BROKEN Tailgate damper rubber grommet

On the passenger side of the tailgate, there is a rubber "thing" in the hinge, it's broken all of a sudden...

I'm getting kind of tired of having things on my one year old truck break. I'm glad I've got a warranty but man... This is ridiculous

I must say however, the circumstances in which this happened is understandable. It was -21°c and I dropped the tailgate as normal. It still functions but not the same. I assume because it's a two part rubber/plastic "thing" in the hinge, due to the subzero temperatures, they shrunk and when opening the tailgate, they now bind and can't move freely. Thus... Broken...

Should be covered under warranty, just wondering if anyone else has had this problem already, has Toyota fixed it or made you pay for it? Have you decided to upgrade the part to something stronger or do I have to stick with the OEM part?

 

They don't make that part anymore, I guess. Or rather, they changed it.
Another member had his break; he makes and sells them now.
Sorry I don't have a link.

 

Toyota's winter testing grounds are in Timmins, ON, which made me wonder why there were no heated mirrors on the 2nd Gen. Leather and heated seats were a Port install.

http://media.toyota.ca/stories/if-y...lity-it-will-start-in-your-driveway-in-winter

 

Lol if your truck is before feb 2016 you can't order that part. Had this shitty problem myself. Mine was purchase in 2015 oct. I'll try to find the link or check my post two three month back.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2016-tailgate-problem.459625/

 

Awesome guys, thanks a ton! I'll be speaking to Toyota about this sometime this week. So am I to assume Toyota won't do anything about this? Or just remove the bushing and order an aftermarket part? I don't want a bunch of paint wear on the hinge that will lead to my tailgate rusting off over time...

What would you guys suggest if Toyota isn't going to fix this? I'm leaning toward buying an aftermarket bushing if it's stronger.

@ScTuna ... My truck was ordered in November 2015, signed the papers January 9th 2016... Sounds like if you had issues, I will also....

 

The clowns at the place I when to counldnt fix it after three visits so I just ordered the aftermarket one from Shape and called it a day. The Shapeway fits but not perfect. Because of this when you open the tailgate it drops the first 1/3 way and then is damp the rest of the way down.

 

That's good to know... Not sure if I can handle it doing that. My service department where I go is very good (I had a seat latch pull tab ripped out on my truck, they're in the middle of ordering the replacement part to repair it this coming week. So probably tomorrow when I have time I'll call ahead and see what they can do over the phone.

 

GL. FYI I called Toyota to open a case and they called the dealer. Dealer called me two times and was like you need to drop the truck off again. I'm like f you I gotta work. Don't have time for this. Toyota haven't called me back for follow up. Moral they don't care because it's not drivability problem. That's why there's no recall. Sucks for the guys with trucks produce before feb 2016.

 

Luckily I work near a dealership, so it's not a hassle to drop off and take a loner car for a day or two. But with anything they fix on my truck I get a write up of what they're fixing, what parts they ordered for replacement, and I ask lots of questions how they go about fixing the issue. Then down the road if it happens again and not covered under warranty, I can at least look through the paperwork and fix it myself. I guess I'll keep everyone else posted what happens with this issue. Hopefully they're good about it. The dealership I go to so far has been great for alot of the issues I've had.

Still doesn't change the fact that I'm tired of my expensive truck having these little parts break all the time...

 

If you get fix it'll be with the new plastic damper piece which you'll and everyone after feb 2016 can order.
Yeah I'm still mad lol.
Keep me posted.

 

Anyone know if this would fit a 2nd Gen?

Between my short ass and lifted truck I almost get smacked in the face every time I open my tailgate.

 

The local dealership is replacing the parts on mine under my ECP. 2017 with 123000km.