TOYOTA ANNOUNCES VOLUNTARY SAFETY CAMPAIGN OF CERTAIN 2006 AND 2007 MODEL YEAR HIGHLANDER HYBRID AND RX 400h VEHICLES

Toronto, ON -- June 29, 2011 – Toyota Canada Inc. (TCI), today announced that it will conduct a voluntary safety campaign involving approximately 1,505 Highlander Hybrid and 1,476 Lexus RX 400h vehicles sold in Canada.  No other Toyota or Lexus vehicles are involved.

 

The Intelligent Power Module (IPM) located inside the hybrid system inverter contains a control board with transistors.  Certain transistors on the control boards in some of the subject vehicles were inadequately soldered and could be damaged from heat caused by a large current flow during high-load driving.

 

If this occurs, various warning lamps will illuminate on the instrument panel.  In most cases the vehicle will enter a fail-safe driving mode, resulting in reduced power in which the vehicle can still be driven for short distances.  In limited instances, the power supply circuit fuse could blow when the transistor is damaged.  If the fuse blows, the hybrid system will stop, and the vehicle will coast to a stop.

 

Toyota will notify owners of the involved vehicles of the campaign by first class mail in July, 2011. 

 

Toyota will send a second owner notification by first class mail advising owners to make an appointment with an authorized Toyota or Lexus dealer to have the IPM inspected and if necessary replaced at no charge once sufficient replacement parts have been produced.

 

Customers who have any questions are asked to contact their local Toyota or Lexus dealership, visit www.toyota.ca or contact Toyota Canada at 1-888-TOYOTA-8 (1-888-868-6828) or visit www.lexus.ca or contact Lexus of Canada at 1-800-26-LEXUS (1-800-265-3987)