lock actuator fails for 6th time

[maudas]

2011 Trail model. First lock failed in 2012. Four more failures over next 2.5 years. All covered under warranty. When the last of these were replaced, the service tech told me that Toyota was still trying to figure out why so many (not just mine) were failing. The theory at the time was Armor All was causing the failures. I knew that wasn't my problem since I don't use it.

Now I'm out of warranty and have 2 more failed actuators. Drivers front for the 3rd time and passenger front for the 2nd time. Toyota wants $800 to fix them. I am pretty steamed. At a minimum, I'm not willing to pay Toyota to put more defective parts in my car. I've owned 6 Toys over the last 30 years. This will be the last one.

Are there a lot of others out there with the same problem? If so, has someone already started a class action lawsuit? Any lawyers in this forum?

 

[K9trainer]

Weren't the new parts warranted? Or were they all different actuators?

 

[adam2562]

oh my.. i have a 2011 trail.. haven't had any issues yet, but i'm worried it will

 

[Jeremy556]

Yours would be the first I have ever heard of, anywhere. Sounds like your service department trying to cover their incompetence in not diagnosing the actual cause.

If you would like technical help in properly diagnosing and fixing your failed part, this forum can provide it. As far as help with class action lawyers :rofl:

 

[STX4Runner]

How would Armor All have anything to do with door lock actuators failing?

 

[harper7]

I read about some that went bad over on the Club Lexus forum but don't remember any on here for 5th Gens so 6 for you is definitely strange. Maybe they were frozen and you burnt the motors up but you would think there would be others then just you??
They have a DIY on a Lexus forum and just buy and replace the actuator motor as they are cheap on Ebay...... 2 Pack 20mm Long Shaft Mabuchi Car Door Lock Actuator Motor Repair Lexus Toyota | eBay

You just have to take it out and match it up to make sure the shaft is the same type and length as there are some variables . Never seen one apart on a 4Runner but they should all be basically a small dc electric motor that goes bad. Junk yards are another option. Once somebody does one themselves on here ,then we'll know. I know I'd never pay a dealer to do it but mine have worked perfect for the last 10 years on my last two 4Runners.

 

[maudas]

Harper7 -- Thanks for the links to eBay. I guess I'll try my hand at fixing it myself.

 

[1engineer]

I have read most threads here on the 5th gen 4Runner and aside from a few guys here and there you are really the only one with a big problem. The majority of members only come here, post their issues (like you) and then are gone. It really does sound like you have another issue that's causing your door lock issue because if it were a real issue there would have been many posts here by now. Good luck and keep us updated.

 

[Speedy Babo]

Thats really out of the ordinary. My wifes 2005 Lexus IS300 driver side door actuator went bad after 8 years. Its pretty well documented for that car on how to fix. Replaced the motor, with what harper posted, for $5. Haven't seen any such thing for a 5th gen yet. As Harper said, you have to make sure the shaft dimensions match as you will most likely need to transfer a gear from the old to the new one. Best of luck.

 

[05Rrunner]

Wow, strange as this is the simple type component Toyota builds rock solid. I'm unaware of any mass failures. Not to be captain obvious but it appears that it's something besides the actuators causing it. I hope you get it all sorted out, good luck.

 

[4r2014]

2011 Trail model. First lock failed in 2012. Four more failures over next 2.5 years. All covered under warranty. When the last of these were replaced, the service tech told me that Toyota was still trying to figure out why so many (not just mine) were failing. The theory at the time was Armor All was causing the failures. I knew that wasn't my problem since I don't use it.

Now I'm out of warranty and have 2 more failed actuators. Drivers front for the 3rd time and passenger front for the 2nd time. Toyota wants $800 to fix them. I am pretty steamed. At a minimum, I'm not willing to pay Toyota to put more defective parts in my car. I've owned 6 Toys over the last 30 years. This will be the last one.

Are there a lot of others out there with the same problem? If so, has someone already started a class action lawsuit? Any lawyers in this forum?

