2007 TOYOTA PRIUS Structure Problems

Hatch release has melted, see NHTSA ID’s for example: 10511408, 10533059, 10504366, 10496197, 10448470, etc.

catalytic converter is easily accessible and there should be a recall to have a safety operation and stop all these cars from being sold in the market because there is a rise in many thefts of the catalytic converter due to it being very easily accusable without any guard in place to prevent thieves from getting to it to remove and sell for parts. Spray paint can be cleaned off and vin numbers can be sanded down. simply trying that will not work. i was unaware that it was stolen off of the vehicle until i drove it a little ways to where the vehicle was then burning and i could smell it catching on fire

THE MAIN DASH.DISPLAY, SPEEDOMETER, WILL NOT SHOW UP DUE TO ELECTRIC PROBLEM. POWER FROM REAR, AUX, BATTERY IS INTERRUPTED SOME HOW. THE CRUISE CONTROL WILL BE INOP IN THIS SITUATION. THERE IS NO WAY OF KNOWING WHEN THE CONDITION WILL SHOW UP, BUT WHEN DOOR IS OPENED, THE INDICATOR LIGHT WILL NOT COME ON. CAR WILL HAVE BEEN PARKED, TURNED OFF. DIFFERENT FIXES ON THE NET. MY FIX IS TO IN PLUG REAR BATTERY'S 2 CONNECTIONS, WAIT THEN HOPE, AND TRY AGAIN

SOMETIMES THE DASH WON'T LIGHT UP OTHER TIMES THE CAR WON'T SHUT OFF PLUS ON THE TAILGATE THE LITTLE ELECTRICAL PIECE FELL OFF WHERE YOU OPEN THE TRUNK

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRIM AROUND THE TRUNK LATCH MELTED AND WAS STUCK TO THE VEHICLE, WHICH MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN THE TRUNK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JAY WOLFE TOYOTA OF WEST COUNTY (LOCATED AT 14700 MANCHESTER RD, BALLWIN, MO 63011) WHERE THE TECHNICIAN BROKE THE LATCH IN AN ATTEMPT TO OPEN THE TRUNK. THE TECHNICIAN GLUED THE LATCH BACK AND STATED THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 8,000.

Mileage: 8,000

FIRST ISSUE IS WITH THE REAR LATCH BEING USELESS SOMETIMES DEPENDING ON THE WEATHER AS THE MOLDING IS ALL MELTED AND ACCESS TO THE TRUNK BEING IMPOSSIBLE. SECOND AND MOST IMPORTANT I'VE NOTICED THE BRAKING ON THIS CAR IS VERY VERY SUSPECT. PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE AROUND 6 MONTHS AGO FROM WESTBURY TOYOTA AND I'VE LEARNED I NEED TO APPLY MY BRAKES AT LEAST A GOOD 50 TO 100 FEET BEFORE THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. COUPLE MONTHS AGO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME BRAKED SO SUDDEN THAT I ALSO HIT MY BRAKES, THE ABS SIGN FLASHED AS IF IT "WAS" WORKING BUT THE CAR JUST KEPT GOING, I ENDED UP PRESSING THE BRAKE ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND STILL NO RESULT. IF I HADN'T KEPT MY DISTANCE I WOULD'VE DEFINITELY ENDED UP IN THAT CARS TRUNK. I CAN SAY FROM ALL MY EXPERIENCE AS A DRIVER AND ALL THE CARS I'VE OWNED THIS CAR HAS THE WORST BRAKING SYSTEM IN THE HISTORY OF MOTOR VEHICLES. FEELS LIKE BRAKING A 747 PLANE. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS BRAKING

Mileage: 61,000

THE REAR HATCH IS EXTREMELY HARD TO OPEN IN THE SUMMER AND NOW IN THE WINTER EVEN HARDER. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. MY CAR IS PARKED UNDER A CARPORT WINTER AND SUMMER. I HAVE LESS THAN 80,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. I NEED TO BE ABLE TO GET IN THE REAR HATCH TO CHANGE A TIRE OR GET A FIRE EXTINGUISHER IN CASE OF EMERGENCY AND I SOMETIMES CAN'T GET IT TO OPEN. IS THERE SOME WAY TOYOTA CAN HELP MAKE THIS RIGHT. THE RUBBER PART THAT YOU PRESS IS HARDER THAN A STICK AND WON'T RELEASE. THIS HAPPENS SOME TIMES AT THE GROCERY STORE PARKING LOT OR AT ANY STORE PARKING LOT. SOMETIMES IT HAPPENS WHEN I ARRIVE HOME AND CAN'T GET MY GROCERIES OUT BECAUSE THE HATCH WON'T LET IT RELEASE. IS THIS A DEFECT THAT CAN BE CORRECTED?

