[memexe]

So the links say the repair is going to take 4 1/2 hours with removal of intake manifold to get to the EGR valve. The steps show this will be a major pain inn the ass for a future DIY EGR repair or cleaning of deposits from the system.

Indeed..
That`s a pretty involved repair based on the number of gaskets to be replaced due to dismantling...
Basically they have to remove everything in front of the engine!

 

[memexe]

NHTSA is only for safety recalls.

Exactly!

More to it:
This is campaign No. 22TC05 - C meaning : Special Service Campaign

From the document:

 

[memexe]

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2022/MC-10220206-9999.pdf

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2022/MC-10220234-9999.pdf

Hi fungabriel. This is a good candidate for the sticky:
Recalls (Updated 09-Dec-2021)

 

[memexe]

...
Also, I noticed that part of the test involves a balloon. That's pretty low-tech. I would've thought that Toyota and its suppliers would have had more quality baked in to their components by now.

If it works well and is cheap to operate, why not.
Imagine a precise tool that has to be calibrated to measure that pressure when all that`s needed is to see if the pressure is positive or negative...