09+ Melting DTRL Lens Recall Petition

I did this for now until i find some nice bright leds that dont cost a fortune! Only problem is i REALLY like the look of the orange DRLs during the day and they also work great at night for when im pulling in my driveway and turn the lights off so they dont shine in all the windows, the DRLs still give a perfect amount of light to see and park.

Looks like I'll be filing my complaint when I get home!

Care to share what you wrote? I'd be really interested in reading it.

 

I just noticed that my driver side headlamp is starting to develop this melting problem.. Luckily I'm still under warranty. Looks like I'll be heading over to the dealership this weekend.

 

Just noticed this wonderful problem with my 09. I'll keep my fingers crossed they cover it under the extended warranty.

 

Just got back from the dealer.. they will be replacing both headlights under warranty.. no problem. Parts are being overnighted (from Ja-pan ) for 8 am tomorrow. I'm going to see if I can get them to let me keep the old lamps.

 

Saw this thread and went out to check mine. Driver's side just started and passenger's is ok. I'm out of warranty by 6 mos. Anyone had any luck getting this fixed out of warranty? A few posts said they were going to try xyz but never posted results...

 

*BUMP*
Just noticed the lens containing the DTRL finally cracked completely in half, the top half is leaning out against the outer lens...I give it a couple drives before the thing is shaken loose and starts sliding around inside my head light. Good news: some new retrofit projector headlights with the BHLM already done are on their way and so are a new set of 3157 LED amber bulbs..problem soon to be solved.

I'll take a pic of the broken lens when it stops raining

 

Here are the pics I mentioned. As of now both are cracked completely across and one of the lenses is just hanging out


Fugly..can't wait to get my new lenses in!

 

Another member said that he knocked them loose and reached in with needle-nose pliers, broke them smaller (really brittle) and fished the pieces out.

 

Sounds like quite a bit of work..did he take the headlight out and remove the pieces through the hole for bulb? Or remove the outer lens and do it from the front? Maybe something to do down the road..I should have new lenses coming soon though these old ones are gonna sit for a while

 

Sounded like he did it through the hole for the lamp.
Wouldn't need needle nose if you cook the housing in an oven and open it up.

 

I must brag on my local dealer. I bought my 09 Tacoma from them used in 2009 with around 5,000 miles on it. A couple of weeks ago I noticed my lenses has started to melt and one was cracked all the way across. That is when I found this thread.

I am currently at 55,000 miles so no warranty at all. I went ahead and emailed the service manager at my local (and only) dealer and included pictures. She emailed me back saying they would replacement them at no charge to me!

Dropped it off this morning and already picked it up. They replaced the whole headlights on both sides. Looks great. My only concern now is if it will happen again.

My dealer is Street Toyota in Amarillo, Texas. They are now my dealership of choice!

 

I'll chime in here. I noticed my headlights doing this a few weeks back. I stopped in Texas Toyota of Grapevine as I drove past one day and just asked a service writer about the problem. I knew it was common problem from research I did on here. The service writer told me that I was the third person to come in with this problem that week, and that was on a Wednesday or Thursday. He gave me the number to open a case to see about getting the goodwill warranty.

I waited about a week and called them to report the issue. They took a few days, but said that the dealership would cover the cost of labor in the amount of $241 (I think), and that Toyota corp would cover $300 toward to cost of parts. I figured that would cover the issue and I was a happy camper.

I called the dealership to setup the repair today and found out that the $300 is not the full amount of the parts for repair. I didn't realize that the headlamp assembly cost $341 each! I am completely dumbfounded that Toyota would expect anyone to pay out of pocket for something that is clearly a design flaw.

I called the corporate number back today to have them re-evaluate my case. The guy I spoke to said that he would have someone review the case and contact me back by this coming Friday. I really hope that they will cover the full repair. However, regardless of the outcome, this is very frustrating.

OP, What was your outcome?

 

Ruined 2 sets of headlights for me. Pissed pissed pissed

I just recently cut the magic green wire. Wish I would of figured that trick out 7 years ago.

 

EXACTLY what mine looked like. I took the lamp out of the housing, used screwdriver to push those lenses out the shook my headlight to get the pieces to the opening. Then too tin snips to get the rest of the pieces cut and out the hole.

 

I figured since mine is an 05......then too far too gone.

 

I just found this problem on my 09 Taco as well. Stock headlight and bulb. 78k miles. Who knows how long it has been going on.

I have the 100k extended warranty. They claim headlights are not mechanical so they will not be covered.

Toyota HQ is willing to pay for parts but not labor. Which is always odd, it is like they are half accepting responsibility.

Cost to replace both assembly's = $650 (parts only) Labor = $250

I feel Toyota should accept full responsibility, it is a design flaw not normal wear and tear. Melting headlights?!

Disappointed..

 

Just called my buddy at Toyota on this shit. Hope he calls back with good news.

 

labor? $250 to put the new headlights on?

Holy shit. That takes 15 minutes.

 

I'd take that deal.
Tell them where to ship the lights. It's an hour job to replace them, just need a 1/4" drive 10mm socket and a flexible arm to get up under the bumper to get the 4th bolt.

 

Factory procedure calls for removing the bumper cover to access the inside front and outside bolts.