Driving at night with headlights on in auto position all lights shut off as if the switch was turned to off. this happens usually when turning. a tap on the turn signal stalk / headlight switch brings them back. impossible to recreate. this is very dangerous. this happens monthly.
Headlights flash or turn off when using the turn signals. dash lights also dim. seems to happen when i use the left turn signal. has happened several times. if i turn the switch to the off position then back they have turned back on.
When the signal stalk is placed on auto and it is clearly dark outside the headlights will intermittently turn off when putting the left turn signal into place. the lights will come back on when the signal stalk is back in the neutral position. this has happened while in motion, stationary, and at different outside temperatures. however, i have noticed this occurs more when the temperature is in the 40's.
When driving around at night and use the turn signal, the headlights will shut off and interior dash lights and radio lights will dim, as if it is day time. it typically happens in the mornings when it's cold out.
With the headlight switch selected to 'auto' and when engaging the turn signal to the left durning night driving, all exterior and interior lights would go black until turn signal switch is moved to the on the position. vehicle was taken local toyota dealership service department to remedy the issue. initially, this dealership thought it was the light sensor located on the dash of the truck and replaced it using a warranty claim. almost immediately (next day), the vehicle repeated the same initial failure over 3 times in an hour. i made an appointment with that same toyota dealership but upon arrival i was met with resistance due to a previous warranty claim for the same issue. they advised me if i wanted the switch replaced, it would be totally at my expense. i left that dealership and proceeded to another toyota dealership who replaced the switch at my expense. the replacing of the switch has solved the lights going out while driving during the night. i've read on several truck forums that this is a known issue by toyota but they haven acknowledged it. luckily, i can afford to replace my switch to ensure my family is safe in this vehicle but my submission here is for those that can't afford the replacements and need toyota to issue a recall to fix this serious but inexpensive issue.
The vehicle's instrument cluster is very dark and hard to read during the day. especially on cloudy days or when wearing sunglasses. as a result, reading the instrument cluster takes significant effort, which means more time of eyes not on the road and it makes controlling speed hard. root cause of the problem is that the instrument cluster lighting does not come on unless the head and tail lights are on. with light switch set to "auto", head & taillights and thus instrument cluster lights will be off during the day. with the light switch set to on, instrument cluster lights will be on, but the maximum output is not bright enough to be easily visible in daytime driving. like most vehicles in texas, my truck came with legal and modest side window tinting from the dealer. this reduces light falling onto the mostly black instrument cluster and reflecting of the thin white lettering. hence, it takes effort to read. the problem is exacerbated when wearing sunglasses (a must during summer in texas) or when driving on cloudy days.
Daytime running lights on sr5 option are amber in color and not allowed except as parking lights under co traffic regulations. toyota is apparently aware of problem but has not standardized headlight options