NHTSA Recall 13V396000

Report Receipt Date: September, 4, 2013
NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V396000
Component(s): HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM
Potential Number of Units Affected: 133,081
All Products Associated with this Recall: 2006-2010 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, 2006-2008 Lexus RX400h
Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
SUMMARY: 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: 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. The recall is expected to begin in late September 2013. 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.
NOTES: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.