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Toyota recall hits 369,000 Highlanders, Lexuses

Toyota recall involves separate flaws: 1) inverter damage that can force hybrid Lexus and Highlanders into shutdown or 'limp home mode' and 2) loose bolts holding a variable valve timing control device for several Lexus models. Affected owners will be notified by mail about the Toyota recall. 

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Courtesy of David Dewhurst/Toyota/File
The 2008 Toyota Hybrid Highlander is part of large Toyota recall involving some 369,000 Highlander and Lexus vehicles worldwide.
  • By Antony Ingram Guest blogger

Toyota has announced two voluntary safety recalls for several Lexus models and certain years of Highlander Hybrid to correct electrical and mechanical issues.

The first recall affects 2006-2008 Lexus RX 400h and 2006-2010 Toyota Highlander Hybrid models, related to an inverter issue in the car's hybrid assembly. Transistors in the assembly are subject to heat damage "due to variations in characteristics of the transistors’ parallel circuits". This damage can cause warning lights to illuminate and in most cases, Toyota says, can cause the vehicle to enter "limp home mode". In limited instances, the hybrid system can shut down, causing the car to pull to a halt.

More Lexus models are affected by the second recall, which covers around 102,000 Lexus IS 350, IS 350C and GS 350 vehicles from model years 2006-2011. In certain vehicles, bolts securing the variable valve timing control device can work loose, causing the vehicle to stop while being driven.

Toyota says that an abnormal noise can signify early symptoms of the variable valve timing device fault. Owners of all affected vehicles will be notified by first class mail.

In the meantime, concerned owners can learn more at www.toyota.com/recall andwww.lexus.com/recall, or call the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.

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