2nd gen key won't unlock door, only turns over ignition

If it turns one way but not the other then most likely something is wrong with the linkage going from the lock cylinder to the door latch or something is wrong in the latch itself, your gona have to pull the door panel and examine the linkage and if it looks good disconnect it and see if the problem is in the latch or lock cylinder.

 

that was my next move …take the door panel off.

 

What he said re linkage. It's not out of the question the cylinder is busted but linkage is what I'd try first before throwing the $ on a cylinder and rekeying it.

That said something similar did happen to my wife's old Rav4 so it's possible.

 

I've found most are just rusty. I've had 8 Tacoma's and never had a lock cylinder fail or lock rod not actuate by the key. I'd hold open the lock cylinder "door", exposing the hole the key gets inserted into. Spray some PB Blaster or WD-40 and let it sit for a few hours. You may start with PB blaster. A few spritz's of PB should free it up. I'm not saying it's impossible that it may be broken, but lack of use because of the introduction of the key fobs is most common.

 

I have all three original keys for my 2007 Tacoma. I recently noticed that the one key I've been using for the past 16 years is no longer opening either of my doors but will still turn the ignition. After comparing my primary key to my spare key and valet key you can notice significant wearing of the primary key. For some reason the ignition must not be as sensitive as the door. I found that both my spare key and valet key both open both doors and work in the ignition since they have hardly been used. Hope this helps. I plan to make a copy of my good spare key before it wears outs.

 

Makes a lot of sense, my primary sticks occasionally in the passenger door. I rarely use that door so it's not something I pay any mind.

 

I had new keys made. Still won’t unlock the drivers door but will unlock the passenger side.

 

I never solved this inexpensively so for now I’m just going to live with it.