Toyota Australia is recalling certain Tundra pickups because a defect in the rear brake lights can block drivers from restarting the vehicle after it has been switched off.

The recall notice explains that affected vehicles use a Towing Converter Relay to manage rear lamps on both the truck and any trailer.

A wire inside the relay may lack proper insulation, exposing a terminal pin through the tape. This pin could contact the cabin back panel, disabling the stop lights and triggering a brake override warning.

The result is that the smart start system will not allow the engine to restart without a stop signal once the vehicle is turned off.

Non-working brake lights also raise the chance that other motorists will not notice when the vehicle is slowing, which could lead to a crash and possible injury or fatality.

A total of 1199 vehicles are affected, built between May 1, 2023 and December 19, 2024
The original recall notice and Vehicle Identification Number list are available from Toyota

Owners of affected trucks should book a service appointment at an authorised Toyota dealer, where the repair will be completed at no cost.

Technicians will fix the terminal pin and add fresh insulation to the wire connected to the main harness.

The inspection and repair are expected to take about one hour, though owners may need to leave the vehicle longer depending on dealer scheduling.

Further questions can be directed to a preferred Toyota dealer or the Toyota Recall Campaign Helpline at 1800 987 366, available from 8:00am to 7:00pm AEST on weekdays.