2022/2023 Tonneau cover recall

https://pressroom.toyota.com/toyota-recalls-certain-2022-and-2023-tundra-models/

Take off the OEM Tonneau cover if you have it installed. Recall/repair incoming.

 

In addition, if you have a truck on order they removed the cover. (well thats what happened on my recent order)
When crunching the final numbers I flagged the difference.

 

I bought mine, the truck didn’t come with it. Wonder if they will still recall it.

 

Too funny... and sad. So I go to the Toyota recall website at the link and enter my VIN and it says: sorry, the information you entered does not correspond to a Toyota, Lexus, or Scion Vehicle. Also tried via license plate and state. Same result. LOL. In a way this doesn't surprise me because the Toyota parts gateway doesn't recognize my VIN either. It's like they haven't populated the database with 2023 VINs yet.

 

And the NHTSA recall website knows my VIN but does not show a tonneau cover recall. It doesn't seem to be totally VIN specific here because it does list the LCD instrument panel recall... and my truck doesn't have that. Looks like we have a data wasteland out there.

And I have to ask: how on earth does Toyota screw up a tonneau cover? It's a tonneau cover for god's sake. I mean WTF?

 

Thanks for posting that!! Interestingly I just had my instrument panel go blank last night, restarting the engine fixed it ( temporarily ) so I need the software update described on the website but there was no mention of the OEM Tonneau cover ( which I have ). I wonder if the dealer installed it without referencing it to the VIN number. I'll look at it this weekend to see what possibly could be the issue with it.

 

I just bought the updated aftermarket version of a cover Chevy used as OEM and had to recall to put on my my Ford. The original version Chevy used had the clamps near the cab secured to the bed rails only by hand tightened wing nuts. Im not sure if it is a similar design to Toyota or if that problem is different. but I think how they screwed these Ruggedliners up is that cab clamp only got hand tightened. I *think* they were at risk of those bolts backing off from vibration. Especially if not tightened much by a dealership installer. They started putting safety tethers as a backup on the oem versions. On my aftermarket one there is a bolt you now have to install and tighten behind the hand tightened wingnut to lock it in place, making it no longer a completely tool-less install. That is an example of how something seemingly so simple can be screwed up.

 

That Toyota recall link doesn't know my VIN. Same as the Toyota parts website. But I read the .pdf posted above that gave 3 "OR" conditions and the first one is that the cover has the "TOYOTA" label near the tailgate. Which I have.

 

My concern is that I have a BakFlip MX4 and from what I've read, it's likely the exact same cover as the OEM. Made by same company, same plant, same design, etc...

So, is this only an issue with the OEM cover, or all BakFlip MX4 covers?

Can anyone confirm or dispel the rumor that this is the same cover?

 

Funny. I just drove off the lot this morning with my new 1794 that includes the tonneau cover. I wish I could have gotten that taken off the purchase price and purchased my own.

 

I am thinking about asking Toyota for a refund since I can't wait months for a fix. I have stuff to carry back there every day.

 

Ill second that if anyone can confirm. Was going to originally purchase the OEM but will end up going to the Bakflip if they aren't affected by this recall.

 

Lordy, I need to keep my stuff covered and cant just 'take it off'. Will Toyota refund the cost here so I can go after market?

 

If it flys off....its the same

 

How is the VIN number on the tonneau cover connected to that of my truck? If I ordered it from the factory in that way, are the two mutually exclusive?

I would have thought if there was a recall and the VIN was connected then I would see that on my Toyota App no?

 

I have the mx4 and am concerned as well. It looks exactly the same as the OEM

 

Maybe Bak can give us some more info? Meanwhile has anyone taken a close look? Maybe alls we need to do, at least temporarily, is add a little Loc-Tite.

 

I just checked the app and the recall does appear now.

 

Here is a photo of one of the front hold downs. These thumb wheels (one each side) seemed to be a bit loose. I snugged mine up for now.

 

I want to know where the weak points are so I can monitor. My gut tells me these might/probably come off only when in the retracted positions. Seems unlikely to fly off with the clips at ever other fold securing to the bed when closed.

 

Yes after I posted this I went to the Canada recall page and plugged in my VIN. It was more of a communication at this point, not directing me to remove the cover quite yet.

 

Well…tonneau is a Toyota but bought/Shipped from Sparks and installed locally so I doubt Toyota has my VIN connected to the cover since it wasn’t on the order spec.

However I think I should still get “the fix” - whatever it is through any Toyota dealer when it's figured out.

I will check with my local dealer and find out.

 

I checked mine and they were a little loose. Hand tightened till my hand turned red lol that might not be the culprit but good call bud.

 

Hard to tell if this alone will help, but can't hurt. I also wonder about that black bracket or clamp. I really haven't had a chance to get up in there to see all the details as to exactly how the cover is retained to the truck.

 

The 2 bolts in the front are really the only stationary fasteners, and each of the 3 top pieces snap on and lock onto the rails as they are laid flat.

I think I would be getting locknuts for the 2 bolts as a temporay fix.

I'll also look if there is a way to safely attach a bungy cord from the bottom of each of the 3 leafs to the bed rail hooks, just to reduce the risk of the whole thing flying off.

 

Does anyone know yet if this recall affects Tonneau Covers that were installed by the dealer and not put on by the factory. Since I had a dealer just install the tonneau cover about 5 days ago and I purchased it the same day they installed it?

 

It’s on the app in Canada now

 

Not 100% sure but this seems like a design issue that covers all current Toyota OEM covers, not an installation problem. If it were as simple as that there would already be a fix.

 

Checked mine as well and they were also a bit loose. I hand tightened them but don’t want to risk stripping anything. Any chance they’re a little loose by design?

 

IDK for sure. I just went to RealTruck and watched the MX4 install video for our Tundras and he says make those star nuts "snug" but don't really need to be super tight. The install video shows that there should be a lock washer on there to keep them from backing off. Honestly, after watching that video I don't see how these things can simply blow off. Unless maybe there is a defect in the manufacture or material of the brackets and hardware, maybe? IDK

Visit this link and scroll down to watch the Tundra MX4 install video:

BAKFlip MX4 Tonneau Cover | RealTruck