2009 Toyota Tacoma Exterior Lighting Problems
- 102
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
Among these 102 stored complaint records:
- 0 indicate a crash
- 0 indicate injury
- 16 indicate fire
What owners report
- running lights · 56 records
- daytime running · 50 records
- running light · 18 records
- turn signal · 18 records
- melted cracked · 16 records
- fire hazard · 14 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 30–60k mi | 58 |
| 60–100k mi | 15 |
| 1–30k mi | 12 |
| 100–150k mi | 4 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Exterior Lighting
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 toyota tacoma. While examining the vehicle, the contact noticed that the daytime running lights were beginning to melt the headlight housing. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vin was not available. The current and the failure mileage was 60,000.
Fire reported
ODI 10456591
Exterior Lighting
After completing an oil change on my 2009 toyota tacoma in october of 2011 i noticed that the amber lens in the headlight was discolored and seemed to be melting due to overheating. Over the past year i have been monitoring the situation and noticed that the melting and cracking of the amber lens inside of the headlight is progressively getting worse. It seems that the daytime running lights were not properly…
Fire reported
ODI 10479782
Exterior Lighting
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 toyota tacoma. The contact stated that the head light bulbs were overheating and causing the lens to melt. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technician verified the failure and stated that the headlight assembly needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage was 77,000.
Fire reported
ODI 10550387
Exterior Lighting
The dtrl amber bulb has melted both lens due to excessive heat from bulb.the left/right lens are cracked and falling apart. *tr
ODI 10594993
Exterior Lighting
Daylight running lights burn /melt the lens due to excessive heat, in less then 30k miles. I believe toyota has a design problem with the drls. Every tacoma with the drl option will eventually have this problem. The compartment that holds the dlr light is small, with no ventilation, and the lamp dissipates approximately 28 watts of heat, which is focused toward the lens (along with the light). It is simply too much…
Fire reported
ODI 10432814
Exterior Lighting
In september 2011, i noticed the daylight running lights had an orange/brown spot in the middle of the lens. Eights months later, the daylight running lights have melted and cracked the plastic lens. The passenger side lens has completely melted in half. The bulb appears to sit too close to the lens in the housing unit. Fire risk. *tr
ODI 10460792
Electrical System · Exterior Lighting
On the headlight assembly of my vehicle both of the running light lenses are melting. They first started to bubble and i noticed it at approximately 40,000 miles. I took it into the dealership to have it checked out and they said that the warranty would not cover it and offered no fix. Recently, i looked at the lenses again and they are now cracked and burnt. The plugs that the bulbs are in are burnt as well. Toyota…
ODI 10470854
Exterior Lighting
Daytime running lights are melting the plastic lamp housing. All components are factory stock: bulbs, housings, wiring, etc. Melted plastic housing has changed the turn signal beam geometry resulting in reduced visibility and risk of accident. Also, melted material indicates a possible fire hazard. *tr
ODI 10421396
Exterior Lighting
My 09 toyota tacoma drl (daylight running light/turn signal) lens burned/melted/broke. I have exceeded my warranty but i feel toyota should stand behind their product and replace my light lens. My local dealer did do a 50/50 split on the cost of replacement, but this is a design problem. Light lens should never burn/melt/break regardless of how old or how many miles the vehicle has on it. Not all tacoma's have drl ,…
Fire reported
ODI 10424219
Exterior Lighting
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 toyota tacoma. The contact stated that the daytime running lights were made with double contact bulbs. The heat from the light was burning through the lenses. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and had the lenses replaced but the dealer did not change the bulbs. The contact believed that the failure would recur because the bulbs were not replaced. The manufacturer was contacted…
ODI 10422660
Exterior Lighting
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 toyota tacoma. The contact stated that the signal lights started to separate from the vehicle and the lens lost color. Also, the contact mentioned that the headlights were dim. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000. ...updated 04/08/15 *bf updated 4/13/15*cn the consumer stated the signal lights…
ODI 10690733
Exterior Lighting
The daytime running lights (drl's) on my 2009 tacoma have bubbled up and cracked the lens/plastic. I am not sure if this is because the bulb is too close to the plastic or the wattage is too high for the plastic. The drl's are also used as front end turn signals. If these fail, it could be a major safety hazard. Dealership denied to pay for replacement for it is not covered under the agreements of my extended…
ODI 10512339
Exterior Lighting
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 toyota tacoma. The contact stated that front turn signal lenses burned out. The contact noticed visible burn marks on both lenses. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for inspection or repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 60,000 and the current mileage was 66,000.
