Third Brake Light Recall (Another one...)

Toyota says my trucks due for the third brake light seal recall. First recall in 5 years too. I wanted to avoid this, but after looking at the light up close I'll probably take it in. The light appears to have a large 1/4" or more gap all along the back where it doesn't seal tightly against the cab. I just wanted to confirm if any other 3rd gen Tacoma owners brake light has a gap like this before I take it in.

 

I guess I should have been more patient and done my research on this one ...
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/yes-another-leaking-third-brake-light-thread.558122/page-4

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/breaking-news-3rd-brake-light-problem-solved.733074/

I think I'll be ordering the new part (81570-04051) with the thicker gasket and attempting this repair myself as my truck doesn't meet Toyota's requirement for a full lamp replacement and I don't want any silicone. Should be a fun project.

 

Dropping mine off tonight for this and the fuel pump. I didn't know about the brake light until I scheduled my appointment for the fuel pump. Will just be happy to have both things taken care of.

 

You have read the other threads on how that light unbolts from the cab, right? If not you may want to read those threads and reconsider the silicone.

 

Yes, gotta pull the headliner. This appears to be the easiest way without pulling the entire headliner.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ih-l2a2ou40

 

I just took my truck in for an oil change and tire rotation and this “service campaign” came up. Mine had been leaking and the ceiling liner was stained. They cleaned the liner and added the rubber part in about 2 hours. Seems fine now.

 

Here's my update to this thread if anyone is interested.

Yes, another leaking third brake light thread...

 

Is this ALL 2016 to present?
Or a select few years?
Double cab only?

Anybody know or just guessing?

Every dealer in a 300 mile radius of jackson hole is on my shit list

 

Toyota claims it applies to double cabs only 2016-2019. Although I wouldn't be surprised if the 2020-2021's eventually end up with the same issue. Time will tell with the thicker gasket on the new part (81570-04051).
https://www.toyoheadquarters.com/th...eak-limited-service-campaign-lsc-21td03.2280/
http://www.toyotaproblems.com/tacoma-third-brake-light-leak/

I'd try fixing it yourself otherwise you might end up like this poor guy...
https://www.reddit.com/r/ToyotaTaco...my_third_brake_light_recall_done_this_is_how/

 

My dealership contacted me via text message on Monday about this issue, and I brought it in on Wednesday, they said they’d have me out in 1 hour. Dropped it off at 7:20 AM and took a walk for breakfast at an Italian deli. On my way walking back to the dealer, I got a call that it was ready. 50 minutes from drop off to receiving a call that it was done. I guess all done from outside the bed since they told me the bed cover had to be either removed or folded back toward the cab when I brought it in. Looks good with a black trim ring apparently added. I never had a leak yet, I was at 33 months and 31,000 miles.

 

I took my truck through the car wash about 6 weeks ago (2016, off road, 38,000 miles). My kids were in the car and I was explaining how the glass protects them from getting wet. I looked back and there was a waterfall coming down the INSIDE of the rear truck window. I was more than ticked. I’ve never had a problem with this truck, placing it as my all time best owned vehicle, then a random seal fails? Went home, looked it up, $12 for a replacement on Amazon. Ok. Went out to look at the truck. Screws hidden. YouTubed it. Repair looked a bit complicated, but doable. Decided to see if a dealer would do it, they said yes. Said it would cost $100 for labor. Had to wait two weeks, at 3:30 after they had the truck all day, I got a call that it was actually going to be 3.5 hours of labor and the actual brake assembly was $150 if I wanted it done with an actual Toyota part. Assured me my glass coverage should cover it. Nope. I called back, the manager had conveniently left for the day. I went and picked my truck back up without letting them do the repair that would have cost roughly $600. Went to another dealer and complained about the run-around, my truck leaking in the year 2021, how the cost was highway robbery. They had a tsb (Toyota Service Bulletin) out on the issue but no formal recall. The service manager worked with the district rep and said they could do the job for $329. I agreed. Had to wait another four weeks. Got a call it was ready to be picked up today… NEW RECALL, FREE REPAIR. I hate having stuff like this hanging over my head. My truck was basically parked all summer in a garage with green painters tape over the seal until the dealer could finally work on it. The timing of this recall has saved the Toyota name in my mind. I was starting to consider a trade in for a Honda or Subaru after reading on here about another guy who said his dealer found an inch of mold under the roof and it was even growing on metal between joints of the truck. Super glad this worked out the way it did. Ironically, if they got to it sooner then I’d be fighting with them over a payment refund. Lucked out, but still pretty mad this random failure occurred in a vehicle made by a company that stress tests everything. Still beats exploding tires or faulty ignition switches in other company vehicles, but the possibility of mold also threw me. I lucked out there too. No mold. Hope you enjoyed my long post about nothing. I guess it can all be summed up with the final two sentences. Glad they finally decided this issue was recall worthy. Go Bills!

 

Glad everything worked out for you.

 

Thanks! Me too! And let me say the Tacoma community is second to none. Whoever created a dedicated Tacoma forum… you guys rock! Thanks for posting and sharing about all your vehicles and experiences! You can learn a lot just diving into the different threads. #tacoma!

 

I brought my 2017 dbl cab or to the dealer as I found a puddle of water on the floor behind the rear seats. I bought this truck new. They were aware of the recall and lucky me after examining the truck lt does indeed have a water leak through the brake light. Now since I’m the first truck they got to apply the recall, they need to document every procedure to submit to Toyota. If the head liner ,carpet and seats along with anything else they can find has water damage and mold,it may be a two week fix!! Said they will give me a loner on Thursday .