Sticking automatic shifter

I'm sure this has come up on other threads, but my frustration warrants a new post.
My dealer just informed me I need a $600 PRNDL switch for my '15 Tacoma, auto.

The shift lever is almost impossible to move into any gear. Major resistance, like it's stuck in thick mud. Very to hard to start as it doesn't sense it's in park and have to wiggle the shifter back and forth until the key will allow it to turn over. The gear position lights on the dash no longer illuminate which gear it's actually in, but I'm getting "Check Engine" and "Trac Off lights".

They say it's a corroded PRNDL (neutral safety switch) from road salt. It only has 30k miles and 4 years old and it needs to be replaced! I've never had to change this on any other car I own. Bad design or location on the tranny? Just out of warranty too.

 

Same problem (2013). My problem began about a year ago - 58,000 miles. My mechanic has fixed it twice- problem is worse in cold weather. He says he had to lubricate switch & linkage due to corrosion. After he sprayed lubricant on it it worked fine for several months, then hard shifting returned. I also have had check engine light on and slippage light. When that happens I disconnect battery for a few minutes then reconnect to clear codes and extinguish dash warning lights. Right now I’m in good shape since he just did the 2nd application of silicon spray - he said this is not unusual for Tacoma. VERY ANNOYING to say the least. For what it’s worth, if you pay $600 for the new switch, that switch will also fail as it is a flawed design!

 

I've noticed the same problem with my shifter as well. Coming out of park is okay, but it sometimes wouldn't go into drive all the way. I could see this from the indicator lights on the dash. I would have to pull it into 4 and then back to drive. Any gear lower then drive would be almost impossible. I do notice it more in the colder weather. I have sprayed up the linkage and it did seem to help. When it warms up a little more, I will put it on ramps and try to lube again. For the moment, it isn't bad. We'll see.

 

Regrettably this will likely be a recurring annoyance as the mechanism is not protected from road salt (I presume.) At this point in my life (age 74) I have owned roughly 25 vehicles in the northeast, normally putting over 100,000 miles on them. This 2013 Tacoma TRD Sport is the only vehicle I have owned with a defective shift mechanism due to what is apparently a design flaw that makes it susceptible to corrosion.

 

Sight unseen and not specifically knowing the exact situation...

I would like to say that there are MANY kickass greases out there which will stick around and protect your stuff. I love speedometer cable grease for many uses. It stays around, doesn't melt, and works in extreme heat and cold. When you want it gone, spray carburetor cleaner takes it off easily.

 

Thanks for the tip Axis Cab- If and when situation returns i’ll try it.