Exterior lighting
Filed Apr 17, 2026
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 ID
- 11731811
- Incident
- Apr 16, 2026
Exterior lighting
Filed Mar 19, 2022
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 ID
- 11457397
- Incident
- Nov 1, 2021
Body & structureElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Jul 28, 2021
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 ID
- 11426812
- Incident
- Jul 23, 2021
Body & structureExterior lighting
Filed May 31, 2021
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 ID
- 11419111
- Incident
- May 10, 2021
Exterior lighting
Filed Nov 23, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT GASKET FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT GASKET WAS NOT SEALED CORRECTLY CAUSING WATER TO ENTER THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR SEATS ALSO SHOWED EVIDENCE OF MOLD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TOYOTA OF BELLINGHAM (1100 IOWA STREET, BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON, 98229, (360)-676 0600) TO BE INSPECTED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT GASKET AND THE INTERIOR CARPET AND SEATS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 11376042
- Incident
- Nov 1, 2020
- Mileage
- 20,000 mi
Body & structureExterior lighting
Filed Sep 25, 2020
LEAKING AROUND 3RD BRAKE LIGHT (REAR OF CAB) BEGAN IN SPRING 2020. UNFORTUNATELY, THIS IS NOW OUT OF THE 36K WARRANTY. DEALER REFUSES TO REPAIR DUE TO MY TRUCK BEING AT 53,000 MILES.
- NHTSA ID
- 11361072
- Incident
- Sep 25, 2020
- Mileage
- 51,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Aug 11, 2020
THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHTING LEAKS WATER WHEN RAINING/CARWASH THIS CAN GENERATE A SHORT CIRCUIT.
- NHTSA ID
- 11348578
- Incident
- Mar 19, 2020
AirbagsElectricalExterior lighting
Filed May 3, 2020
WENT THROUGH A CAR WASH AND BOTH REAR CORNERS OF THE CAB LEAKED ENOUGH THAT THE WATER WAS GUSHING IN. THE HEADLINER GOT SOAKED, IF THIS HITS ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS IT COULD SHORT AN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM POSSIBLY RESULTING IN AFFECTED ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS SHUTTING DOWN INCREASING THE POSSIBILITY OF AN ACCIDENT. OR WORSE, COULD DAMAGE THE SRS AIRBAG LOCATED IN THE NEXT TO THE REAR SEATS. THE FILE TYPE OF THE PICTURES I HAVE ARE NOT THE FORMAT ACCEPTED SO THEY WILL NOT UPLOAD.
- NHTSA ID
- 11323136
- Incident
- May 3, 2020
- Mileage
- 21,700 mi
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.