2018 Tacoma leak

Okay....so I’m super frustrated at this point and want to see if anyone has any suggestions. I have had my 2018 Tacoma for 1.5 months and have had nothing but problems. I purchased it used. So, my main concern is the leak in the rear window/headliner area. I did my research and took it to a Toyota dealership to check the third brake light. They replaced it. I went through a car wash right after and it still leaked. I took it back to dealership and they said there was nothing they could do at this point due to the warranty being voided for some type of damage to that area (which they could not show me or give me proof of). I got up there any looked all over and can’t find what kind of body damage they are talking about. It makes me skeptical that they wouldn’t even show me. Honestly, I think they were just tired of me and didn’t want to help any longer. They said I would have to take it to a body shop and get it fixed. The dang truck has 24,000 miles and is still under warranty, but Toyota is refusing to help. My problem is that I still can’t figure out where the leak is coming from. I’ve taped the third brake light and the roof antenna and water is still coming through in the same spot.....I’m at a loss and beyond upset that I’m going to be out of pocket for body shop work now....any ideas where this leak could be coming from if it’s not third brake light or antenna?? And how would you go about fixing it??

 

That's shitty on the dealers part.

RTV clear silicone has been used by many with great results

 

Do you have another dealer in your area?

 

Agreed. I just don’t understand why they can’t just do the right thing and fix the problem. Why did they touch it to begin with if there was prior damage?? Anyway....Thanks so much for the suggestion. I wondered if some type of silicone would work. I may have to try that before paying expensive body shop work.

 

Toyota and the Toyota dealership are two separate entities...so which is denying your warranty claim?

 

I would try a different dealer first before silicone. Some dealers are jerks, some are helpful.

 

That's poor on the dealer's part, try another.
That could very well be why the original owner got rid of the truck so soon.

 

I'd try another dealer like mentioned.

Also if they are claiming damage, but they worked on it before any damage, did they damage it ?

Also you can test yourself grab a hose and focus just on the 3red brake light for a few and see if it is leaking. If not move to the antenna. If you decide to DIY google search 3rd brake light fix tacomaworld and a thread linked to this issue will show up with fixes.

 

I do. There is one other dealer. I went there for a separate issue and they tried charging me to replace a faulty side mirror, so I never went back there and assumed they would try to charge me for everything else, too, even though I’m under warranty. They both suck....I’m at a loss with what to do.

 

I originally took it to the original dealership I purchased it from (which was a Chevy dealership) and they attempted to fix it multiple times, but it never worked. I think they finally got tired of me too and sent me to Toyota. I should have just gone to Toyota to begin with, but assumed the dealership I bought it from would do the right thing and fix it....no one can figure out how to fix the leak.

 

I honestly don’t know if they damaged it. It’s suspicious....but I don’t know how I’d prove it.

 

I don't think it is about proving it as much as it is they are being lazy and don't give a shit

 

Toyota dealership is where I went. I’m sorry about not clarifying.

 

Agreed...

 

That’s exactly what I thought, too. I just bought it and am upside down, if I wasn’t I’d probably trade it in and get something else, too...

 

What dealership did the replacement of the light

 

Tacomas are GREAT trucks, however you can get a problem in anything you purchase. Neither my '18 with 22,000 miles on it or my '96 with 414,000 miles have ever been back to the dealer.

 

the Toyota dealership did the replacement.

 

You’re right...I’m just being a whiny turd lol....once it finally gets fixed I’m sure I’ll love it. I’ve always had a Toyota and have never had this many different problems with one. Especially a new one. It’s just frustrating.

 

I mean what Toyota dealer did it