TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 HIGHLANDER

Feb 24, 2011 — Recall Campaign #11V112000

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 HIGHLANDER, HIGHLANDER HYBRID, AND MODEL YEAR 2004-2007 LEXUS RX330, RX350, AND RX400H VEHICLES. IF THE FORWARD RETENTION CLIP USED TO SECURE THE FLOOR CARPET COVER, WHICH IS LOCATED IN FRONT OF THE CENTER CONSOLE, IS NOT INSTALLED PROPERLY THE COVER MAY LEAN TOWARD THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND INTERFERE WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ARM.

The recall was influenced by the Office of Defects Investigation with about 769,379 units affected.

See recall notice

NHTSA Safety Recall Notice

11V112000

Manufacturer:	Toyota Motor Corporation
Recall date:	February 24, 2011
NHTSA Campaign #:	11V112000
Units affected:	769,379

Description:: TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 HIGHLANDER, HIGHLANDER HYBRID, AND MODEL YEAR 2004-2007 LEXUS RX330, RX350, AND RX400H VEHICLES. IF THE FORWARD RETENTION CLIP USED TO SECURE THE FLOOR CARPET COVER, WHICH IS LOCATED IN FRONT OF THE CENTER CONSOLE, IS NOT INSTALLED PROPERLY THE COVER MAY LEAN TOWARD THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND INTERFERE WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ARM.
Consequeces:: IF THIS OCCURS, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY TEMPORARILY BECOME STUCK IN A PARTIALLY DEPRESSED POSITION RATHER THAN RETURN TO THE IDLE POSITION. A STUCK ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY RESULT IN UNINTENDED AND SUSTAINED VEHICLE SPEEDS AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO STOP, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Corrective action:: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FLOOR CARPET COVER WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED ONE FREE OR CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MARCH 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
Notes:: TOYOTA SAFETY RECALL BOA LEXUS SAFETY RECALL NO. BLC.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV .

Affects the following:

2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER Complaints
The ABS/Brake Actuator is going out. There is a stuttering as I'm coming to a stop, but when I brake from normal speeds to slow down, there is no stutter/vibration. Only when I'm going very slow and about to stop the car is when I feel a vibration/stutter in the vehicle. When pressing the brakes all the way down, there is a weird chirping/clicking noise that comes from under the hood towards the passenger side of the car. I do not have and did not get any warning lights about this, even still I don't have any. I have taken it to 2 mechanic shops now and they both have diagnosed the brake/ABS actuator failing.;
2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID Complaints
The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving 72 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The check engine and traction control warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the "Check Hybrid System", "Check AWD", and "Check VCS" messages were displayed. The contact was able to coast to the side of the road and had the vehicle towed to the residence. The contact notified an independent mechanic of the failure, and the mechanic stopped by the residence. The independent mechanic retrieved a DTC that the power inverter for the hybrid system had failed and caused the vehicle to go into LIMP Mode. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact called the dealer and was informed that there were no recalls associated with the VIN. The contact stated that when the dealer searched the VIN on the NHTSA.gov website, the VIN search showed that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V396000 (HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the recall did not apply to the VIN. The vehicle remained at the residence unrepaired. The failure mileage was approximately 150,455.;
2007 LEXUS RX HYBRID Complaints
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 LEXUS RX400H. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE ABS SENSOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE STOPPING DISTANCE WAS EXTENDED WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. ADDITIONALLY, THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT WAS ALSO ILLUMINATED AND THE SPEED WAS REDUCED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER SOUTH BAY LEXUS LOCATED AT 24777 CRENSHAW BLVD, TORRANCE, CA 90505, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS ACTUATOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.;
2007 LEXUS RX330 Complaints
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 LEXUS RX330. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HERB CHAMBERS LEXUS OF SHARON (25 PROVIDENCE HWY RTE. 1, SHARON, MA 02067, (506)668-5600, WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT SUBJECTED TO A RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS PROVIDED AN ESTIMATE TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,427.;
2007 LEXUS RX350 Complaints
The contact owns a 2007 Lexus RX350. The contact stated that over time she noticed that the dashboard was cracking and separating. The contact was concerned due to the proximity of the passenger’s side air bag housing and the crack in the dashboard. The contact was also concerned about an inadvertent deployment without the vehicle being involved in a crash. The local dealer was contacted and informed of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted or informed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 113,000.;