Toyota has initiated a campaign to replace the entire power steering rack in 72,400 Hybrid vehicles. This campaign affects 47,900 2006 and 2007 model year Highlander Hybrids and 24,500 2007 Camry Hybrids. The replacement is covered under warranty. The work should take at least 5 hours to complete.

“In certain 2006-2007 model year Highlander HV and 2007 model year Camry HV’s, due to insufficient adhesion between the permanent magnets and the rotor of the EPS, the motor may gradually loose torque when the wheel is turned to the complete left or right position. If this condition occurs, customers may experience a noticeable gradual increase in the steering effort necessary at low speeds. This condition may be most perceptible when parking the vehicle”

VIN # of affected vehicles:

2006 Highlander Hybrid
JTEDW21A – last 7 digit ranges =>0001012-0016484 and 0016485-0017903
JTEEW21A - last 7 digit ranges =>0001052-0033953 and 0033956-0036624

2007 Highlander Hybrid
JTEEW21A - last 7 digit ranges =>0001052-0033953 and 0033956-0036624
JTEGW21A - last 7 digit ranges =>0016486-0017906
JTEHW21A - last 7 digit ranges =>0033954-0036620

2007 Camry Hybrid
JTNBB46K - last 7 digit ranges =>3000151-3026447

 

Production range of the recall:

2006-2007 Highlander HV - mid February 2005 through mid September 2006
2007 Camry HV - early March 2006 through late September 2006

The recall also affects 153,900 Lexus vehicles in the US as follows:

2006 GS300 - 43,800
2007 GS350 - 4500
2006 through 2007 GS430 - 7600
2007 GS450 - 1800
2006 through 2007 IS250 -40,600
2006 through 2007 IS350 - 17,500
2006 through 2007 RX400h - 38,100

 

I'm having this recall work performed on my car tomorrow.

 

Thanks Don

 

My '08 is in the shop right now for this. Several weeks ago, at startup, the power steering failed and an error message popped up to have it serviced immediately. I shut the car off, looked under the hood, cursed, closed the hood, and restarted the car and it went away.

I told the dealer about it at the 15 k check, and they ordered parts. I dropped it off Thursday morning, they got into it and needed more parts, and Friday afternoon still hadn't gotten it all buttoned up and working again. Some computer issue with the vehicle.

Hopefully I'll get it back tomorrow, and the interior won't be beat all to heck. After driving a rental Yaris for 4 days, I'm anxious to get my HiHy back!

 

Darcars is doing this work on my car today. It's interesting to read the various posts about this recall.

Meanwhile, they gave me a free rental from the on-site Enterprise. The Ford Escape I'm driving today is truly validating my choice of the Highlander. Never have I appreciated my Highlander so much as today when I'm driving this Ford POS.

-Steve

 

Steve,

I chose the highlander for the same reasons. I wish I was as happy with DARCARs though. My highlander hybrid is getting around 16.8-18.5 miles per gallon city at the moment. No error codes and DARCARS has no explination nor even it would appear a clue. The engine seems to almost run continuously at any speed except for very short intervals when it shuts down at a stop light. How is your mpg if I may ask since you are geographically close to my home (Washington DC).

Cheers,
Christopher

 

Hi Christopher.

I've been getting between 25-29mpg, 'hybrid driving' so to speak... some highway and some local. The key that I've found is being very light on gas pedal. If you look at the kW meter, you'll notice the striped area (0), the blue area below, and the solid white above. Practice accellerating while keeping the needle in the stripes, and the engine will generally stay off. Over 2.5 years and nearly 70,000 miles, I've gotten better at it.

I have the 4WDi base model, not the limited model... and almost never use the climate control, especially for heat. But the base model has the temp dial, so when I need warm air on the highway, I just put it on hot... as long as the fan is off, air just blows in on the highway. Also, check the tires to make sure they're inflated right. At 32psi, I got 23mpg; at about 35psi (just below the max. cold pressure on the michelins), I got 27mpg.

-Steve

 

Steve,

Thanks for the tips! I've just got the FWD version of the base model hybrid. I'll have to check the tire pressure next. I'd love to see some numbers in the 20's instead of the teens, but even granny driving I don't seem to get over 19. I was expecting around 27 in the city, so the numbers I'm getting are very disappointing. I'll keep practicing I guess, but it makes me wonder if you granny drove the regular version if you wouldn't also get pretty close.

Christopher

 

Well, the 4WD gets less gas mileage than the FWD. It's heavier and more powerful, although since the rear wheels are all electric, maybe that helps. Once you learn how to keep the needle in those stripes, the car accelerates pretty well on flat road.

-Steve