Recalls: Toyota and NHTSA recalling 2007-2013 FJ Cruisers over excessively bright headlights

Toyota Motor Corporation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have just issued a recall for 2007-2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser SUVs for “excessively bright headlights,” particularly with ones equipped with Toyota’s factory Auxiliary Driving Lamp kits—the ones that sit on the ram guard in front of the grill.

The lamps are 55 watt bulbs from the factory and were found to be too bright for federal safety standards when combined with the upper beam headlamps.

Toyota said they will notify owners and will replace the 55 watt bulbs with 35 watt units free of charge with the campaign beginning this month.

For full details, check out the press release after the jump.

Report Receipt Date: APR 25, 2013
NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V163000
Component(s): EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Potential Number of Units Affected: 11,489

All Products Associated with this Recall
2007-2013 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER

Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

SUMMARY

Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2007-2013 FJ Cruiser vehicles manufactured January 25, 2006 through February 23, 2013 and equipped with a Toyota Auxiliary Driving Lamp Kits mounted to the front bumper. These lamp assemblies include 55 watt bulbs and due to this wattage, the combination of the upper beam headlamps plus the auxiliary lamps are too bright and exceed the maximum light output allowed for an upper beam headlamp. Therefore, these vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108, “Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.”

CONSEQUENCE

Excessively bright lamps may temporarily blind oncoming drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.

REMEDY

Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the 55 watt bulbs with 35 watt bulbs, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in late May 2013. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.

NOTES

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

– By: Chris Chin