My headlight assembly has melted and cracked lenses directly in front of both the running light bulbs . Apparently Toyota has put an arbitrary time frame on correcting this design defect . The hot bulbs were designed entirely too close to the lens directly in front of the bulb !

Called Toyota service dept. after dealership in Bluffton SC ,...where I bought the truck new , they suggested to call Toyota and Toyota Corp. may call them to authorize fixing the burned and cracked running light lenses since I have less than the 70,000 mi. Still waiting to hear from the dealership . The time period to stand behind their truck from 2010 when I bought it was only 5 years .Since I only use this truck occasionally as a tow vehicle, ...the problem took about 4 years to show up !!

I can't see myself paying a dealership to fix a defect that came with the truck ,.....

Not very hopeful Toyota will fully stand behind their truck in this case, .... .

Update from Apr 29, 2017: "Devey" , Pronounced "Devay " from the Toyota Customer Experience Center. called me and said if I paid our dealership nearly 900 dollars for two headlight replacements ,..they could send me a credit ( to only be used for more service work at the dealership ) ....the credit would be sent to me in 4 months . What a bunch of nothing !?!

Below is a copy of the email :

This email is in response to your request for our offer to you in writing, per my conversation with you on 4/27/2017.

In the interest of maintaining your patronage as a Toyota customer, and in response to your appreciation of our product, we are willing to extend a $750.00 reimbursement towards future servicing or accessories at a Toyota franchised dealership.

This is a retroactive reimbursement from our office. Please forward the complete Dealer invoice and your receipts to:

Toyota Customer Experience Center

Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

P.O. Box 259001

Plano, TX 75025-9001

If you would like to fax them, you can do so at fax 310-468-7814. Your information is documented under Case # 1704252953.

Again, we appreciate your business. If we may answer any further questions, please contact us at (800) 331-4331. Our hours of operation are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CT Monday through Friday and 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CT Saturday.

Sincerely,

Devey G.

Toyota Customer Experience

What really gets to me , is Toyota knew of this headlight design flaw back when I was getting complimentary oil changes TWO YEARS after purchasing the truck , .....and it still has less than 70,000 miles which was one of the criteria before the free replacement ran out last year,.....

About a month ago, while talking with a friend from work who had the same year and model as my 2011 Tacoma, he mentioned some of the past issues he had to have fixed with his Tacoma including the day time driving light burn/melt. I was not aware of the problem and really had not looked at my lights. So I inspected my truck only to find that I too had the problem.

When I took my truck in for new tires and brakes, I mentioned the issue. They said there had been a service bulletin (not a recall) issued for the problem but even though I was under the mileage for the fix (just over 44,000) I had exceeded the extended warranty period (over a year ago). The service manager suggested I call Toyota Customer Service, which I did. The CS rep said that although my VIN was indeed affected, I was too late for the manufacturer to cover the repair. I told her I had no idea of the problem and had not noticed the issue until recently. She basically blamed me for not noticing sooner and said nicely... "sorry." She basically added that if they left the warranty open for an indefinite time everyone would try to get their lights replaced. Duh, why? Because they like burnt lenses?

Something else I realized is I have had service done at the same dealer since I purchased my truck and haven't done any modifications other than add nerf bars. Surely they knew there was an issue during the many times they performed "inspection", oil changes and "recommended" service since 2011. Yet it was my responsibility to bring it to their attention. I could understand not covering the issue if I had done something to cause the problem but this is solely a manufacturer defect. No longer a Toy fan!

This is an issue that I had no control over. A DRL (both) mounted inside headlight that discolored the lens and one eventually cracked.

Enclosed inside the headlight, I have no access to remove cracked lens. its one in the morning, I'm at work, and I'm tired. They take your money, and they forget about you because they have to go and take someone else's hard earned money. I'm done.

Update from Sep 14, 2015: talked to toyota corporate office.

all I got we are sorry, but can't help you. thanks for nothing lol

Called toyota dealership nearby. looked up my info.was still under warranty, regardless of mileage (no limit)

got in and out same day with both headlights replaced, no charge.

It appears Toyota does in fact have a problem with the DRL on the Tacoma. There are too many folks talking about burnt lens issues and cracked lens issues for there not to be some substance behind the allegations. My dealer said he may have seen one or two and he would check into it and I haven't heard back from him yet. I just want Toyota to apply the fix whatever it may be. All the equipment is stock and I now have 71000 miles on the vehicle and it only looks worse. I initially thought it could be a fire hazard, but it hasn't caught fire yet.This is my first Toyota and really am hoping it is not my last due to a obvious Toyota problem they should correct....