My 2020 Tacoma tailgate lock isn't always working now with the Key Fob

I've had my 2020 Tacoma for almost 6 months now and the tailgate lock is OEM and always unlocked when I pushed the unlock button on my key fob twice. I do have a viper aftermarket alarm installed on it. I did that the first week I had it. Everything worked fine until today. I went to unlock it and the key fob would not unlock the tailgate. I had to use the key that is inside the key fob for situations just like this. I tried it later and suddenly the tailgate did unlock with the key fob twice but now won't work again. I'm a little stunned that a 3 year old Toyota would be acting up like this when it is basically brand new.

Any suggestions? I would rather have a root canal than argue with the dealership and I'm a salesman in the automotive parts business who wasn't born yesterday so I'm hoping it's something simple. Dealerships are ridiculous. On on my previous Tundra I had a noise coming from the trans. They checked it out and swore nothing was wrong. It became quite an argument which I initially lost. When I went to pull out of the service bay it made a loud undeniable clank sound when I put it in gear and they had no choice but to look again. 3 of the 4 trans crossmember bolts were gone and the fourth was halfway out. That's how ridiculous they are so here's to hoping for some sanity from this site.

 

It's more likely the viper than anything, we end up removing a lot of remote starters/alarms that cause these issues. Maybe return to the installer and see if they can fix or update the firmware on the viper.

 

I appreciate your feedback. It was my first thought. At the very least with my experiences with dealerships they'll just blame the alarm. They'll do anything to avoid fixing a problem.

 

It’s easy enough to remove the inside tailgate cover and look at the mechanism. I installed a Pop N lock, or whatever it’s called, and it did act up one time, but started working again. This reminds me; I intended to wait til it’s warm to inspect and lube it

 

Thank you. Just seems an OEM part like this wouldn’t have issues for a long time. I had my Tundra for 18 years with no problems.

Secondly I was unaware I needed to service that lock at all.

 

I do want to add I’m using the OEM remote for the alarm and doors etc.

 

Dealership Mechanics.... duh...
My neighbors son, nice kid, responsible, I like the kid...
Graduated High School.... two days later came screeching into his driveway ran over all excited told me he just
landed a job at the ( name withheld to protect the innocent ) dealership as the head oil-change tech.

I'm like wow good for you .. 'have you ever done that before?' ... No he said, I don't know anything about cars.

 

But he’s a fluid maintenance specialist now!!!!!

You nailed it.

They oversell everything to hit quotas and do all they can to avoid warranty work.

 

I think the OE kit is made by the same folks. I don’t remember the directions saying lube was needed, but I’m guessing since it was winter it was frozen or the grimy salt spray junk was in it. Crack it open, you’ll see, it’s pretty darn simple.

 

Thanks for the heads up. I’m in California so my truck isn’t exposed to major elements. Still worth a shot. I think it has something to do with the aftermarket alarm. We shall see. I’ll post results when I get them. Thank you again.

 

it might, give it a listen and see if you hear a clunk or any attempt. If not, it could be your alarm.

 

Just tried it and not a sound. Looks like I’m heading back to where the alarm was installed. Thanks for the tip.

 

I have a pop and lock in my 2017 and it stopped working a while back, I pulled the tailgate cover off and found a wire came loose from the vibration of opening and closing, might be something as simple as that.

 

i bet that dealership tells all the oil change kids they are the "head oil change tech" that generation will sell their soul for a nice title.

 

A few nice suggestions here. I was thinking of a tailgate lock but was afraid…. The kid becoming a head oil changer, well if they show him correctly and he doesn’t strip anything he will do good. The key is he is excited to be working in a trade where you get dirty and sweaty. Good for him! So many just want to sit behind a keyboard

 

Glad he’s excited. I worked in dealerships and repair shops as a supplier. In all my years of sales they were all crooked. So unfortunately he will be trained to over sell and under deliver on warranty issues. It’s ALL about the bottom line.
Magnusson Moss Act is important to know when dealing with dealerships. The service department is worse than a used car salesman in a plaid suit. I hope this eager young man can be an exception.

 

If all the doors are unlocking on the second press..its probably not the alarm...it's probably the wiring somewhere between the passenger kick panel and the lock activator in the tailgate.

 

Thank you for your input. I just left the alarm company who installed it and he’s a very standup reputable shop. He seems to think that it is the actuator, intermittently working. For now he said bring it by and no charge. He’ll lubricate it and see if that helps. If not, we’re searching for an aftermarket, isolated actuator and he’ll replace it for $30 labor. It works intermittently.


If it is as you say, a wiring problem, then that could be a nightmare.
At least I assume that it can be. I don’t know what would make the wiring go bad because his truck is babied but anything is possible.

All I know is it’s a major inconvenience.

I’ll post what happens on this thread for those who have this problem in the future. Just never thought that I would be dealing with this on a 2020 Tacoma with 40,000 miles on it.
Love the truck, but I’m not very happy.

 

Took it to the company that installed my alarm and he pointed out to me that because all four doors unlock through the key fob it was either a wiring problem in between the back doors and the automatic tailgate lock or the tailgate lock itself hanging up. He asked me to come back Monday and he'd open up the tailgate and lube it himself no charge. Great company - so that's the first step for me. If that doesn't cure it the dealership where I bought it said they'd fix it under warrantee. I bought it used but it did come with a year warranty. That is a long drive so I'm going to take it to the alarm company first and see what happens. It's just minutes away from me. Thank you all for your input. I'll keep you posted. 3 year old truck and the stickers on the door frame in between the front and back windows is wasted and now this. I didn't have this trouble with my 05 Tundra. Not this early at least.

 

I wouldn't let the tailgate lock sour you. It might not have been OE when your truck was made, and again, the 'OE' lock is a branded aftermarket add on. You will see when he opens it up, it's kind of henky.