Yes, another leaking third brake light thread...

Hi guys, this is my first post here. Picked up a used 2017 Tacoma TRD Off Road Double Cab a couple weeks ago. I've been into jeeps and four wheel drives my whole life. I've always wanted a Tacoma TRD Off Road ever since they came out with them in the first gens.

I bought this truck with 12,500 miles on it. So anyway, right after I got it I noticed the leak, researched and found it was probably the third brake light. Took it to the dealer I got it from, they said they would "fix" it. Well I picked it up yesterday, and I see a little bit of clear silicone around the brake light. It does look like whoever fixed it did pull the headliner and probably took off the light and smeared some silicone on the seal and slapped it back on. From what I am reading there is a TSB out for that fix from Toyota. I cannot seem to find it online. They obviously either didn't know about it or didn't say anything to me about it. Also what I have read, is that the light is supposed to be completely replaced. I'm not really happy with the silicone "fix" that they did. When I spend a very large amount of money on a vehicle like this I want it done right. Not with some damn silicone that I can get at home depot. It's a ghetto fix if you ask me. This is one of the reasons I work on all my own junk. Bc I can't stand it when people half ass stuff.

I asked them to email me what they did, and they apparently had a third party come in and do this repair. I don't even know if it was factory trained toyota techs that even worked on my truck. It just seems shitty to me that they would just use silicone on something like that. I know that they didn't replace the light assembly.

So what do you guys think I should do? Talk to them and see if they will replace the assembly, or go to a different dealer and tell them about it? Or should I email Toyota directly? I am half temped to buy a new light and replace the thing myself, that way I know that its done right and not half ass, and I know I wont tear up my almost brand new interior. Lastly, can someone find this TSB for me? I cannot find it for the life of me. I want to know what Toyota says to do for the fix. I work about 40 mins from home, and the town I work in has a Toyota dealership that services many of my coworkers vehicles.

 

Your TRD is still under warranty so they need to make it right, a silicone fix is not acceptable, replacing the light and gasket is acceptable.

I would do the following, with documentation in writing, do not rely on phone calls alone:
1) Talk to them and have them replace the light assembly as silicone is a band-aide fix
2) If the first doesn't work then take the truck to a different dealer and have them replace it
3) If the first two do not yield favorable results then contact Toyota directly

Let us know how it works out for you.

 

Do you have to replace the light AND gasket? Can I just order the new gasket and replace it? Mine isn't leaking but I want to stop it before it starts!

 

I think the reason that Toyota is replacing the lights and gasket is bc some of the lights were torqued too much from the factory and was breaking the lenses. On some lights the backing on the seal wasn't removed, and on some lights I have heard the seals just aren't great. That's the three main issues I have read online about this problem as of right now. I ended up contacting Toyota directly through email, they responded and want me to call them and give them more info. I can't find the TSB details online, so that was the reason I contacted them direct, was for them to give me the actual repair instructions, so I can take those to my dealer and show them what they are supposed to already know. If this becomes too much an issue, the part is 100 bucks and a couple hours of my time, I'll just replace it myself. It's almost to that point now. I will update this when I hear more from Toyota.

 

Just leaving this here.

 

Will they do the TSB BEFORE my back seat smells like the DC swamp or do I have to wait until it's a $1k job??

 

We have a limited coming with a build date of August 2ed. Is this something that should be corrected by now , or could still be happening?
Thanks

 

Read a thread a couple weeks ago about this and looked at my backseat and realized that it was wet after car wash. Well it happened again today and physically saw it dripping out of the headliner after the brake light was sprayed with no significant pressure. I'm planning on contacting the dealer Monday.

 

Had the leak. Headliner was stained. Dealership replaced light assembly and headliner. Supposedly called in a "headliner specialist" to do the repair. Doesn't leak anymore but dome light is hanging, scratches on interior trim, and new headliner is torn around each grab handle. Doesn't leak which is good. Overall will have to have dealership address other issues. But they gave me a "complementary" rear seat cleaning

 

Good to know this issue is being addressed by dealers

 

I stopped by Mossy Toyota at Pacific Beach here in San Diego yesterday. Brian the service tech was there to great me as always and man that dude is cool. He always shouts out my name from afar and is super helpful. He introduced me to Alfonso who is one of the head service advisors that handles the warranty claims. Alfonso was also a super cool dude also. Both of them even commented how apparently I have the nicest truck that comes into their location for service. They kept walking around checking out my ride.
Well long story short. The reason I stopped by is that next Tuesday I am bringing in my truck to have the third brake light fixed on my day off from work. They said I would have to remove my camper in order to gain access for the repair. Alfonso says that they will need the car for the day that way they can also inspect the headliner and under the carpet for water damage. Apparently he has seen another truck recently for the same issue. He plans to let me use a new Tacoma while mine is being worked on.
So far so good. I just wanted to give a short out to these two guys for making me appreciate this truck more. I have never had this kind of service even with my Mercedes. Every time I see Brian he really makes the visits worth while.
I will post back an update next week after the repairs are done.

 

Is this leak on double cabs only?

 

So I had Mossy Toyota in Pacific Beach fix my third brake light the other day . So far so good but haven't tested it out with water. They swapped out the complete light assembly. It took about 3 hours and gave me a rent a truck. That same day I put my camper back on and made a nice custom seal for between my shell and the cab. Also swapped out the foam seal for between my shell and bed. Altogether it gave me a perfect excuse to make my camper far more leak-proof and virtually quiet when I open the back window and the shell middle window. I will post back later if I get any more leaking in the cab. They also inspected the headlights and said no water damage. I appreciated how well this dealer treated me.

 

I believe so, Access Cab has a different style 3rd brake light

 

i wish my experience will turn around and be like yours. my truck is at kearny mesa toyota and now they are refusing to change it saying that it is loose due to some outside influence and cannot be warrantied. they didnt even know about the TSB posted.smh

 

When was the issue addressed at the factory? I have a July 2018 build date. Should I be concerned? No signs of leakage on mine.

 

Ask for Alfonso at Mossy Toyota if you go there.

 

Dont feel bad,there are hundreds of Tacomas with the same problems and more.

 

I noticed my third brake light leaking and called my dealership on 8/27 made and appointment to bring it in on 8/29...they changed it out that day took about 3 hours hasn’t rained yet so not sure if the issue is fixed but Im glad I didn’t have to wait for parts they had one on hand. My dealership said they had a few come in for the same repair already.

 

Thanks. That is my next move. They just refused to warranty it because they say its broken due to some outside influence and not the seal. Service advisor and service manager ganged up on me and i just let it go.