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Tacoma Tailgate Lock/Unlock Actuator

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by Freddy99, Jul 15, 2025 at 1:33 PM.

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  1. Jul 15, 2025 at 1:33 PM
    #1
    Freddy99

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    Freddy99 [OP] Member

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    Hello! I was wondering if anyone has ran into the issue of their oem remote unlock/lock tailgate breaking . I’ve had my truck since the end of 2020 and my oem actuator gave out recently . I was hoping if anyone knew where I could buy the same actuator instead of having to buy a completely brand new tailgate lock/unlock kit . Thank you! Here’s a picture of the actuator that gave out on me .

    43979D5E-2031-4E8F-A590-904298559BDB.jpg
     
    Freddy99, Jul 15, 2025 at 1:33 PM
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  2. Jul 15, 2025 at 1:42 PM
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    airforceb2cc

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    airforceb2cc Well-Known Member

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    airforceb2cc, Jul 15, 2025 at 1:42 PM
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  3. Jul 15, 2025 at 9:34 PM
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    itsnotatoy

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    itsnotatoy Well-Known Member

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    I haven't seen the actuator assembly for sale by itself. I searched for the part number printed on it a-7rx9-h953-aaxx but found nothing but full kits.

    Can it be repaired? Do you have the part that broke off?
     
    itsnotatoy, Jul 15, 2025 at 9:34 PM
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  4. Jul 15, 2025 at 9:54 PM
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    Bertw192

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    Bertw192 Well-Known Member

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    All the things!
    Bertw192, Jul 15, 2025 at 9:54 PM
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  5. Jul 16, 2025 at 12:06 AM
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    Suarezabraham

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    Suarezabraham Member

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    I’ve been having the same issue thanks for the info!
     
    Suarezabraham, Jul 16, 2025 at 12:06 AM
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  6. Jul 16, 2025 at 7:48 PM
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    Toycoma2021

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    Toycoma2021 Well-Known Member

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    I don't see any indication of a broken off part in the picture - looks intact to me.
    Toyota part numbers seem to be only 10 digits long.
    This might be the company that manufactures it:
    Latch-Release-Linear-Actuator.pdf
     
    Toycoma2021, Jul 16, 2025 at 7:48 PM
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  7. Jul 16, 2025 at 8:45 PM
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    itsnotatoy

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    itsnotatoy Well-Known Member

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    It looked like the mounting plate was missing.
    OEM-Actuator copy.jpg
     
    itsnotatoy, Jul 16, 2025 at 8:45 PM
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  8. Jul 17, 2025 at 5:33 AM
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    Freddy99

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    Freddy99 [OP] Member

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    It just stopped working , there’s nothing that could’ve broken it . Like I said I guess after 5 years it just gave up
     
    Freddy99, Jul 17, 2025 at 5:33 AM
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  9. Jul 17, 2025 at 5:34 AM
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    Freddy99

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    Freddy99 [OP] Member

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    Not included in the picture but I did take it off in order to take off the actuator. I had to take it off because I wasn’t able to open up my tailgate anymore because it completely froze in place
     
    Freddy99, Jul 17, 2025 at 5:34 AM
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  10. Jul 17, 2025 at 6:41 AM
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    KurtActual

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    KurtActual Well-Known Member

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    Mine quit working recently. Just been too lazy to take it to the dealer to see why. Interested in what you find out.
     
    KurtActual, Jul 17, 2025 at 6:41 AM
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  11. Jul 17, 2025 at 7:23 AM
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    BigAirGar

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    BigAirGar Well-Known Member

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    BigAirGar, Jul 17, 2025 at 7:23 AM
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  12. Jul 17, 2025 at 7:29 AM
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    Rednecktacoma22

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    Rednecktacoma22 Well-Known Member

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    I have a Pop N Lock, not OEM; but mine quit on me once. My kit had fuses in the wiring that blew (no idea why). I replaced the fuses and have been good ever since (2+ years ago now). Have you checked fuses (if applicable - although I can't imagine that it wouldn't have fuses) for the OEM yet?
     
    Rednecktacoma22, Jul 17, 2025 at 7:29 AM
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  13. Jul 17, 2025 at 1:33 PM
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    MannyS

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    MannyS Well-Known Member

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    FYI. The OEM (e.g distributor installed) actuators can be different by region. Just went thru the “find the right part version” issue on my gulf states region ‘23 (see below).

    You can buy just the actuator from the dealer for less than $100. My failing actuator would only move about a 1/4 inch when the tailgate was unlocked remotely.

    IMG_1754.jpg
     
    Last edited: Jul 17, 2025 at 1:58 PM
    MannyS, Jul 17, 2025 at 1:33 PM
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  14. Jul 17, 2025 at 4:27 PM
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    VaToy

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    VaToy Life Long Member

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    My Sons Toyota brand just stopped working after 5 years. If you have a tonneau cover as we had to break the oem cover to gain access to the tailgate panel. Got lucky and found a used like new cover. We disconnected the actuator. I have the oem October and added a pull cord so if it happens again I can use a coat hanger and access the cord. Plan ahead folks!
     
    VaToy, Jul 17, 2025 at 4:27 PM
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  15. Jul 17, 2025 at 4:29 PM
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    itsnotatoy

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    itsnotatoy Well-Known Member

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    itsnotatoy, Jul 17, 2025 at 4:29 PM
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  16. Jul 17, 2025 at 5:00 PM
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    Gdeyarmond

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    Gdeyarmond Well-Known Member

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    Mine was about to go out after a week in the desert. There was just too much dust and grime in it. I blasted it with contact cleaner, a hose, and then re-greased it. It all works now. Not sure if that could be your issue.
     
    Gdeyarmond, Jul 17, 2025 at 5:00 PM
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    itsnotatoy likes this.
  17. Jul 17, 2025 at 5:04 PM
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    itsnotatoy

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    itsnotatoy Well-Known Member

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    Did you connect power to it directly to see if it works?
     
    itsnotatoy, Jul 17, 2025 at 5:04 PM
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  18. Jul 17, 2025 at 8:46 PM
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    ChevyJ7

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    ChevyJ7 Member

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    Why didn't you use the key to unlock it manually?
     
    ChevyJ7, Jul 17, 2025 at 8:46 PM
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  19. Jul 17, 2025 at 9:05 PM
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    Puppypunter

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    Puppypunter Well-Known Member

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    I had an OEM one that quit in the locked position and had to do the same thing (no tonneau cover, but a shell). I couldn't unlock it with the key since it was frozen in the locked position. I ended up finding a guy selling a tailgate cover locally for $25, then just cut a big hole in mine to get to the actuator. I ended up buying the full Toyota kit since I couldn't find just the actuator. Still haven't got around to installing, which really speaks to my laziness since I don't have to rewire it or anything. And for the record, mine lasted about 5 years as well.
     
    Puppypunter, Jul 17, 2025 at 9:05 PM
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  20. Jul 18, 2025 at 2:29 AM
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    VaToy

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    VaToy Life Long Member

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    Tried that first, nothing. Only way was to break in. No way to get the tailgate open.
     
    VaToy, Jul 18, 2025 at 2:29 AM
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