WE DROVE OUR 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID HOME FROM TOWN AT ABOUT 7:00 P.M. ON A COOL EVENING, (SIX MILES) 1/2 MILE IS A FAIRLY STEEP HILL TO CLIMB. ON PULLING INTO THE DRIVEWAY AND STOPPING I NOTICED A BURNING SMELL AND TOLD MY HUSBAND I THOUGHT THE BRAKES WERE HOT. AFTER A COUPLE MINUTES HE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM AROUND THE HOOD. HE OPENED IT AND THERE WERE FLAMES COMING FROM THE LOWER CENTER AREA OF THE ENGINE UNDER THE RADIATOR HOSE. HE GOT A FIRE EXTINGUISHER FROM THE GARAGE AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE FOLLOWING MORNING WE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER IN UKIAH. THEY HAD THE CAR FOR 22 DAYS. AFTER THE FIRST DAY THEY REPORTED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAD SET THE MOTOR MOUNT ON FIRE AND THAT TOYOTA WAS SENDING A TEAM OF ENGINEERS TO LOOK INTO THE CAUSE. THE FRONT MOTOR MOUNT, THE RADIATOR HOSE, AIR FUEL SENSOR, FRONT WIRING HARNESS, SEALS AND GASKETS WERE REPLACED. ACCORDING TO THE DEALERS SERVICE SUMMARY, "THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE INCIDENT COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. NO MANUFACTURERS DEFECTS WERE FOUND. " WE FIND IT STRANGE THAT A TWO YEAR OLD TOYOTA WITH 24,000 MILES AND HAVING BEEN SERVICED ONE WEEK BEFORE THE INCIDENT SHOULD CATCH ON FIRE AFTER DRIVING 6 MILES. THEY CLAIM THE CAR IS RESTORED TO ITS ORIGINAL CONDITION BUT WITHOUT KNOWING WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE WE DON'T KNOW IF IT IS SAFE TO DRIVE. *TR