Mileage: 74,500

THE BACK LATCH TO THE TRUNK/HATCH IS DEFECTIVE. THE RUBBER EXTERIOR PART HAS MELTED AND IS ALL GOOEY AND STICKY. IN THE WINTER TIME IT FREEZES. WE ARE UNABLE TO OPEN OR USE THE TRUNK. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND ALSO CAN NOT ACCESS SPARE OR COMPARTMENT. THIS IS A FAULTY PART AND THERE HAVE BEEN THOUSANDS OF SIMILAR REPORTS. I WOULD LIKE THIS FIXED AS IS A MANUFACTURING FLAW AND DEFECT.

Mileage: 190,000

HOOD LATCH WILL NOT OPEN 50, 60% OF THE TIME. MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM AND I FEEL IT SHOULD BE RECALLED..

THE REAR LIFT GATE LATCH ON MY TOYOTA PRIUS HAS STOPPED FUNCTIONING. THE EXTERIOR RUBBER OVER THE LATCH MECHANISM/SWITCH HAS MELTED, TURNED GUMMY AND WILL NO LONGER FUNCTION TO OPEN THE LIFT GATE. IN COLD WEATHER THE LATCH HAS BEEN EVEN MORE DIFFICULT TO OPEN AND THE TRIM PIECE CONTAINING THE TRUNK HATCH LATCH BEZEL WHILE TRYING TO GET THE LATCH TO RELEASE BROKE. I CAN NO LONGER OPEN THE TRUNK OF MY CAR FROM THE OUTSIDE. THIS IS A SECURITY AND A SAFETY HAZARD AS I CAN NOT ACCESS THE REAR HATCH OF MY CAR IN UNDER NORMAL USE NOR AN EMERGENCY AND DEFEATS THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF A HATCHBACK CAR WHICH IS ACCESS TO THE CAR'S INTERIOR. THE CAR JACK AND EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE, BATTERY LOCATED JUST BEHIND THE FAILED HATCH LATCH. I AM DISABLED, I CAN NOT PUT A WHEEL CHAIR IN/OUT. THIS IS UNSAFE AND TOYOTA REFUSES TO ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR. THIS REPLACEMENT PART/SERVICE ONLY IS WARRANTY FOR 1 YEAR AT A PRICE OF $675 TO REPAIR. UNDER THE ADA ACT - PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND ADVOCATE A RECALL.

Mileage: 160,000

AFTER I NOTICED THAT THE SUV SUFFICIENTLY AHEAD OF ME IN THE SAME LANE WAS STOPPING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, I STARTED SLOWING DOWN WITH PLENTY OF SPACE. I GLANCED FOR A SECOND TO MY RIGHT SIDE TO CHECK SAFETY AROUND ANOTHER SET OF HEADLIGHTS. WHEN I FACED FORWARD I COULD SEE THAT I WAS GETTING TOO CLOSE TO THE ABOUT-TO-TURN CAR AHEAD OF ME. I IMMEDIATELY SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES, BUT THE CAR KEPT MOVING FORWARD AND SLAMMED INTO THE SUV'S REAR END. THANKFULLY THERE WERE NO PHYSICALLY INJURIES, BUT THE COLLISION CAUSED LOW/MODERATE DAMAGE TO THE SUV AND MAJOR DAMAGE TO MY PRIUS -- ENOUGH THAT THE RADIATOR WAS CLOBBERED, AND THAT MY CAR HAD TO BE TOWED. AT THE TIME OF THIS POST, THE REPAIR SHOP HAS NOT YET FINISHED EVALUATING IT AND REPORTING ON ALL THE DAMAGED PARTS AND THE ESTIMATE COSTS. PRIOR TO PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE ABOUT 9 MONTHS AGO, I HAD CHECKED FOR ACTIVE RECALLS BUT FOUND NONE, AND I CONFIRMED THE SAME SHORTLY AFTER THE PURCHASE. APPARENTLY, THOUGH, TOYOTA HAS NOT YET ISSUED A RECALL ON THE BRAKE SYSTEM EVEN AFTER MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ABOUT SUCH A FAILURE DURING AN EMERGENCY NEED FOR A TOTAL STOP. I AM REALLY INTERESTED IN PURSUING FURTHER ACTION, POSSIBLY THROUGH LEGAL AVENUES.

