2008 Toyota Tacoma: headlights failing or too dim

Filed Mar 29, 2020 · Lights, Wheels · AL

Head light lens have stress cracks, hold moisture and are not clear and diminishes the visibility for the bulb to work properly and driver to be able to see at night. The lens are not clear and have turned to a yellowish color. This started happening within two years after I purchased the truck new in 2008 lug nuts. Tuscaloosa toyota tells me over a year ago that I have swollen lug nuts. Tuscaloosa toyota has done all of my service work and the only ones that have touched these lug nuts. They have cause the problem by not using the correct socket but they want me to pay for replacement. They should replace them because no one else has touched them. I am happy with my truck but very unsatisfied with the toyota dealership not taking care of these two defective parts that has to do with safety.

Filed Apr 12, 2017 · Lights · 160,000 miles · CO

Headlight assembly inner lens distortion. Toyota never sent me the extension of warranty notice for this defect, my dealership did not mention it to me and now neither will cover this obvious and recognized safety defect even though I have owned the vehicle since 2010 when the vehicle had only 8000 miles on it.

Filed Jul 8, 2013 · Lights · 87,121 miles · MD

Daytime running lights lens is melting and cracking, this looks like it could start a fire. Toyota dealer has recognized this as a defect, informed the headlight assembly must be replaced, but not covered by toyota. Toyota and dealer has offered to pay half of the replacement, but still very costly, for a toyota defect!

Filed May 4, 2012 · Electrical, Lights · 77,014 miles · CA

On 5/2/12 one of the right turn signals stopped working. While inspecting the lights to determine which bulb to replace, I noticed that the plastic lens immediately in front of the turn signal bulbs on both sides in the front is blackened and melting from the heat of the bulb. Additionally, the lens on the passenger side front is cracked on the inside where the bulb has overheated the lens. Further inspection of the lamp socket shows heat fatigue and discoloration due to overheating. It appears as if the light bulb is too close the lens and there is inadequate ventilation for the heat. I am concerned that continual heating of the lens and the socket may lead to an electrical failure of that component, causing a fire. It should be noted that this truck model's running lights (which are also the turn signal lights) are always on whenever the headlights are off, there is no way of shutting these lights off. Fyi: internet searches have turned up numerous complaints regarding this same issue. Many concerned customers have reported the issue to toyota (myself included), however, toyota will not fix or even acknowledge that there is an issue. I have taken the liberty of looking at the turn signal lenses of parked tacoma trucks just to see if they have the same issue as mine. An overwhelming majority of the trucks show the same type of defect.

Filed Jun 7, 2011 · Lights · 20,000 miles · CA · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota tacoma. The contact stated that the front daylight running light lens and headlight housing wires melted. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for inspection. An additional investigation was performed by the district service manager who informed the contact that the defect was abnormal. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the problem. The failure mileage was 20,000.

Filed Jun 7, 2011 · Lights · LA

I purchased a 2008 toyota tacoma pickup brand new in 10/2008. I have had trouble with the headlights staying on high beam. The toyota dealership has changed the switch, changed the ECM, and multiple other things. My vehicle is in the shop again for the 5th time in 32 months. I have taken it to two different dealers. It has been in the shop this time for 6 days as of today. They cannot determine the problem. On every occasion, I have left with the vehicle repaired and then it happens again. The vehicle is unsafe to drive because you never know when the lights will go on highbeam or go out completely.

Filed Feb 16, 2010 · Acceleration · 26,700 miles · CA · crash

Inching into a parking space in a parking garage...throttle seemed to open all the way suddenly and with only three feet left to the wall the truck hit at full throttle doing 5,246.00 dollars in damage. Front grill; hood; front rt fender;front rt door; radiator; headlight all replaced. Have reported to toyota corporate and told to take to dealership. Took to dealer originally and was told no recall on tacomas. Have had two throttle sticks after while on freeway. Both only lasting 5 seconds or so.