Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Inc. announced plans to recall approximately 133,000 model-year 2006-2010 Highlander Hybrid and MY 2006-2008 Lexus RX 400h vehicles, as well as approximately 102,000 MY 2006-2011 Lexus IS 350, IS 350C and GS 350 vehicles.

In the involved Toyota Highlander Hybrid and Lexus RX 400h vehicles, transistors within the hybrid system's inverter assembly can experience heat damage because of variations in characteristics of the transistors’ parallel circuits, Toyota said.  If this occurs, various warning lights on the instrument panel will illuminate, and in most cases the vehicle will enter "limp home mode."  In limited instances, the hybrid system will shut down, resulting in the vehicle unexpectedly stopping.

In the involved Lexus IS 350, IS 350C and GS 350 vehicles, bolts securing the variable valve timing control device may loosen, causing the vehicle to stop while being driven.  Early warning signs for this condition include an abnormal noise just after start-up, Toyota said.

Owners of vehicles subject to these recalls will receive notification by mail.