2016 Tacoma Keys - Tailgate Key

Last weekend, my eighteen year old son dropped the keys (Fob and Tailgate) to my 16 Tacoma in the ocean/harbor in Newport Beach. This is a marina area covered by boats and docks. Thinking there was no way to find them in the murky mud/silt floor, and even if we found them, the fob would be toast; we took uber home and came back with the other fob to pick up the Taco.

I called the Toyota dealer on Monday and was informed the replacement costs would be close to $800. The replacement Fob was $265, the key that is imbedded in the fob was approximately $200 and the tailgate key and cylinder was approximately $300. The dealer (Toyota of Orange) couldn’t or wouldn’t replace the tailgate key. They had to replace the whole cylinder - Thus, the $300.

On Tuesday, my son put on snorkel gear and lights and went down with a friend. My goal was to get both the tailgate key and the key imbedded in the fob and save $500. They found them on their third dive.

When he got home, he tried the fob – it worked! Unbelievable, after being submerged for two full days in salt water, about 12 feet deep, the fob still worked.

My recommendation to all the taco owners with tailgate locks (other than don’t let your son drive your truck) is to get a spare tailgate key before you need it.

 

Saltwater is not necessarily death to electronics. Saltwater while power is applied usually is (like a cell phone or computer that always have power applied even when turned-off). On a key fob power is applied by pressing the lock/unlock button.

Remove the battery and rinse you fob in clean water. Rinse the battery separately, or replace it. Dry it out completely before re-installing the battery.

 

Amazing story. I've also heard from someone else here with another story. Theses key fobs are built strong.

 

I got the tailgate key made at home depot the first day I bought the truck. I leave the original at home and use the spare day to day.

 

Same here. Made 3 copies right away.

 

Good thinking I gonna make another one and keep on under the rear seat hidden just in case it gets lost or something. $300 for changing the rear locking mechanism is meatball move

 

Do your only get 1 key for the tailgate from the factory?

 

affirmative

 

Interesting. I thought that you got 2 so you have the ability to keep one with each fob.

 

you get two key fobs but the tailgate key is different and not associated with the keyfob. I only got one key so maybe they come with 2 ???

 

Had a spare key made almost immediately for a couple of bucks. It's a bit ridiculous that Toyota gives you two key fobs but only 1 tailgate key...

 

Glad to hear you recovered I would open up the fob and wipe down the circuit board to avoid any future corrosion, distilled water with a splash of rubbing alcohol is what I've used to on a cell phone after a water incident.

Anyone happen to know the part number for the tailgate key? I'd like to snag up an OEM key off ebay but not sure what key I should be looking for.

 

Great story... dropping keys in the drink. Not good. Learn something new all the time don't we?

I'm at our cottage on a private island, one set of keys and 500miles from home and 100 miles to a Toyota dealer. I'm thinking a real bad thing that could happen to us is dropping the keys in the lake. I do have a snorkel and some goggles! FTMFW

I always put my keys in my side pocket with a zipper and zip them up before walking out of the house to get in the boat or go anywhere near water with keys.

I've dropped the gas can cap in the water before ... had to go swimming for it. Crazy stuff happens, it's how we learn to solve the challenges that counts.

 

I lost my tailgate key but did keep the key tag (small, has 3 numbers on it) that came on the key ring

The dealer can cut a key with the key tag and not have to replace the whole cylinder. I lost my only key pretty quick but had 2 replacements cut afterwards

 

Home depot makes copy for $2 and work perfect. Dealer probably wants $20

 

I haven't opened up the Tacoma fob yet, but my 4Runner fob was pretty water resistant. It had a great rubber gasket inside that kept the water out, it got wet many times in 12 years and I never had an issue. I would assume the Tacoma fob is also well gasketed and you probably didn't even get any water on the electronics. It is worth it to pop it open and check it out, but unless you see moisture or salt crystals on the circuit board I wouldn't rinse it down, just the outside cover.

 

Exactly.