Toyota Highlander Hybrid and Lexus RX 400h 2006 and 2007 RECALLED

Toyota Canada Inc. (TCI) announced that it will conduct a voluntary safety campaign involving approximately 1,505 vehicles Highlander Hybrid and Lexus RX 400h 1476 sold in Canada. No other Toyota or Lexus model is concerned.

The intelligent power module (IPM) located inside the hybrid system inverter contains a circuit board control dotes transistors. Some transistors of the circuit board control on some of the vehicles concerned were poorly welded and may be damaged by heat caused by a high current when driving under heavy load.

If this occurs, various warning lights will illuminate on the dashboard. In most cases, the vehicle will switch to emergency line, resulting in a reduced engine power which, however, will drive the vehicle a short distance. In a limited number of cases, the fuse circuit power supply could blow when the transistor is damaged. If this fuse blows, the hybrid system will stop and the vehicle will roll freewheel until it stops.

Toyota will notify owners of the vehicles concerned about the campaign by first class mail in July 2011.

Toyota will mail first class a second notice informing owners to make an appointment at a dealership authorized Toyota or Lexus to the IPM inspected and, if necessary, for a free replacement once spare parts have been produced in sufficient quantities.

Customers who have questions are asked to contact their local Toyota or Lexus dealer, visit the website or call www.toyota.ca Toyota Canada at 1 888-TOYOTA-8 (1 888 868-6828) or visit www.lexus.ca or call Lexus of Canada at 1 800-26-LEXUS (1 800 265-3987).