2009 Toyota Tacoma
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Suspension is the leading concern among 519 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 4th highest complaint count among 26 Tacoma model years with reports.
Of the 2009 reports, 25 involved a crash and 18 involved a fire. 2 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Seats, front assembly, seat heater/coolerJun 2, 2016
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.
If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.
Campaign 16V396000 on NHTSA.gov
Seats, front assembly, seat heater/coolerNov 19, 2014
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, Camry, Highlander, Tundra 4x2 and 4x4, and 2007-2011 Rav4 and 4Runner. The affected vehicles may experience compression of the seat cushion which may damage the seat heater wiring.
Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant.
SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge. The recall is expected to began in January 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.
Campaign 14V743000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, rear, springs, leaf spring assembly, leafSep 29, 2014
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 Toyota Tacoma Pre-Runner and 4x4 vehicles manufactured September 14, 2009, to October 11, 2010. In the affected vehicles, one of the leaf springs may fracture due to stress or corrosion. While being driven, the broken leaf could move out of position and contact surrounding components including the fuel tank, possibly puncturing the tank and causing a fuel leak.
If the fuel tank leaks fuel from being punctured, there is an increased risk of a fire.
Toyota will notify owners and dealers will install new rear leaf spring assemblies. The recall began on January 29, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.
Campaign 14V604000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, other, labelsAug 4, 2014
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2014 FJ Cruiser and Tacoma vehicles equipped with accessory wheels and tires installed by Toyota or dealers prior to the vehicle's first sale. The affected vehicles may list incorrect spare tire size and/or cold tire inflation information on the tire placard. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 110, "Tire Selection and Rims for Passenger Cars."
If the spare tire is inflated to the incorrect pressure provided on the placard, tire failure may occur while it is being driven on, increasing the risk of a crash.
For the involved vehicles, overlay stickers to correct the tire placard will either be mailed to owners or provided to dealers for placement over the incorrect information on the placard. The recall is expected to begin in September 2014. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.
Campaign 14V475000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, driver side, inflator moduleApr 9, 2014
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006-2008 RAV4, 2006-2010 Yaris, 2008-2010 Highlander, and 2009-2010 Tacoma, Corolla, Corolla Matrix and General Motors Pontiac Vibe vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the steering column assembly contains electrical connections to the driver's airbag module housed in a spiral cable assembly, which includes a Flexible Flat Cable (FFC). Due to the shape and location of the FFC's retainer, the FFC could become damaged when the steering wheel is turned.
If the FFC is damaged, connectivity to the driver's air bag module could be lost and the air bag deactivated. The failure of the driver's air bag to deploy in the event of a crash that typically necessitates deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver.
Toyota will notify the Toyota vehicle owners, and General Motors will notify the Pontiac Vibe owners. Toyota sent owners an interim notification letter in May 2014 to advise owners of the recall. Toyota will mail owners a second letter when remedy parts are available. General Motors sent Pontiac Vibe owners an Interim letter on June 20, 2014 notifying them that parts are currently unavailable. General Motors sent notices to the Pontiac Vibe owners on September 15, 2014, that a remedy is available. The recall began on October 27, 2014. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-762-2737.
Campaign 14V168000 on NHTSA.gov
Seat beltsAug 7, 2013
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 Tacoma Access Cab vehicles manufactured September 14, 2004, through March 29, 2010; and model year 2011 Tacoma Access Cab vehicles manufactured July 1, 2010, through September 7, 2011. If the access doors are repeatedly and forcefully closed, the screws that attach the seat belt pre-tensioner to the seat belt retractor can loosen over time. If the screws loosen completely, the seat belt pre-tensioner and the retractor spring cover could detach from the seat belt retractor.
If the seat belt pre-tensioner detaches from the seat belt assembly, the seat belt pre-tensioner will not perform as designed, increasing the risk of injury in a severe crash.
Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat belt assemblies. Based on the inspection, the seat belt assembly will be replaced or new pre-tensioner screws will be installed with thread-locking sealant and a retractor spring cover with stopper ribs to prevent loosening of the screws. These services will be provided at no cost to the owner. The recall began during February 2014. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Campaign 13V337000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, sensor/control module-inactiveJan 16, 2013
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.
If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.
Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
Campaign 13V014000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontalMar 7, 2012
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2009 TACOMA VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 14, 2004, THROUGH AUGUST 29, 2008. OVER TIME, STEERING WHEEL VIBRATION MAY DAMAGE THE SPIRAL CABLE ASSEMBLY (CLOCKSPRING) THAT POWERS THE DRIVERS AIR BAG MODULE. IF DAMAGE OCCURS, THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP WILL ILLUMINATE AND THE AIR BAG MAY BECOME DEACTIVATED.
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG MAY NOT DEPLOY, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SPIRAL CABLE ASSEMBLY, FREE OF CHARGE. AN INTERIM LETTER IS EXPECTED TO BE MAILED TO OWNERS DURING APRIL 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
Campaign 12V092000 on NHTSA.gov
Tires, pressure monitoring and regulating systemsMar 4, 2011
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2011 FJ CRUISER, LAND CRUISER, TACOMA, SEQUOIA AND TUNDRA VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 138, "TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS)." WHEN FACTORY-INSTALLED WHEELS AND TIRES WERE REPLACED WITH TOYOTA AUTHORIZED ACCESSORY WHEELS AND LT TIRES PRIOR TO FIRST SALE, THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEMS WERE NOT RE-CALIBRATED CORRECTLY AND THEREFORE DO NOT START ILLUMINATING THE LOW TIRE PRESSURE WARNING TELLTALE AT THE REQUIRED MINIMUM ACTIVATION PRESSURE.
FAILURE TO WARN OF TIRE DEFLATIONS IS A NON-COMPLIANCE WITH FMVSS 138 AND COULD LEAD TO TIRE FAILURE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
FOR THE LAND CRUISER, SEQUOIA, TACOMA AND TUNDRA VEHICLES, THE DEALER WILL RE-CALIBRATE THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM ON AFFECTED VEHICLES AND INSTALL AN UPDATED TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION LABEL AT NO CHARGE. FOR THE FJ CRUISER VEHICLES, THE TPMS CANNOT BE RESET SO THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) FOR THE TPMS WILL BE REPLACED. TOYOTA IS CURRENTLY DEVELOPING THE REMEDY ECU. IF AN OWNER IS NOT CERTAIN WHETHER HIS OR HER VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH THESE ACCESSORIES, PLEASE CONTACT ANY TOYOTA DEALER FOR AN INSPECTION AT NO CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 31, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
Campaign 11V148000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, other, labelsFeb 3, 2010
SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.
Campaign 10V036000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, other, labelsFeb 3, 2010
GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 AND JUNE 2, 2008 WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.
DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. DEALERS WILL ALSO CORRECT THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GULF STATES TOYOTA AT 713-580-3300.
Campaign 10V035000 on NHTSA.gov
Vehicle speed control, accelerator pedalOct 5, 2009
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CAN GET STUCK IN THE WIDE OPEN POSITION DUE TO ITS BEING TRAPPED BY AN UNSECURED OR INCOMPATIBLE DRIVER'S FLOOR MAT.
A STUCK OPEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY RESULT IN VERY HIGH VEHICLE SPEEDS AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH, SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
TOYOTA FILED AN AMENDED DEFECT REPORT ON NOVEMBER 25, 2009, STATING THAT DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND, ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, ALTER THE SHAPE OF THE FLOOR SURFACE UNDER THE PEDAL. THESE CHANGES ADDRESS THE RISK OF PEDAL ENTRAPMENT DUE TO INTERFERENCE WITH THE FLOOR MAT. REDESIGNED ACCELERATOR PEDALS WILL BECOME AVAILABLE BEGINNING IN APRIL 2010 AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY MODIFIED PEDAL WITH THE NEW PEDAL IF DESIRED. ALSO, DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY GENUINE TOYOTA OR LEXUS ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MATS WITH REDESIGNED ALL-WEATHER MATS, OR REPURCHASE THE PREVIOUS MATS FROM OWNERS WHO DO NOT WANT THE NEW ONES. ADDITIONALLY, SOFTWARE MODIFICATIONS WILL BE INSTALLED ON CAMRY, AVALON AND LEXUS ES 350, IS 350 AND IS 250 MODELS THAT WILL ENSURE THAT THE BRAKE OVERRIDES THE ACCELERATOR IN THE EVENT BOTH BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS ARE APPLIED. TOYOTA WILL BEGIN MAILING LETTERS TO OWNERS ON DECEMBER 31, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331, LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.