Mileage: 146,000

WHEN THE TEMPERATURE DIPS BELOW 40 F, THE REAR GATE DOES NOT OPEN. THE RUBBER COVERING OF THE SWITCH TO LIFT THE GATE GETS VERY HARD AND DOES NOT RESPOND TO PRESSURE TO OPEN THE REAR LIFT GATE.

Mileage: 180,000

THE RUBBER HANDLE OF THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCH HAS "MELTED" INTO THE OPERATING PART OF THE LATCH, MAKING IT TOTALLY INOPERABLE IN THE WINTER, AND COOLER MONTHS. THIS IS NOT DUE TO EXPOSURE TO HEAT EXTREMES - THE CAR HAS ALWAYS BEEN GARAGED IN A NORTHERN PART OF THE US, WHERE SUMMER TEMPERATURES RARELY EXCEED 80 DEGREES. IN AN EMERGENCY IN THE WINTER, THERE IS NO WAY TO MAKE USE OF THE HATCHBACK. THE OPERATION IS PROBLEMATIC IN THE SUMMER - SOMETIMES IT CAN BE FORCED OPEN, SOMETIMES NOT. IT HAS TAKEN A FEW YEARS FOR THE LATCH TO BECOME INOPERATIVE; IT BECAME INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO OPEN OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS, AND STICKY BLACK RESIDUE TRANSFERRED TO HANDS TOUCHING IT FOR THOSE YEARS. THIS IS NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR; CLEARLY DEFECTIVE RUBBER WAS USED.

Mileage: 25,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A PLASTIC PIECE FROM THE DOOR PREMATURELY MELTED FROM AN UNKNOWN LOCATION, WHICH MELTED INTO THE DOOR LATCH. THE FAILURE MADE IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO USE THE LATCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

THE TRUNK LATCH ON MY '07 PRIUS HAS "MELTED" AND IS NO LONGER WORKING. SINCE THE LATCH IS NO LONGER WORKING, THE TRUNK IS UNABLE TO OPEN, AND ALSO UNABLE TO REMAIN IN A FULLY LATCHED, CLOSED POSITION. BECAUSE OF THIS, I AM UNABLE TO LOCK THE DOORS. SOMETIMES, I CAN GIVE THE TRUNK DOOR AN EXTRA PUSH TO TURN OFF THE "DOOR OPEN" SENSOR TO LOCK THE VEHICLE, BUT BECAUSE IT IS NOT FULLY LATCHING AND THE VEHICLE IS BEING LOCKED FROM THE OUTSIDE, THE ANTI-THEFT ALARM WILL GO OFF.

Mileage: 200,000

HATCHBACK WILL NOT UNLOCK. THE RUBBER THAT COVERS THE LATCH HAS DEGRADED TO THE POINT WHERE IT IS STICKY IN THE WARM WEATHER AND ROCK SOLID IN THE COLD WEATHER WHERE YOU CAN NO LONGER PRESS IT TO OPEN THE TRUCK.

Mileage: 145,000

HATCHBACK DOOR DOES NOT OPEN IN COLD WEATHER.

REAR HATCH DOOR LATCH FAILURE, STARTING WITH SOFTENING AND THEN COMPLETE MELTING OF THE RUBBER COVER AND FINALLY TO LATCH NOT OPERATING AT ALL, ESPECIALLY IN COLD WEATHER.

