I just went through this with my 2000 Tundra and here is what i did: I removed both front seats for more room. I removed the upper seat belt support to allow the rear door panel to come off, i then removed the rear door panel ( 1 screw in the bottom of the handhold and 1 screw in the door release handle cup then pop it loose). Then i got the rear door latches to release and that let the doors swing out about 3 inches but the doors are still latched together. I had my wife lift the front door handle up from the outside while i held the inside handle open and kept rocking the doors and putting pressure on the latch and it popped open after 6 or 7 pushes. No damage to anything. Spent $450 bucks on a new Toyota latch assembly and it works great!
I had a friend do mine, he fixed the latch. I just had to buy the cables and some plastic pieces. $400 bucks I feel was too much to spend on it. But I guess it's a problem with Toyota, truck runs great, I guess it's just the little things that set you back.
Thanks so much for this! I did it alone holding the interior rear door handle open and giving it a few good shoulder bumps where the two doors meet and they opened finally!
I was just dealing with this issue just now and this is how I fixed it. I took off 50% the driver side panel and then removed the outside driver side door handle. I then took a long screwdriver and pushed down on the actuator lever pretty hard and it popped open with a little pull.
Thanks for sharing this! Because of this information, I was able to get mine open without cutting anything. So nice to be able to open and close my door again after well over a year.
100% correct. That's what I did too. You just have to actuate the stuck release cog which is attached to a small lever accessible with a long screwdriver. Took me 10 seconds. I can't beleive people have resorted to actually cutting up their doors!! Ridiculous.
Im having the same issues with both the Drivers and passengers doors not opening. After three months the passenger door finally opened. So I'm going to replace the actuator when the part arrives. I'm wondering if being in a very hot environment causes this issue? I originally though that the cables had stretched. I will follow up later.
This happened to me and you are not kidding. This is a terrible thing to deal with. Wish those nuts were not welded. What a shit show. I was able to cut those bolts and nuts with an oscillating saw…and kick it open. Even then I could not get the latch to release the striker!
If you follow the video you can get to the back of the front door striker plate loosen that and the door will open some then get inside and kick it open
YOU DO NOT HAVE TO DO THIS DUDE... All you have to do is remove the door panel, partially unscrew the black plastic dust shield from around the lock mechanism, and then use a 10" long flat headscrew driver to push down firmly on the latch release lever which is about 50-60% down on the mechanism. I had stuck doors and once I got the screwdriver in there it only took 10 seconds to unlock the door! You're really putting out bad information here. No need to mess with the rear door whatsoever!
I just went through this with my 2000 Tundra and here is what i did: I removed both front seats for more room. I removed the upper seat belt support to allow the rear door panel to come off, i then removed the rear door panel ( 1 screw in the bottom of the handhold and 1 screw in the door release handle cup then pop it loose). Then i got the rear door latches to release and that let the doors swing out about 3 inches but the doors are still latched together. I had my wife lift the front door handle up from the outside while i held the inside handle open and kept rocking the doors and putting pressure on the latch and it popped open after 6 or 7 pushes. No damage to anything. Spent $450 bucks on a new Toyota latch assembly and it works great!
I had a friend do mine, he fixed the latch. I just had to buy the cables and some plastic pieces. $400 bucks I feel was too much to spend on it. But I guess it's a problem with Toyota, truck runs great, I guess it's just the little things that set you back.
That worked for me also. Thanks!
Dude, THANK YOU!!! You saved my door panel!!
Thanks so much for this! I did it alone holding the interior rear door handle open and giving it a few good shoulder bumps where the two doors meet and they opened finally!
Nhtsa needs to order a recall. What if the car is burning and the door cant be opened?
I was just dealing with this issue just now and this is how I fixed it. I took off 50% the driver side panel and then removed the outside driver side door handle. I then took a long screwdriver and pushed down on the actuator lever pretty hard and it popped open with a little pull.
Thanks for sharing this! Because of this information, I was able to get mine open without cutting anything. So nice to be able to open and close my door again after well over a year.
100% correct. That's what I did too. You just have to actuate the stuck release cog which is attached to a small lever accessible with a long screwdriver. Took me 10 seconds. I can't beleive people have resorted to actually cutting up their doors!! Ridiculous.
Im having the same issues with both the Drivers and passengers doors not opening. After three months the passenger door finally opened. So I'm going to replace the actuator when the part arrives. I'm wondering if being in a very hot environment causes this issue? I originally though that the cables had stretched. I will follow up later.
This happened to me and you are not kidding. This is a terrible thing to deal with. Wish those nuts were not welded. What a shit show. I was able to cut those bolts and nuts with an oscillating saw…and kick it open. Even then I could not get the latch to release the striker!
Welded nuts where????
i have he same issue......crap, wish me luck
Did it work for you?
There has to be a better way
I have the same problem on the driver side
If you follow the video you can get to the back of the front door striker plate loosen that and the door will open some then get inside and kick it open
These are failing by the thousands. Major design failure by Toyota. Should be a recall.
Lol, everyone knows Toyotas door handles always mess up
I agree! My driver's door is stuck shut now on my 02 Tundra.
My 2000 has been stuck for a year now and can’t get the part because it’s back ordered by 700
YOU DO NOT HAVE TO DO THIS DUDE... All you have to do is remove the door panel, partially unscrew the black plastic dust shield from around the lock mechanism, and then use a 10" long flat headscrew driver to push down firmly on the latch release lever which is about 50-60% down on the mechanism. I had stuck doors and once I got the screwdriver in there it only took 10 seconds to unlock the door! You're really putting out bad information here. No need to mess with the rear door whatsoever!
That would not work in this situation. The lock was jammed, Period
Did you do that from the drivers door under that panel?