Campaign 09V388000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, other, labelsJun 15, 2009
TOYOTA IS RECALLING 27,080 MODEL YEAR 2005 THROUGH 2010 PASSENGER CARS BUILT FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 TO MAY 4, 2009. THESE VEHICLES WERE NOT EQUIPPED WITH LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS."
INCORRECT LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS COULD RESULT IN THE VEHICLE BEING OVERLOADED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE THEM WITH A NEW, ACCURATE LABEL TO BE INSTALLED OVER THE INACCURATE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 18, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-888-270-9371.
Campaign 09V223000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: exterior lighting
105 reports, newest first. Show all
Exterior lighting, Sep 4, 2013
DAYTIME AMBER RUNNING LIGHTS HAVE MELTED AND CRACKED THE LENS. HAPPEN AROUND 30,000 MILES BUT TOYOTA SAID THEY HAVE NOT HEARD OF PROBLEM, BUT I KNOW BETTER AFTER READING OTHER COMPLAINTS. TO COSTLY FOR THEM TO FIX. MAYBE SAFERCAR.GOV MIGHT HELP. *JB
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Sep 3, 2013
DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS GENERATED ENOUGH HEAT TO MELT. THE INTERIOR COLORED LENS ON BOTH HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES, I NOTICED DISCOLORATION AND CRACKS IN THE COLORED LENS WITHIN 1ST 12 MONTHS. MORE RECENTLY THE COLORED LENS BEGAN TO MELT AND RUN, LOOKS AS IF THEY WERE EXPOSED DIRECTLY TO FLAMES. THERE IS ALSO NOTICEABLE HEAT DAMAGE TO THE CLEAR EXTERIOR LENS COVER NEAR THE AREA OF THE DRL. TOYOTA ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN BUT DID NOT NOTIFY OWNERS OF THE POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD THIS MAY CAUSE. HEAT DAMAGE HAS CLEARLY BECOME MORE SEVERE OVER TIME. *JB
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Aug 19, 2013
DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS (DRL) LIGHT BULBS ALONG WITH OUTSIDE TEMPERATURES GENERATED ENOUGH HEAT TO CAUSE BUBBLING AND CRACKED BOTH HEADLIGHT LENSES. THIS MAY POSED A FIRE HAZARD. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jul 31, 2013
MY VEHICLES DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS (DRL), WHICH ARE LOCATED IN THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY, ARE BURNING THROUGH THE LENSES. THE LENS IN FRONT OF THE BULB IS DISCOLORED AND SEEMS TO BE MELTING DUE TO OVERHEATING. THE PLASTIC IS DARK AND LOOKS BURNED. BECAUSE OF THE DEFECT THERE IS CONCERN FOR DRIVER SAFETY AS THERE SEEMS TO BE AN OBVIOUS FIRE HAZARD THAT HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED BY TOYOTA. THIS PROBLEM EXISTS IN BOTH OF MY FRONT HEADLIGHTS. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jul 26, 2013
EXCESSIVE HEAT FROM DAYLIGHT RUNNING LIGHT BULBS CAUSE MY VEHICLE HEADLIGHT LENSES TO SLOWLY BURN AND CRACK. *TR
Exterior lighting, Structure, Jul 19, 2013
TOYOTA TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN# T-SB-0129-11 TOYOTA KNEW THERE IS A MELTING/SAFETY ISSUE WITH DRL YET I WAS NOT INFORMED WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN WARRANTY BACK IN SEPTEMBER 2011, WHEN THE TSB ABOVE WAS PUBLISHED BY TOYOTA. TOYOTA STILL WANTS ME TO PAY AT 31,000 MILES 2009 TACOMA ALMOST $300 TO FIX IT. MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE SINCE MELTING HAS DIMMED THE LIGHTING OUTPUT & POSES A FIRE HAZARD AS THE MELTING HAS ALSO REACHED THE BACK OF THE BULB SOCKET WHERE THE WIRING IS. PLEASE HELP. *TR
Exterior lighting, Jul 18, 2013
