I purchased this Tacoma Aug 2015, In the springtime of 2016 I read about a recall of the headlights cracking due to overheating of the parking/running lights. Sure enough, There was a black burn lens. I checked the recall but had never been notified about this issue. When I contacted the local dealership, they said that the recall period ended in Dec.2015.
I wasn't able to contact the previous owner to ask if they were ever notified about the recall.
I replaced the running light bulbs with the lowest wattage bulbs available, but the condition just keeps getting worse. Now it looks like there is a hole burnt through the lens near the running light bulbs.
When I tried to contact Toyota, their phone number for recall complaints is ALWAYS busy.
The service manager at my local dealer advised me to call Toyota direct and report the problem. Toyota investigated the issue and called me with a deal that they would pay for half of the cost to fix the issue. The problem I had with the entire situation, I am on active duty, and have spent about three and a half years with my truck in storage, therefore I didn't use it much. I feel Toyota should have covered the entire cost of the problem. It was definitely a defect in their workmanship.
Toyota needs to recall and replace the front light assemblies. It is a poor design by Toyota and they need to make it right. Anyone with a similar problem needs to make it known. The squeaky wheel gets the grease!
- David D.,
Carrollton, TX, US
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I just wanted to have another documented complaint on this issue. I don't see any danger or mechanical significance to the lens being unsightly but it is definitely not what you expect when paying up to $30,000 for a truck. I haven't even mentioned it to the dealership. I have several bad experiences with the service department at Toyota and have come to the conclusion they're just there for the dollar and figure you'll be back because the warranty makes you.
Filled out a questionnaire from Toyota within the last year and mentioned the problem but had as turn signals instead of parking lights. Had no response so when the vehicle was serviced this week I showed the rep. he contacted Toyota and he said they would pay half around $390.00. I called Toyota customer service and the smooth talker there said that half was the best they would do because the lights staying on was a option and why didn't I sow them before. I said it wasn't on my mind when going for service until this week and that I had notified Toyota on the questionnaire, I asked to speak to supervision and he said this was as far as it gets. The dealer is working on this for me. I have an extended warranty at a cost of $3,000.00 approx.and was told it wouldn't cover it.
I had the parking lights heat up on my Tacoma and melted the light housing on BOTH the driver and passenger side headlights. I took my vehicle back to Stadium Toyota in Tampa florida where I bought it and was told it was not a recalll and not a manufacturer's defect. How can this not be a defect? I necer knew of this web site until now or I would not have waited so long to post it here. Thanks for being here.
I noticed The burned lenses (Turn signals) when my left turn signal stopped working. I took it in to the dealership and they charged me 52.03 to replace two Bulb's!!!!!.They said this fell under "maintenance". FINE.After all it was at 40,800 miles and I have had it Just under 2 years.But the icing on the cake was the bulb's get so hot they Scorch, or burn the len's!!And they said There is no warranty on it.If I want to Get this cosmetic issue correctet,Iwould have to spend just under 600.00to replace both headlites!! I have a feeling this cosmetic issue would a reoccurring issue in say about 40,000 miles again.I went to another dealership and looked at some other Tacoma's. My suprise was that alot of Tacoma's (07-09) has that same cosmetic issue!!! Is there any help for me out there?
Update from Dec 14, 2011:
sports City called me back and said as a courtesy,they would replace both headlites ...And they did!!!
I noticed around 35,000 miles my 2009 Tacoma's running/parking amber lights had bubbled, melted and cracked the lens over them! I took it to the dealer and they said they ran a voltage check, all was okay and this DEFECT was considered, COSMETIC! How does very hot, running lights that cause the plastic to crack, melt and bubble be called a COSMETIC DEFECT??? Is anyone else having this problem, TOYOTA in College Station TEXAS told me, I could purchase each lamp, the entire unit of course since they are all one piece, for the amount of $300 each! Are they crazy???
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
I purchased this Tacoma Aug 2015, In the springtime of 2016 I read about a recall of the headlights cracking due to overheating of the parking/running lights. Sure enough, There was a black burn lens. I checked the recall but had never been notified about this issue. When I contacted the local dealership, they said that the recall period ended in Dec.2015.
I wasn't able to contact the previous owner to ask if they were ever notified about the recall.
I replaced the running light bulbs with the lowest wattage bulbs available, but the condition just keeps getting worse. Now it looks like there is a hole burnt through the lens near the running light bulbs.
When I tried to contact Toyota, their phone number for recall complaints is ALWAYS busy.
- Steve I., Seattle, US