I own a 2014 SR5 and have received a recall notice from Toyota about the fuel pump failing. The recall notice states my 4Runner is included in the recall but says I will receive another notification when the official fix has been established. I realize the fuel pump is located in the gas tank, which to me indicates an involved procedure to replace it. My question is how is the dealer going to do the replacement? Are they going to drop the gas tank or access it through an access door under the back seat. A quick search on YouTube shows it done both ways, dropping the tank or access through the interior. However, if the pump is accessed through the interior, the access panel will need to be enlarged because the pump will not fit through the factory access panel.
I asked my servicing dealer how the pump would be replaced and was told it would be changed though the interior access panel and assured me there would be no cutting involved and that Toyota would never approve cutting into the floor.
Unfortunately past experiences with my servicing dealer has made me not trust them at all so I checked for myself. I removed the back seat over the gas tank (I have a third row seat) and there is no way the access panel can be accessed without cutting the carpet and enlarging the access panel. The only way I can see to get the fuel pump out of the tank without altering the car is by dropping the tank. Am I missing something? Has anyone had this done and if so, how? At this point, I’m just going to wait for Toyota to contact me with the official procedure.
Thanks for listening.
Dan

I would let them fix it according to the conditions of the recall. If you don’t trust your particular dealership, is there another within driving distance?

Next closest dealer is 150 miles away. I considered that but it would be inconvenient. I’m very curious to see what Toyota says. I did call Toyota using the phone number on the recall notice but didn’t get any more information from that call. I’d like to see how the official service manual says to change it and asked the person I talked to from Toyota. He suggested going to Toyotatech.com but that was a pay to view service manual. I shouldn’t have to do that.
Thanks for the response.

My best guess is that Toyota is still trying to confirm that it is the fuel pump itself (i.e., why is it stopping working) that is the problem, or something else related to the fuel delivery system.

DATE OF RECALL:

March 4, 2020

VEHICLES AFFECTED:

The initial recall in January 2020 covered a number of Toyota and Lexus models for both brands, and are now joined by others. In total, there are 158,262 affected in Canada, plus another 1.8 million in the United States.

The full list for both ends of the recall include the following:

2013-15 Lexus LS 460 sedans.
2013-14 Lexus GS 350 sedans.
2014 Lexus IS-F sedans.
2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser SUVs.
2014-15 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser.
2014-15 Lexus GX 460 and LX 570 SUVs.
2014-15 Lexus IS 350 sedans.
2015 Lexus NX 200t SUVs and RC 350 coupes.
2017 Lexus IS 200t sedans and RC 200t coupes.
2017-19 Lexus RX 350 SUVs.
2017-19 Toyota Sienna minivans.
2018 Lexus GS 300 sedans.
2018-19 Toyota 4Runner, Highlander, Land Cruiser and Sequoia SUVs.
2018-19 Toyota Camry sedans, plus Tacoma and Tundra pickup trucks.
2018-19 Lexus ES 350, GS350, IS 300, LS 500 and sedans.
2018-19 Lexus LC 500, RC 350 and RC 300 coupes.
2018-19 Lexus GX 460, LX 570 and RX 350 SUVs.
2019 Lexus NX 300 and RX 350 L SUVs and GS 300 sedans.
2019 Toyota Avalon and Corolla sedans.
Note: Hybrid models aren’t part of this recall, so they are exempted from any necessary servicing.

WHAT’S THE PROBLEM?

The newly-added models have the same issue with the fuel pump in that they were all equipped with one that could stop working. A rougher noise coming from the engine, or warning lights on the instrument cluster behind the steering wheel are common early warning signs that the pump may not be functioning properly. The defective pump can cause vehicles to stall, and stop them from restarting the engine. It presents a hazardous risk when driving at higher speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.

Toyota hasn’t reported any accidents or injuries related to the defect for either brand.

WHAT’S THE FIX?

Toyota is investigating on what the fix will be for this particular issue and has yet to advise on the issue. The repair and replacement will be done free of charge.

WHAT DO YOU DO?

Toyota will notify affected owners by mail with instructions on taking their vehicle to a dealer for repair once the fix has been confirmed.

My 2015 had the recall done a few weeks ago.

In the quick links is a link to the 2010 FSM by Nashman. The fuel pump replacement procedure should be in there. Can't believe it's changed much - at least it should give you an idea on how it's done.

Fuel Pump Recall

We have to drop the gas tank to do it. Bring it to the dealer with as little gas as possible. Not all dealers will take the gas out for you then put it back.

Job pays decent for what it is.

4runner, tundra, sequoia and sienna get tanks dropped
all sedans and the highlander we do from inside the car.

Having mine done tomorrow... this is exactly what the service advisor told me. They drop the tank to replace it, and bring it in with as little gas (less than 1/4 tank) in the tank as possible - otherwise they dump it because they don't have a place to store it.

'16/'17 owners

Wife received notice for this in the mail last week. We have yet to do the air bag.
I told her, good luck getting the dealers in our area to get a recall done right, let alone the 2 she has not had done.
In my life, I have never had any warranty or recall work done correctly the first visit. Not limited to Toyota.

Thank you SR5Bart and everyone else who responded. Can’t understand why it’s so difficult to get reliable information from the dealer I use. It makes owning the best vehicle I’ve ever owned difficult.

...It's with great trepidation that I hand over the keys to my 4Runner to a dealership service department... that said, I've now had a recall, and a service campaign done on mine - the airbag recall last summer, and just recently a service campaign to update the Safety Connect GPS functionality. Both done at a large dealership where you might expect screw-ups. Quite the contrary, both times I've gotten my vehicle back with no issues. One year after my airbag replacement... no weird humps on the dash, no irritating rattles (even during a MN winter). It's like it never even happened. Ditto for the GPS fix. And just tonight, I dropped it off for the fuel pump recall. And I'm not worried about it, which says a lot (you gotta know me).

I know that's not going to change your mind, but hopefully it helps to hear about a couple of positive experiences, rather than the bad ones...

Good luck.

Curious, how did this work out and what did you learn? My check engine light and Trac off light lit up yesterday... reading this forum it seems likely it's related to the fuel pump problem.

Our '19 Tacoma was part of this recall. One day leaving the store it just sputtered out and died. Thankfully we got it going again and made it to the dealership. The truck went from running perfectly to zero power in seconds and I'm thankful we weren't stranded on a road trip or going down the interstate. I'd get the pump handled ASAP.