3rd Brake Light Journey

I suppose I get it, yet another leaking 3rd brake light gasket thread, however, I don't care. I want to document and share my experience.

Almost exactly one year ago I picked up a 2016 DC, OR, 6 speed manual. I traded in my Nissan Altima. First truck, first Toyota. As soon as I saw it, after I drove a few other Tacoma's, I knew this is what I was walking away with.

First few days I had it, as things settled, and I got more familiar with the truck, I discovered three strategically placed bags of little ball air fresheners. Two were under the back seat and one was in the front console. As these scents wore off and the summer months arrived, I had noticed the truck began to smell like mildew. I always assumed that the previous owner just left the windows down? It got so bad at one point that I tried a air freshener bomb in the whole cab. Pretty weird experience I guess. It worked, and then summer months left and winter months arrived, no smell. Did the dealership know something that wasn't told to me, I suppose we'll never know?

Sometime around the beginning of the year, I recall reading on here about the 3rd brake light gasket leaking issues and the recall that came with it. Again, didn't think much of it. A couple of months ago, we had some hot muggy weather here in Ohio, I noticed the mildew smell again. I had reached out to my best friend, who happens to own a NAPA, and asked if he could look up any recalls on the truck. Sure enough, the light gasket popped up. Two weeks ago, I took the truck through a car wash. Water stated poring into the cab from the rear headliner, you can see the YouTube video below. I called the local Toyota dealership and scheduled an appointment.

Yesterday was that day. I brought the truck in early Monday 6/6/22. We discovered a ton of mold below the rear seats. This is very scary and a huge concern as I have a 2 year old and 5 year old.

The dealership said this was the worst case that they have seen. The next to worst didn't have his truck back for 3 months. They said they would remove all interior pieces and parts down to bare metal (headliner, front and rear seat, console, dash, carpet), if deemed bad enough, parts would be replaced. Those salvageable, would be sanitized by ServePRO.

Follow along as this journey evolves and I document how this whole things pans out.




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mT8KAccJAMo

 

Was the RTT and bedrack on the truck when you purchased it from the dealer? I’d love to give the dealer the benefit of the doubt and say they weren’t aware of the issue when they sold you the truck, but maybe they didn’t even bother looking at the third brake light if those aftermarket goodies were in the way.

Either way, sounds like the dealer is taking care of the issue now as they should.

Great looking truck BTW

 

You would think that before they re-sold the truck they would have pulled up the service record by VIN, seen the outstanding recall, and taken care of it. At least they are doing right by you now. Good luck with the fix!

 

It’s odd because you can’t sell a vehicle to a consumer if it has an open recall. At least that’s the law in Connecticut

 

Roof rack, bed rack, and tent were all added by me. No idea if we will ever know if the Nissan dealership I bought it of knew of this issue last year. I think as this thread evolves the Toyota dealership will take care of everything, been great so far.

I might be wrong here but what I understand is that its not actually a recall but a "limited service campaign"

 

Here's the loaner that Toyota gave me...Pretty sweet.

 

Wow fuck that OP, hopefully you get your mold issue resolved quickly and get something from the dealer to make up for that. Wild wild stuff

 

I think what hurts too is that I had a camping trip planned for Father's day. What others thoughts on putting the RTT on the loaner so I can still go on that trip?

 

Once you've gone skewp you will never go back.

 

No updates from the dealership as of today. I will however, be calling them. I need my rubber bed mat, my tools are sliding all over the bed. Also going to remove the @kbvoodoo tonneau cover brackets and install my RTT this weekend. Im not having this situation stop me from going camping.

 

Took my 2017 in for recall fix in Jan. gave me a 21 loaner Tacoma at no expense. Same scenario as OP, dealer had my truck for 3 plus months do to parts. replaced everything headliner, carpet, pad, sound deadening. Had serve-pro sanitize truck. replaced third light and seal. So far tight as a frogs butt. Would have to say Dealer here was fantastic and tech did a great job. Rick Mcgills Toyota Maryville, Tennessee .

 

Thank you for this response. Literally word for word what my current scenario sounds like it going to go. They claim they will get the truck completed by end of the month, but everything I hear, sounds like it could more of the 3 month situation.

 

Well I put it on. Not stopping this situation from my family and camping.

 

Yes! That’s the spirit man! Enjoy the loaner Taco and get some miles on it… do not let it interfere with your life as much as possible. Have a beautiful trip and week ahead.

 

Had a great Fathers Day this weekend with the loaner.

 

Update from Toyota.

Says the truck is moving along. ServPro is scheduled to be there to start on the 29th of this month. That is all I know for now.

 

Been hearing from a couple of people that I should get rid of the truck. Negotiate the sale of the mold truck when finished for the loaner that I am currently in. Thoughts?

 

Toyota called and said servePRO is complete and the truck will be put together over the next couple weeks. Expect to be completely done week of July 18th.

 

Getting my truck back today. Few days short of 2 months. Will be picking it up after work this evening and report back with some more information.

 

Glad you're getting it back! Hope it looks and smells good.