Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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 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.
There was fire in the inverter assembly. The wiring harness for the inverter and the transmission were completely cooked and melted. The professional opinion of a Toyota national engineer is that the generator in the trans axle surged and caused a fire melting the components. How can this go un-investigated with so many of these vehicles on the road. My family and I could have been burned alive or in a fatal crash due to this completely unsafe system. How can Toyota continue to say they are all about safety when they will not do anything about issues like this. They have sent me a $16,000 bill for this issue that is completely a product of their poor and unsafe vehicle.
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.
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.
I was driving the vehicle and heard a loud popping noise on the way to the dealership for recall work. Once the technician opened the inverter case we found the wiring harness for both the inverter and transmission were completely melted and cooked due to a fire inside the inverter. I am now looking at a $15000 repair bill with Toyota and luckily my family and I were not burned alive or in an accident resulting in fatalities.
Tl* the contact owns 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact was driving 10 MPH when the contact crashed into a curb and the power steering failed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the dealer confirmed that the power steering and the Hybrid computer system failed. The manufacturer was not contacted and the vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileages were 60,000.
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.
Engine mechanical ~|~check and report...check engine light and vsc light on dash, ,,car lost power while driving, had to pull over and get the vehicle towed in to the dealership... ~|~tech pulled code p0a05,p0a08,p0a93, ...found inverter pump not working properly ~|~replaced inverter water pump
My wife and I are owners of a 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid and experienced the stall with no restart issue yesterday. I had noticed for 6mths - 1 year that on more than gentle acceleration the vehicle May pause (lose power) for 1-2 seconds before continuing. During this pause, a warning would be displayed along with alarm sound reporting "water temp" even though the water temp gauge is still holding in middle of range without moving. I had hoped that subsequent servicing would address until it would occur again at a later time. It occurred regularly enough to be a concern, but as the car proceeded a sec or two later the urgency was lost. In retrospect if it was known that this was a sign of possible significant future entire engine power loss, my concern to have this reported and addressed would have been higher. …
Related recalls
Hybrid propulsion system › Inverter
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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA investigations
Hybrid inverter failure - vehicle stall
In a June 29, 2011 letter to NHTSA, Toyota submitted a Defect Information Report regarding a safety recall of certain Toyota Highlander Hybrid and Lexus RX400h vehicles to address a defect condition with the hybrid inverter assembly (NHTSA Recall No.
Fuel System complaints in other Highlander Hybrid years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid?
NHTSA has 53 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, 14% of the model year's 370 complaints. The component named most often is inverter (40 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid fuel system problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 13V-396 (inverter, Sep 4, 2013). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 108,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 2 fires and 0 injuries to fuel & propulsion system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.