2022/2023 Tonneau cover recall

Update: Toyota must have been reading my post... just now got a recall notice for both recalls on the app.

 

This is consistent with what the Brand Engagement Center told me. They said they have to send the recall to every Tundra that is capable of having those part numbers installed which is going to be all of them. The only ones they know about for sure are the port installed ones.

 

still odd this was the only year the number was zero. the 2nd gen production started in 2006 and there was not as much of a dip.

i wonder if its because the 2nd gen wasnt that dramatic of a change of direction than the 3rd gen was with the TNGA platform and going to a v6 completely.

 

It could also be a reporting glitch. Sometimes the simplest answer is true. I'd tag a couple of Toyota employees on the forum to get their thoughts but I feel like we've been giving certain people a workout over the last 2 weeks. haha.

During that particular time period, Toyota PR announced that Tundra sales were outpacing the rest of Detroit and that sales were growing so who knows.

Source: https://www.autoweek.com/news/trucks/a41095861/2023-toyota-tundra-drive-review/

Edit - New citation provided since the original article from the San Antonio newspaper was locked behind a paywall.

 

now that ive walked away and got lunch the zero month is really odd now since production for 3rd gen assembly line change over was aug/sep 2021 for model year 2022

edit : ive checked 3 different website sources and they all report dec-2022 as zero

 

I just received the recall notice on my app today (Canada). Went and checked the hand lug nuts at the front (nearest the cab) and one was SUPER loose!

 

I had a rather unsatisfying phone call with Toyota yesterday. I tried to get details of what *they think* is actually wrong with the cover and asked for a refund for mine, being that I use my cover daily so I can't just "take it off" and wait xx months for a recall remedy... especially since they were deleting them & destroying them and removing the charges from MSRP for new sales and builds only 1 month newer than mine. No dice. Got nothing on either count. All they said was that they "strongly urged" me to have it removed... no doubt trying to cover their sorry asses for liability, and yet giving me zero good will for a quick resolution. Unfortunately, Toyota is just like every other major corporation... they pretty much just do what they want to extract every nickel from us, and we mostly have little recourse except to maybe buy a different, and probably even worse, brand. Sad.

 

I'm not surprised that they won't tell you what is wrong or insufficient with the cover. Their lawyers won't let them get into anything that could lead to you or them trying to fix it and either make a new problem or still have it unsafe in which case they get sucked into further liability.

But for them to even suggest you take it off without offering some mitigation, either refund or a different cover, is very poor customer service. I'd say to them that my truck is unusable as purchased therefore you owe me some solution even if it's a suitable loaner vehicle until your truck is remedied. IMHO

 

Exactly what I said... that the vehicle is essentially not fit for service as-is. I will be writing them a letter with copies to DOT and CPSC for whatever that is worth. And I will try to escalate the issue one more time with them after that. But this is pathetic customer service. Did I miss something and buy a Ram, Ford or Chevy? Just one more way Toyota has joined the race to the bottom.

 

Send your wife in with the truck very vocally saying "it's broke and I'm not leaving until you fix it". Might be surprised how their tune changes. The last thing they want is an irate woman walking around the service and dealership complaining loudly.

 

LOL... that could get ugly!

 

My 2023 model was ordered by the dealer Sept 20, 2022, built in late November, 2022 (can't find that exact date... I saw it somewhere but can't remember where). I bought it Jan 20, 2023.

 

My 2023 was built in November, I believe. You have my VIN from a previous request. Run that one.

 

usually assembly line changeover is in sept and production starts in oct (typically)

 

end of fiscal year deals are in march (toyota new fiscal year starts in april)

 

If it was me I'd just never fold it against the cab, leave it in the 2/3rds folded position and keep it on there until the fix was announced. IT seems like the problem comes from that small panel not holding tight in the fully folded position for whatever reason.

 

I agree, although I could not get them to say that... but that is where I am heading. The path of least resistance. Seems they could have safely done a recall with that usage condition. So that makes me wonder at least a little bit.

 

I think part of the problem with the cover is related to flex in the bed. I had a tonneau on my truck for three months until I replaced it with a Leer shell. While driving on a rough gravel road, I noticed that the latch on one section would slip out from under the rail and that section pop up. I can see how over time if you didn’t reseat that section then the cover could come loose. It could really be a problem if you drove with the tailgate down with a long load as the bed is no longer stiffened by the latched tailgate.

 

Interesting. That's the first report of that I have seen. It could well be the problem.

 

As stated in my above message, in my case, it being folded against the cab is NOT the issue. I have done it once, and that was prior to my last hand-tighten of the star nuts.
Even re-tightening the nuts yesterday and then aggressively moving the tonneau around (intentionally, as a test), the nuts re-loosened.

With the recall being sent and instructions to remove, you are likely putting yourself in a position of liability if it flies off (and worst case scenario makes contact with another vehicle behind you).

