Stuck in trailer mode

I've always been in the habit of shutting the truck off before hooking up or removing the 4 pin or 7 pin trailer plugs. Had a Ram 3500 where it messed up the integrated trailer brake controller with a trailer I owned at the time if I didn't shut the truck off before plugging in/unplugging the trailer.
With my '24 Tacoma, I do the same out of habit now, and have not had the issue of the truck getting stuck in trailer mode (yet) so perhaps that helps(?).
I have two trailers - one is a big cargo trailer with electric brakes and a 7 pin that the truck stored into its memory; the other is a tiny 5x8 utility trailer that the truck doesn't ask to store because its only using the 4 pin connector, I suppose. I use that tiny utility trailer often since it has a nice fold down ramp which just makes loading and unloading stuff so much easier for my old back. So far my process has worked several times: shut off truck, hook up trailer and wiring, start truck, answer "yes" when the truck asks if the trailer IS connected, do my work with the trailer, come home and back the trailer in the carport, shut off truck, unhook everything, and then re-start truck to move it and answer "yes" again to the question of trailer NOT detected. Haven't had an issue yet, but I agree that the wording is a little weird for the questions asked, and also the timing of when the question pops up on the screen - sometimes its quick, sometimes its a little delayed.

 

This happened to me. My only solve was to hook the trailer back up. Asked me if I had a trailer connected after 10-20 feet of driving. I said no! Finally got it unstuck. Previous methods did not work.

 

Anyone find a fix through their dealer yet? Hoping there is a software update or solution.

 

There is a TSB 0084-24 that was released Sept 30. It’s requires reprogramming the BSM modules. Not sure what regions it covers.

 

Really…..ok I’ll contact my dealer and ask. I appreciate the response!

 

I always select Yes, and have never had this stuck in trailer mode.

 

Same. I’ve never had an issue.

 

My issue was I dismissed it the first time accidentally. So after that I could not get it unstuck. I the hooked up and disconnected the trailer 3 times and I was never asked again or if I was and said yes it would not come out of trailer mode. Until finally I said no with the trailer connected. It came out of trailer mode. Now it has been fine ever since. To be fair this is an issue that is stupid and shouldn’t happen.

 

How many times did you reconnect and disconnect the trailer before you got the “yes” or “no” option? I tried hooking it up again but got nothing.

 

I played last weekend.

I hooked up, ignored the is trailer detected question several times. Stop/start engine too I finally answered yes and it said trailer active.

I unhooked, ignored the question trailer not detected. Start/stio engine a few times. Prompted each time. Finally answered yes and it said trailer inactive.

Just need to read the questions carefully and answer honestly.

 

I haven’t been given the question since I connected the trailer the first time. It’s been days with no trailer and still says it’s there. Hooked up the trailer but not given any questions once again. Nothing. Just the warning at the start

 

Did you unhitch with the truck off? Is the tow icon still on?

 

I have a manual and no brake controller, so it may behave differently. Regardless if I have the engine running or not when hooking/unhooking, I get the question before it’s time to shift in 2nd.

i just had trouble after unhooking because I wasn’t reading.

 

you have to drive it a few feet and eventually it will ask. I told it no after many failed attempts at getting it out of trailer mode and it finally came off. Then I unhooked the trailer. It’s been fine ever since

 

Trailerless, you need to say yes, the question is different than when hooking

 

I did unhitch with the truck off and the icon is still there. I tried unhitching with the truck on but it made no difference. I still get no question. Maybe I’ll try driving it with the trailer attached for longer. Can’t hurt.

 

Yes unless like me I had the trailer hooked up and disconnected 3 different times and it would not come out! So with the trailer hooked up I said No and it finally came out of trailer mode. You do what you want. I’m just adding what only worked for me after trying every suggestion I could find online

I believe there was a slightly different message. It’s been fine ever since.

 

TRDaddio’s technique worked for me!

‘In detail. I Had the same problem as everyone….stuck in trailer mode.

Using TRDaddio’s suggestion hooked the trailer up and drove 15 feet or so. Message “Trailer detected. Activate trailer assist? YES NO”. I selected NO! I LIED…IT WAS CONNECTED BUT I SAID NO ITS NOT. . Amber P went out indicating that I was no longer in trailer mode. Hurray!

‘But. When I tried to back up and park the trailer I got the obstacle “beep beep beep” them BAM brakes lock up with red “BRAKE!” Warning light.

Selected ‘Park assist” off. Tried to back up again. BAM! Brakes lock up again…..then, without touching anything else I got a “Parking Assist Braking Off”.

Now I could back the trailer into its spot. Disconnected and pulled 15 feet forward. Turned Parking Assist on and all is well with the World and my Tacoma.

Hope that helps!

 

Oh yeah that last part! Definitely can’t back up with trailer on and the trailer mode off! Happened to me to. Luckily I used my small utility trailer and not my camper for this part. So I could just disconnect it and man handle it in place!

glad I was able to help someone else with this issue!

 

Might help:

T-SB-0084-24 9/30/2024 Trailer Driving Assist Active Message Displayed Without a Trailer Connected Reprogram BSM Sensors