When the onscreen display malfunctions, the windshield defroster is disabled. All other functions associated with the touch screen are also disabled, such as navigation system, blue tooth, radio adjustment functions, and vehicle diagnostics. Though it does not affect the mechanical functionality of the vehicle, if your windshield fogs up while you are driving you must pull over and wipe off the windshield or risk an accident. Depending on where you are driving (narrow windy roads with heavy traffic), sometimes this is not easy to do; thus, you must try to wipe off the windshield while driving. This is extremely dangerous, as the windshield is large and very forward of the cabin. And wiping the windshield with your hand is not always adequate.
Toyota has not recalled the onscreen display malfunction issue. There is a home fix if you want to dismantle the dash to get to the computers behind the screen. The multi-pin connector between the two units has a faulty pin. The soldering cracks over time creating a loose connection. Starting with intermittent functionality, eventually the connection is lost and the screen will not work at all. But it is rather complicated to fix at home.
I have taken the vehicle to Toyota dealerships about this problem (Auburn, CA. and Escondido, CA). They have no solutions outside of an expensive replacement to the tune of $3,000.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
When the onscreen display malfunctions, the windshield defroster is disabled. All other functions associated with the touch screen are also disabled, such as navigation system, blue tooth, radio adjustment functions, and vehicle diagnostics. Though it does not affect the mechanical functionality of the vehicle, if your windshield fogs up while you are driving you must pull over and wipe off the windshield or risk an accident. Depending on where you are driving (narrow windy roads with heavy traffic), sometimes this is not easy to do; thus, you must try to wipe off the windshield while driving. This is extremely dangerous, as the windshield is large and very forward of the cabin. And wiping the windshield with your hand is not always adequate.
Toyota has not recalled the onscreen display malfunction issue. There is a home fix if you want to dismantle the dash to get to the computers behind the screen. The multi-pin connector between the two units has a faulty pin. The soldering cracks over time creating a loose connection. Starting with intermittent functionality, eventually the connection is lost and the screen will not work at all. But it is rather complicated to fix at home.
I have taken the vehicle to Toyota dealerships about this problem (Auburn, CA. and Escondido, CA). They have no solutions outside of an expensive replacement to the tune of $3,000.
- C L., Grass Valley, CA, US