Toyota Motor Sales USA has issued two voluntary safety recalls for 235,000 vehicles of its Highlander and Lexus brands.
About 133,000 MY 2006-2010 Highlander Hybrid and MY 2006-2008 Lexus RX 400h vehicles, and approximately 102,000 MY 2006-2011 Lexus IS 350, IS 350C and GS 350 vehicles are included in the recall.
The Highlander Hybrid and Lexus RX 400h vehicles were recalled as the transistors within the hybrid system's inverter assembly can experience heat damage. This is due to variations in characteristics of the transistors built in parallel circuits.
If the heat damage occurs, various warning lights on the instrument panel will illuminate and in most cases the vehicle will enter limp home mode. In some rare cases, the hybrid system will shut down and resulting in the vehicle stopping while the vehicle is being driven.
In the Lexus IS 350, IS 350C and GS 350, bolts used to secure the variable valve timing control device can become loose. As a result of this, the vehicle will stop while being driven. Early warning for this condition can be an abnormal noise just after start-up.
The company will send first class mails to the owners of the vehicles that are subject to these recalls.
