2022-2025 Toyota Tundra recall: 443k water intrusion

[testerdahl]

Toyota is conducting a safety recall involving certain 2022-25 Tundra and Tundra Hybrid vehicles. Approximately 443,000 vehicles are involved in this recall for the U.S. Toyota Tundra recall Due to moisture intrusion over time, both reverse lamps on the subject vehicles can stop working. If this occurs, the driver’s view to the rear can be limited when backing during low ambient light conditions, and there may be no indication to others that the vehicle is operating in reverse. This can increase the risk of a crash. Dealers will replace both reverse lamp assemblies with improved ones, free of charge. In […] (read full article...)

 

[Fightnfire]

Toyota is conducting a safety recall involving certain 2022-25 Tundra and Tundra Hybrid vehicles. Approximately 443,000 vehicles are involved in this recall for the U.S. Toyota Tundra recall Due to moisture intrusion over time, both reverse lamps on the subject vehicles can stop working. If this occurs, the driver’s view to the rear can be limited when backing during low ambient light conditions, and there may be no indication to others that the vehicle is operating in reverse. This can increase the risk of a crash. Dealers will replace both reverse lamp assemblies with improved ones, free of charge. In […] (read full article...)

Ouch

 

[Saddle Tramp]

Your comment about water testing rang a bell.

Back in the early to mid-Nineties, I worked at a carwash close to many automotive companies and they would bring in various test mules for cleaning as well as testing for water leaks. Saturns, Cadilac Caters, the Chrysler LH cars are the ones that stick in my head. I am shocked that Toyota didn't catch this leak during that process.

BTW: I went through five taillight bulbs in my rusted out 83 K-wagon when I ran it through.

 

[Dusdaddy]

Your comment about water testing rang a bell.

Back in the early to mid-Nineties, I worked at a carwash close to many automotive companies and they would bring in various test mules for cleaning as well as testing for water leaks. Saturns, Cadilac Caters, the Chrysler LH cars are the ones that stick in my head. I am shocked that Toyota didn't catch this leak during that process.

BTW: I went through five taillight bulbs in my rusted out 83 K-wagon when I ran it through.

They never test enough of them. Sounds like the Ram recall with CHMSL leak. Wasn't a safety issue but sure sucked getting your headliner soaked and finding a puddle in your rear seat.

 

[testerdahl]

They never test enough of them. Sounds like the Ram recall with CHMSL leak. Wasn't a safety issue but sure sucked getting your headliner soaked and finding a puddle in your rear seat.

It occurred to me I need to edit part of the video I did last night. I completely forgot the third gen Tundra reverse lights got moved out of the tail lamp assembly and are now integrated into the bumper. They flank the license plate.

So this brings up another question. Who is responsible for that decision to move the reverse lights? Seems to me if they were still integrated into the tail lamp assembly like the tried and true method, this wouldn’t have happened. Change isn’t always a good thing.

 

[Dusdaddy]

Well, they generally get knocked on for being too conservative in their tech and design. Seems like the old saying of "Good initiative, poor judgement" works well here.

 

[Fightnfire]

I don't know, this isn't the Toyota I grew up with. It's a flimsy feeling truck with lots of issues that just keep piling on.

 

[Saddle Tramp]

I blame the guy who decided to change the mission goal from long lasting to more trendy.

 

[Fightnfire]

I blame the guy who decided to change the mission goal from long lasting to more trendy.

Amen. You can see the change on the timeline. New tundra, Sequoia which is a terrible 3 row SUV, new Tacoma, 4 runner all the same.

 

[Saddle Tramp]

It's like they never learn from each other. VW and Stellantis fell in similar traps. They forgot their brand identity. You can have versions expand the boundaries (like the Tungsten edition or a 1st edition Land Cruiser) but use your other brands to go after the other markets. (Audi, Lexus)

 

[testerdahl]

It's like they never learn from each other. VW and Stellantis fell in similar traps. They forgot their brand identity. You can have versions expand the boundaries (like the Tungsten edition or a 1st edition Land Cruiser) but use your other brands to go after the other markets. (Audi, Lexus)

I can tell you, after talking with marketers and execs, the feeling is if they don't push the envelope they are losing sales. They have to keep innovating and keep trying new things to stand out. Toyota specifically felt like their vehicles were becoming very uncompetitive.

 

[Saddle Tramp]

I know it's a tricky game with many pitfalls (See Titan) but there's got to be a way to serve both markets. The Ram Classic showed it's possible.

 

[testerdahl]

I know it's a tricky game with many pitfalls (See Titan) but there's got to be a way to serve both markets. The Ram Classic showed it's possible.

I wish we knew the actual sales numbers for the Classic. My math shows the 1500 was off by 27k trucks for Q2 from 2024 versus higher sales for 2023. That quarter was right around the time the new 2025 model was announced. The Q1 numbers were closer at 16k trucks less for 2024 than 2023.

This correlates to the fact the truck had been on the market for some time and as the truck ages, sales decline. That's the original discussion. That's why Ram and others come out with special editions. They are trying to generate interest.

So, did the Classic help with the volume? Did it play a significant role of say 12k per quarter (27k - 16k)? Can you justify a product if you are selling 4k a month? All questions I'll never get an answer to I'm afraid.

 

[Fightnfire]

Really good insights and it's a bummer you can't get the answers.