles! this is exactly the same problem reported for the 2006 Toyota Highlander hybrid, which was recalled.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Arlington, VA, USA