Cruise control switches break frequently

How's it going Tacomaworld people, been a member here for a while and have gotten some awesome information from this site but have yet to make my own thread so here goes nothing. Like a lot of people here I purchased a 2017 Tacoma SR access cab which was lacking RKE, intermittent windshield wipers and cruise control, thanks to the fine tacomaheads here I was able to install all 3 of those for under $500 which was what the dealer was going to charge me for remote keyless entry install. I successfully installed all 3 and it has increased the convenience factor immensely, but I've had some problems with the actual cruise control switch P/N:

$135 84632-08021 Toyota Genuine Cruise Control Main Switch

84632-08021 breaking and becoming inoperable. I'm currently on my 4th switch and number 5 is in the mail. After the first cruise control switch broke I took it apart to see what makes it chooch and what the root cause of the failure was, I determined that there was 1 primary cause of failure with a potential second point that could have contributed to the failure. The primary cause I believe was one of the plastic nubs on the controller shaft (Giggity) broke off and got caught in the bottom of the switch making engaging the cruise control pretty difficult and time consuming if I could engage it at all. I take good care of my truck and am not super aggressive with the switch but I do use the hell out of it, going into work I drive about 18 miles on a military installation where you get pulled over for doing 1 mph over the speed limit, and the speed limit changes 3 or 4 times from the gate to my building. So I use it far more frequently than the average person I suppose, but 4 switches in 2+ years? Am I wrong to feel disappointed with Toyota on the quality of this part or is it just that Toyota doesn't anticipate this much use, am I effectively running the product thought it's "life" this fast or it just piss poor materials? Has anybody else experienced switch failures and if so did you determine what the cause was? I'd like to keep an OEM switch, any ideas on reinforcement of the plastic nubs that continually break off, maybe lay a bead of 5 minute epoxy around the base of the nubs on a brand new switch, or use a thin piece of copper or something to make a shield for them so the metal is the contact point and not the flimsy plastic nubs? Other option is buy like 5x $15 Amazon Toyota cruise control switches that has a different P/N but same style and if it works then just swap them out every few months as they break lol. I did a short Google search on aftermarket options but didn't find a whole lot, anyone know if there are any aftermarket options and if so has anyone installed one? I didn't intend to make this a novel but I figure the more thorough I am the better advice I can get, thanks for any input in advance.

 

Nobody else has broken 5 CC switches. It isn't an inherent defect or design problem, whatever the cause is, it's unique to your vehicle or installation.

Something is causing the pins to shear. If a newly installed switch doesn't operate perfectly smooth...that's a clue that more diagnosis is required

 

no problems with mine. Are you sure you're not applying excessive force when using it?

 

Good point, I'll make absolutely certain #5 is smooth operating super smooth post install and try to collect a little more data this time around. Thanks for the reply

 

Quite possible, I don't feel like I'm applying excessive force to it but that doesn't necessarily mean I'm not, thanks for the reply!

 

Yeah gotta remember that Toyota has used essentially the same design of CC switch in every car/truck since the 90's. Never has been a problem.

 

Are you moonlighting as the Hulk? jkjk... never heard of a problem myself, but hopefully you figure it out... after 5 switches I'd be at my wit's end. Good luck.

 

i would try fixing one you have on hand with some epoxy. (i ususally try to fix something before replacing it but thats me)

 

Your switches breaking are not the root cause. They’re an indicator of the issue.

 

Perhaps there is an issue in the steering column where the stalk is installed? I would wonder if there is something there that needs to be removed or modified if cruise is added?

My other question would be where are you getting the stalks from? Are they dealer parts or off of Ebay? You might be getting fake/counterfeit parts if you're getting them from Ebay.