Dealership Nearly Bricked My Truck ― Brought My 2024 SR5 Tacoma in for the Trailer Blind Spot Monitor Update Recall Last Week

A recent complaint about service from a Toyota dealership raises the question of whether Toyota owners should be forgiving whenever a tech makes a mistake that could have cost the owner their truck.

According to the OP on a recent forum discussion titled "Dealership Nearly Bricked My Truck," a service for an update recall issue on their 2024 SR5 Tacoma was not without its hazards aside from the problem being addressed.

"Brought my 2024 SR5 Tacoma in for the Trailer Blind Spot Monitor update recall last week. Noticed yesterday while driving with the wife that my AC wasn't blowing cold air but didn't think too much about it.

While sitting in the Home Depot parking lot killing time I noticed it was happening again. So I was idling and searching up the issue on the Internet when my dash lit up telling me the truck was overheating.

I shut the truck off and popped the hood and found this connector UNPLUGGED! They disconnected my radiator fan for some reason while doing the recall and forgot to plug it back in. Unbelievable..."

Thread Posts Argue Over Seriousness of the Problem

The OP is justifiably upset.

The problem is that it appears the service tech, while performing the required radiator fan disconnect for the update, failed to remember to replug the connection afterward.

Per one Toyota tech who states:

"Toyota dealership technician here. The recall instructions specifically say to unplug the fans before starting the update. Otherwise, they turn on and go into overdrive, running much faster than they normally would during normal operation. Unplugging them keeps the voltage stable and prevents damaging the fans."

So, yes, a mistake was made.

However, a chain of comments in the thread offers a difference in opinion of whether or not the OP was being overly dramatic about what happened―especially since he caught the problem before the engine became damaged.

Was This as Serious of a Problem as the OP Reported?

While I can understand how a mistake like an unplugged radiator fan connector can be made, I have to side with the comments pointing out the seriousness of the event.

Yes, leaving the radiator fan unplugged on a 2024 Toyota Tacoma could cause engine damage, especially during normal city driving.

The radiator fan is critical for cooling the engine when there is insufficient airflow—such as in traffic or at stoplights.

Without the fan, the coolant temperature can rise quickly, especially in warmer weather or during extended periods of idling.

Once the engine overheats, it can lead to:

1. Warped cylinder heads
2. Blown head gaskets
3. Engine knocking or failure

And although the OP recognized some of the signs of an overheating engine:

1. Rising temperature gauge
2. Steam from under the hood
3. Warning lights or messages on the dashboard
4. A sudden drop in engine performance

Not every Toyota owner may be as cognizant of a problem until it is too late.

The lesson here is that if you have your vehicle serviced at a dealership and it involves a recall requiring an update to the ECU and notice a new problem surfacing shortly afterward, the best precautions to take include the following:

1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and inspect for any discrepancies or disconnections, such as loose or disconnected electrical connectors, vacuum lines, hoses, or the air filter box.
3. Call the dealership immediately and report the issue.
4. Based on knowing what service was recently done and the signs and symptoms you are observing, the dealership should be able to assess the possibilities and should arrange for a tow back to their service department.

Related article: Blown Toyota Engine Option That Will Save You Money― "It's Fascinating What You Can Get for Approximately $2,000."

What Should the OP Do?

The OP would be correct in contacting the dealership regarding the incident so that the Service Manager can determine how it occurred and who was at fault. Mistakes caught do not necessarily need to be punished, but they do need to be addressed and remedied so that they do not happen again.

As a few thread comments correctly pointed out, leaving little reminders behind during any repair works for ensuring similar mistakes are caught.

Tech should keep a basketball on top of his toolbox. When the tech unplugs the fan, put the basketball in the engine compartment on top of the engine. Can't close the hood with the basketball in the way. Basketball, stuffed doll, anything weird and large enough to be obvious. Some type of visual reminder the fan is unplugged.―Tom_Trail

Indeed. I personally placed my $300 electric impact next to the plug to remind myself every time. I have had people in my dealership leave them unplugged as well. Sucks no one is perfect.―Va_largemouth

Master Mechanic Admits Technician Mistakes

Here's a related article for your consideration titled "Master Mechanic Admits Technician Mistakes."

It's Your Turn to Respond About Service Department Goofs: Do you believe the OP is justifiably upset? Have you experienced a repair goof that could have totaled your car? Tell us about it in the comments section below.

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Timothy Boyer is an automotive reporter based in Cincinnati who currently researches and works on restoring older vehicles with engine modifications for improved performance. He also reports on modern cars (including EVs) with a focus on DIY mechanics, buying and using tools, and other related topical automotive repair news. Follow Tim on Twitter at @TimBoyerWrites as well as on Facebook and his automotive blog "Zen and the Art of DIY Car Repair" for useful daily news and topics related to new and used cars and trucks.

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