NHTSA recall 12V542000
Tires · Toyota Motor Corporation
Details
What's wrong: The spare tire in the subject vehicles is located underneath the rear of the vehicle and held by a spare tire carrier. A lift plate on the carrier is used to help raise, lower and retain the tire. During its manufacture, the lift plate may not have been sufficiently coated with anti-corrosion materials. If the plate is insufficiently coated and the vehicle is operated in cold climate regions where road salts are…
Why it matters: Corrosion of the plate could cause it to break, which could result in detachment of the spare tire from the vehicle. Detachment of the spare tire could result in a road hazard which may increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
The fix: Toyota will notify owners, dealers will inspect the vehicle and replace the spare tire carrier lift plate as necessary, free of charge. The recall began in February 2013.
Affected vehicles on MotorDeets
All model years NHTSA lists
2001 Toyota Tacoma, 2002 Toyota Tacoma, 2003 Toyota Tacoma, 2004 Toyota Tacoma.
Recalls can cover only some VINs. Check yours on NHTSA's official recall page for 12V542000.
Source: NHTSA recall records. Summary shortened; the official notice has the full text.