2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Transmission and drivetrain Problems

“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.”

“We bought a new 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid in 2005 and, from time to time since we bought it, the accelerator pedal kind of sticks or surges in certain driving conditions. When you try to reduce speed by taking your foot off the gas pedal. It sometimes does not immediately respond, it takes a few seconds to reduce speed and sometimes actually surges a little, which it also does sometimes when you are driving at a consistent speed. …”

“I found some info in a forum where multiple people have the same complaints about leaking around the axle. I was informed that the right axle seal needs replacement when I took my vehicle to the dealership for a multi-point inspection. I'm not sure if this is something that happens over time but it seems like it's happened to others who have noticed it before the warranty expiration and it was covered under the powertrain warranty. I purchased an extended warranty but it has expired and I was never told about this issue while my vehicle was under warranty.”

“My son was driving and the vehicle stopped on him in the middle of the road with no warning or power steering. Vehicle had to be towed to the dealership. Was informed by the dealership that the hybrid generator had shorted and needed $7,300.00 worth of repairs. I am very concerned that this vehicle is dangerous, if he was on a very busy road and this vehicle were to have stopped on him as suddenly as it did that day he could of possibly been rear-ended and seriously injured. …”

“My 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid loses all power on ice or any slippery surface. This has caused my car to die on several occasions including entering and exiting highways, driving on hills, driving in snow. I have slid off my driveway when I encountered an icy patch. I had no control. Upon entering a freeway via an icy entrance ramp, my car lost all power while entering traffic and I was forced to coast to the shoulder in a very dangerous situation.”