Mileage: 63,000

THE RUBBER COVER ON THE HATCH RELEASE HANDLE (THE EXTERIOR HANDLE OF THE REAR HATCH) OF OUR 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS, MELTED INTO A STICKY TARRY BLACK RUBBERY GOOEY MESS. I CAN BEST DESCRIBE IT AS BEING A VISCOUS BLACK GLOB LIKE ROOFING TAR. TO OPEN THE HATCH, YOU HAVE TO TOUCH THIS BLACK GOO EACH TIME, WHICH MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO OPERATE THE HATCH RELEASE. I THOUGHT THAT THIS MIGHT BE A SINGULAR ISSUE, BUT HAVE FOUND THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO SEVERAL CAR OWNERS. TOYOTA KNOWS ABOUT THIS, AND IS SELLING THE ENTIRE WIRING HARNESS FOR $96 PLUS REPAIR COSTS, AND HAS DONE NOTHING ABOUT RECALLING THIS. FROM A SAFETY PERSPECTIVE, THIS MEANS YOU CAN EXPERIENCE EXTREME DIFFICULTY OPENING THE REAR HATCH (A LIFE SAFETY ACCESS POINT), AND WILL GET STICKY BLACK TAR ON YOU FROM THE MELTED DOWN RUBBER COVER OF THE EXTERIOR HATCH RELEASE HANDLE. TO ME, THIS IS BOTH A SERIOUS LIFE SAFETY ISSUE AND A SERIOUS QUALITY DEFECT THAT TOYOTA IS OPTING TO IGNORE AND ONLY FIXING ON VEHICLES WITH EXTENDED WARRANTIES, SINCE THE FAILURE APPEARS TO OCCUR AT AROUND THE 3 YEAR MARK. I AM AWARE OF THE OUTSTANDING WORK DONE BY NHTSA ON OTHER SAFETY ISSUES, INCLUDING THE PROBLEM WITH RUSTY FRAMES ON 02 ISUZU AXIOMS, AND I FIND THIS PROBLEM TO BE SIMILAR IN NATURE, SO I AM ASKING FOR YOUR AGENCY TO TAKE A LOOK AT THESE INSTANCES AND ALSO TO INQUIRE FROM TOYOTA WHY THEY ARE NOT RECALLING THESE HANDLES THAT ARE MELTING. IT'S OUTRAGEOUS. I THINK A DOOR HANDLE OR HATCH HANDLE SHOULD BE MADE TO LAST MORE THAN 3 YEARS. PLEASE REVIEW THESE FORUM COMMENTS OF OTHER INCIDENTS: HTTP://PRIUSCHAT.COM/FORUMS/GEN-II-...RUNK-HATCH-RELEASE-RUBBER-PIECE-MELTED-4.HTML

Mileage: 10,000

THE TRUNK OPENER SWITCH ON MY 2007 PRIUS NO LONGER WORKS RELIABLY BECAUSE IT IS MADE OF A DEFECTIVE RUBBER WHICH HAS AT THIS POINT MELTED INTO A GOOPY MESS. THIS MEANS THAT THE OPENER SWITCH CAN BECOME STUCK IN THE CLOSED POSITION, RENDERING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN THE TRUNK UNTIL THE RELEASE MECHANISM OF THE SWITCH OVERCOMES THE TENSILE STRENGTH OF THE GOOP. AS A CURSORY GOOGLE SEARCH SHOWS, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WHICH TOYOTA ROUTINELY REFUSES TO REPAIR. IT IS A POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE A PET OR CHILD COULD BE DIFFICULT TO RETRIEVE FROM THE TRUNK AREA IF THE TRUNK CANNOT BE OPENED. AN UNEXPECTED HAZARD SUCH AS A LEAKING PROPANE TANK OR A BATTERY FIRE IN THE TRUNK AREA COULD SIMILARLY BE DIFFICULT TO MITIGATE.

Mileage: 100,000

THE REAR LIFT GATE LATCH ON MY TOYOTA PRIUS HAS STOPPED FUNCTIONING. THE EXTERIOR RUBBER OVER THE LATCH MECHANISM/SWITCH HAS MELTED, TURNED GUMMY AND WILL NO LONGER FUNCTION TO OPEN THE LIFT GATE. IN COLD WEATHER THE LATCH HAS BEEN EVEN MORE DIFFICULT TO OPEN AND THE TRIM PIECE CONTAINING THE TRUNK HATCH LATCH FRACTURED IN SUB-FREEZING WEATHER WHILE TRYING TO GET THE LATCH TO RELEASE. THE CAR WAS PARKED WITH LIGHT SNOW FALLING. I CAN NO LONGER OPEN THE TRUNK OF MY CAR FROM THE OUTSIDE. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AS I CAN NOT ACCESS THE REAR HATCH OF MY CAR IN AN EMERGENCY AND DEFEATS THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF A HATCHBACK CAR WHICH IS ACCESS TO THE CAR'S INTERIOR. THE CAR JACK AND EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE LOCATED JUST BEHIND THE FAILED HATCH LATCH. I HAD TO PAY OVER $500+ TO HAVE TOYOTA REPLACE THE FAILED HATCH LATCH SWITCH AND SURROUNDING TRIM PIECE.

Mileage: 95,000

THE HEADLIGHTS WORK INTERMITTENTLY AND HAVE NEEDED BULB REPLACEMENT 3 TIMES SO FAR. ALSO ALL THE TAIL LIGHT AND THE TAG LIGHTS WENT OUT AT THE SAME TIME RECENTLY AND REQUIRED BULB REPLACEMENT. WHEN DRIVING WE HAD NO IDEA THE LIGHTS WERE OUT AND ONLY FOUND OUT WHEN WE WERE PULLED OVER BY POLICE. THIS CONSTITUTES A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION IN MY OPINION. ALSO THE HATCHBACK HANDLE SOMETIMES FAILS TO WORK DUE TO THE RUBBER COVER DETERIORATION.

