New open recall for 2018-2019s on 3/28/19...K0B Millimeter Wave Radar Sensor

Appears to be the old style with the issue, no vent holes. Checked again and my vin is not on the list yet

 

BODY HARDWARE / RADIATOR SUPPORT / RADIATOR SUPPORT / Distance sensor
8821004020 - Distance sensor
w/TRD Pro

FUEL SYSTEM / CRUISE CONTROL / SONAR SYSTEM / SONAR SENSOR
8821004020 - SONAR SENSOR
Tacoma; w/TRD PRO

BODY HARDWARE / RADIATOR SUPPORT / RADIATOR SUPPORT / Distance sensor
8821004010 - Distance sensor
w/o TRD Pro

FUEL SYSTEM / CRUISE CONTROL / SONAR SYSTEM / SONAR SENSOR
8821004010 - SONAR SENSOR
Tacoma; w/o TRD PRO

 

Well I took my truck in for my 6mth/5000 mile service today. Due to my Pro Grill and 265/70/17 tires, I got the "your vehicle is modified and you have to sign this waiver" discussion. I asked a few questions about how the system would operate after they performed the calibration/update. I wanted them to explain what would happen when I turned it back on after they deactivated the system. I specifically wanted to know if it would retain the last setting and stay on after I cycled the ignition or would it require me to turn TSS on every time I started the truck? Both the service adviser and Tech working on my vehicle didn't know the answer and stated they had not performed the recall on a "modified" vehicle before, and this would be their first. They both discussed it with another tech and at that point I believe they were just being overly cautious because they came back and said TSS would be completely disabled and the warning lights would remain on at all times once they deactivated it and implied I couldn't turn it on myself...which I knew wasn't correct. So I declined the recall service and told them I'd wait until they got things figured out on their end before screwing with it.

I've never had any issues with my TSS so I figured I'd leave it alone for now and when I go back for my next service, maybe they will have a few completed and figured out.

 

You might as well just buy the sticky foam pad and do it yourself. Who knows what the software reprogram is actually doing, but I haven't had any issues yet (Fingers Crossed).

I have the same setup as you and my dealership didn't question a thing.

 

I brought mine in and told me "your truck is a special case..." but they performed the recall anyway. Then when I looked at the sensor it was still covered in dust, never removed, no foam cover. I opened a case with Toyota corporate to address it. The kicker is in my paperwork and on the customer portal my VIN lists as the recall performed, but the service adviser couldn't tell me exactly what was done. I don't care if it was done or not, I just want clarification and not to be lied to that it was done when it wasn't.

 

While I was in at local Toyota dealership for oil/filter change this week, I was told 1.5 hours for the recall install...just a moisture barrier. After a few minutes, dealer rep came back and said forget it for now, something had to do with Toyota parts...will do it next oil change. I have been in several gully whoppers in the past couple of weeks, never had a problem with moisture getting in the sensor with cruise on at highway speeds. I mentioned if it aint broke, don't fix it...he smiled and agreed. Great Toyota dealership!!

 

Brought mine in today. Had to sign waiver but “off the record” was told no sticker would be applied and default would be set to “on”. Too many people have been sue happy and Toyota is scared so it’s a CYA thing. Every dealership is different, some might not budge or be flexible. Others will. Mine has an OEM Pro Grille no lift and nothing else. Still had to sign that damn paper.

 

So it looks like for those dealerships that will do the recall with grille swaps, it's the "Repair B." Every model but the Pro gets the full 6" x 6" sheet covering the back of the sensor, because so much of it is exposed. Because the Pro grille locates the sensor in a pocket, they can get away with a small strip over one of the top corners where the vent is. That's why it looks like it was never touched. I can get into the technician vs front of house dynamic later for those that don't understand it. Because the service writer didn't know how the repair was done or was willing to provide a a shred assistance finding out, I immediately jumped to the worst case scenario and assumed the recall wasn't performed. Their lack of help answering my question was what set me off. Koons in Westminster, MD is still the worst dealer I've had to deal with. Nothing can change that.

Now all that left is to go into the dealer tomorrow and meet with the service manager and eat a huge bowl of crow.

 

That may be my case also. However my paperwork says a “skid control cushion” was installed for the fix. Google shows Toyota skid control cushions are no longer available. Wish I knew what that part is.

 

Agreed!!

 

I think it would be scary AF but your ABS would kick in and probably not let you slide off the road unless you were driving really near the limits of traction. Meant to add - I think in the future I will turn this off if driving in icy or snowy conditions.

 

Sooo.. my dealership won't perform the recall on the PCS sensor. No big deal since mine WAS working with occasional "bugs" and dash warnings saying it was not functioning but it often resolved itself without intervention.

