The latch release has stopped working and tailgate won't come down. Anybody know the cure?

Looks like I can remove the inside bed liner panel on the tailgate.....then what? i assume that allows you to get to the internals. Something works loose or something needs cleaned and lubed? Or??????

Yeah, take the liner off and there will be an access panel. Same thing happened to my 08 tundra. Once you get inside, you can see what came loose and it’s usually a pretty easy fix.

OK, panel off. The connecting rod with L end that runs from center latch to left (driver) side latch release had come off. Little plastic clip that holds it in place busted. That should be an easy fix, but the whole thing in there is also really dirty and seems bound up from all the crud. Center latch and both ends. 15 years of bouncing along down gravel roads will do that. May take it to a car wash to see if that can all be flushed out to get it working easier.

So yes, looks like an easy fix.

I had to get a new tailgate for my 2014 tundra and it's a short, odd sized bed, almost impossible to find parts for. Everyone thinks they have it, but it's always the full size bed stuff. Finally got one from a friend in Maine who is a mechanic. I broke the plastic handle this summer and Jimmy rigged a metal piece onto what was left. Probably have to replace the entire handle eventually.

Flushed the crud out.......middle latch and both ends. That freed it up and is working easy now. Called the dealer........they don't sell those little plastic clips by themselves. Has to come as part of the entire outside latch assembly, with new rods......none of which I need. Those run about $125 each. First time I said something dirty/off color in reference to Toyota, but considering it has never been in the shop in over 15 years and 250,000 miles for any repair other than scheduled maintenance, I guess I had that coming.

I'm thinking there is a zip tie or piece of wire in this truck's future.

Just electrical tape it to hold it in the hole it is supposed to be in. Works for a couple years at least, then I sold the truck.

I wired mine and it worked for years after until I got rid of the truck. I also cleaned up the mechanisms and connecting rods. I had to bend some of the rods back in shape because the top of the tailgate (in the down position) was so bent from having heavy stuff dropped on it (firewood rounds, concrete blocks, etc.) the access panel was pushed in and bent the rods.