Mileage: 127,000

ANOTHER COMPLAINT REGARDING THE RUBBER COVER OF THE 2007 PRIUS HATCH RELEASE/LATCH. THE RUBBER COVERING HAS DETERIORATED AND DEGRADED IN A WAY THAT CAUSES IT TO MELT AND BECOME STICKY IN WARM OR HOT WEATHER; TOUCHING THE COVER CAUSES THE MATERIAL TO STICK TO FINGERS, AND IS VERY DIFFICULT TO REMOVE, REQUIRING THE USE OF A SOLVENT CLEANER. IN COLD AND FREEZING WEATHER, THE COVER BECOMES VERY STIFF AND NOT FLEXIBLE, AND IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PRESS, CAUSING THE HATCH TO BE IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN. THIS IS A BASIC OPERATIONAL PROBLEM, RENDERING THE HATCHBACK NON-FUNCTIONAL - IT CAN'T BE OPENED, OR IF IT CAN BE OPENED IT LEAVES A SUBSTANCE ON THE DRIVER'S BODY. ALSO A SAFETY ISSUE, AS WHEN THE HATCH CAN'T BE OPENED THIS IS ESSENTIALLY BEING LOCKED OUT OF THE TRUNK WHERE THE SPARE TIRE AND SAFETY EQUIPMENT ARE LOCATED. DEALER WILL CHARGE APPROXIMATELY $300 FOR PART AND LABOR TO REPAIR THIS. I'VE CALLED TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE, AND THEIR RESPONSE WAS: "IT IS NO LONGER COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY, AND THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS, SO TOYOTA WILL NOT BE COVERING THIS REPAIR." I DID A SEARCH IN THE NHTSA COMPLAINT DATABASE AND FOUND 147 OWNERS WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. VERY DISCOURAGING AND IRRESPONSIBLE THAT TOYOTA WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND ASSIST OWNERS WITH RESOLVING THIS ISSUE.

BACK HATCH HANDLE MELTS IN HOT WEATHER AND GETS TAR ON FINGERS AND DRIPS ON CAR BODY. THE ONLY WAY TOYOTA HAS TO FIX THIS IS TO MAKE CONSUMER PAY FOR A NEW REAR HANDLE ASSEMBLY.

Mileage: 115,000

THE REAR HATCH LATCH RUBBER COVER HAS DISSOLVED OVER THE LAST COUPLE YEARS TO THE POINT YOU CAN NO LONGER OPEN FROM OUTSIDE. IF SOMEONE WAS IN AN ACCIDENT YOU COULD NOT OPEN THE REAR HATCH DOOR AND YOU ARE TRAPPED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WITH NO TIME TO GET YOURSELF OUT OR PULL ANYONE ELSE OUT, I HAVE SEEN ONLINE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS GOING BACK INTO 2011. THIS IS HAPPENING ON A LOT OF CARS, ESPECIALLY TOYOTA PRIUS'S. AS OF RIGHT NOW I CAN NOT OPEN THE HATCH DOOR ON MY 2007 PRIUS. IT HAS JUST GOTTEN WORSE UNTIL NOW WHEN IT WILL NOT OPEN. I USED TO HAVE TO FIGHT BY PUSHING DOWN AND PULLING UP, BUT IT WILL NOT OPEN AT ALL NOW.

Mileage: 180,000

THE RUBBER COVER ON THE REAR HATCH LATCH HAS DETERIORATED SO SEVERELY THAT THE LATCH HANDLE WILL NO LONGER WORK. THE RUBBERIZED COVER HAS BECOME GOOEY AND STICKY, AND COMES OFF ON YOUR HANDS WHEN YOU TOUCH IT. THERE IS NO ALTERNATE TRUNK RELEASE ON THIS VEHICLE, SO WITH THE HANDLE MECHANISM GUMMED UP BY THE DETERIORATING RUBBER COVER, THERE IS NO WAY TO ACCESS THE TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE. THIS PIECE HAS BEEN DETERIORATING OVER THE PAST THREE TO FOUR YEARS. WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO HOLD OFF FOR A TOYOTA RECALL ON THIS PIECE, BUT NOW WE HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO PAY TO HAVE IT FIXED.

