Top Class Actions’s website and social media posts use affiliate links. If you make a purchase using such links, we may receive a commission, but it will not result in any additional charges to you. Please review our Affiliate Link Disclosure for more information.
Toyota sold 2006 Highlander vehicles even though it knew they had been manufactured with a dangerous defective inverter assembly that causes the vehicles to unexpectedly lose all motor power, says a class action lawsuit filed in California. Not only is this dangerous, the class action says, but it also costs consumers thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket repair.
The 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Vehicle (Highlander HV) was Toyota’s first generation of gasoline-electric hybrid versions of the Highlander sold in the U.S. A central component of the Highlander HV is the electrical inverter assembly, which changes the DC current from the vehicles battery into AC current that powers the vehicle’s motor. The defective inverter assemblies cause the vehicles to suddenly lose engine power while the vehicles is being driven.
“Toyota was aware that the inverter assembly installed in the first production of Highlander HVs was defective, and began installing an updated inverter assembly in Highlander HVs beginner with VIN number JTEDW21A060009725 for two-wheel drive vehicles and VIN number JTEEW21A660019910 for four-wheel drive vehicles,” claims the Highlander HV class action lawsuit.
Even though Toyota knew it had installed defective inverter assemblies in the Highlander HV’s first generation of vehicles, it did not recall or otherwise replace or repair the defective assemblies. Instead, the class action lawsuit says, Toyota issued a secret Technical Service Bulletin that advised those servicing the vehicles about the existence of the defective inverter assembly and recommended that they be replaced with an updated assembly – but only in response to a “customer’s specific complaint.”
The Toyota Highlander Hybrid class action lawsuit is brought on behalf of all U.S. persons who own or lease a 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid that was manufactured with a defective inverter assembly, or who currently or previously owned or leased a Highlander Hybrid that experienced a failure of the inverter assembly and paid to have it repaired or replaced.
The lawsuit, entitled Gall v. Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A, Inc., is seeking declaratory relief and an order prohibiting Toyota from continuing the “unlawful, unfair and fraudulent practices described herein.”
A copy of the 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Defective Inverter Assembly can be read here.
Updated March 15th, 2011
All class action and lawsuit news updates are listed in the Lawsuit News section of Top Class Actions
Top Class Actions Legal Statement
30 thoughts onToyota Highlander Hybrid Class Action Lawsuit
My 2008 died while on a road trip, luckily the family was not present. My Automobile has presented the same symptoms present as described in this thread.
I SEEK LEGAL REPRESENTATION.
Attorneys please email me regarding this as i will be formally be Sueing Toyota for the continued production of a known bad Critical part. this is not just a brake pad that could separate. its one of the most important aspects of the Vehicles’ operation.
thanks for all your information
My 2011 Toyota Highlander Hybrid (bought used not even 5 months ago) failed while I was driving my kids home… wrote a letter to Toyota November 16, 2019 no word yet… is there a class action suit for it? I financed it for $17,000 (stupid of me I know now…)
This happened to my Toyota Prius…What can I do to get an attorney to represent me? Or Auto Club?
I also have had my 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid die and was told by Toyota that the VIN matched and instructed me to tow it to the dealership and gave me a loaner vehicle, all paid for by Toyota, then did not fix the inverter stating it wasn’t going to be covered as my VIN didn’t match. I’m waiting to hear back from corporate now. Who else has had results regarding this issue?
I just purchased a 2006 Toyota Hybrid…I had no idea about these vehichles. The vin number does not match the ones that’s re-called. What can I do? Please give me information on who to call?!
Any news? My 2006 just died like all the rest in this thread. At the shop now, but i expect that its the inverter also.
I know this is an old thread, but is there an ongoing CA lawsuit over this? I am repairing the same issue with my HH to the tune of $6k. I know there was a recall for something INSIDE the inverter, which I had completed. Any info would be appreciated.
I own a 2006 Highlander hybrid which has not run for months. Need attorney contact info please!
I have the 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Vehicle (Highlander HV) my hybrid system went out last summer, a year later the inverter… I only get 25 mpg… I am very interested in any class action lawsuits for these bad investments… please email me class action information…
What is it with toyota highlanders I hated mine before this f***ing inverter went out. Now I just wanna drown it. It be better for fish seeing how it won’t move.