Leaking third brake light

I would like to know the root cause.

Is the problem the plastic used for the light? The gasket being used?

Or is the problem with the robot or human installers?

 

All 3 imo plus a crap design. They should have a drip edge of some sort on the body protecting the interior.

 

They service manager told me it was the result of a robot over tightening the “torque nuts” during the assembly process. On the cause section of my service order it states: cause: “water leaks at stop center light assy due to overtorque light assy. nuts”.

As you all know this light assembly can only be removed from the inside of the truck after partially removing the head liner. Brilliant design by Toyota. (NOT) I saw someone said their dealership made them remove their cap. Not really necessary since the entire assembly is removed and replaced from inside the cab. Double cabs have this type of brake light. Access cabs can be removed from outside of the cab. I didn’t remove my cap.
This actually has been an issue for some time. It took Toyota more than a year and a half to diagnose the problem then redesign and build enough assemblies to send out to dealerships and to put onto their assembly lines. In one of the other threads concerning this issue a guy said his dealership had to replace his rear seats, carpet and have ServPro do a mold abatement. He reported it cost Toyota $14,000 in parts and labor.

 

Damn robots

 

Interested into looking into this for my 16’ as preventive maintenance. Would I have to get a whole new light fixture to future proof it or can I do something to mine. I’m at 38k no leaks yet, but now that I’m out of warranty a leak like that could be a huge problem.

 

Caulk it