 

Exactly how Toyota likes it... they walk away from all responsibility and don't provide a remedy for a vehicle that is unfit for purpose. LOL. Lose-lose for the customer.

 

The hand screw bolt for the cover dose have a lock washer with it. For the ones that are having them loose, is the lock washer there?

 

That is probably a bit overstating it don't you think? Like it or not, there is a very litigious contingent that would try to bury toyota if something were to happen like a tonneau fly off while driving at 80 mph on the freeway. I would trust that they will come up with some remedy soon but likely caught up in red tape bureaucratic BS that is inhibiting them in the short term. I heard they even put a stop sale on Tundras related to this issue. There MUST be a reason that is happening when the easy solution would be to simply remove the tonneau and sell the truck without it.

 

Maybe there are some inconsistencies in the manufacturing? I see so many folks having varying experiences with their covers that it makes me wonder.

All I can speak to is my experience. I installed mine on Jan 15th, 2022 and I had it on for 13 months & 17k miles. I folded it up a lot for dump runs. Especially for the first 3 months when I was doing dump runs weekly and carrying large payloads of materials (we were doing a remodel at the time). I just took it off & sold it about 2 weeks ago after I had my Leer 100XR cap put on the truck.

When I took it off, my 2 knob nuts were still very tight and I never had an issue with them being loose, the clamps unlocking, or anything else that would make me feel it become unsecured. I think Toyota telling people to remove the cover is primarily their legal department just being overly cautious & trying to mitigate any legal liability. That's pretty typical of any major company nowadays.

I feel like if you follow the 3 bullets below...you'll 100% fine to leave it on until the remedy comes about.

• Make sure the cover is aligned properly (i.e. plumb) so that each locking clamp gets equal purchase on the bed rails, it should be fine.
• If you fold it up and find your knob nuts loose...tighten them. Want to go the extra mile? Dab a little bit of purple vibra-tight or loctite on the threads.
• If you fold it all the way up, make sure it's resting firmly against the cab when you secure it with the arms and that it does not act like a fulcrum that forces the forward portion to pull away from the riveted mounting plate.

Regarding the 2nd bullet...ensure that your lock washer & rubber washer is present too. The rubber washer should also help to act as a vibration isolator.


My 2 cents.

 

Not overstating it at all. I have some road trips coming up in the next month so the Tundra without the cover is simply unfit for purpose. Lots of gear, luggage, etc, that needs to stay covered and secure. And I am not buying the "bureaucratic BS" excuse. They could easily make this good by refunding the cover costs so we can immediately get another in the aftermarket. That goodwill would cost them almost nothing, but still they resist. LOL. And the recall does say to remove and *destroy* the covers on new and unsold Tundras. Then the stop sale is released. Some members here have already gotten them like that.

 

Showing some cleavage with stilettos will teach them!!

 

UPDATE: I can see a few are fired up like me here because it seems silly that Toyota has essentially sold a product that they're saying we cant use nor can they fix it. I (like @raylo) have a pretty long road trip coming up and if Toyota would like to supply me with an equal or better replacement vehicle that has a safe and proper cover that (full disclosure) is gonna get the poop beat out of it on my cross country trip, then the only other alternative I see is a buy-back option for the cover so I can go after market before we leave.

Now to the update part. I don't know if I can post a phone number and some of you have probably already called; but my dealer gave me 888-270-9371 to call. The person seemed understanding when I gave her the info and said she has to pass it to the case management team since I mentioned 'buy-back' of the cover. My argument being you cant tell me to remove the cover if there is no fix in a reasonable amount of time. Keeping my bed load dry is crucial for my livelihood. I was told there is a 1-2 business day turn around. I'll let everyone know when I hear back. Until then, hope you all have a good weekend.

 

Sounds exactly how my first conversation went. Unfortunately, those "brand advocates" are essentially tier 1 tech support and have to take it to their supervisors or tier 2. They use this as a stalling game. They will call you back and then they get you online with a tier 2 person who will deny the request. Just so you are prepared and don't waste too much time.

And to think I just sold a 15 year old Tacoma with a great cover on it so I could take my trips in a new more reliable and comfortable Tundra... that I will be unable to use now without risking some sort of liability for an unspecified problem. Can't make this stuff up.

Please let us know if you have better luck than I did. The tier 2 lady seemed very sympathetic but in the end basically just said "I am the messenger".

 

Just remove the factory nut, install 2 ( double nut) the cover with a splash of Lok-Tight. That thing wont undo until you put a wrench on it

 

They did put a stop sale on them, I found a Lunar rock Limited that was on a stop sale because of this issue. I ended up calling at the right time because they didn't realize they could sell it yet. I picked it up, then found someone on FB Marketplace and bought an OEM Cover with a couple small hail dents for $250, hopefully I get a new one out of it.