Leaking brake light recall

My truck needs the recall, but I was considering doing an LED light replacement of the third light along with a total tail. As far as I can tell I don’t have any leaks; is there any need to get the recall before I replace the light?

 

I would do recall, and leave oem in there. Your taking a huge risk of it leaking. That could cost you headaches and $1000's out of your pocket later on. Headliner alone is $1500, plus whatever else may need to be replaced if it does leak.

 

If you think there is no leak,then you can tell them that you don't want the recall. So they will remove your VIN out of the third brake light recall list. But you can have them replace it with peace of mind. It's really up to you. Your truck, your choice.

I have a recall on mine but I haven't been out to the dealer yet. I have oil change coming up soon so I plan to tell them that I don't want that recall because I have a topper on there which it is in the way.

They aren't touching your taillights, they only are replacing the brake light for free recall service. They don't care about your total tail kit. I have it on mine.

If you have total tail kit that you haven't done,then just wait until after recall if you decide to do so. If you prefer to do it now, then feel free to do so.

 

The thought of the dealer pulling my headliner made me shudder, so I did it myself and replaced w a @MESO 3rd brake light, which a better product imo. Brighter and removable from the outside.

 

Dealer actually did good job doing so. My guess each tech is a crap shoot. Now the body shop that had to drop it for roof repair wrecked it. They ended up having to replace it at their expense.

 

The dealer does not replace you third brake light for the recall, unless it is leaking. They put a marine grade sealer around it and a new trim to go around it. IF there is a leak, they inspect for mold and standing water. If there is no mold or standing water, they will clean the headliner and reseal the light. If they can not get the headliner clean, they will replace it and the light. IF there is mold, they will remove the seats, carpet, padding and headliner. Have ServePro remediate the mold. Then will remove and replace the sound deading material on the floor. Replace the padding, carpet, brake light and headliner.

 

Do they have to do any of the repair from outside of the truck or is it all from inside? My dealer said the shell has to come off before they do the repair.

 

Its outside, we charge half hour labor to move the cap to reseal the light. We don't make anyone remove it before they come in for the recall.

 

That is at your dealership. My dealer will not touch my truck with its shell installed.

 

WOW, not even if you are willing to pay them .5hr labor to move the shell back to do the job? I guess every dealer is different. We are willing to, to get the job.

 

Right, my thinking was if I want to replace the brake light, do I want to worry about the additional sealer on there?

 

The recall says it's free to do so.. The dealers have no rights to charge for topper removal. It should be free. It shouldn't take too long to take the topper off. I am not paying for it.. The dealer is responsible to do it for free.

 

If it was an OEM Toyota shell/topper made with the truck from day one at the factory and sold with it, I agree.

 

The recall is free to the customer. And that is for a truck that is in stock configuration. Toyota has allowed enough time to inspect and reseal on a truck that has an unobstructed third brake light assembly. There isn't any allotted time in the recall to remove after market parts that are in the way.

 

You can have them inspect it, and claim the recall, and just inform them, do the inspection only, do not apply the sealer or trim ring. That you will be replacing the light with an aftermarket light assembly.

 

exactly

 

For real? Where does it say they have to move the shell? Not that I want them to try, they’ll probably crack it like an egg or put it on backwards.

Instead of removing the shell, I will just put marine grade sealant around the edge of the light and call it good. It’s underneath my Prinsu and RTT anyway. The next buyer can deal with changing all that after I put 300k+ more miles on it.

 

Thanks that helped me to decide to go another route. Mine is not leaking yet so it’s preemptive. Appreciate the reply.

 

You can't get to the brake light with the cap on. Unless you want some 200# dude laying on top of it, trying to put sealer around your light.

Toyota has a template that goes on around the light. It makes it so there is the proper bead of sealer around the light. Then you use a supplied tool to remove the excess sealer.

You can not physically do that with a cap on. Toyota does not consider a cap being on for this repair. So either you remove it, or pay to have the dealer move it to access the light.

 

Silicone around the outside light with a plastic trim ring that goes over the silicone. It's all here...

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/3rd-brake-light-safety-recall.732883/page-26

I suggest you stay with oem parts...

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/3rd-brake-light-safety-recall.732883/page-24#post-27262392