Fire reported
ODI 10435526
Exterior Lighting
The contact would like to use the complaint that was sent via email. Jo. Not sure who to contact but i am a safety professional for many years and an incident last night confirmed an obvious danger to drivers based on the relationship between dashboard lighting and headlamp activation. A near miss last night reminded me of the same condition i noted last year in a similar incident. I believe a significant threat to…
ODI 10412267
Exterior Lighting
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 toyota tacoma. The contact stated that the lenses for the daytime running lamps and the turn signals were melted. The contact was concerned that the failure could lead to a fire. The dealer was contacted and advised that the entire lighting assembly would require replacing. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure…
Fire reported
ODI 10573863
Exterior Lighting
I noticed the daytime running light lens had cracked & melted. This is obviously a defect due to the amount of heat the bulb is putting out. I am disappointed that a company such as toyota will not take care of this problem. According to what i have read the fix is over $700 to fix. It makes you wonder if greed is the root of all evil. *tr
ODI 10458786
Electrical System · Exterior Lighting
Headlight housings turn signal/dtrl lens is burned and cracked due to excessive heat from bulb. Apparently from what i have read in forums and other on line sources, toyota is avoiding this problem by saying no remedy due to factory warranty expired or completely denying it. However, they have made available upgraded replacement parts. I bought this vehicle in march 2011 and noticed this condition right after…
ODI 10524305
Exterior Lighting
2009 toyota tacoma front turn signals burning lens. Amber turn signal bulbs appear to be to high of wattage from factory. Lens are bubbling/melting and discoloring from heat from the bulbs. Drivers side must have gotten hot enough to crack the turn signal lens itself. Possible fire hazard. A check of 9 other similar tacoma trucks on hickam afb shows the same problem with 3 other vehicles or 3 tacoma's counting mine.…
ODI 10394260
Electrical System · Exterior Lighting
Running lights melting, possible fire threat. *tr
ODI 10469518
Exterior Lighting
Daytime amber running lights have melted and cracked the lens. Happen around 30,000 miles but toyota said they have not heard of problem, but i know better after reading other complaints. To costly for them to fix. Maybe safercar.gov might help. *jb
ODI 10541921
Exterior Lighting
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 toyota tacoma. The contact stated that the plastic fog light cover was fractured and became melted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis where the technician stated that the fog light cover would have to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 56,000.
Fire reported
ODI 10549202
Exterior Lighting
At appx. 24,000 miles, i noticed that my 'daytime' running lights were cloudy and that both lenses were cracked. I neglected to take it in for this, since i was more concerned about the engine hesitating on acceleration. When i finally remembered to tell/show them, they weren't concerned, because the warranty was out. They did offer to split it with me. My cost would have been $492.00. Screw'em... This is clearly a…
ODI 10637073
Exterior Lighting
DRL BURNING LENS. AFRAID IT WILL CATCH ON FIRE. *TR
ODI 10680123
Exterior Lighting
Front left and right signal light lens melted and cracked. Unit was inspected by an authorized dealer and determined to replace both headlights under warranty due to defect lens. Approximately a year later lens melted and cracked again. Called toyota to report and find out if there is a recalls for this issue. Toyota representative initiated a report and informed me that there is not a recalls for this issue at that…
ODI 10490647
Exterior Lighting
The daytime running lights (drl's) on my 2009 tacoma have bubbled up and cracked the lens/plastic. I am not sure if this is because the bulb is too close to the plastic or the wattage is too high for the plastic. The drl's are also used as front end turn signals. If these fail, it could be a major safety hazard. Dealership denied to pay for replacement for it is not covered under the agreements of my extended…
ODI 10474315
Catalog parts for this system
Catalog year/make/model rows for 2009 Toyota Tacoma.
Catalog fitment does not by itself prove OEM-equivalent compatibility.