The problem
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.
The risk
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.
The fix
Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the IPM free of charge. 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.
Recall details
| NHTSA campaign | 13V-396 (13V396000) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer number | DLF, D0M |
| Manufacturer | Toyota Motor Corporation |
| Component | Hybrid propulsion system › Inverter |
| Report date | September 4, 2013 |
| Owners notified | November 4, 2013 |
| Vehicles affected | 133,081 |
| Initiated by | Manufacturer |
Vehicles covered
Owner complaints about the fuel & propulsion system
- 2006 Lexus RX Hybrid fuel system problems 23
- 2007 Lexus RX Hybrid fuel system problems 2
- 2008 Lexus RX Hybrid fuel system problems 4
- 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid fuel system problems 53
- 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid fuel system problems 22
- 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid fuel system problems 14
- 2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid fuel system problems 4
- 2010 Toyota Highlander Hybrid fuel system problems 3
Frequently asked questions
Is the recall 13V-396 repair free?
Yes. Lexus dealers will fix the problem at no cost: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the IPM free of charge. 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.
How do I know if my car is included?
Not every vehicle of the listed model years is affected — the recall covers 133,081 vehicles built in a certain window. Check your 17-character VIN with our VIN recall check or at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.