Kansas City Tacoma Crew - 816/913

i saw the joke man but i was wondering if he was also looking at one

 

you gonna jump it?

 

ill just break stuff haha

 

my truck just wouldnt be able to take it lol those bilstiens of mine would prob snap

 

Got the dreaded double cab 3rd brake light leak. I suspected it was leaking a couple months back, but not bad. I needed my truck for some things so I put it off. The rain monday leaked in pretty bad so I took it to the dealer yesterday. I'm currently getting denied warranty work since it is cracked. Its a stress fracture from being over tightened from behind. I told them to escalate to Toyota field rep and waiting now. I tried calling a couple other dealers to see if they knew about this issue since some members here have had theirs fixed no problem. Nothing so far.

 

Seems like there were 2 issues. One was a bad gasket so replace with updated part, and it may have been deformed from over tightening at the factory. The second issue was from over tightening for sure and either a stud broke off the assembly creating a gap for water to get in or in my case, the light eventually stress cracks, along with the seal. Not my truck, but the exact same crack on the other side. The stud is basically behind where the crack starts.

 

Water definitely got in, but I'm not sure it was bad enough from this one time to cause major issues. I didn't really inspect it that thoroughly before I took it in. I moved quick to get it in. There wasn't any damage from the minimal leak it had before it cracked. I didn't even know it had cracked or I would have done something to prevent water intrusion. They want $700 to replace the light since the headliner has to come down. The light assembly itself which comes with the gasket is like $115 tops.

My worst case contingency is to request a free replacement part and I'll do the labor myself if I have to. Just wasn't expecting to be denied warranty initially.

 

Molle is the only one I haven't called yet. I've been waiting to hear back for like 7 hours now since it got escalated.

 

Thanks. I might give that a shot depending on what I hear next.

 

that sucks man hope you get it fixed

 

I can see their initial stance thinking its just damage, but I guess I kinda went in expecting them to know about it as an issue since it seems rather common on the forums. Other members have said their service advisers were well aware of it. There is a TSB about it, although its vague.

Toyota corporate was less than helpful so I'm hoping the field rep knows more. Somebody has to know something.

 

ya i would imagine they would help since its a common problem but who knows.

did it just break from normal driving?

 

I guess. We haven't had any real rain in weeks so it had to have been during past 2 weeks. If it has been under stress for 2 years I guess it finally gave out?

 

dang i wonder what kind of stress it would be to cause that

 

They are bolted in from backside so I assume too tight pulling on it from behind.

 

possibly

 

I've found 2 other pics with same crack and at least 2 or so where the stud broke off the back of the light. Doesn't seem like a widespread issue so that makes it difficult to get it fixed. If the headliner didn't have to come down I would not have even tried the dealer. Trying to avoid a headache with a different headache I guess.

 

Hope you can get it squared away. Had that issue, got it taken care of back in 2018

 

ya it for sure is a odd thing to break