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Rear window/3rd brake light leak

Discussion in 'General Tundra Discussion' started by trekkar, Feb 20, 2021.

  1. Feb 20, 2021 at 4:02 PM
    #1
    trekkar

    trekkar [OP] New Member

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    I'm looking for a new truck and think I just ruled out the trail boss after skipping around a 200 page post on the leaks. I guess it is still happening on the 2021's. Kinda sucks I just found a base 6.2 I could probably pick up for a little under 40k.

    In that thread someone mentioned there the tundras did it too. So I searched around and only found 1 complaint with the 3rd gen. Looks like it was just a 3rd brake light seal. Most of the complaints I found were 1st gen.

    I didn't realize all the crew max windows come down which I like. But wondering if there is any issue with leaks either with the window or brake light.
     
  2. Feb 20, 2021 at 4:10 PM
    #2
    Candella66

    Candella66 New Member

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    Seats , 20 inch rims, Qi charger, remote starter,katskinz seats, extang bed cover, pop’n’lock tailgate, color matched honeycomb grill and hood bulge,
    I have no issues with my crewmax window in rear going all the way down is awesome in summer when it’s hot toget all the super hot air out faster
     
    Bammer, AnonVet and PonyMan like this.
  3. Feb 20, 2021 at 5:36 PM
    #3
    Tundra234

    Tundra234 New Member

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    Alot of them
    There was on guy that had water in his cab and mentioned the 3rd brake light. I thought his was missing the seal though...can't remember.
     
  4. Feb 21, 2021 at 2:34 AM
    #4
    preacher35

    preacher35 RIGHTEOUS MEMBER

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    2018 Crewmax and no issues.
     
  5. Feb 21, 2021 at 3:48 AM
    #5
    Cpl_Punishment

    Cpl_Punishment Young men never die.

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    Boost Auto mirrors, RSB, Leer Legend canopy, Line-X bed liner
    Yeah, haven't heard of any issues here. The Tundra is definitely less likely to leak than any of the domestics.

    But if you're set on a Trail Boss, you could buy one with a fixed rear window. That's what I was considering until I read about all the other issues they're having. :rolleyes:
     
  6. Feb 21, 2021 at 4:28 AM
    #6
    JohnnyT

    JohnnyT New Member

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    Switched over to a Chevy LT TrailBitch from a Tacoma back in 2019. Got rid of the POS 2 months ago and went with a Toyota Tundra. Long story short I bought the TrailBitch and had nothing , but issues. Back up camera at night was horrendous. The touch screen would black out completely and I had no access to it. Check engine light every other month because of a terrible ECM. And if that wasn’t enough the 8 speed transmission was a complete joke. Sometimes when going into reverse then drive it would hesitate upon gas throttle other times it would jerk you forward. Right before I traded it in it started making a loud screeching sound when putting it reverse. I owned the truck just over a year and couldn’t wait to get back into a Toyota.
     
  7. Feb 21, 2021 at 8:12 AM
    #7
    trekkar

    trekkar [OP] New Member

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    Thanks all for the replies, I found no other leaks with the tundra in more searching. I'm really sensitive to mold/mildew so that's the last thing I need in a new truck. It looks like it's not just the window opening leaking but the bigger issue may be that big spoiler/brake light on top. Something with sealing the mounting holes and even after being repaired still happening. Probably for the best saved me from a bunch of other issues with GMs from what it sounds like.
     
    Cpl_Punishment likes this.
  8. Feb 22, 2021 at 11:52 PM
    #8
    2020 dc

    2020 dc New Member

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    My 2020 tundra...no seal or gasket in the third brake light lens (high mount brake light with cargo lights). Either Toyota forgot to put a gasket for my truck or they redesigned the lens without the need for a gasket. Someone with a 2020 and up model should check if they have a gasket in their lens.
     
  9. May 7, 2021 at 5:36 PM
    #9
    Don308

    Don308 New Member

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    My 2017 Tundra had the third brake light leak. Stained the headliner. The dealer replaced it and no more leaks or stains. Mine had the gasket installed.
     
  10. May 7, 2021 at 5:42 PM
    #10
    Tundra234

    Tundra234 New Member

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    My 2020 has a light grey gasket behind the lens.
     
    Last edited: Sep 11, 2022
  11. May 9, 2021 at 9:55 PM
    #11
    2020 dc

    2020 dc New Member

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    Good to know. My 2020 has no gasket. Time to order one.
     
  12. Jul 17, 2021 at 9:53 AM
    #12
    Aught16TSS

    Aught16TSS New Member

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    Tuckasee
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    Reviving this old thread, just found reddish stains on the rear portion of my headliner. Assuming leaky third brake light. Anything I should know before just adding some silicone to the existing gasket and reinstalling?
     
  13. Jul 17, 2021 at 12:13 PM
    #13
    Don308

    Don308 New Member

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    There is two gaskets on the third brake light Assy.
    The first one is between the truck body and the light fixture. The second is a gray foam ring gasket between the red lense Assy and the light frame Assy. I found the gray gasket was not seated properly on the light frame Assy. I replaced it with a factory new one. The gasket between the light frame Assy and the cab is a dark spongy material and adhesive backed to stick and hold.
    It’s a pain to get to the one between the truck body and light frame Assy. You have to lower the headliner and get an 8mm (if I remember correctly) deep socket then remove two nuts to remove the whole Assy. Not an easy task but not hard. It’s time consuming. I bought a replacement gasket on Amazon that came with two gaskets in one box. I guess they figure you’re going to screw the first one up. I got mine the first try. It’s been a couple of months now and I don’t see any stains in the headliner.
    I’m assuming it worked.

    Good Luck.

    Don.
     
    Aught16TSS likes this.
  14. Jul 18, 2021 at 10:22 AM
    #14
    Aught16TSS

    Aught16TSS New Member

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    Don,
    Thanks for the info. Here’s hoping I don’t have to drop the headliner. I hate messing with headliners.
     

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