2024-25 Tacoma - FWC – Did You Remove Tailgate?

[Jack]

I have a 2024 Tacoma TRD Off Road with a power tailgate. The manual says there is a cover for the connectors when you remove the tailgate but Toyota says there isn’t one. I believe the covers, which have pins and some circuitry, are supposed to make the ECU happy and not throw error messages when the tailgate is removed. When I remove the tailgate, I get an error message every 3 minutes.

If you have a Tacoma with a power tailgate, please reply or message me the details?

 

[Bread]

There are covers. See below. I was able to turn off the tailgate warning on my 2024 TRD Off Road but I don’t have a power tailgate.

Not sure that using these covers will make any difference with your issue.

 

[Bread]

Are you sure you turned off the tailgate warning in “settings” before disconnecting the wiring?

 

[Jack]

I did and two different dealers were unable to get it to work.

Did the covers come with your Tacoma?

Do you have the link to your diagram?

 

[Bread]

I had to order the covers from here:

Genuine Toyota Parts and Accessories: Official Online Store | Autoparts.toyota.com

Find genuine Toyota parts and accessories that fit your Toyota. Your source for everything from batteries and floor mats to body panels and engine gaskets.

autoparts.toyota.com

and they were shipped to local dealer.

I turned off the warning in settings and did not have the covers at the time.

 

[Bread]

I had to give the dealer parts rep my VIN# in order for them to find the part#. It’s possible the cover for a power tailgate is different.

 

[DesertDog]

While we're on the topic, anyone know the PNs for the covers that fit over the back-up camera connector and the tailgate pop lock harness connector when removing tailgate off a 2022 model year? Dealer was no help nor was it in the glovebox when I bought the truck new.

 

[Bread]

This is what comes in the cover kit. Bottom covers fit on the truck. Top covers fit on the removed tailgate.

There might be some circuitry in there that fixes your issue. Good luck! That has to be super aggravating. On a positive note, you’re gonna love how your new Tacoma handles when you get your camper on there! Mine handles way better than my 2011 Tacoma. It sags a bit, but hoping the Timbrens I ordered will take care of that.

 

[Upland Roamer]

I have a 2024 Tacoma TRD Off Road with a power tailgate. The manual says there is a cover for the connectors when you remove the tailgate but Toyota says there isn’t one. I believe the covers, which have pins and some circuitry, are supposed to make the ECU happy and not throw error messages when the tailgate is removed. When I remove the tailgate, I get an error message every 3 minutes.

If you have a Tacoma with a power tailgate, please reply or message me the details?

I have a 2025 TRD Off road with power tailgate. I added a Fleet recently. I too am getting an error message with tailgate off and camera unplugged. I was told the same thing regarding the covers that can be found in the manual; they are unavailable currently but that may change in the future. I am working with a guy to see if we can take the camera out of the tailgate and rig something up to be able to plug back in and still use. He said there is no aftermarket camera that he knows of that will work, especially as well as my original. I do really like the "Safety Sense 3.0 system". This gives a warning and stops the vehicle if backing into something. I did turn off the tailgate warning in settings prior to disconnecting wiring.

 

[Jack]

Bread, did the covers stop the warning message? I got the covers, but they did not stop the warning messages.

Get this: After a long back-and-forth with the regional case manager, Toyota engineering came back with the statement that the tailgate is not to be removed because the NHTSB requires a backup camera, and removing the tailgate removes it. I guess the Toyota Tundra team, Ford, and Stellantis haven't heard about this

 

[Jack]

Upland Roamer, GGOffroad.com is working on a cable for our Tacomas. Drop Austin at austin@ggoffroad.com a line to get an idea when he may have one.

 

[goinoregon]

Bread, did the covers stop the warning message? I got the covers, but they did not stop the warning messages.

Get this: After a long back-and-forth with the regional case manager, Toyota engineering came back with the statement that the tailgate is not to be removed because the NHTSB requires a backup camera, and removing the tailgate removes it. I guess the Toyota Tundra team, Ford, and Stellantis haven't heard about this

if the tailgate is required to be always on - why do manufacturers make them so they can be removed? ugh.

 

[Upland Roamer]

Upland Roamer, GGOffroad.com is working on a cable for our Tacomas. Drop Austin at austin@ggoffroad.com a line to get an idea when he may have one.

Thanks, will contact him.

 

[DesertDog]

Bread, did the covers stop the warning message? I got the covers, but they did not stop the warning messages.

Get this: After a long back-and-forth with the regional case manager, Toyota engineering came back with the statement that the tailgate is not to be removed because the NHTSB requires a backup camera, and removing the tailgate removes it. I guess the Toyota Tundra team, Ford, and Stellantis haven't heard about this

You should ask the case manager why Toyota makes the connector covers, if per the manager, you are never supposed to unplug these connectors?

 

[Bread]

I was able to turn off the warning message in the setup menu. I don’t think the covers had anything to do with it. I do not have a power tailgate.