Tailgate Latch Handle Repair

Good day all,

*Fun* short story... I woke up early this Sunday morning to head to the hardware store and pick up some items with my truck. I began by opening the tailgate locking my tonneau cover and then locking the tailgate to protect everything that was in there. After purchasing my items I come out of the hardware store feeling accomplished with my 8 and 10 foot planks of lumber and prepare to load and secure them in my truck. All is well until I unlock the tailgate and here a violent pop sound when lift up on the handle. Somewhat normal but, I immediately notice the handle now has no resistance behind it and it also doesn't open the gate.
So here I am with a bunch of lumber and other miscellaneous truck bed type items in the parking lot and locked out of the truck bed. Accomplished feeling I had earlier has now now turned to amazement and frustration. I'll spare you all the details on how I managed to break into my own truck bed (it was painful physically) and leave you a with the following questions:

1. Is this a common problem on 2nd gen Tacomas and have you run into it?
2. How can I fix it?
3. Does anybody make a tailgate Latch Handle that feels less shitty?

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

Mine just broke. One side unlocked one side stuck.
Once I cleaned out the firewood I started to pull the interior tailgate plastic. (With tailgate shut) not easy.
My rod is bent. Even with vice grips to pull the lever it's still not working.
Will mess with it again later today.
I'd be interested in a better latch (I could care less if it locks. I live in Maine)