Toyota will be asking owners of certain 2018-2021 Tundra trucks, to return to their dealership for a problem affecting the electrical circuits controlling the headlights in their vehicle.

The problem began in early April 2020 when Toyota received a field report alleging the headlamp connector on a subject vehicle overheated and caught fire. Since then, there have been 18 Toyota Field Technical Reports (12 alleging an inoperative headlamp and/or damage to the headlamp connector (e.g., connectors melting), but no apparent flame, and 6 alleging a flame at the headlamp assembly). There has also been 47 warranty claims (44 alleging an inoperative headlamp and/or damage to the headlamp connector (e.g., connectors melting), but no apparent flame, and 3 alleging a flame at the headlamp assembly).

According to the defect report, the subject vehicles are equipped with halogen headlamp electrical circuits that were designed incorrectly to allow the circuits for both the high and low beam bulb filaments to be energized simultaneously when the high beams are switched on. If the high beams are subjected to repeated extended use (e.g., continuously switched “on” in a commercial setting when the vehicle is idling or driving at low speed for extended periods of time and not allowing air flow to cool the headlamp connector), excess heat could lead to degradation of the bulb insulation and eventually the bulb connector. This can cause an open headlamp circuit, leading to an inoperative headlamp that can be noticed by the driver and repaired. However, if an open circuit does not occur, there is a possibility that the connector could continue to overheat, resulting in an increased risk of a fire.

Owners receiving notices will be asked to return to their dealers to have the engine wire harness assembly and headlight assembly inspected and replaced as necessary. Toyota’s numbers for this recall are 21TB06 and 21TA06 and the NHTSA campaign number is 21V-688.

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