Problems · by component

2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid hybrid propulsion system problems

46 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid cite hybrid propulsion system, 7% of all 650 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
46
7% of all complaints
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the hybrid propulsion system

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving 72 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The check engine and traction control warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the "Check Hybrid System", "Check AWD", and "Check VCS" messages were displayed. The contact was able to coast to the side of the road and had the vehicle towed to the residence. The contact notified an independent mechanic of the failure, and the mechanic stopped by the residence. The independent mechanic retrieved a DTC that the power inverter for the hybrid system had failed and caused the vehicle to go into LIMP Mode. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact called the dealer and was informed that there were no recalls associated with the VIN. The contact stated that when the dealer searched the VIN on the NHTSA.gov website, the VIN search showed that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V396000 (HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the recall did not apply to the VIN. The vehicle remained at the residence unrepaired.…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 15, 2026Hybrid propulsion systemODI 11711152
“The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled with the check hybrid system and two other unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact managed to coast the vehicle to the side of the highway; however, the vehicle failed to restart. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where a diagnostic test was performed. The mechanic discovered that there was a leak in the inverter cooling system. Upon investigation, the contact discovered an unknown recall that was related to the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but informed her that the vehicle was not included in the unknown recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 280,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 17, 2023Engine, Hybrid propulsion systemODI 11502242
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT START AND THE HYBRID WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED THREE PREVIOUS TIMES BY NAGUABO AUTO TOYOTA (CARRETERA 31 KM 3.9, NAGUABO, PR 00718) REGARDING THE HYBRID MODULE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 12, 2019Electrical system, Hybrid propulsion systemODI 11288602
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V396000 (HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 8, 2016Hybrid propulsion systemODI 10845520
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING FROM A COMPLETE STOP, THE HYBRID WARNING MESSAGE ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE HIGHER THAN 40 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V396000 (HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 8, 2016Hybrid propulsion systemODI 10819050
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HYBRID INVERTER MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 2, 2015Hybrid propulsion systemODI 10722925

Showing 6 of 46 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

1 recall on this component

Hybrid propulsion system: inverter

Free remedy

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.

Hybrid propulsion systemReported Sep 4, 2013NHTSA 13V396000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.