2009 TOYOTA TACOMA. LAST WEEK I HAVE TO CHANGE THE BURNT LIGHT BULB FOR THE TURN/DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT AND NOTICED THAT THE LENS INSIDE THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY WAS BROKEN IN HALF. BY LOOKING FROM THE FRONT SIDE I CAN SEE THAT THE PLASTIC LENS HAS BEEN MELTED DOWN. AFTER A THOROUGH INSPECTION, I NOTICED THAT THERE IS A TRACE OF OVERHEATING ON THE SOCKET. THIS ISSUE CAN CAUSE A FIRE ON THIS VEHICLE. I HOPE TOYOTA WILL STAND FOR IT'S REPUTATION AND CORRECT THIS ISSUE. BECAUSE, IT WILL CREATE A FIRE HAZARD IN THE FUTURE. *TR
Exterior lighting, Jul 15, 2013
THE PLASTIC HOUSING/PLASTIC LENS COVERING THE AMBER DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS AND THE CLEAR FOG LIGHTS ARE BURNED, MELTED, CRACKED AND BROKEN. THIS IS NOT DUE TO ANY FRONT END COLLISION BUT DUE TO THE EXTREME HEAT GENERATED BY THE ORIGINAL FACTORY-INSTALLED LIGHT BULBS. THE LIGHTS ARE GENERATING SO MUCH HEAT THAT THEY ARE MELTING, BURNING AND CRACKING THE PLASTIC HOUSING WHICH THEN BREAKS UNDER DRIVING STRESS. COMPOUNDING THE PROBLEM IS THAT THERE IS NO WAY TO TURN OFF THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN OPERATION. EITHER THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS MUST BE ON OR THE HEADLIGHTS MUST BE ON. THEREFORE, THE LIGHTS CONTINUE TO BURN THE PLASTIC HOUSING. TOYOTA WILL NOT COMPLETELY COVER THE COST TO REPAIR AND REPLACE THESE DEFECTIVE LIGHT SYSTEMS STATING THAT THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF THE 3 YEAR WARRANTY. ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE IS ONE YEAR OUT OF THE 3 YEARS MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY THIS PROBLEM DID NOT OCCUR OVERNIGHT BUT IS THE RESULT OF 4 YEARS OF USE. THE LENS HAVE BEEN PROGRESSIVELY GETTING WORSE OVER TIME. BECAUSE THE LENS ARE BURNED, WE ARE CONCERNED THAT A FIRE COULD OCCUR. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jul 11, 2013
HEADLIGHT HOUSINGS TURN SIGNAL/DTRL LENS IS BURNED AND CRACKED DUE TO EXCESSIVE HEAT FROM BULB. APPARENTLY FROM WHAT I HAVE READ IN FORUMS AND OTHER ON LINE SOURCES, TOYOTA IS AVOIDING THIS PROBLEM BY SAYING NO REMEDY DUE TO FACTORY WARRANTY EXPIRED OR COMPLETELY DENYING IT. HOWEVER, THEY HAVE MADE AVAILABLE UPGRADED REPLACEMENT PARTS. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE IN MARCH 2011 AND NOTICED THIS CONDITION RIGHT AFTER PURCHASE. IT HAS NOW WORSENED TO THE POINT THEY NEED TO BE REPLACED. VEHICLE NOW HAS 48,381 MILES. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jul 2, 2013, fire
THE PLASTIC HOUSING/PLASTIC LENS COVERING THE AMBER DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS AND THE CLEAR FOG LIGHTS ARE BURNED, MELTED, CRACKED AND BROKEN. THIS IS NOT DUE TO ANY FRONT END COLLISION BUT DUE TO THE EXTREME HEAT GENERATED BY THE ORIGINAL FACTORY-INSTALLED LIGHT BULBS. THE LIGHTS ARE GENERATING SO MUCH HEAT THAT THEY ARE MELTING, BURNING AND CRACKING THE PLASTIC HOUSING WHICH THEN BREAKS UNDER DRIVING STRESS. COMPOUNDING THE PROBLEM IS THAT THERE IS NO WAY TO TURN OFF THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN OPERATION. EITHER THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS MUST BE ON OR THE HEADLIGHTS MUST BE ON. THEREFORE, THE LIGHTS CONTINUE TO BURN THE PLASTIC HOUSING. TOYOTA WILL NOT COMPLETELY COVER THE COST TO REPAIR AND REPLACE THESE DEFECTIVE LIGHT SYSTEMS STATING THAT THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF THE 3 YEAR WARRANTY. ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE IS ONE YEAR OUT OF THE 3 YEARS MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY THIS PROBLEM DID NOT OCCUR OVERNIGHT BUT IS THE RESULT OF 4 YEARS OF USE. THE LENS HAVE BEEN PROGRESSIVELY GETTING WORSE OVER TIME. BECAUSE THE LENS ARE BURNED, WE ARE CONCERNED THAT A FIRE COULD OCCUR. *TR