Mileage: 45,000

FAULTY LIFTGATE HANDLE. THE RUBBER MELTS IN WARM WEATHER, LEAVING A STICKY BLACK TAR ON YOUR FINGERS THAT WILL NOT WASH OFF. THIS RUBBER MELTS INTO THE MECHANISM SUCH THAT THE LIFTGATE IS NO LONGER OPERATIONAL. TOYOTA KNOWS ABOUT THIS FAULTY BATCH OF RUBBER THAT WAS USED, BUT SO FAR REFUSES TO RECALL THE FAULTY MECHANISM IN THE US. THE LIFTGATE WOULD ONLY OPEN INTERMITTANTLY, WITH A LOT OF EFFORT ABOUT A YEAR AGO. NOW, IT WILL NOT OPEN AT ALL, SO WE ARE TAKING IT TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR.

Mileage: 200,200

I GOT UNINTENDED HIGH SPEED AND I COULD NOT STOP THE CAR. IT STOPPED BECAUSE THE WHEEL WAS HIT BY THE CURBE

Mileage: 69,000

READ HATCH DOOR LATCH SWITCH FAILURE DUE TO RUBBER COVER THAT HAS DETERIORATED AND MELTED INTO STICKY GOO. THE SWITCH NOW IS INTERMITTENT. BLACK TARRY RUBBER GETS ON MY HANDS WHEN I TRY TO USE IT. THE PRICE TO REPAIR WAS QUOTED AS $350

Mileage: 59,000

LIFTGATE HANDLE LATCH MECHANISM DETERIORATED (INSIDE THE EXTERIOR HANDLE, NOT THE ACTUAL CONNECTION DOWN NEAR THE BUMPER). THIS IS A KNOWN 2007 PRIUS PROBLEM BOTH WITHIN THIS DATABASE AND IN ONLINE FORUMS, IF YOU SEARCH. PROBABLY PART OF THE 'RUBBER PARTS / GASKET TURNING INTO GOOP' PROBLEM DISCUSSED ELSEWHERE. SHOULD BE A DEALER WARRANTY REPAIR AS IT IS EXPENSIVE DEFECT TO FIX, $600 OR SO, ENTAILING REMOVING PANELS FROM THE INSIDE ETC AND REPLACING THE SWITCH. I CALLED TOYOTA AND THEY GAVE ME A CASE NUMBER BUT THAT IS ALL THUS FAR. LEXINGTON TOYOTA DEALER (MASS.) SAID THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF IT, WHICH SEEMS UNLIKELY.

Mileage: 70,000

THE RUBBER COVER OVER THE REAR HATCH LATCH GOT SOFT AND WOULD STICK ONTO MY HANDS. I HAD TO PAY TO HAVE IT REPLACED. ALSO MY BREAKS GRAB ESPECIALLY WHEN THE WEATHER IS DAMP.

Mileage: 86,000

TRUNK RELEASE HATCH BUTTON DEGRADED. TURNED STICKY, FELT LIKE, TAR. TO OPEN THE TRUNK TOOK CONSIDERABLE EFFORT. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, NOT BEING ABLE TO OPEN THE TRUNK OR OPENING WITH DIFFICULTY. TRUNK RELEASE HATCH BUTTON "MELTED" THEN THE ENTIRE GARNISH BROKE OFF WHEN TRYING TO OPEN IT.

Mileage: 77,544

THE RUBBER COVER ON THE REAR HATCH HANDLE IS DEFECTIVE AND MELTING. THIS CAUSES THE REAR HATCH TO STICK, NOT ALLOWING ACCESS TO THE REAR HATCH WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED. THIS HAPPENS MULTIPLE TIMES WHEN TRYING TO GAIN ACCESS TO THE REAR HATCH SPACE.

Mileage: 120,000

THE BLACK RUBBER ON THE HATCHBACK LATCH HAS MELTED AND MAKES OPENING THE HATCHBACK DIFFICULT. THE BLACK GOO STICKS TO THE HAND AND IS VERY MESSY BECAUSE IT GETS ON ANYTHING TOUCHED INCLUDING CLOTHES, DOOR HANDLES AND CHILDREN. THE MELTED RUBBER INTERFERES WITH THE LATCH SUCH ON SOME OCCASIONS, THE HATCHBACK DOES NOT OPEN.

Mileage: 50,000

THE REAR HATCH RELEASE ON MY 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS HAS BEGUN TO DETERIORATE AND TURN INTO A RUBBERY AND STICKY BLACK MESS. THIS ISSUE INTERFERES WITH THE USE OF THE HATCH AS THE RUBBER NOT ONLY GETS ON YOUR FINGERS BUT APPEARS TO BE BLOCKING THE RELEASE MECHANISM. THE DETERIORATION STARTED DURING THE SUMMER.. THE ISSUE HAS WORSENED AND TODAY I WAS UNABLE TO OPEN THE REAR HATCH WHATSOEVER.

