lock actuator fails for 6th time

[Hellamatic]

My money is on the switch, as [MENTION=65614]Antman[/MENTION] suggested. I vaguely remember getting a TSB notice in the mail at some point about armor all causing failure to a door lock or window switch or something - which makes the dealer's claim somewhat plausible. I just don't remember which of my vehicles the TSB was for.

 

[James1149]

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?

Maudas, if you find out what's the ultimate problem I would love to find out. We have a Lexus 2013 RX 350 and we have replaced the actuator in our car no less than 6 times! I'm beyond frustrated. Same bs excuse asking me about what I wash my car with, there working on trying to find out why this happens, etc. I just had the car at the dealer shop last week for this and my wife just told me another lock is not working.

 

[Youngerarlaw]

I have replaced 6 with my 2013 limited with 66k. I have an extended or I would be looking at a lawsuit or two....


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[ECUDrummer]

My driver door failed a few weeks ago and now my front passenger has failed as well. Looks like I'll be spending some time at the dealership this weekend for a fix.

 

[wfo9]

There has to be some type of underlying flaw here that has nothing to do with the actuators themselves.

It seems like people either have no failure at all or constant multiple failures...
Maybe bad batches of actuators... but seems unlikely with 6+ failures....

 

[lilsid112]

I've had four actuator fails so far with my 13 limited. First two were covered under warranty, I replaced one and it failed again in less than a year. Toyota warrantied the part but it's a pain to change out. I'm hoping they'll reimburse us in the future.

 

[Bevo]

After quickly skimming through the thread, 4 of the 5 5th gens with failures were 2013 models other than the OP. Coincidence?

 

[bane]

I have a 2012 and had an actuator that wouldn't unlock the rear driver side door intermittently, but I haven't had an issue with it in months.

 

[LandCruiser]

I just don't give a damn.

They keep breaking, Toyota won't fix the underlying problem, I just lock my TE with a key.

Thankfully the driver's side still has a keyhole.

I think if it as the TO bearing issue with the FJC. Toyota doesn't give a **** about fixing it and won't do a thing about it.

 

[ECUDrummer]

I just don't give a damn.

They keep breaking, Toyota won't fix the underlying problem, I just lock my TE with a key.

Thankfully the driver's side still has a keyhole.

I think if it as the TO bearing issue with the FJC. Toyota doesn't give a **** about fixing it and won't do a thing about it.

I was that way for a while when my driver's side failed. All I have to do is lock with the key? NBFD.

But then the front passenger failed. Then I remember who rides in that seat the most, and I thought about what I'd hear every single time that individual goes to open the door. Then, I remembered the headache that would cause hearing that same shit over and over and over and over and over again.

That sums it up for me.

 

[Koddo]

2010 Trail here... haven't had one go yet.

 

[flyrv9]

2013 SR5 - no issues yet.

 

[Wingball64]

I also have a 2013 Limited. I am the only owner and take very good care of the truck. I have had actuators replaced in all 4 passenger doors a total of 7 times. Which 4 of the 7 were to replace in the rear doors. Most of my driving is done with no passengers and those two doors in the rear rarely are locked or unlocked. My dealership has repaired them all for free. I deal solely with the service manager when this issue comes up. All four doors have been replaced in the last 2 years. I love the truck, this by far is the biggest pain for me. If there is something other than "broken" actuators to replace it would be great for Toyota to figure out. One of the techs told me at one service that the Camrys had a similar problem a few years ago. I'm not sure I have never owned one. I usually have mine replaced at the time of the next service. But it would be nice not to spend useless time at the dealership. If this true problem was solved.


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[BamaTrav]

You are not alone! Neither of my front lock actuators operarate currently. My rear driver side operates sporadically. My dealer was not at all surprised and is willing to cover (minus $20 on my part...not kidding) even though I am just out of warranty. My 2008 Tundra also had actuator problems before I traded on the Runner. Interestingly, have a buddy with a 2009 Tundra who also has actuator problems.

 

[Donkey]

All four of mine have failed. The driver door at 34k miles, replaced under warranty. The passenger door at 38k, I replaced with a dorman from amazon that carries a lifetime warranty. Dealer wanted hundreds with only a limited warranty.

Both back doors failed at 39k miles. A minor annoyance for sure, but a pain in the ass when you have young kids and also like to lock the doors. I expect crap like this to break on other makes, a little surprising for toyota.

I took apart the passenger front actuator and it functioned fine. No broken parts, nothing worn. Locked and unlocked with 12v power. The motor was fine. The dorman was identical, even had most of the same paint markings. I verified that my electrical grounds are good. My 4Runner has no other problems.

Replacement rear lock assemblies are $128 each and would take me about 30 minutes to install, it is pretty easy. Dealer is way more. For the hell of it I called toyota and opened a case, now I need to go by the dealer to have it inspected. The dealer said it was a little nutty to have all of them fail in under three years and that toyota might help me out, we shall see.

 

[wfo9]

Wow, clearly seems like something was up in 2013.

 

[FrontRange4Runner]

Bad batch of actuators seems unlikely as they have been replaced. This was a major issue on my RSX and it was not fun to deal with. Something in between the actuator too tight causing stress on it?

 

[phuz]

2014 Limited here. FR actuator replaced around 35k miles and just had FL actuator replaced at 42k.

FR was occasionally not working for over a month before replacement. FL went from being fine, to working around 50% of the time, to completely dead within a few days. I have the platinum warranty thankfully.

 

[ECUDrummer]

2014 Limited here. FR actuator replaced around 35k miles and just had FL actuator replaced at 42k.

FR was occasionally not working for over a month before replacement. FL went from being fine, to working around 50% of the time, to completely dead within a few days. I have the platinum warranty thankfully.

I have the same warranty and am having them replaced on both front doors this Wednesday. Saw the price quoted for parts and labor ($900). Glad I have the warranty as I'm somewhat mechanically retarded.

 

[trexdex]

2013 SR5 here. I bought mine on January 3 of 2013 and I have and both front actuators go out in less then three years. I did not get extended warranty and tried to get dealer to repair even though I was out of mileage warranty because this was not a mileage related issue but they would not. I bought my replacements from partsgeek.com at half the cost of Toyota part and installed myself, pretty easy in my opinion. With two of them going out I was not going to replace with another Toyota part and I guess we will see how long these last