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Why do Toyota load capacity labels keep getting recalled?
Almost every recall here is a sticker, not a part. Nearly all of them involve the load carrying capacity modification label or the certification label printing a number that is wrong, faded or illegible — and the Tundra and 4Runner appear again and again, from 2017 through 2024. The usual causes repeat: spray-in or spray-on bed liners, accessory floor mats counted twice, and distributor-installed wheel packages such as the TRD wheels and 20-inch Black Gunner wheels. Regional distributors Southeast Toyota and Gulf States Toyota issued most of them, covering everything from the Camry and Corolla to the bZ4X. The outlier is a 2018 Prius C sold in Puerto Rico missing its passenger airbag warning label.
Warning signs to watch for
- A load capacity or certification label whose text has faded or gone illegible
- A printed capacity that does not account for your bed liner, floor mats or accessory wheels
- A missing front passenger airbag and child seating label (2018 Prius C sold in Puerto Rico)
- Nothing you can feel while driving — these notices describe no mechanical warning signs
Is it safe to keep driving?
None of these recalls tells owners to stop driving or park outside, and none describes a broken part. The vehicle itself is fine. The catch is that a wrong or unreadable label can lead you to overload the truck or SUV, and an overloaded vehicle handles worse and can strain its tires, so go easy on heavy loads, towing and full beds until the corrected label arrives. Prius C owners in Puerto Rico should follow the standard rule of keeping children in the back seat while waiting for the label.
What the free repair involves
In most of these recalls Toyota, Southeast Toyota or Gulf States Toyota simply mails owners a corrected load carrying capacity or certification label, sometimes with instructions to place it over the inaccurate one. In a few, a dealer replaces the label for you. The Prius C labels were mailed as removable stickers. Every version is free of charge.
Severity at a glance
| Severity | Recalls |
|---|---|
| medium | 1 |
| low | 15 |
Models affected most
Every recall in this group
Common questions
Do I have to take my Tundra to the dealer for a label recall?
Usually not. Most of these label recalls are handled by mail — Toyota, SET or GST sends you the corrected label and you apply it over the old one. A couple say the dealer replaces the label, so check the letter for your specific recall number.
Why do bed liners and floor mats trigger a recall?
Accessories add weight, and the load carrying capacity label is supposed to subtract it. Spray-in bed liners were miscalculated on several Tundras, and all-weather floor mats were counted twice on 2018-2019 Tundras, overstating what you can safely carry.
How do I know my real load limit until the new label comes?
The notices do not give replacement figures, so the safe approach they describe is to avoid heavy loads until the corrected label arrives. If you regularly load near the limit, ask your dealer or the distributor listed in your letter before hauling or towing.
A recall applies only to specific vehicles. Check your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.