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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
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30 thoughts onToyota Highlander Hybrid Class Action Lawsuit
Just happened to us last night. 117,000. We received the recall notice in June letting us know that we would soon hear back about replacing the inverter. Dealer says that the serial number on our car doesn’t match the recall even though our vin does. Has this class action gone anywhere? I refuse to pay $9000 to fix this car!
I was driving my 2006 Highlander Hybrid in Santa Cruz, CA when suddenly the engine died and I heard a clanking sound. Luckily I was able to turn off into a parking lot. Suddenly everything shutdown, lights began to flicker on the dash and finally when dead. The car seem to want to roll backwards. I had the car towed to a Toyota Dealer in Monterey, CA. I was informed it was the inverter. Repair cost estimated at $9000. I researched the internet and found that Toyota knew that the Highlanders were equiped with defective inverters. There was no notice or recall down.
My 2006 Highlander Hybrid with 85k has no issues. But, is there a dealer inspection re: the inverter issue? Can I join the class action suit in progress?
Just happened last week to me on Sprain Brook Parkway in the Bronx. Complete power failure. Took a week to diagnose. Thousands to repair.
I was driving on 95 s in the left lane at approx 75 mph when my car just died. Luckily for me, I was in the left hand lane and was able to pull over onto the grass. The inverter was more than $7,000 plus the labor. What a SHOCK! Toyota never acknowledged a problem, even when I called their corporate office. I’m done buying toyota. They lie through their teeth and I’m glad there is a class action suit pending making them accountable for their lack of conscience in trying to keep their consumers safe. Corporate greed, it’s disgusting. Shame on you Toyota!
Toyota Highlander Hybrid Class Action Lawsuit
This also happened to me driving on route 95 in Boston with my daughters in the back seat – I was lucky to get off the road w/o being killed. The dealer just replaced the item at no cost – they said it is also listed as a ‘pending recall’
Toyota Camry Hybrid
this just happened to me with my Toyota Camry hybrid. Though I was just leaving a parking lot, I am now fearful of this car. Toyota ( Canada ) is paying for the repair( warranty). Thinking of starting a Canadian class action.
Toyota Highlander Hybrid Class Action Lawsuit
My story is the same as everyone else. 2006 Highlander hybrid inverter failure on the on ramp of the highway failed. had a 10K quote to repair the care which was at 108K miles and just outside the warranty. Waiting to hear back from Toyota America but my jaw hit the ground when I heard the price of repair and when I found all the forums and secret warranty program they did not inform me about. I am grateful that the class action has been initiated and my decision to join the class will depend on Toyota’s response in the next 24 hours.
Toyota Highlander Hybrid Class Action Lawsuit
This happened to me also I was driving up a hill and it just stopped and I rolled backwards. Luckily I was not on the highway I could have been killed. 9400.00 dollars to repair replace it before tax. Of course the toyota dealership is saying they never had this happen before and know nothing about the problem.
Toyota Highlander Hybrid Class Action Lawsuit
This happen to me at 84K and I was driving up a hill when it just stopped and I started to roll back wards down the hill I was able to break but I was in the middle lane of a 4 way stop intersection
People don’t see flashing light anymore and alot of people honked for me to move the car
5/18/11 pst.3:54pm