Did you really type that? lol

 

[Antman]

Since the actuators keep failing over and over my bet is on a defective door lock switch.

Sounds like the momentary switch is deciding to be not-so-momentary at times, lol.

I would test/replace the switch and go from there.

 

[philsey]

My troubleshooting skills are not up to date on modern vehicles. But one thing I'd lay money on, and that is you got something else wrong, probably upstream of the actuators, like [MENTION=65614]Antman[/MENTION] suggests.

Your ire at Toyota parts quality is probably better directed at poor troubleshooting on the part of whoever has been "fixing" it.

Ever leave a window open and get water on that switch panel?

..... or dog drool?

 

[jrhamm111]

Actuators

i have 3 bad acuators on my 2006 4runner, and the 4th was already replaced several years ago. i'm trying to narrow down the motor (that sells for around $8) and see if that fixes it before purchasing the entire new actuator. i'm having trouble narrowing down the correct part but I believe its

FC280PT-22125

anyone tried this route?

 

[CentcomPete]

2011 Trail model. First lock failed in 2012. Four more failures over next 2.5 years. All covered under warranty. When the last of these were replaced, the service tech told me that Toyota was still trying to figure out why so many (not just mine) were failing. The theory at the time was Armor All was causing the failures. I knew that wasn't my problem since I don't use it.

Now I'm out of warranty and have 2 more failed actuators. Drivers front for the 3rd time and passenger front for the 2nd time. Toyota wants $800 to fix them. I am pretty steamed. At a minimum, I'm not willing to pay Toyota to put more defective parts in my car. I've owned 6 Toys over the last 30 years. This will be the last one.

Are there a lot of others out there with the same problem? If so, has someone already started a class action lawsuit? Any lawyers in this forum?

I'm taking my truck in this weekend for this same problem (I believe). It slowly started failing to unlock with fob (driver's door only) then failed quite often and now almost never unlocks.

 

[maudas]

Update: I had the dealer put my 4runner back together without replacing the actuators. I got home and now I can't open the driver door with the key.

I've owned 2 toy trucks, 2 4runners, and still have a landcruiser and a sienna. The 2 trucks, the first 4runner, and the landcruiser made me a Toyota fanboy. Less so now with unfixable problems with the Sienna, and definitely not now with the corporate Toyota rep's response concerning this 4runner.

Was going to buy a '16 TRD when they came out. Now I think I'll just sell this 4runner (at a loss because I will not deceive the buyer about the door problems) and move on to a different vehicle.

Once again, thanks to all who bothered to reply with helpful advice.

 

[Saker]

Update: I had the dealer put my 4runner back together without replacing the actuators. I got home and now I can't open the driver door with the key.

You might have just found your problem!

Plus, mechanic not finding the original problem!

 

[BlackWorksInc]

[MENTION=113559]Mlynn[/MENTION] I've seen some actuators going out on some of the newer vehicles, but six is ridiculous. At that point I'd start scrutinizing the repair orders and diagnostic steps; something else is at work here.

If you can provide some additional information, we might be able to narrow down on the issue.

As for a "class action lawsuit," under what basis? It sounds more like the issue is with the dealer and their methods. not from Toyota

 

[maudas]

[MENTION=113559]Mlynn[/MENTION]
As for a "class action lawsuit," under what basis? It sounds more like the issue is with the dealer and their methods. not from Toyota

That was just blowing off steam. At the current rate of failure, it will cost me about $800/year just to have locking doors.

Found a local electrical specialist that I'm going to give a try. I'll update here is I find anything that will be helpful to others.

 

[Jayhawk5G]

That was just blowing off steam. At the current rate of failure, it will cost me about $800/year just to have locking doors.

Found a local electrical specialist that I'm going to give a try. I'll update here is I find anything that will be helpful to others.

My suggestion would be to take it to a different Toyota dealership, and talk to them about contacting Toyota North America for resolution. The issue started during the warranty period, and seems to have incorrectly diagnosed and repaired with bandaids.

A more competent dealer may be able to fix the actual problem, and Toyota may warranty it based on the issues with the first dealer.