3rd Gen Block Heater Recall

Do you have the part number that they installed? Curious if it’s different than in the past.

Winter was the same here in Minnesota last year. I haven’t used my block heater since all this fire nonsense happened. Mine’s the Canadian one - I got it installed by Toyota in Thunder Bay. I’m lucky enough to park in the garage these days so it’s not worth the risk. I’m still hopeful that Toyota will release a new, updated version down the road, but as the 3rd gen gets closer and closer to the end of its days I’m not sure it’ll ever happen.

 

I only booked it for November, but I could see if they have a part number. They insisted it was the new improved one, not available even last fall.

 

Let us know if you manage to find out.

 

My 2020 has a dealer installed Block heater. Last service back in May I asked the Service Advisor if my Block Heater was an issue or if I should be concerned. She just said if you haven’t got a recall notice then your okay. I even recently just checked online last week to see if there were any new recalls for my truck and nothing came up. Zero issues so far.

I’d really like to know the official details of what the defect was but no one seems to know. We all have just speculated at this point. The only thing concrete at the moment is just having a recall notice and Toyota adding a Block Heater inspection to the maintenance schedule late last year.

 

from what I gleaned from researching this, there were 2 issues. The main one was a faulty insulation layer on the cord and/or proximity to the block, causing it to break down and then short out and/or overheat. The 2nd more alarming issue, is something to do with the block bore shape being oblong? which means the block heater itself does not fit properly into the block. That one alarms me, and I don't know if it was specifically 2017. I don't think they have changed the block design since then...

 

So, I phoned Toyota Canada and put up with the hold music, to satisfy myself and anyone else concerned. He couldn't give me a part number, but what he assured me is that last year they would have returned any unsold block heaters, and they were destroyed. The new one available this fall, that was not available at all last year, is completely redesigned by a new supplier, to correct the problem both in new installs, and to replace the ones disabled after the recall (by basically cutting the cord off). I guess they will be calling those trucks back in to replace the heaters with this new one. I asked him a few times in different ways (at the risk of being annoying haha), and I feel reassured that this is indeed a new part, and the old faulty one cannot be found anywhere, having been collected by Toyota and "jumped up and down on" in my words... which got a slight chuckle from this guy, who replied "basically, yes, destroyed." I guess I'll go ahead with the install in November. I specifically asked him if the 2017 was safe to receive this part, and he said yes. The fix was for all the trucks either factory installed or dealer installed later, since the recall.

Hope that eases some stress out there after seeing the photos of burnt trucks! I'm cautiously optimistic

 

This is where I am, last oil change in May they cut off my cord. I check in once in awhile and the new part hasn't come in yet. They have another two months before it gets real cold here.

 

Thanks for the details @jappsheep. I really hope my 2020 block heater is the updated one.

 

Hmm I’m skeptical but optimistic. What’s in it for that guy to lie to you? The proof for me would be seeing the two side-by-side.

I’ll see if I can dig up my old paperwork. I’d be interested to see if the part number really is different.

 

I admit I am a bit skeptical also, but agree, what's in it for them to lie and put in a part they know will cause issues. I will post the part number if they show it on my invoice in November, and you can compare. If I can work myself up to put up with more hold music, I'll try the Kelowna parts department for a part number. It's almost impossible to get through to them on the phone...

 

interesting... looks like you're in Kamloops. They swore it's a new part, but if they were still cutting off cords in May this year, it worries me.

 

Just had mine done today. Two new cords and a hundred zip ties later;

 

So you got a completely new block heater? Heating element and all? Did you do it yourself or have Toyota do it?

 

Dealership did it in under an hour. New block heater, the box it came in and the new cords were sitting on the seat. They put in the shielded cable - the foil looking thing in the picture- there is a bundle beside the battery and then it's cable tied along the lines to the back of the block.

 

Good deal. Do you happen to still have the paperwork or box? Wondering what the part numbers are so we can compare to the originals

 

top notch

now I have to go rummage around to find mine...

 

So I was booked to get mine tomorrow, and last thing today they called to say the part was backordered. At least that makes me confident it's a new part like what you got and not old stock that should have been sent back. It was the parts department that called me to ask if I had ordered a part, not the service department... I wonder what they were planning to put in my truck tomorrow. I really hate Kelowna Toyota! Glad you got yours installed. I am booked now for the 18th, we'll see if the part comes in. I'll let you know if mine takes less than an hour. Nothing so far has ever taken less than an hour here in K town...

 

I looked on the Toyota recall website and it looks like they can install the block heaters now - see pdf below. I was told they were going to send me a letter but I guess that's not the case.

I'm glad, because around Christmas it gets pretty cold.

 

Alright never using the block heater! Never knew this recall was a thing, its kind of strange to see this happen.