Leaking 2017 Tacoma BAD MOLD need advice

hey guys, so I have a 2017 Tacoma double cab off road. Mileage is 10,328I noticed a wet spot a while ago but thought I had left the back window cracked and didn’t think about it. I rarely drive my truck as I’m always In My service van. Well I hadn’t been In it for about 2 weeks. I went to go pick up my son and it smelled !!!! When I got to pick him up I opened the back and MOLD EVERYWHERE!!! went to Toyota found out about the leaking 3rd brake light, but the guy said this is the worst he’s ever seen? What should I do? I’m thinking of asking for a buy back and just pay the difference for a 19 Tacoma ? I can’t have this mold crap with my 2 kids. Even his car seat is moldy now !!!! To make it worse the boy (4) has been coughing for like a month now. I feel so bad like I exposed him to this shit

 

Oh my god that’s nasty, i dont have any advice but damn, good luck OP

 

You might want to consult an attorney.

 

Your HMSL gasket is leaking, has been a common issue for these trucks, if you are still under warranty, get it to your favorite dealer and get it fixed.

 

I get that, but this is beyond bad. I’ve searched and haven’t seen one this bad

 

I’ve seriously thought about this, but I wanna see what Toyota does ‍♂️ I love my Tacoma’s just mind blown about this

 

Well it doesn’t hurt to tell them that you wanted to see what they would offer before consulting with an attorney. I would just be careful not to admit fault (Like if they asked why it took so long to notice).

 

Honestly I don’t drive it much.. like the mileage tells the story. 10,328 for a 2017 is super low. I’m a service plumber and always in my work van. Never think to look for mold in my new pickup lol

 

Toyota had a recall for the 3rd brake light gasket. Noticed some water when I washed it. Had it replaced the next day. Then 2 weeks later I got the letter

 

Call your insurance, they will may total it and you can get a new one.

 

Would they though ? Even with Toyota recalling it and it being a known issue. Should I approach my insurance or Toyota service? I have a service appt the 26th. But haven’t even thought about insurance

 

It's as simple as fixing the leak, then use vinegar or chlorine or other bio cleaner to kill the mold. The biggest issue is removing the seats, carpet and rear cab panel (still not that big of a deal) dry and thoroughly clean the interior. Make sure everything is completely dry before reassembly.

I would not trust the dealer with anything beyond the leak repair (actually wouldn't trust them with anything, but that's me)

 

I dont think it was a recall, but rather it was a tsb. tsb are covered under standard warrantly and are just repair processes for known issues. Recalls are forever and usually a safety issue.

Your truck is more or less a flood damaged vehicle. Insurance would pay for carpet, seats, headliner, probably airbags and at that point it would total out.

edit: I say airbags because mold will eat the fabric of the airbag creating a unsafe deployment of them.

 

In theory, the mold on hard surfaces can be bleached, seats replaced, truck aired out and all should be good? All on Toyota’s dime of course.

 

Yikes

 

Contact both, if Toyota say's no, insurance may cover. Insurance co. may go after Toyota, for reimbursement.

 

It has penetrated all areas of the carpet, under the seats, seatbelts, the damn car seat. I’ve read of people having the interior replaced and the sound dampening removes to bare metal which caused rusting issues. I’m just so frustrated. I don’t wanna do a repair and have a issue with rust, or mold spores into the AC vents. Stuff I can’t see till it’s a issue

 

Take it to the dealer. Give them an opportunity to make it right. They will likely fix it. Likely replace all the moldy items (carpet/pad/seats/headliner/belts), they’ll likely just clean the plastics. That child’s seat though, I would document it well and then throw it away, then talk to the dealer about being reimbursed for it.

 

The approach I’m going to go in with is retail value trade in towards a new truck. With as much mold as is in there I just don’t see myself letting my kids back into the truck. Past that maybe insurance route. I don’t quite know. Never experienced anything like this. And I’ve owned like 13 Tacoma’s

 

The likelyhood that the dealer will jump to a buy back Is very low. Especially without being given a chance to repair the problem. Same with insurance. They would want to try and repair it first. Unlikely they would total it for this.