Then 3 weeks ago while changing out my aftermarket UCA's I left the truck on jack stands for a week and the battery went dead. When I charged it and turned it on, the dash lit up like a XMass tree and multiple dash warnings including ABS, PCS, lane departure warning and "maintenance needed visit dealership" have been flashing ever since. I returned to the dealer expecting more diagnostic work only to be told the same thing: nothing to be done since the PCS sensor recall won't be performed per Toyota since my truck has a 2" lift. They told me that its my fault for lifting the truck. Even worse, they can not remove the dash warnings and check engine lights and I have to live with the faulty system. Now my 6 month old truck has a malfunctioning TSS systems, my digital dash is plastered with these annoying warnings.

This TSS system is NOT a sensor problem, it is a computer programming and software problem. If you read the Tundra and other Toyota forums, this is not unique to Tacos. Multiple people have reported that their 2018 Yota's TSS sensors have been replaced MULTIPLE times and still malfunctions. Some have gone as far as file for vehicle buy back with Toyota since their car has been in the dealership 5-6 times within the last 9 months for the SAME problem without a fix.

The worst part is that this affects my ABS, cruise control and other systems and can be a HUGE safety issue that Toyota is trying to fault to "lifted" trucks. Also, the TSS system can't be shut off so that is doesn't set off a cascade of other check engine codes. Most of us don't need PCS or lane departure but I am not going to drive around without knowing my ABS brakes are working properly. I smell a class action lawsuit coming...

 

Go on the other forums. These phantom "BRAKE" warnings are not uncommon in the 2018-19 Toyota fleet. ALL the vehicles with TSS are having huge issues. AGAIN, I feel this is a computer software/programming issue and not a sensor issue. Unfortunately, it's going to take a fatality in order for the NHTSA and Toyota to come up with a real solution to this problem.

 

Wow! Are you required to get a smog test every year? Here I would not be able to pass smog and renew my registration!

 

Keep taking it into the dealer every few weeks then. After a number of times they refuse to fix it, send in the lemon law paperwork.
They HAVE to fix the water intrusion problem. Then just find a place to calibrate it and be on your way.
If they refuse, then get written documentation each time and let them know that the xth (look up your state laws) time that you've tried to get it fixed, they'll be buying it back or replacing it.

If you don't want to follow through, that's on you, but it's just an option to force them to do what's right. Sad that we have to though, plenty of others are getting theirs fixed with lifts and big tires just fine.

 

I'm not buying that. We bought my wife's rav4 with TSS in 2016. Have 40k miles on it without one phantom issue. I read that forum often and while it's not as active, I've never seen it mentioned. If they don't have issues on older models, they can certainly figure it out on the newer ones.

 

Same with my wife's Subaru. 40k plus and it works almost flawless. Once in a great while it gets confused. Like a tight switchback it will sometimes think you are going to drive into something and screams at you and brakes. It is a bit jarring but have never thought I was going to crash.

 

It even says it can get confused in the manual. The system is not flawless.... but geez... there should be an override if its going to erroneously apply brakes

 

Yea without a bullshit light staying on the dash! Lol

 

I get that these systems need to be calibrated and are prone to system false alarms. My issue is that the system can not be turned off or prevented from triggering a check engine light activation cascade where literally I have 4 CEL's and 4-5 "system malfunction" dash warnings. My other main issue is that the dealer has told me, (and few others I've read on other forums) that there is nothing that can be done both about the system malfunctioning and the CEL's that are permanently displayed across my fancy digital dash.

From the Tundra forum:

Do you have recurring TSS Radar/Pre-collision warning problems?

1. 
   NO: stock suspension (or new shocks set at stock height)
   136 vote(s)
   47.4%
2. 
   NO: leveled/no rake (+2 front only or 3/1)
   23 vote(s)
   8.0%
3. 
   NO: lifted with no rake (over 3" front lift and no rake or <1" difference front/back)
   7 vote(s)
   2.4%
4. 
   NO: lifted with rake (1" or more difference front/back)
   18 vote(s)
   6.3%
5. 
   YES: stock suspension (or new shocks set at stock height)
   79 vote(s)
   27.5%
6. 
   YES: leveled/no rake (+2 front only or 3/1)
   12 vote(s)
   4.2%
7. 
   YES: lifted with no rake (over 3" front lift AND no rake or <1" difference front/back)
   6 vote(s)
   2.1%
8. 
   YES: lifted with rake (1" or more difference front/back)
   6 vote(s)
   2.1%
   
   "Yes, my 2018 limited has been doing the same thing. I have had it in the shop for the 4th time now. Toyota has replaced the sensor twice. Now the truck is just stopping on it's own. The PCS light came on then a triangle light comes on immediately afterwards. I believe I have a lemon"