Toyota recalls hundreds of thousands of popular trucks over light failure
Toyota is recalling more than 443,000 Tundra and Tundra Hybrid trucks from model years 2022 to 2025 over a defect that could cause the reverse lights to stop working —posing a potential safety hazard.
In a report filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the automaker explained that a multi-layer vent patch used in the trucks' reverse lamp assemblies may degrade over time due to thermal cycling.
The compromised adhesive can allow moisture to seep into the assembly, leading to corrosion of the circuit board, connector, or wiring harness and ultimately causing the reverse lights to fail.
If the lights don't illuminate, drivers could have reduced rear visibility in low light conditions, and others on the road may not be able to see when the truck is backing up.
Toyota said the issue affects only certain Tundra and Tundra Hybrid models with a specific reverse light design that uses a particular type of adhesive.
The company plans to notify affected owners between June 30 and July 14. Toyota will replace both reverse lamp assemblies with improved parts at no cost.
'Dealers will replace both reverse lamp assemblies with improved ones, free of charge,' the automaker said.
'In addition, assembly wiring harnesses will be repaired for any subject vehicles identified to have corrosion that has extended into the wire harness connector, free of charge.'
For those who've already paid out of pocket to fix the reverse light issue, the recall report advises owners to 'seek reimbursement pursuant to Toyota's General Reimbursement Plan.'
This is the latest in a string of recalls from the automaker.
In February, Toyota recalled more than 106,000 2024–2025 Tacoma four-wheel drive trucks due to a brake fluid leak.
Mud and debris buildup could damage the rear brake hoses, reducing braking performance and increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers offered to replace the hoses free of charge, with notifications going out in March and April.
In April 2024, Toyota recalled 55,000 Prius and Prius HEV hybrids over concerns that the rear doors could unexpectedly open.
In June, more than 100,000 pickups and Lexus vehicles were recalled due to fears that dangerous manufacturing debris may have been left in their engines.
By September, the company recalled 43,395 Sequoia Hybrids due to a flaw related to their tow hitches.
Other automakers have also been impacted by serious safety recalls.
In August, Ford and Mazda issued urgent warnings to owners of 477,000 older vehicles not to drive them because of potentially deadly Takata airbags that can explode and hurl metal fragments at drivers and passengers.
Last year, Toyota's Chairman Akio Toyoda was forced to apologize for widescale cheating on certification tests.
The falsified tests included the use of inadequate or outdated data in collision tests, incorrect testing of airbag inflation and rear-seat damage in crashes as well as cheating on engine power tests, according to the Associated Press.
Toyota has suspended production in Japan of the Corolla Fielder, Corolla Axio and Yaris Cross but said the issue does not affect the safety of existing vehicles.
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