by Gabrielle DeSantis

When you turn on your headlights, it’s probably to see in the dark. You don’t want them to burst into flames, right? Well, the Toyota Tundra might catch on fire. See if your Toyota Tundra model is at risk because a recall was issued for the halogen headlamps. 

Toyota Tundra recall for the halogen headlamps due to a fire risk 

About 158,500 Toyota Tundra trucks are at risk due to an issue that may cause a potential fire risk with their halogen headlamps. The Tundra models at risk include the 2018 – 2021 model years. They were manufactured between June 2017 and March 2021. 

The headlights have circuits for the high and low beam bulb filaments, and they are energized simultaneously once the high beams are switched on. Toyota shared that the issue occurs under some conditions if the high beams are left on for an extended period while the truck is driving at a low speed or idling. 

This could cause the bulb connector to overheat and spark a fire that may spread to other parts of the truck. It doesn’t exactly feel like a way for your Tundra to go out in a blaze of glory. 

What to do if your Tundra is at risk 

Toyota will begin notifying owners about the halogen recall by November 1, 2021. If your Toyota Tundra is affected by this issue, you will receive a letter in the mail. If you have any questions, you can contact Toyota at 800-331-4331. 

But that’s a long time to wait. You can visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) site here to entering your 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). You can also give them a call at 888-327-4236. 

Your truck will have to go to a Toyota dealership for maintenance. You don’t have to return to the same place where you purchased your truck; a local dealership will be fine. 

Technicians will inspect the halogen headlight bulb, connectors, engineer wire harness assemblies, bulbs, and headlight assemblies. Any heat-damaged items will be replaced. 

Is this part of a more significant Tundra problem? 

In 2020 there was another Toyota Tundra recall for 183,397 trucks. This includes 2018 – 2020 models produced between February 22, 2017, and May 29, 2022. The recall involved dim front turn signals. 

The front turn signals were not bright enough to meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108. This issue seems minor, but if turn signals or hazard lights don’t flash brightly enough, oncoming traffic may fail to realize that a vehicle is turning. This increases collision risks. 

This issue was confined to Tundra models with the LED headlight assemblies. So, it’s not related to the halogen headlights. During production, the instructions were incorrect, and the bulbs were connected to the wrong part of the wiring harness. As a result, the bulbs didn’t shine as bright as they should. 

We had a hunch that the wiring harness could be causing problems. But instead, it sounds like both of the lighting issues were caused by assembly errors. We will keep monitoring the Toyota Tundra for issues and will let you know if more problems emerge. 

RELATED: The Best Used Toyota Tundra Model Years

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by Gabrielle DeSantis

EVs are more popular than ever, and it doesn’t seem like they will stop gaining popularity anytime soon. Nowadays, there are all kinds of EVs, from small EVs all the way to full-size electric pickup trucks. When it comes to the small EV segment, there are plenty of options on the market, but here’s a look at what may be the best small EV available right now.

An unstoppable trend of EVs

Not that long ago, EVs were only a novelty that the rich and famous could afford. For example, the Tesla Roadster was an expensive sports car that attracted a lot of media and celebrity attention. However, making expensive EVs was never Tesla’s long-term goal. Tesla wanted to bring EVs to the masses. It didn’t take long for that goal to become a reality.

Nowadays, there are plenty of small, affordable EVs on the market. For example, there’s the Nissan Leaf, which costs about $33,000. While that may seem like a high price tag for a small car, the Leaf, like many EVs, qualifies for the federal EV tax credit. This allows customers to shave off, at most, $7,500 from the Leaf’s price tag.

With that being said, while the Leaf is a well-known affordable small EV, it’s not necessarily the best one. That honor would go to the Mini Cooper SE, according to CNET.  

The Mini Cooper SE is the best small EV

The Mini Cooper SE, which is Mini’s first EV, is actually pretty bad when it comes to specs. However, this Mini is the opposite of the second-place winner in many ways. At a starting price tag of just over $30,000, the Mini Cooper SE is fairly affordable, especially with a federal tax credit factored in. That will pay for a 181-hp electric motor, and that’s the core of the car.

As CNET wrote, the Mini Cooper SE is simply fun to drive. Not only that, but its interior is also pretty great too. To be clear, the Mini Cooper SE is not a sports car, and its specs reflect that. Regardless, it’s still one of the speediest cars someone can buy at an affordable price tag. That being said, while the Mini Cooper SE is fun to drive, folks won’t be able to drive it for long.

This is because of the Mini Cooper SE’s biggest flaw. Perhaps living up to its brand name, the Mini Cooper SE’s battery is pretty miniature. As a result, this small EV has a max range of just 110 miles. That’s not a great range no matter what, but it should be OK for city driving. At the very least, it can recharge to 80% in just 30 minutes with a fast charger.

The Chevy Bolt is the second best small EV

According to CNET, the Bolt is one of the other well-known small EVs on the market, so it’s no surprise that it was the runner-up. Like many other cars, though, the Bolt isn’t perfect, and it has its share of flaws. For example, the Bolt, even with its 200-hp electric motor, was not designed for excitement. On top of that, its interior quality isn’t the best. Plus, it’s a tad expensive, as it starts at over $36,000. 

However, the Bolt gets a lot of range for a car of its size and price tag. It gets about 259 miles on a single charge, and that’s more than enough for many families. Additionally, since it’s a hatchback, it actually has quite a bit of space. With its rear seats folded down, the Bolt gets just over 56 cubic feet of cargo capacity. 

RELATED: Would Buying a Chevy Bolt Over a Mini Cooper Be a Huge Mistake?

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