Rear Light Problems - '96 Camry LE

[MaxiPKat]

Hello All,

I've had my Camry since 2000 and I love it! The only consistent problem I've had with it is that the rear brake light bulbs keep burning out - a lot. The right brake light I have had to replace at least 5 times in the last 2 years. The left one has been replaced a few times, too. Now the left one blew out yesterday and I cannot get it to work again. The spring inside the left rear blinker holder fell out and looks to have corroded. So I cannot use the left blinker or my brake light. The parking light turns on, but when I apply the brake, it goes out. I noticed there was a recall for this constant burnout problem from 1996, but I don't think it was ever taken care of. Do recalls expire or could I possibly get this partially fixed? Many times the bulbs that we've replaced are blackened and warped.

Thanks,
Melissa

Recall Date:
FEB 20, 1996


Model Affected:
1996 TOYOTA CAMRY


Summary:
THE PLASTIC MATERIAL OF THE BULB HOLDERS OF THE REAR TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY DOES NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT HEAT RESISTANCE. WHEN THE BULB IS ILLUMINATED, THE RESULTING HIGH TEMPERATURE CAN CAUSE THE BULB HOLDER TO DEFORM.


Consequence:
AS THE BULB HOLDER DEFORMS, THE BULB CAN LOSE ELECTRICAL CONTACT, RESULTING IN AN INOPERATIVE LAMP, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.


Remedy:
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR COMBINATION LAMP BULB HOLDER TO SEE IF IT IS THE DEFECTIVE MATERIAL. THE DEFECTIVE BULB HOLDER TOGETHER WITH THE WIRING HARNESS WILL BE REPLACED WITH A CORRECT BULB HOLDER AND HARNESS.


Potential Units Affected:
756


Notes:
TOYOTA MOTOR CO., LTD.

[ASG14]

To be honest, your best bet is to take a quick stop into your local Toyota dealer WITH the recall info that you listed above, and ask them if it is still covered. They should be able to give you a quick answer.

I'm honestly not sure if about recalls expiring. I've heard different things from different people.

Good luck though, and I hope they fix it free of charge.

[samarai912]

I'm not sure of a date that old but I know I waited a year and a half for the recall of my tial lights for the mercedes. I think if you just expain to to them the your neglegence they will be more than happy to try their best to get you a freebee...its toyota afterall, they're not too greedy at least not around here.

[Mike Gerber]

Recalls that are safety issues usually have no time limit. If you have a question about it and your car and want the correct answer, I would call Toyota corporate at 1-800-331-4331 and talk to a customer service rep about it. Dealers have a tendancy to dismiss things out of hand, on a car as old as your's.

Mike

[cykaaro]

^ exactly!

What usually happens, if a recall has been dealt with on a vehicle they'll know by the VIN# as they should keep records of it.

On my other vehicle when I got it, NO recalls were ever done. Everything was fixed under the recall, even though the car was almost 15yrs old.

Good luck with getting this solved!