Tailgate Bushing

The bushing broke on mine about a year ago. The tailgate popped out and damaged lower right side corner. At first the dealer was just going to replace the bushing under warranty but I complained and asked about the tailgate damage. They said collateral damage isn't coverage but Toyota Canada repaired the tailgate under warranty.

At a recent maintenance service, I asked about the play in the left side. Seemed sloppy to me. They said it was fine but noted the tailgate was dropping too quick and it needed a new soft closing hinge. All covered under the extended warranty. Oh and they rebuilt a front caliper that was sticking / seized. Covered by the extended warranty also.

 

Yup i knew what you meant mine looks exactly like yours unless we both have bent hinges i think its just the design maybe to help aid removal/reinstall of the gate. Its the crappy bushing i have replaced 3 since i got the truck new in 2021, toyota quality.

 

Yea i’m wondering if it is bent because i looked at my dads 21 limited and it doesn’t appear to be bent like that. I do use my truck as a truck pretty often but still wouldn’t expect this a little over a year in.

 

I have a 2023 Tacoma trail, 5ft bed, dual cab, v6 & 4wd. I did remove the tailgate cover & storage boxes and added alum cap. The bushing in my truck tailgate is gone. I have a beloved BIG (115lb) dog, that rides in back and now I'm concerned about this tailgate opening. TOYOTA should be ashamed of themselves.

 

I'm experiencing the exact same issue with my 22. This will be the third time they have repaired it, each time they have to replace the hinge as well because it gets bent as soon as the plastic cracks and expands. Once it's expanded/bent/deformed the bushings wear more and more quickly. My dealer has a new fix that may include a metal bushing. I'm waiting on them to get back to me with a part description but there are a total of 4 parts being replaced and 2 need painting. I'm guessing it's both the pivot and the bracket on the tailgate. We will see how long that lasts....
I think a more permanent fix will be cutting a pipe that fits over and around the pivot completely, then drilling and tapping a set screw. Making the gate more theft proof and beefing up that bottom pivot corner, which is the weak point.

 

Same exact thing happened to me on my 2023. The bushing broke after having the truck for a few months, and the tailgate flopped down so hard it popped out and bent the corner of my tailgate. Toyota didn’t care and said take the truck to a body shop to fix. I was at 32000 miles when I had time to take it to them to fix. I escalated twice at Reno Dolan Toyota. No one gave a sh!t.

 

Well, I came across this or a similar thread a couple weeks ago when looking into adding a power tailgate lock. The other day I dropped my tailgate, went wtf, why did that slam? The following time, I realized that I had fallen victim to this bushing, how convenient.

 

This exact thing just happened to my 2022 Tacoma. I only open/close with normal use and don't even set heavy stuff on it. My tailgate is bent also due to this. I am taking it back to the dealership. Did yours get covered under warranty?

 

The bushing is just a crap design and material. I doubt the dealer will warranty it, besides it's a $5 wear item.