Safety Recall - brake lights

[kenmac]

Hi folks,
I just received a Safety Recall notice from Toyota.
The following is the relevant paragraph:
"Investigations by Toyota reveal that under certain environmental conditions, the electrical contact points in the stop lamp switch can be affected by a build-up of silicon oxide, causing an electrical resistance within the stop lamp circuit. The reduced current flow can result in the stop lamps failing to illuminate, thereby not signalling to other motorists that the driver intends to slow down or stop.
Vehicles produced between June 2003 and June 2004 are potentially affected by this condition."

I will be taking the car in next week for this check.


kenmac

[efusco]

Can you please post the campaign/recall notice number and perhaps a scan of the letter for those of us who haven't yet received it.

[tag]

Link below (don't know if it helps much). Regardless, the service writer at my dealer could find absolutely squat yesterday regarding a recall, TSB, or whatever, for my car.

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems...lls/results.cfm


EDIT: Link doesn't work so here:


SEARCH TYPE : VEHICLE
YEAR : 2004
Make : TOYOTA
Model : PRIUS

Make : TOYOTA Model : PRIUS Year : 2004
Manufacturer : TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 04V558000 Recall Date : NOV 18, 2004
Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
Potential Number Of Units Affected : 183090

[efusco]

Yea, know about the general recall, just not the specifics from Toyota.

[kenmac]

Evan,
The letter was from Toyota Australia and didn't quote any reference numbers.
The only other relevant info is that the rectification action is free of charge and would take about thirty minutes.
They give a free-call phone number, so I will call them tomorrow, ask for any reference numbers, and will post same.
When I contacted the local service people they weren't aware of the recall, and are now also chasing details for their end.

kenmac

[Tempus]

Make: TOYOTA
Model: PRIUS
Type: ANY
Year: 2004
Recall Number: 04V558000

Summary:
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH AN IMPROPERLY DESIGNED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. A SILICON OXIDE BUILD-UP OCCURS ON THE CONTACTS INSIDE THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH, WHICH CAN MAKE IT INOPERABLE.

Consequence:
IF THE SWITCH IS INOPERABLE, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL NOT ILLUMINATE AND CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy:
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DECEMBER 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

Notes:
CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

[efusco]

Evan,
The letter was from Toyota Australia and didn't quote any reference numbers.
The only other relevant info is that the rectification action is free of charge and would take about thirty minutes.
They give a free-call phone number, so I will call them tomorrow, ask for any reference numbers, and will post same.
When I contacted the local service people they weren't aware of the recall, and are now also chasing details for their end.

kenmac

Doh! Didn't notice the Australia address under your Avatar...sorry.

[kenmac]

I see you have found the recall data .
The only info I was able get from Toyota in Oz is that after the checks are done, they will apply a sticker with the number 4526K4.

kenmac

[babesp]

Are people being notified by Toyota that their car needs this? Are there particular VINs involved? thanks

[DanMan32]

Are people being notified by Toyota that their car needs this? Are there particular VINs involved? thanks

Yes, and yes. Mine doesn't qualify.