Why is the common fan-only-high issue not a recall?

I don't know much about vehicle recalls, especially the criteria for initiating one, so I am curious why the common "fan-only-high" issue is not a subject of one? Could it be because it is not related to safety?

 

You just answerd your own question, recalls are almost exclusively safety related.
There are 2 types of recall, voluntary (manufacturer discovers a safety issue and voluntarily issues a recall) and those mandated by NHTSA (NHTSA receives enough reports about an issue it deems to be a safety concern and leans on the manufacturer to issue a recall). Either way recalls are always a no cost to you repair and typically have no expiration.

Recalls often get confused with customer satisfaction programs and technical service bullitens.

A customer satifaction program is typically essentially a voluntary extended warranty on a specific component or system known to the manufacturer to be problematic, these almost always have a time or mileage expiration.

A technical service bulletin (TSB) is an informational document typically meant for technicians, they can be for literally anything about the vehicle from new repair procedures, common problems, general information, updated fluids, specific diagnostic procedures, updated parts, etc. These repairs typically fall under manufacturer warranty only.

 

On a 2nd gen?

The "fan only high" issue happens on almost every older passenger vehicle. The blower resistor can and will wear with age/use. I've replaced more than one myself.

Doesn't mean that it's a defective product. It's old. Old shit wears out.

 

They have an updated resistor that you can purchase from Toyota. It is a much better design and should not have the same issues as the old design.

 

Although there is no recall, there is a TSB on it.

 

The only way it would make it to a recall is if the resistor or blower motor connection got hot enough to cause a fire. And I’ve never seen it reported. The component fails before this happens.

Sure a “good faith” recall would be nice. But the majority fail way outside of warranty.
Therefore, it’s your problem.

 

TSB is dated August 2021 for 2005-2018 models but it's only good for the first 3 years... I'm not that good at math but it doesn't make any sense...

 

Yes, Toyota should absolutely address YOUR 2007 fan issue, Godspeed!

 

You are pursuing a fan-only issue. I'm pursuing an OnlyFans issue. We are not the same.

 

2007 OEM and it's $15 replacement from this Spring. Still had all three speeds.
After 16 years, my fan was intermittent. I replace them both for less than $50.
You should too.

 

At best it’s poor design. Part wears out, not a problem. Part gets so hot the plug literally melts to charred slag is not exactly “wear” since it doesn’t isolate damage to the worn part alone and the damage spreads long before the problem presents itself. Similar to the seat heater module issue. Makes you wonder how often carbeque causes are mistakenly attributed since the evidence gets consumed.

 

LMFAO

 

So it's a TSB, but they are not replacing them?

 

No, read my above post. TSB parts/repairs are typically only covered under factory warranty unless stated otherwise.

 

I'm way out of warranty, but they did the TSB on leaf springs. Makes sense because it's not really a safety item.

 

Interesting. I wonder if you can still get the old part number resistor? Or if you are forced to implement the TSB and repin the new connector.

 

Quick trip around the internet says no, the original flat style connector 87138-04052 is no longer available. Bummer