Check on ebay, some guy sells re-manufactured ones with a lifetime warranty with a core exchange. Price was $50 a few years ago. They are easy to replace, it took me about 45 min on my 4th Gen. Check youtube for detailed repair videos. If your really cheap, you can buy just the motor for like $5.00 and fix it your self.

Full actuators are about $30, takes about the same amount of time as the $5 motor only repair

Hi tekewin,

...and to whom it may concern! I own a 2012 Limited, and back in July I had two actuators fail the same month! But... I didn't spend any $$$.$$ for a new actuator; I just replaced the small motor (w/D-shaft) within! Cost: $6.00 on ebay:



How to replace actuator Motor Below:

YouTube

Best to you"

rig

First time poster here, glad I found this thread. I'm pretty sure this is what is wrong with my 2012 Limited 4R on the driver side. Before I go buying parts I wanted to see if I could get more info here. Here's what I'm experiencing:

* Driver side will not lock using smart key fob button, must be manually locked from interior door lock. Fob then will lock all doors once that is done.
* Driver side will not unlock with smart key fob. Must use key. But all other doors will unlock using the fob.
* If I don't manually lock driver door, I can still lock all other doors with the fob. Just not the driver side.
* I can manually lock the driver door, then use the door handle touch mechanism to lock doors once I exit the vehicle. I cannot use the driver handle to smart unlock the vehicle though.

So I'm trying to figure out is this in fact the driver lock actuator? I do appreciate your insight on this before I go tearing open my door.

Cheers.

Use your warranty if it's a 2021. Why buy parts?

DOH! I had a typo. It’s a 2012. So warranties are long gone.

Hi all, I just replaced my drivers door actuator on my 12 limited. Not a bad job and all went well - takes about 40 mins.
Question though- all works as it should except touch door handle.
I tested all after finished but didnt think to test outside door handle for "touch" unlock.
Any suggestions?
Dave

Update: In case anyone comes back to this in the future looking for help.

I purchased from Actuatorplus on Ebay as was suggested in a post here. Lifetime warranty if you return your "core" actuator. Quick shipping and great product support.
I reached out to them via email regarding my "touch lock" issue and Lenny replied very quickly with a nice email detailing how the lock cylinder extension rod was likely not in the socket on the actuator and sent the following:

Thanks for contacting me. The issue you are detailing is a very common key rod alignment problem that can be corrected 99.99% of the time. The problem relates to Drivers Door actuator - the circular gear in the bottom corner of the actuator with the cross notches in it. There is a rod with a cross end coming from your door key system that needs to align and fit into this gear on the actuator. Your old actuator is rotated exactly to the position of your rod and fits in perfectly, the new actuator needs to be adjusted in place. If you are able I would like to try a quick troubleshooting method to see if we can get this corrected. Usually during installation I have to remove the 3 torx screws on the latch. Holding the actuator in one hand I insert the key into the lock and rotate back and forth a few times. When it seats you will hear a click. Other times I have to remove the connecting rod to get it to align properly.
Here is a good instructional video detailing swapping a door lock actuator.

At the 12:00 time mark the installer is having trouble connecting that rod so he has to pull the rod out and shows how to realign it.

How to Replace Front Door Lock Actuator 06-11 Toyota Camry - YouTube

This was exactly what my limited's touch lock issue was and once I realigned my rod with the socket all was working as it should. The unlock touch worked fine it was only the touch to lock that didnt work.
I highly recommend Actuatorplus on Ebay for this commonly failing part if you dont want to mess with rebuilding one yourself.

It's great that you're sharing your experience with door lock actuator failures, even though the thread is a bit older. It's always helpful for others to know about common problems and potential solutions. Dealing with car issues can be frustrating, especially when they happen after the warranty period. It's good to hear that Toyota and the dealership took responsibility and covered the cost of the second replacement. Your post will still be valuable to anyone who stumbles upon this thread in the future. For the same reason, remember the website of this car lockout service. They can save you a lot of troubles. Thanks for sharing your story and contributing to the community!

We had this happen on our 2012 at about 130,000 miles. Fairly inexpensive and quick repair when you DIY. $40-70 depending where you get the actuator.