Recall 13V163 affects 208,000 2007-2013 Toyota Fj Cruiser SUVs with auxiliary lamps that exceed high-beam brightness limits. Repair is free at any franchised Toyota dealer.
Toyota is recalling 208,000 2007-2013 Fj Cruiser vehicles equipped with Toyota auxiliary driving lamp kits because the upper beam headlamps and 55 watt auxiliary lamps exceed the federal light-output limit together. The excess light can create glare for oncoming traffic and raise crash risk; Toyota dealers will complete the repair free once the remedy is available.
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What's wrong?
The Toyota Auxiliary Driving Lamp Kit on the 2007-2013 Fj Cruiser is mounted to the front bumper and adds forward lighting when the upper beam headlamps are in use. These auxiliary lamps are meant to help illuminate the road ahead while staying within the light-output limits set for the vehicle's lighting system.
On affected Fj Cruiser vehicles, the auxiliary lamp assemblies use 55 watt bulbs, and their mounting angle adds too much light when combined with the upper beam headlamps. The problem is not that the lamps stop working. The problem is excessive brightness, which means the lighting setup does not meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108.
There is no warning sign before failure. The lamps still turn on, so the issue can exist even when the lighting appears to work normally.
Who's affected?
All listed Fj Cruiser model years point to the same exterior-lighting component.
| 2008 Toyota Fj Cruiser | Exterior lighting |
|---|---|
| 2009 Toyota Fj Cruiser | Exterior lighting |
| 2010 Toyota Fj Cruiser | Exterior lighting |
| 2011 Toyota Fj Cruiser | Exterior lighting |
| 2012 Toyota Fj Cruiser | Exterior lighting |
| 2013 Toyota Fj Cruiser | Exterior lighting |
| 2007 Toyota Fj Cruiser | Exterior lighting |
| Units affected | 208,000 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
The headlamp bulbs exceed the maximum allowable light intensity, which creates added glare for oncoming traffic and increases crash risk. Schedule the bulb replacement soon and use extra care around other traffic until it is complete. Repair will be free at any franchised Toyota dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2007-2013 Toyota Fj Cruiser is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Toyota dealer and ask about recall number 13V163.
- Schedule the auxiliary-lamp bulb replacement that lowers the too-bright front bumper lamps from 55 watt bulbs to 35 watt bulbs.
- Bring the recall notice if Toyota mailed one. If not, give the dealer recall number 13V163.
- Limit use of the auxiliary driving lamps until the repair is complete to reduce glare for oncoming traffic.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Toyota technician replaces each 55 watt bulb in the auxiliary driving lamp kit with a 35 watt bulb. That lowers the combined light output from the upper beam headlamps and auxiliary lamps so the lamps no longer exceed the allowed upper beam output. The dealer repair will be free once available. Parts and labor are covered under recall 13V163.
Timeline
| April 25, 2013 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| June 6, 2013 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 13V163?
Recall 13V163 covers 208,000 2007-2013 Toyota Fj Cruiser vehicles with Toyota Auxiliary Driving Lamp Kits mounted to the front bumper. The 55 watt bulbs and lamp angle made the upper-beam and auxiliary lamps too bright, increasing glare for oncoming traffic and crash risk. Toyota dealers replace the bulbs for free.
What should I do if my 2007-2013 Toyota Fj Cruiser is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Fj Cruiser is included in recall 13V163. If it is, contact a franchised Toyota dealer and ask for the auxiliary driving lamp bulb replacement. Reference recall number 13V163 when you call. The dealer repair is free.
Does the recall repair cost anything?
No. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to perform recall repairs at no cost, and Toyota dealers replace the 55 watt auxiliary driving lamp bulbs with 35 watt bulbs free of charge.
What if I bought my Toyota Fj Cruiser used?
The free repair still applies. Federal recall law requires Toyota to honor the recall regardless of ownership history. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific Fj Cruiser is included, then call a franchised Toyota dealer and reference recall number 13V163.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/13V163000 |
|---|---|
| Toyota customer service | 1-800-331-4331 |
| NHTSA recall # | 13V163 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 13V163000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →