Recall 21V688 affects 158,489 2018-2021 Toyota Tundra trucks for overheating headlight wiring. Repair is free at any franchised Toyota dealer.
Toyota is recalling 158,489 2018-2021 Tundra trucks because the headlight electrical circuits can power the high and low beams at the same time, overheating the electrical connector. An overheated connector increases the risk of a fire, and Toyota dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The engine room main wire harness in affected 2018-2021 Toyota Tundra trucks carries power through the headlight circuits. On trucks with halogen headlamps, those circuits feed the low beam and high beam bulb filaments. Normally, the wiring and connector are supposed to send power without letting the connector build excess heat.
On these Tundras, the halogen headlamp circuits were designed so the high and low beam filaments are energized at the same time when the high beams are switched on. That extra electrical load overheats the headlight connector. If the connector keeps heating instead of opening the circuit, heat can damage nearby material and increase the risk of a fire.
A driver can first notice that a headlamp has stopped working. That failed headlamp is the warning sign Toyota identifies. If the light goes out, have the truck checked before using the high beams again.
Who's affected?
Across the 2018-2021 Tundra scope, the same engine room main wire harness is listed under both headlights and wiring.
| 2020 Toyota Tundra | Headlights |
|---|---|
| 2020 Toyota Tundra | wiring |
| 2018 Toyota Tundra | Headlights |
| 2018 Toyota Tundra | wiring |
| 2019 Toyota Tundra | Headlights |
| 2019 Toyota Tundra | wiring |
| 2021 Toyota Tundra | Headlights |
| 2021 Toyota Tundra | wiring |
| Units affected | 158,489 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific pickup truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
An overheated electrical connector can raise the risk of a fire that spreads to other parts of the vehicle. An inoperative headlamp is the warning sign Toyota identified. Schedule the recall repair soon, and call the dealer promptly if a headlamp stops working. Repair is free at any franchised Toyota dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2018-2021 Toyota Tundra is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Toyota dealer to schedule the free engine wire harness modification and headlight inspection that addresses the overheating headlight connector.
- Ask the dealer to inspect and replace any damaged bulb, bulb connector, or headlight assembly under recall number 21V688.
- Bring the owner letter Toyota mailed on April 25, 2022, or give the dealer recall number 21V688 when you call.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Toyota technician modifies the engine wire harness assembly, then inspects the affected headlight parts. If the overheating damaged a bulb, bulb connector, or headlight assembly, the technician replaces those parts as needed. The recall repair is free, with parts and labor covered. Toyota's owner letter says owners who already paid to fix this condition before the campaign can seek reimbursement through Toyota's General Reimbursement Plan. Bring repair invoices or other payment documentation to the service desk or contact Toyota customer service.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| September 2, 2021 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| September 2, 2021 | Dealer notification began |
| September 2, 2021 | Dealer notification ended |
| October 4, 2021 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| April 25, 2022 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 21V688?
Recall 21V688 covers 158,489 2018-2021 Toyota Tundra trucks with headlight electrical circuits that can power the high and low beams at the same time. That can overheat the electrical connector and increase fire risk. Toyota dealers will repair the wiring and replace damaged headlight parts for free.
What should I do if my 2018-2021 Toyota Tundra is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific truck is included in recall 21V688. If it is, contact a franchised Toyota dealer to schedule the engine wire harness modification and any needed headlight part replacement. Reference recall 21V688 or Toyota numbers 21TB06 and 21TA06 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to provide the recall repair at no cost. Toyota dealers will modify the engine wire harness assembly and replace any damaged bulb, bulb connector, or headlight assembly free of charge.
Is it safe to drive my Toyota Tundra before the recall repair?
This recall does not carry a do-not-drive instruction. The safety concern is that an overheated headlight electrical connector can increase fire risk, so confirm your VIN and schedule the free Toyota dealer repair if your truck is included.
What if I bought my Toyota Tundra used?
The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to honor open safety recalls regardless of ownership history. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific Tundra is included, then call a franchised Toyota dealer with recall 21V688.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V688000 |
|---|---|
| Toyota customer service | 1-800-331-4331 |
| NHTSA recall # | 21V688 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 21V688000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 20, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →