Toyota Highlander 2012-- front passenger door stuck in locked position. Can't unlock with key fob, unlock switch on door or door handle on inside.

I am responding to my own post in order to update others who may have the same problem. As expected, the problem was a faulty door actuator. I ended up having the actuator repaired by an auto repair shop. They told me that door locks with this problem can "be sticky." In terms of the specific problem of the door being stuck in the locked (and closed) position (thereby hindering access to the faulty actuator), the repair shop tells me that to address the lock's "stickiness", it took brute force to get the door open (specifically, two big guys using brute force). Thankfully, they were able to get it un-stuck this way, rather than having to break open the door panel which likely would have resulted in some level of permanent damage to the door panel and potentially the dashboard.

I had to fix my window regulator and mistakenly reversed the wire cables switching the lock and door handle cables resulting in the same condition. Drivers door was closed and locked and couldn't be unlocked or opened even from the outside. I removed the three screws from the door panel again and gently used a flat blade screwdriver to pry off the very top of the door panel. I placed a flat piece of small wood trim about the size,of a paint stick on the outer edge of the exterior door trim to rock the screwdriver on to avoid damaging the trim. The panel will flex enough that I was able to use plastic wheel choke to wedge in there to keep the panel far enough out that I could reach the cables which are at the top of the panel and switch them. Opend the door reinstalled the panel which sustained no damage and was good to go. I would think if the actuator was bad I had enough room to grab the cables with a needle nose vice grip and manual manipulate the lock and the door opening cable if I needed to. I would sure try it before two body shop guys ripped the door open with brute force.

Jpmankey did you try the key that is located in your remote fob? Our 2012 T. H. Did the same thing. We used the key to unlock the doors but now it wont start. I love this car but I f she dont behave she's gone!

I just dealt with this painful situation in my 2011 Toyota Highlander. I rolled down the window on the driver closed door. Removed all the panel bolts and then was able to pry back the top edge of the panel about 3/8 inch above the door actuator area. I then inserted a rod with a 1 inch 90 degree turn feeling around for the door actuator arm pushing down. After about a minute I got the door to open.

I have a rear passenger door on a 2013 Highlander that won't open, and need to get help with this soon. I believe I'm hearing the door lock click when using the remote and button on the front door, but, the door still doesn't open. Wondering if the "brute force" method of opening would work for mine. It will be difficult to open the door panel while the door is stuck closed.