Toyota Tacoma headlight problems

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Headlight tabs break causing housing to rub against body and crack. Additionally it makes headlights move which necessitates constant readjustment.

NHTSA complaint #11750712 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

On Tuesday, April 14, 2026 I was looking for something in my rear seat and noticed the seat was damp. I couldn't figure out the cause so I goggled it and found out that Toyota had a limited service campaign called LSC21TD03 on my 2017 Tacoma because of the third brake light having a gasket issue causing water to enter the vehicle. I called a local Toyota dealer and was told that the fix for my vehicle had expired in 2025. This water intrusion from the high third brake light can cause mold, interior damage, or electrical issues. This is an issue that Toyota previously acknowledged but has now stopped covering it. I called Toyota Corporate and was again told yes the repair fix was expired. I asked why wasn't I notified and was told that Toyota sent out letters. I told the representative that I never received a letter and was told the mailing was done by an outside company. I asked what could Toyota do to help me and was told to go back to the dealer and maybe they "would give me a discount or reduced price on the fix". The dealer offered nothing. Upon further research I found that several Toyota Tacoma owners state they were not aware of the service campaign and ended up changing the light themselves or paying out of pocket to have it repaired. I feel that this is an issue that Toyota is aware of and they should take care of it. This should have been a recall issue rather than just a service campaign that the public was not fully aware of. I still don't know the extent of damage to my vehicle because the dealer gave me a quote of $690 to repair. I questioned why so much to change a light and gasket and was told they have to take the panels down and clean the vehicle to make sure no mold was there. The quote was given without even examining the vehicle. I'm asking you to please look into this situation.

NHTSA complaint #11731811 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Third break light has started to leak inside the cab of vehicle. Causing a wet musty smell, possibly mold, and staining.

NHTSA complaint #11682814 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Some of the interior door light switches don't light @ night. I can probably take the door panel off & fix it... (buy bulbs)...? Door hinge on the gas cap breaks way to easily. Could fly off & hit someone\thing... Clunking sound coming from the rear end & I can't find where it's coming from... Gas cap gets loose & throws a p0333 code knock sensor bank 1 or 2 or both. Who put them under the manifold... ? Scary to get the code. That's a hr+ job that's doing it myself.$ Expensive from a shop $ Nothing to serious. 2nd Owner. Runs strong for the miles on it. Thank you, [XXX] , INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11624192 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Wiring harness on the vehicle is being completely replaced due to "rodent damage" according to the dealer. I am not an automotive engineer but if compromised wiring finally fails while driving I suspect a number of systems could be affected. There was no indication of this problem during vehicle operations. My insurance company agreed to pay for this about $7200. I have owned the vehicle for ten months.

NHTSA complaint #11572480 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Headlight shows visible signs of over heating of the amber lenses on both driver and passenger side. Amber lenses are melted, obscured, burned through and causing additional discoloration to the clear lens of the headlight itself. This creates a safety issue for both driver and passenger side headlights and amber lights not illuminating properly but also reducing the reliability and longevity of the lighting systems themselves.

NHTSA complaint #11566610 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Just like with the other double cab Tacoma recalls I am hearing about, the third rear tail light is leaking water into my access cab. The interior smells like mildew. I’m not sure why my truck is not covered by the recall, but it is experiencing the exact same situation. Water leaking through the deteriorated seal of the break-light. I think with accompanying mold build up.

NHTSA complaint #11560544 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

1.) Headlights are yellowing. 2.) Hard to see at night. 3.) Everyone has the same problem. The government should mandate going back to glass headlights for safety reasons. Buffing them only lasts a short period of time and the elderly can't afford to buy new OEM headlights every 6 years as they are very, very expensive. This is a safety issue, as yellow lenses equal more nighttime accidents, fact. This should have been addressed years ago.

NHTSA complaint #11555787 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

The issue is that I and as well as many others live in cold winter climates. LED headlights do not put off the heat required to keep snow and ice off of them. This is a hazardous and accident causing issue when you can not see any longer. Getting out of the vehicle every few miles poses a hazard in it's own that you are pulling over on a roadway to clear the headlights. I don't feel the manufacturers thought this through and is getting worse that most newer vehicles & all electrical vehicles have LED lighting. There needs to be a heater system or film/built in heat source for the lens.... Also the front sensor for collision detection will freeze over or become snow covered. Thus the vehicle turning it off. Seems it is most needed during this weather condition???

NHTSA complaint #11503160 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the driver's and passenger's side headlights were inoperable. Upon inspection, the contact noticed that the headlight assemblies were extremely hot and had melted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the driver's and passenger's side headlight assemblies needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 210,000.

NHTSA complaint #11480199 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:FOG LIGHTS

The contact owns a 2016 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while driving, the driver’s side fog light housing melted. There was an abnormal odor of smoke. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 143,749.

NHTSA complaint #11472885 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Water leaked through the third brake light gasket at the rear, top of the cabin. There is a service campaign, I believe, for 2016-2018 Double Cab Tacomas. However, this issue is present in my Access Cab Tacoma. I have water leaking through onto the rear windshield.

NHTSA complaint #11457397 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

We paid $638.42 to repair a leak issue which later became a recall. We we are now having difficulty getting Toyota to reimbursement that money.

