OEM Tailgate Lock

I have a simple question for someone with an OEM tailgate lock. Mine worked fine for the first 3 months; I never locked it. Then about a week ago, the tailgate would not open. With tonneau cover locked down, I couldn't get into the bed area. The key did nothing and the handle was loose. I went to a dealership and they told me the lock would have to be replaced but would take about a week to get the part. Today I was in another town and stopped by another dealership, within a few minutes they had it open. They told me it was a Pro Lock and that it locked itself every time I shut the tailgate. That means I have to use the key every time I open the tailgate. I'm a farmer, I open the tailgate all the time, so this doesn't work for me. Plus, if the tailgate extender is down it is latched in the tailgate. I have to get down under the tailgate to stick the key in, and that sucks.

My question is which dealership is correct about the lock? Does anybody have a tailgate that locks every time you close it?

 

I didn't know they started offering OEM locks on the Tacoma

 

I ordered the truck using the toyota website and the lock was an option. The first dealership I visited ask if it was factory installed for the warranty work, I said yes, they checked, and it was.

 

Truck ordered in Georgia. Pics may be above my pay grade. Just a normal looking tailgate.

 

The OEM bed extender has 2 straps which lock into the tailgate latches on both sides. So now to release these straps, I have to get under the tailgate, stick the key in, pull the latch, and reach over and pull each strap out. Not good for my hound who is usually riding. He is just going to have to stay in the truck. This can't be right, but that is what the dealership said as to how this lock works.

 

I'll get a pic tomorrow. No flash on ipad.

 

To our knowing there isn't an OEM lock. It was probably installed at the dealership. But with your minor issue with the lock, it's a inconvenience.

The picture that is below is the Pop Lock that I have. It's not OEM and I don't have to use the key everytime I close it(doesn't lock by itself). I've had it since the winter time and have never had an issue with it. If I were you, I'd take that lock out and buy a pop lock.

 

Here is the invoice. So I'm wrong, again. This is a Southeast Distributor installed option. Still, the lock worked without the key for 3 months.

 

And $179.00 USD for a tailgate lock is retardedly expensive.

 

Most likely it's a Pop N Lock brand that the dealer purchased. I would give them a call and ask about where they source the locks from. That would at least put you on the right path to fixing it (under warranty of course, since the dealer installed it)

 

At least you know OP when the warranty runs out you have other options of another lock if that one craps itself.

 

I know that's right. Everything on that invoice is retarded. Here is the kicker, I bought this truck for my wife. She drove it twice, and hated it. She picked it out, picked all the options, and I paid for it. So now I'm stuck with it. I can barely get in it.

 

I have talked to the dealership where I purchased the truck. The lock was installed at the port where the truck arrived. This is a common problem with this particular lock and Toyota has suspended installation of this lock until the issue has been resolved. These locks are suppose to open without the key unless they are in the locked position. Replacement locks are back ordered and there is no estimate as to how long it will be before one is available.

 

That's how stealerships work. "Retardedly expensive" and I agree.

 

I cant believe she hates it!!! Time for a different wife....lol jk jk!!

 

If she hates it and you can hardly get into it, why keep it? Selling it and losing 3k is a lot cheaper than keeping it and losing 40k if it doesn't work for you to begin with.

 

She hates the seats. Who makes a limited edition vehicle without power seats. She is short, she needs the seat to raise up. I told her to get a cushion. She told me she would keep her 4runner and I could just use it for a run around vehicle. I have actually grown to like the truck. It's hard for me to get in it, but once in, there's plenty of room. I'm 6'3" approaching 300 lbs., my daily driver is a 13 1 ton crew cab Chevy. So the Tacoma is going to seem small. The Tacoma gets 19-20 mpg dirt roads and small highways, the Chevy about 12, and I don't need the big truck all the time.

 

Roger.

 

I have a TRD sport and have no trouble getting in and out of the truck with the help of my tube steps.