Water Leak?

Hey y'all.

After a little internet search, and reading of posts here on TW, I recently discovered my truck has a water leak in the rear glass/light area. Most posots seem to indicate gasket on the 3rd brake light is faulty (thus causing a leak).

Today, there was a pretty large rain shower here in north Mississippi. And I noticed later, the rear seat was somewhat damp (along with some water accumulated on the plastics behind the rear seat). I noticed it one other time with the last big rain shower we had. I thought maybe I had left a window partially down. But seems to be a known issue.

So now my question: is there a service bulletin for this issue? My truck has 44K miles on it, so it's very much out of factory warranty. Money is a bit tight, so I can't afford $1000 for labor and parts at a dealership (if not covered). I'm gonna take it tomorrow to the local dealership and see what the dealership says.

Thanks in advance!

 

What year is your Tacoma? Mine is a 16 Sport DCSB.

 

Mine was an 18 and I had it happen too. I was out of warranty so it did it myself. Good times lol

 

I think the service bullitens only apply during the 3/36 period

 

correct

 

Well that's all good to know. Thanks for the info! I really do appreciate it.

 

What did you do to fix it? I'm not afraid to "fix it myself," but curious what you did?

 

Dropped the headliner and replaced it with the updated part. As far as I could tell, it’s just a thicker gasket that forms to the body better. The original was not even really sealing the top much. You can get just the gasket on eBay just by searching for the third brake light gasket, but I’m not 100% sure it will fix it since I didn’t do that, but according to the description, it should. That rout is only $10 and I will probably go that rout next time. The whole assembly (light and new gasket) was just under $180 with tax from Toyota

 

Oh wow. I see the difference in the gaskets. Have you had any issues since you fixed it yourself?

 

None. It’s been about three weeks or so, couple light rains and two drive through car washes and nothing.

I’m guessing the problem will probably return down the road as the gasket wears, but honestly, if i can get 10 years, I will be stoked. My dad said his Highlander third light started leaking around year 10.

I was pretty bummed I only got two years out of the original, but oh well

 

Well considering

Well considering I only noticed it now (and I bought my truck from a used independent dealer), I guess nearly 4 years isn't too shabby. Though in all fairness, this shouldn't be happening--considering it's a Yota. But then gain, it's man made, so it's bound to fail sooner or later.

But thanks again for the info. I do appreciate it.

 

Take your time.

there is a small wiring harness in the passenger side rear corner, a 10mm bolt in each of the lower B pillars and one in each of the upper C pillars behind the SRS cover plate. I didn’t remove the A pillars, but If you go that rout, I believe there is a 10mm bold behind the passenger B pillar as well under the SRS plate (someone please correct if I am wrong)

buy extra white panel clips...you will probably drop a couple lol

edit: oh!! You will probably drop one or both of the nuts that hold the light on. Don’t worry, they are easy to get to from the outside of the truck. They will be sitting on a the shelf (you will see what I mean when you drop the headliner)

 

agreed 100%! Zero reason this should be happening at all

 

Any chance the 2020 got the update in the factory?

 

should have been. I’m using the part number you have in your truck, so I really hope so! Lol

 

Isn't it better to remove the 3rd brake light from the outside instead of going thru the whole mess of pulling down the headliner, clips, rubber gasket etc? I've noticed some people have done this by using a dremel and since you are putting in a complete new assembly, who cares about the old one? If im not mistaken someone swap one with a screw on 3rd brake to avoid going thru that mess down the road.

 

if you are swapping it to a different light that will offer screws on the outside, absolutely. The stock LED third brake light does not offer this option. You will not be able to re-attach it from the outside. Two 10mm nuts and the posts they go on are on the inside

pretty sure you are talking about the MESO third brake light. Those swapping to it, drill it out the stock one because the new MESO light offers screws on the outside.

if you are just putting another new OEM light on, it will not work

 

I noticed water all over my back passenger side window, and cubby behind the rear seat today. I suspect it is my 3rd brake light leaking in(2016). I already have a tube of

$35 3M 5200 (06504) Permanent Bonding and Sealing for Boats and RVs Above and Below the Waterline Waterproof Repair, Black, 10 fl oz Cartridge

3M 5200 marine grade clear caulk that I can make a seal with(you can seal the Titanic with the 3M marine caulks ), but am considering the MESO light- if I don't have to drop the headliner?

I'm going to have to caulk around the light tomorrow as a temporary fix- I go in for hip replacement surgery on Wednesday so I won't be able to climb about the truck for a few weeks to do a proper permanent fix.

 

Well, had a Forrest Gump sideways rain storm yesterday and this leaked like a sonofabitch.

From what I can see the meso are all sold out. Is there another option to fix this?

 

silicone caulk or plumbers putty temporarily