Blind Spot Monitor Not Available - 2016 TRD Sport

I have 2016 Tacoma TRD Sport, purchased in November 2015. Approx. 17,000 miles.

Couple weeks back, my BSM Monitor beeped and a notification appeared reading "BSM System Not Available". I washed the truck, waited a couple weeks, turning the system on and off daily, in hopes it would start to function properly again. No dice.

After maybe 3 weeks, I take it to my local dealership. They informed me the BSM System failure is due to the fact I had the suspension leveled, coupled with the addition of larger tires. Of course, because they concluded the issue is due to after market parts, it is not covered by the manufactures warranty, and is going to cost $399 to be recalibrated.... Three hundred and ninety-nine dollars...

What I'm confused about, and what I told the dealership, is that I leveled the suspension, and added the aftermarket tires and wheels, almost two full years ago, in January 2016. The BSM System had been working fine until just recently. I'm not confident in their conclusion, and I declined the repair. I plan on calling a couple other dealerships in the area.

Any guidance here would be appreciated.

 

I thought the lift height issue only affected 2018's with their new lane change radar nanny state bullshit.

 

I would ask them to specifically detail why they believe the lift caused the issue in writing. Tell them you need that for the case you're opening with corporate. And yes, find another dealer...

 

This might help: https://www.thegeekpub.com/5008/check-blind-spot-monitor-system-toyota/

Or this: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/anyones-blind-spot-monitor-had-problems.471133/

 

02/27/17 Electrical and Air Conditioning NHTSA ID: 10093114
TSB ID: T-SB-0010-16

Tsb: some 2016 model year tacoma vehicles equipped with blind spot monitor may exhibit a blind spot monitor warning message with diagnostic trouble code (dtc) c1ab2 short to gnd in outer mirror indicator (master) or c1ab3 short to gnd in ou

 

Thanks for the suggestions! I referenced that TSB. They are checking back on that now and getting back to me.

I called the dealership back and asked for the detail in writing. Though, after just speaking to the service rep again, what he said is that they aren't telling me the recalibration isn't covered by the warranty because the after market Lift/Tires "CAUSED" the BSM to become unavailable. They said they wouldn't be able to pinpoint the root cause of the failure. Instead, they are saying that the calibration is not covered because of the "EXISTENCE" of the after market parts on the vehicle.

I pressed the service rep, questioning the logic of paying out-of-pocket for the repair of an OEM part that failed, because of the existence (not the cause) of aftermarket parts. And not only did they not cause the failure. The OEM part was working fine while coexisting for 2 years. The rep could only muster an unsatisfactory reply of "Yeah, I'm only relaying the information i received from the warranty department".

We'll see what he says after he speaks with the Technician about the TSB mentioned above.

 

Hmm, I would mention the Magnuson-Moss Act. What he said sounds like exactly why the act exists.

 

Oh wow, yeah you're right. I'm going to use that. Basically, it's unlawful for them to deny warranty coverage, unless the aftermarket parts CAUSED the defect. Awesome, man. Thanks!!

 

Try disconnecting the battery for a few minutes. Worked for me.

 

I’m currently getting the same kind of pushback from my dealer regarding my after market electric starter that was installed by the dealer when I bought the truck. My BSMS started blinking without any vehicles around. It’s currently at the dealer they still haven’t found the cause but are telling me it may not be covered under warranty because of the starter - I’m in Canada I don’t think that act will help me here.
New to the group any thoughts would be greatly appreciated

 

Was there any progress?

 

Yes They found it was a wire harness causing the issue and covered it under warranty without any issue thankfully

 

Try another dealer maybe and say nothing about tires & lift.

 

sounds like you learned that particular dealership is busying themselves looking for reasons NOT to spend time looking for the real cause. My closest dealership is exactly the same way.

 

Just got this exact same issue on my Taco, same amount of miles on my truck too. Any one else? Hoping the above TSB helps me out

 

I'm going through this BS right now.... I gave the dealer the TSB and he said they already have my entire dash apart and are talking with the Toyota engineers who write the TSB's.... Sounds like total BS to me.

 

Mine just ended up needing to be recalibrated, and it was covered under warranty.

 

After spending the entire day ripping apart the dash, they finally determined that the rear sensors are bad and 'perhaps' the actual CPU. Claiming a total price of over $4K and several more days to obtain parts, etc. Supposedly Toyota is paying for it as I have been mentioning/documenting the issue for the last 25,000 miles...

They gave me a loaner car - an Avalon. Not bad, but I can't use it to tow my toy hauler to the track for the last weekend of the season... FML

 

Update - Dealer replaced the right side sensor and wire harness $1,775 in parts & labor covered by Toyota.... Total price to me was $0.

 

The BSM is one of the reasons I will go back and get the extended warranty before my bumper to bumper warranty expires. All this new tech costs so much to fix.