Mileage: 47,100

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE SUN, THE DASHBOARD MELTED AND LEFT A SHINY SUBSTANCE WHICH CAUSED A REFLECTION ON THE WINDSHIELD THAT OBSTRUCTED THE CONTACT'S VISIBILITY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000.

Mileage: 71,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EXTERIOR REAR HATCH HANDLE MELTED AND LEFT A MELTED RUBBER RESIDUE ON HER HANDS. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS DURING WARM WEATHER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,900.

Mileage: 20,900

THE REAR HATCH HANDLE ASSEMBLY HAS MELTED COMPLETELY INTO A GOOEY MESS. THIS HANDLE WAS REPLACED BY TOYOTA UNDER WARRANTY IN 2009.. AND THE REPLACEMENT MELTED COMPLETELY AS DID THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT. BUT NOW THIS WILL COST APPX. $300 TO REPLACE. THERE IS OTHER WAY TO OPEN THE REAR HATCH . THIS PART IS CLEARLY DEFECTIVE AND RESULTS IN NO WAY TO ACCESS THE SPARE TIRE AND OTHER SAFETY EQUIPMENT IN THE HATCH. UPDATE 9/15/15*CW *CN

Mileage: 25,000

FOR ABOUT 3-4 YEARS OFF AND ON IT HAS BEEN DIFFICULT TO OPEN THE HATCH BACK DOOR. OVER TIME THIS PROBLEM HAS GOTTEN WORSE. AT THIS POINT EVEN MY HUSBAND IS HAVING TROUBLE OPENING THE DOOR. NON OF THE OTHER DOORS IS HAVING A PROBLEM. THE RUBBER COVER ON THE HATCH OPENING SWITCH ABOVE THE LICENSE PLATE IS DETERIORATING AND CAUSING THE PROBLEM. APPARENTLY WE ARE NOT THE ONLY ONE HAVING TROUBLE WITH THIS. WE WILL HAVE TO TAKE THIS IN TO HAVE IT FIXED. MY HUSBAND JUST CALLED OUR LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WOULD BE $110 TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. WHAT GIVES?

THE GAS TANK DESIGN TOYOTA PRIUS FROM AT LEAST 2007 AND UNTIL 2010, CONTAINS NO ACTUAL FUEL GAUGE. IN THE NORTHERN STATES WITH SEVERE WINTERS THIS RESULTS IN OWNERS FREQUENTLY RUNNING OUT OF GAS WHEN THEY THINK THEY STILL HAVE AMPLE FUEL AS SHOWN BY MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS FOUND ON THE INTERNET, AND FOR US ON A TRIP IN FEBRUARY TO MARCH 2015 WE WERE IN SERIOUS FEAR OF RUNNING OUT OF GAS WHEN IN FACT IF THE SPECIFICATION FOR CAPACITY HAS ANY MEANING WE STILL HAD OVER 4 GALLONS OF FUEL. WE GOT SO WORRIED, WE STOPPED AT A BROTHEL IN NEVADA SO MY WIFE COULD ASK HOW FAR TO THE NEAREST GAS STATION. WHEN WE GOT TO THE GAS STATION THE FUEL PUMP INDICATOR WAS EVEN BLINKING TO INDICATE WE WERE IN DANGER OF RUNNING OUT OF FUEL, YET THE CAR FILLED UP WITH ONLY 65% OF ITS RATED FUEL CAPACITY. RUNNING OUT OF GAS UNEXPECTEDLY IS ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS IN THE TOYOTA PRIUS BECAUSE SO MUCH DEPENDS ON ELECTRICITY INCLUDING THE STEERING TO GET THE CAR OFF THE ROAD. THERE IS NO GUARANTEE IT CANNOT HAPPEN WHEN THE BATTERY IS ALREADY AT MAXIMUM DEPLETION OR THE MAIN BATTERY ITSELF HAS FAILED BUT NOT YET BEEN REPLACED IN WHICH CASE THE CAR IS TOTALLY DEPENDENT ON CONTINUOUS FUEL FLOW. IT CERTAINLY CAME AS A SHOCK TO ME TO LEARN THAT WHAT IS DISPLAYED IS NO BETTER THAN A GROSSLY INACCURATE ESTIMATE OF REMAINING FUEL, OR ABOUT TO RUN OUT FUEL LEVEL. TOYOTA SHOULD BE FORCED TO RECALL ALL OF THESE VEHICLES FOR FUEL SYSTEM REPLACEMENT IN THE INTERESTS OF SAFETY AND KEEPING PEOPLE FROM BEING KILLED FOR RUNNING OUT OF GAS AT THE WRONG TIME AND STOPPING DEAD ON THE HIGHWAY. AS THESE CARS AGE, THEY BECOME MORE DANGEROUS BECAUSE IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THEY WILL BE DRIVEN WITH A BYPASS OF A DEFECTIVE MAIN BATTERY, BUT EPA REGULATIONS PREVENTING ALTERATION OF ANYTHING EMISSIONS RELATED WILL MAKE THESE CARS ROAD HAZARDS ACROSS THE NATION IF THE PROBLEM IS NOT DEALT WITH.

