3rd Brake Light Safety Recall?

Just dropped mine off this morning. Went through the car wash last week and had water pouring in! Looks like it has leaked a small amount in the past, as the headliner has a little staining. I don't think there's any mold growth though. So my guess is they'll just do the brake light and scrub the headliner. I have a shell on, and they said they would remove it for me for 1 hour shop time, $130! We haggled that down to a half-hour, which was worth it to me to not have to go back a second time.

 

Just got my truck back. New third brake light, new carpeting and padding. I was talking to the dealer rep when I brought the truck in. She advised me that there were two time frames from corporate on dealing with the recall. Easy up to two day fix and if water damage was found they could take up to two weeks. Figured if corporate would pay the dealer up to 14 days….. it was gonna take two weeks to the day! It did!

 

For those that brought the truck in for this, and the light wasn't leaking, can the kit be installed without pulling the headliner?

 

I believe so. It's just some clear silicone and a rubber gasket surround on the outside of the light.

 

I didn't ask what the inspection process involves i.e. visual or actually pulling back some of the headliner, carpeting etc. for better inspection?

 

The TSB document makes it seem like they look for visible water stains on the headliner. If they find those, then they dig deeper to look for mold. If not, they just replace/seal the light.

 

Took her in for her last free oil change and tire rotation.
This morning they call me and say my special order parts are in and to call and schedule an appointment. I had no idea what this was about. I called and they told me it was about the 3rd brakelight recall. Ah, must leak like the rest of the Taco's. Got scheduled for next Thursday to get it taken care of.

How many years does it take Toyota to fix a problem?

 

My truck is in the dealer for the 30K service today, they told me about the recall, but said they'd have to charge me to pull my shell off to perform it. I told them not to do the recall at this point, as I haven't noticed any leaking and I don't want them to pull my shell. Has anybody attempted to fix this themself? Like just order a new gasket and install it? I'd almost prefer that to having the dealer do it, and remove my shell as I have it really well sealed for dust currently and I don't want them to mess that up.

 

You can order and pay for the parts yourself. I believe there is a process to submit for reimbursement. However, if done by the owner and you have a leak later - not sure Toyota will honor. How much shop time did the dealer want to charge for removing the cap? Some dealers are doing the service with the cap on as long as you have a pass-through window which allows for easier access. I completely understand not wanting to remove the cap. It can take time to get it right and if it has been on a while - probably best to inspect/replace seals. I'm in the same boat - local dealer will not do work with cap on so I'm waiting until I have a reason to pull cap off and then schedule ahead for service.

 

I do have a pass through window, but they still said they had to charge me like $82 to remove the cap. NOPE! I'm considering doing it myself, I'm sure it's not too hard. Just having some trouble finding the parts online.
I'm almost 100% certain I haven't had any leaking. I'll do some checking later today when I get my truck back from the dealer.

 

You might be at the same dealer I just had mine done at. They tried to charge me for an hour labor to remove the shell, I talked them into a half-hour instead. I have the removable front window, but they still insisted it had to come off. I would have preferred to take it off myself and go back later, but I don't have time for that lately. And, my light leaked like crazy the last time I went through the car wash so I just wanted the fix done.

 

I got an email response yesterday. Toyota wants proof of payment to the repair facility that did the work. When I submitted I told them I did the work myself, so I’ll tell them that again and see what happens.

 

Curious to hear Toyota's response as I'm planning on swapping the light myself too.

 

Judging from your photo, we have the same rig and topper. Had mine at the dealer yesterday for the fuel pump. In order for them to swap out the brake light gaskets you’ll have to remove the cap. I asked them if they would give me the parts, but no. Looks like silicone for me too.

 

Mark Miller Toyota in SLC?

I’m still considering what to do. Mine hasn’t leaked yet, but I never take it through the auto car wash, just the manual wash. We’ll see. I’m not too worried about it, but I’ll probably try and order the parts and fix it myself before winter.

 

Yep, mark miller for me too. I wasn’t worried about it at all either. Then the car wash happened. While I was trying to soak up the flow of water coming in, I noticed that there was some minimal staining on the headliner. So I think that it happens slowly over time as the seal degrades.
If there’s no sign of leaking yet, it doesn’t seem like a hard job. I probably would have done it myself if I was in your shoes.

 

At the dealership today getting mine done. I’m sure I’ll be here an eternity.

 

Was done in about an hour. Tech said no signs that it had leaked before. Glad it’s done. I’ve been watching it close. Here in Alabama we have had a crazy amount of rain this year

 

Yes. I had 3 toyota reps tell me my snugtop shell would be fine. I took a halfday at work and headed to Toyota for the appointment. The service guy casually shrugged and told me to take it off and bring it back. Needless to say I was mildly pissed off..