Exterior lighting, Jun 5, 2013
DAY TIME RUNNING LIGHT COVERS BURNT FROM THE HEAT OF LIGHT BULBS BEING MOUNTED TO CLOSE TO LENS COVER. LENS COVER CRACKED, BURN AND AT SOME TIMES SMOLDERS. *TR
Exterior lighting, May 29, 2013
DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT (DTRL) HOUSING BURNED/MELTED/CRACKED ON BOTH LH & RH. SAFETY RELATED SYSTEM WITH PROPER OEM FACTORY BULBS STILL INSTALLED. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, May 23, 2013
INSIDE THE FRONT LEFT AND RIGHT HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY IS A COMBINATION TURN SIGNAL INDICATOR/ EMERGENCY FLASH INDICATOR/DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT. *TR THE LENSE FOR THIS COMBINATION INDICATOR INSIDE THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY HAS MELTED AND AFFECTED THE INTEGRITY OF THE COMPONENT. I CONTACTED MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP TWICE AND TOYOTA CUSTOMER SATISFACTION BY TELEPHONE. BUT THEY DID NOT OFFER ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR CORRECTING THE PROBLEM, EXCEPT FOR TOTAL REPLACEMENT OF THE COMPLETE ASSEMBLY AT MY EXPENSE. BY THE REGULATIONS OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WITH THE DOT TOYOTA SHOULD COMPLY WITH PART 564 OF THE SAFETY REGULATION REQUIREMENTS, AND BY THIS SHOULD NOTIFY OWNERS OF THE OPTIONAL REPLACEMENT PARTS AS A SERVICE BULLITIN WITH A MAILED NOTIFICATION LETTER. BECAUSE OF THIS OVERSIGHT TOYOTA HAS CHOSEN TO ADAPT A STRATAGY TO USE AN EXCEPTION TO THEIR WARRANTY CONTRACT BY LIMITING THEIR RESPONSIBILITY IN EFFECT OF COMPONENT EXCLUSIONS I.E. LIGHT BULBS BECAUSE OF TOYOTA'S INABILLITY TO RECOGNISE AND ADDRESS THIS ISSUE WITH A NOTIFICATION. MANY OF THE DEALERS AND OWNERS WHO COULD HAVE CORRECTED THE IMPROPER MATCHING OF THE ASSEMBLIES, BEFORE DAMAGE TO THE INTEGRITY OF THE SIGNAL INDICATORS REQUIRED SAFE OPERATION WAS LOST AND TOYOTA GAINED CONSIDERABLE FINANCIAL ADVANTAGE AT THE EXPENSE OF SAFETY.
Exterior lighting, May 16, 2013
THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS (DRL'S) ON MY 2009 TACOMA HAVE BUBBLED UP AND CRACKED THE LENS/PLASTIC. I AM NOT SURE IF THIS IS BECAUSE THE BULB IS TOO CLOSE TO THE PLASTIC OR THE WATTAGE IS TOO HIGH FOR THE PLASTIC. THE DRL'S ARE ALSO USED AS FRONT END TURN SIGNALS. IF THESE FAIL, IT COULD BE A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD. DEALERSHIP DENIED TO PAY FOR REPLACEMENT FOR IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE AGREEMENTS OF MY EXTENDED WARRANTY. *TR
Exterior lighting, Apr 29, 2013
WHEN I TOOK MY TACOMA PICKUP TO THE LOCAL DEALER FOR ITS 35,000-MILE OIL CHANGE AND TIRE ROTATION, THEY POINTED OUT THAT THE LENSES ON BOTH DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS ARE BURNED AND DISTORTED, APPARENTLY FROM THE HEAT OF THE AMBER BULB. THEY SAID THERE IS NO SOLUTION OTHER THAN REPLACING THE ENTIRE HEADLIGHT MODULE ON BOTH SIDES. PARTS AND LABOR WOULD BE SOMEWHERE BETWEEN $700 AND $1,000. I'M PAST THE THREE-YEAR WARRANTY COVERAGE. I SENT AN E-MAIL COMPLAINT TO TOYOTA AND THEY SAID THIS IS A COSMETIC PROBLEM THAT THEY WILL NOT FIX. WRONG. THIS IS A FIRE SAFETY PROBLEM. FROM ONLINE RESEARCH, I HAVE NOW LEARNED THAT THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM WITH TACOMAS. ON NEW MODELS, IT HAS BEEN FIXED WITH A REDESIGNED HEADLIGHT MODULE THAT MOVES THE BULB SOCKET FARTHER BACK TO PREVENT THE HEAT FROM THE BULB FROM DAMAGING THE LENS. ON OLDER MODELS, YOU COULD JUST REMOVE THE BULB TO AVOID A FIRE EXCEPT THAT THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT BULB IS ALSO THE TURN SIGNAL BULB. I HOPE YOU WILL DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS HUGE SAFETY HAZARD. *TR