NHTSA complaint #11454448 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

In the Winter of 2020, we stopped at Walmart to get a new light headlight for the Toyota 2015 Tacoma Truck and it was hard to put it in and THEN the Retainer Spring Clip fell out and was lost. No where to be found! Also the Gasket to the Headlight fell too and was lost. It stayed loose for a while and the Truck didn't pass its Annual Safety Inspection for 2021 because of the Headlight not staying in in September. This last Friday, October 8, 2021 I went to Oursiman Toyota in Chantilly, VA to order the Gasket and pick it up on Saturday, October 9, 2021 thinking that that was all I needed and I could fix the part and the Headlight/Lamp. I didn't relaize that the Retainer Spring Clip didn't come with it and when I called back to Oursiman Toyota today, Monday, October 11, 2021 the Parts Service Guy said I had to order the entire Headlight Assembly to get the Retainer Spring Clip. After doing some research on-line it SEEMS that the majority of people who own a Toyota Tacoma Truck have been having the same issue for many many years as I found out today, Monday, October 11, 2021 at the Web Site, tacomaworld.com. ALSO it is a Safety Issue for your State Safety Inspection for the State of Virginia. I went to Pohanka Chevrolet last week to get an Oil Change and asked them to fix the light BUT they wouldn't touch or fix it either. The Part that holds the Headlight Lamp Assembly is flimsy and doesn't do justice. Corporate Toyota won't or hasn't addressed this issue. They are forcing people to buy the entire Headlight when that isn't the part they need. This is a safety issue! This doesn't serve the public for keeping their car in shape or compliant with State Safety Regulations. There should be a CLASS ACTION SUIT on behalf of the Owners of Toyota Tacoma Trucks the date ranges from the discussion group are various but the Model year my son has is 2015. Virginia State Police Inspection Sticker #8666644, September 4, 2021 at Dulles Automotive Inc

NHTSA complaint #11436357 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

The high mount rear stop lamp leaks water into the cab. The water channels in through a cheap gasket, down the inside of the frame, destroying the cushions and plastic through moisture and mildew. Toyota Corporation and Precision Toyota of Tucson (service) AZ, both say the problem is only covered by the regular 36,000 mileage, 3 year warranty. They want to charge me $575 to replace the light. However, the known issue doesn't occur because of miles driven or even age of the vehicle. I live in the desert and it has not rained significantly since I bought the truck new in 2017, according to the National Weather Service. This year, with record rains, water is freely seeping in to the cab. Toyota should recall Tacomas with this issue and replace the cheap gasket it used to manufacture these trucks.

NHTSA complaint #11426812 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

The daytime driving lights are too hot causing the plastic housing to melt, crack and, in some cases, break. My research has found that this is a common problem in Toyota Tacoma trucks from 2005-11. In April 2015, Toyota replaced the headlight assemblies with a supposed "redesigned" assembly to address this issue. However, now in April 2021, the "redesigned" assemblies have again melted, cracked and broken due to the daytime driving lights being too hot and too close to the light assembly. Nothing was redesigned in 2015. Whatever safety or fire hazard in the owner or operator that caused Toyota to replace the headlight assemblies in 2015 still exists today. I have contacted Toyota and my dealer and they have offered no assistance or remedy.

NHTSA complaint #11419375 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

I had to have a leaking third brake light assembly replaced for water pouring into the cab. The total cost for repairs were 496.00. My truck has only 40,000 miles and it has been leaking for a long time from the previous owner. It would have been replaced by Toyota if under 36,000 miles. There is multiple complaints on the website and a Toyota service bulletin involved with this repair. I think a recall should be introduced and a refund issued. I had the local Toyota dealer fix the leak with genuine parts.

NHTSA complaint #11419111 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

AN ELECTRICAL SHORT OR OPEN CIRCUIT CAN CAUSE A FAULT IN THE GENUINE TOYOTA TRAILER TOWING WIRE HARNESS CONVERTER WHICH CAN CAUSE A FAILURE OF THE CONVERTER, AND IF A TRAILER IS BEING TOWED AT THE TIME, NON OPERATION OF THE TRAILER LIGHTS, IN LIMITED CASES, THE CONVERTER HOUSING COULD BECOME HEAT DEFORMED,,,, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THIS FAULT MAY CAUSE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO ACTIVATE,,,,, THIS SITUATION USUALLY HAPPENS WHEN VEHICLE IS IN MOTION ON CITY STREETS ,HIGHWAY TURNING ETC, ,E.J.

NHTSA complaint #11399235 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE AND REALIZED WHEN I WAS SOLD THE VEHICLE THE PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF INDICATOR WAS ON BUT I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE A QUICK CONNECTION ERROR. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT IS VERY DIM AND DOES NOT ILLUMINATE WELL. I CONTACTED CROWN DODGE OF FAYETTEVILLE AND THEY TOLD ME THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING. THIS WAS A LITTLE OVER A MONTH AFTER BECAUSE LIFE HAPPENS AND I WORK WITH THE MILITARY. I DON'T HAVE A REGULAR SCHEDULE. I DO HAVE A WARRANTY BUT I'M NOT USING MY WARRANTY TO COVER SOMETHING THEY SHOULD FIX. WHEN I CALLED TO TALK TO A SALES MANAGER NO ONE WOULD ANSWER IT RANG AND RANG. THE COMPUTER ON THE VEHICLE WILL SHOW THE AIR BAG SENSOR AT LEAST.

NHTSA complaint #11399140 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

THE 3RD BRAKE LIGHT BECOMES LOOSE ALLOWING WATER INTO THE TRUCK CAB. IT IS EITHER A RUBBER GASKET DEFECT OR IT WAS NOT PROPERLY INSTALLED AT THE FACTORY. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN NOTED IN NUMEROUS VENUES FOR THE 2016-2020 MODEL YEARS OF THE TOYOTA TACOMA. MINE LEAKS WHILE DRIVING OR STANDING STILL.

NHTSA complaint #11396904 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.