Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. (TMS), today announced a recall. For one that it will conduct a voluntary. It’s a safety recall. That’s also involving approximately 45,500 Highlander Hybrid vehicles. Also and 36,700 Lexus RX 400h vehicles sold in the U.S. No other Toyota or Lexus vehicles are involved.
The Intelligent Power Module (IPM).
For it is located inside the Hybrid System Inverter. Moreover it contains a control board. One most importantly with transistors. Certain transistors on the control boards in some of the subject vehicles were inadequately soldered.
So they could be damaged from heat. Also caused by a large current flow during high-load driving.
If this were to occur, various warning lamps will illuminate. Especially on the instrument panel. In most cases the vehicle will enter a fail-safe driving mode. Thereby resulting in reduced power. All in which the vehicle can still be driven. Yet only for short distances. In limited instances, the power supply circuit fuse could blow. Especially when the transistor is damaged. If the fuse blows, the hybrid system will stop. Finally and the vehicle will coast. Then to a complete stop.
Toyota is currently working on obtaining the necessary replacement parts.
Once the replacement parts are available is important. For then they will notify owners. Moreover of the recall by first class mail in mid-July, 2011.
Once the replacement parts have been produced in sufficient quantities. Then Toyota recall department will send a second owner notification by first class mail. Thereby advising owners to make an appointment. Most importantly with an authorized Toyota or Lexus dealer. For that’s to have the IPM inspected. Finally and determine if necessary replaced at no charge.
Detailed information and answers to questions are available to customers. Located at http://www.toyota.com/recall. Also and the Toyota Customer Experience Center. So call (1 800-331-4331) or www.lexus.com/recall and Lexus Customer Satisfaction (1 800-255-3987).