Exterior lighting, Apr 2, 2013, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DTR LIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED AND MELTED THE HEADLIGHT CASE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE DTR LIGHT BULB ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 89,569. *TR
Exterior lighting, Feb 11, 2013
DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS ARE TOO HOT CAUSING THE PLASTIC LENSES TO CRACK, MELT, AND BURN. TOYOTA IS TREATING THIS AS PURELY COSMETIC IN T-SB # 0129-11 (FOR 6 MODEL YEARS THEY WERE AWARE OF IT). THIS LISTING SHOULD BE CHANGED TO A SAFETY RECALL, THAT AMOUNT OF HEAT COULD START A VEHICLE FIRE. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jan 23, 2013
I HAVE A 09 TACOMA AND THE DRL'S HAVE ACTUALLY BURNED, MELTED AND POPPED THE LENS IN FRONT OF THEM. ALSO, THE BULBS THEMSELVES, UPON EXAMINATION, HAVE BURNED THE SOCKET IN WHICH THEY ARE HELD. YOU CAN SEE BLACK AROUND THE BASE OF THEM. TOOK IT TO TOYOTA AT 59K MILES AND I HAVE THE PLATINUM 7YEAR/100000MI WARRANTY AND WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST ME 1100 FOR PARTS ALONE TO FIX, OFFERED NO HELP AND LIED TO ME AND SAID THEY HAVE HAD NO OTHER INCIDENTS OF THIS NATURE AND ITS A RARE PROBLEM NEVER BEFORE SEEN. I HAVE REMOVED MY DRL BULBS OUT OF CONCERN OF A FIRE STARTING AND THEN I PROBABLY GET STUCK WITH THAT BILL OF A BURNT FRONT END. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY BECAUSE TOYOTA PUT IN A BULB THAT'S TOO HOT OR BECAUSE TOYOTA DECIDED TO MAKE A CHEAP PLASTIC COVER FOR THE BULBS. I HAD ZERO INFLUENCE ON THIS FAILURE. THERE ARE COUNTLESS POSTS ON ALL KINDS OF WEBSITES CONCERNING THIS PROBLEM. I CAN TRACK DOWN OVER 1000 IN LESS THAN 30 MIN. PLEASE HELP. WHEN I CALL TOYOTA I JUST GET BULLIED AROUND AND TALKED TO LIKE I'M DUMB OR DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT. *TR
Exterior lighting, Jan 12, 2013
DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS LENS MELTED AND CRACKED ON BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT LIGHT ASSEMBLIES. *TR
Exterior lighting, Jan 1, 2013
FRONT LEFT AND RIGHT SIGNAL LIGHT LENS MELTED AND CRACKED. UNIT WAS INSPECTED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND DETERMINED TO REPLACE BOTH HEADLIGHTS UNDER WARRANTY DUE TO DEFECT LENS. APPROXIMATELY A YEAR LATER LENS MELTED AND CRACKED AGAIN. CALLED TOYOTA TO REPORT AND FIND OUT IF THERE IS A RECALLS FOR THIS ISSUE. TOYOTA REPRESENTATIVE INITIATED A REPORT AND INFORMED ME THAT THERE IS NOT A RECALLS FOR THIS ISSUE AT THAT TIME AND WILL NOT BE REPLACED DUE TO VEHICLE IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. AT THIS TIME I AM NOT SURE AT WHAT POINT THIS LENS MELTING; DUE TO THE LIGHT BULB HEAT MAY CAUSE A FIRE AND I AM TAKING UNDER CONSIDERATION TO REMOVE THE SIGNAL LIGHT BULBS WHICH WILL MAKE SIGNAL LIGHTS NONOPERATIONAL. IT HAS TO BE A BAD MANUFACTURE HEADLIGHT DESIGN THAT IS CAUSING THAT AREA TO MELT AND AN INVESTIGATION SHOULD BE INITIATED FOR RECALL CONSIDERATION. YOUR RESPONSE WILL BE APPRECIATED. *TR
Exterior lighting, Dec 28, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS BECAME OVERHEATED AND FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS NO DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000.
