Anyone get Toyota to cover the 3rd brake light leak out of warranty?

So I just discovered I have the dreaded 3rd brake light leak and I'm out of warranty. I took it to my local dealer and they confirmed the issue and said I'd have to talk with Toyota to see if they would address it under customer care or something like that. I called and talked to two people and they ballistically said too bad, it's on your dime. Seems like I've read that Toyota has taken responsibility for some so just wondering if there's a different approach I need to take.

Sooner or later someone is going to file a class action lawsuit over this. It may not be a safety issue, but it's going to end up costing many owners a lot of money to fix something that was broken when it drove off the assembly line. Lawyers will get rich, Toyota will pay and we'll still probably be screwed. Frustrating.

 

Just do what I did and dabbed some clear silicone around. Never had the leak . 2017 DCLB

 

Yeah, I've read that's one fix and I suppose if I can't get Toyota to own up to it I'll have to weigh silicone or $600 and change (what the dealer quoted to fix it).

 

Yeah, it's been an expensive fix for some with amps and audio equipment behind the seats. Others have had to re-do it themselves after the dealer supposedly fixed it out of warranty. Just get some silicone and save yourself the time and headache associated with the service department.

 

How hard is it to pull the light and silicone the inside? I know the headliner has to come out but I have no idea how hard that could be.

 

I've never done it, sorry. I haven't even bothered to check mine as I hardly drive my truck 10,600 miles. You might reach out to @CoastieRon or @DarthPat1977 for help.

2016 - 2017 Tacoma: Leaking 3rd Brake Light MOLD ISSUES

 

So I just checked my third brake light out of curiosity. It's dry, but the headliner seems like it could cling better to the ceiling in the center right above the window. I wonder if that's normal. Only time my truck gets wet is for car washes.

 

$115 for the part (brand new OEM) and an hour or so of work and you’re done. It wasn’t that bad.

 

Can you expand on this at all. I was under the impression taking the headliner out was a fair bit of work. I haven't seen the paperwork from my dealer yet, but they said $600 something to fix it so at least $400 or more in labor. Not sure how they bill labor but sounds like several hours of work and they are the pros. I would be just fiddling around.

 

Let me find the thread with the link to the video, stand by

 

Just do it your self, its not hard just tedious. I just installed my MESO KC5 third brake light and removing the 10mm nuts got annoying. I only removed the two hangers on the headliners on the back. That gave me enough room to use my 1/4 ratchet with a 10mm deep socket. When removing I recommend to use a plastic pry tool and slowly cut the oem gasket from the third break light.

 

Second video on Post #15 in this thread has a good how-to on the headliner.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...akelight-leaking-toyota-wont-cover-it.691904/

 

I used a 1/4” thumbwheel ratchet with 10mm deep socket, highly recommend.

 

Wow, that would have made it much easier. Now that is something I need to add to my tool box. Thanks for the info.

 

Thanks. Super annoying to have the dumb vertical video. I don't know why people can't rotate their phones for a widescreen type video (serious pet peeve of mine), but better than nothing.

I decided to contact my pre-paid legal and see what, if anything, they can do. In another thread they mentioned that once lawyers get involved Toyota takes it seriously so I guess we'll see. If that fails I guess I'll do it myself. Seems like something to do in the fall when the weather cools off a bit anyway.

 

sounds like a lot of hassle on something you can fix your self for 15 mins or less. Just buy the oem part and replace.

 

No warranty on mine. Dealer quoted me around $600 for parts and labor. Ordered the light myself for $150, took me 4 hours to install and applied a bead of silicone for extra measure.

 

Any class action will get thrown out. Here's what to do... go to dealer... set up a meet with sales manager...be super nice... explain situation...don't blame dealer...blame, nicely, toyota...ask for some sales goodwill assistance.
Every dealer has the ability to help customers with repairs. It will cost a fraction for the dealer compared to your cost. Remember to be nice and it might work.

 

It's not a 15 minute fix. If you don't know don't make shit up.

 

Apparently you don't know shit, I just installed my KC5 and taking the old unit was annoying but it did not take more than 15 mins. I did not even have to drop the headliner, did you even check on YouTube? there's a video of a guy showing a way to replace the third brake light easily. In my case it only took longer because I had to enlarge the holes, ground to the chassis and add Permatex sealant. Next time save your idiotic comment. Here's the picture of the result clown shoes.