Exterior lighting, Dec 14, 2012
RUNNING LIGHTS HAVE MELTED, CRACKED AND HAVE BROWN COLOR ON PLASTIC. CONTACTED TOYOTA DEALER (SUN TOYOTA) AND THEY SAID IT'S NOT UNDER WARRANTY. CONTACTED TOYOTA CORP AND THEY SAID THAT THEY HAVEN'T HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING. I BELIEVE THERE IS A POTENTIAL OF A FIRE HAPPENING. *TR
Exterior lighting, Dec 3, 2012
THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY: RUNNING LIGHTS BUILD UP EXCESS HEAT AND BURNS/CRACKS THE LENS. THIS HAS OCCURRED ON BOTH PASSENGER AND DRIVERS SIDES. ON THE DRIVERS SIDE THE LENS HAS BROKEN AND FALLEN OUT OF PLACE. *TR
Exterior lighting, Dec 3, 2012, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS WERE MELTING THE HEADLIGHT LENSES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE LENSES WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OFFERED TO PAY FOR THE COST OF THE LENS BUT NOT FOR THE LABOR COSTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51,000.
Exterior lighting, Nov 28, 2012
DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS ARE CAUSING MELTING AND CRACKING OF THE LENS COVERING FROM THE INSIDE. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN TAMPA, FLORIDA. VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED. I CALLED TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE ON NOVEMBER 28, 2012 AND EXPLAINED THAT THIS IS A FIRE HAZARD AND REQUESTED IT BE REPAIRED. TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE CALLED ME BACK ON NOVEMBER 28, 2012 AND SAID THAT BECAUSE THE "ORIGINAL FACTORY WARRANTY" HAD EXPIRED SO THAT THERE WOULD BE NO REMEDY OFFERED BY TOYOTA. THIS PROBLEM IS WELL DOCUMENTED ONLINE ON VARIOUS TACOMA / TOYOTA OWNERS' SITES. PERSONNEL AT THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT THE "REPLACEMENT PART" HAD BEEN RE-DESIGNED TO ELIMINATE THIS PROBLEM....SO TOYOTA IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE HEADLIGHT IS PROGRESSIVELY GETTING WORSE. IT SEEMS THAT THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS WERE NOT PROPERLY ENGINEERED IN THIS MODEL. BECAUSE OF THE DEFECT THERE IS A CLEAR CONSCIENCE THE MELTING LENSES CREATE AN OBVIOUS FIRE HAZARD. THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED MY TACOMA IN THE TAMPA FLORIDA AREA ADVISED ME THAT TOYOTA HAS NO RECALL OF EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THIS "KNOWN" PROBLEM. I WAS VERY DISMAYED TO HEAR THIS BECAUSE THE ISSUE IS CLEARLY PRESENTS A THREAT TO THE DRIVER. BECAUSE OF THIS SITUATION I HAVE TO MAKE A DECISION ON WHAT OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE TO ME. EITHER I REPLACE THE ENTIRE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY WITH THE TOYOTA FACTORY ASSEMBLY WHICH IS ALREADY KNOWN TO HAVE A DEFECT OR I FIGURE OUT A WAY TO DISABLE THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS TO CUT BACK ON THE HEAD THAT BUILDS UP WITH THEM CONSTANTLY BEING ON. I WOULD RATHER NOT DISABLE THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS BECAUSE I BELIEVE THAT THEY DO PROVIDE SIGNIFICANT SAFETY VALUE. I AM NOT SURE WHAT I AM GOING TO DO AT THIS POINT BUT CLEARLY ACTION IS NEEDED. I WOULD LIKE TOYOTA TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE POTENTIALLY HARMFUL HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES. *TR