I BOUGHT A USED AND REGULARLY SERVICED 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS IN SEPTEMBER 2014 WITH 69,000 MILES. THIS WEEK OF APRIL 5TH, THE AIRBAG SYMBOL SHOWED UP ON THE DASH ALONG WITH THE HEADLIGHTS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. WHEN I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP, I WAS TOLD THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SPIRAL COIL WAS BROKEN AND ;THAT MY AIRBAG SYSTEM WAS DISABLED. THIS HAPPENED AT 85,000 MILES. IT COST ME ALMOST $500 TO HAVE THIS COIL REPLACED. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID THIS WAS SIMPLY DUE TO NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. I ALSO HAVE OUTSIDE HATCH RUBBER OPENER THAT IS GOOIE AND STICKY AND THE HATCHBACK DOOR OFTEN WILL NOT OPEN. UPDATED 10/31/2017*JS

THE TRUNK LATCH COVER HAS MELTED AND THE LATCH WILL NOT FUNCTION MOST OF THE TIME. THE PROBLEM STARTED A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO. I HAVE NOT REPLACED THE LATCH DUE TO THE COST, BUT NOW IT IS WORSE AND I OFTEN CANNOT OPEN THE HATCH. THE RUBBER COVER ON THE LATCH GETS SOFT AND GUMMY IN WARM WEATHER AND GETS BLACK RUBBER ON MY FINGERS. I SEE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE AND WOULD ASSUME THERE ARE MANY MORE OWNERS WHO HAVE NOT REGISTERED A COMPLAINT AND MAY HAVE PAID A HIGH PRICE TO GET THIS FIXED. IT SHOULD BE A RECALL BY TOYOTA TO FIX FOR FREE AND REIMBURSE OWNERS WHO HAVE ALREADY HAD THIS REPAIRED. *TR

Mileage: 29,000

10700946 UPDATE--TOYOTA CHARGED ME $331.61 FOR THE PART AND $182.15 FOR THE LABOR. *TR

Mileage: 98,000

I TRIED TO OPEN THE HATCHBACK AND THE ENTIRE HANDLE CAME OFF (OVER A FOOT LONG), CONNECTED TO THE CAR ONLY BY WIRES. I HAVE PREVIOUSLY REPORTED TO YOU (LAST YEAR?) THAT THE RUBBER GASKET THAT GETS PRESSED TO OPEN THIS HATCHBACK WAS MELTING AND SOMETIMES WOULD NOT OPEN THE HATCH. I NOTICED MANY OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS AND HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR TOYOTA TO ISSUE A RECALL. IN THE COLDER WINTER WEATHER THIS WAS NOT SUCH A PROBLEM. I CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY ORDERED THE PART AND SAID THEY'LL CHARGE ME $400 TO REPLACE. I SAID THAT I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY. I GO IN TOMORROW TO DO THIS. *TR

Mileage: 98,000

THE TRUNK RUBBER ON THE HATCH LATCH IS DISINTEGRATING. IT'S STICKY AND GOOEY MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO OPEN THE HATCH. THE SITUATION HAS WORSENED AND SOMETIMES, I CAN'T OPEN THE TRUNK AT ALL. THIS IS HAPPENING TO MANY 2007 PRIUS OWNERS. I BELIEVE IT IS A DEFECT IN THE RUBBER. *TR

Mileage: 85,000

THE REAR HATCH RELEASE ON MY 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS HAS DETERIORATED AND TURN INTO A RUBBERY AND STICKY BLACK MESS. THIS ISSUE INTERFERES WITH THE USE OF THE HATCH AS THE RUBBER NOT ONLY GETS ON YOUR FINGERS BUT APPEARS TO BE BLOCKING THE RELEASE MECHANISM. THE DETERIORATION STARTED DURING THE SUMMER OF 2014. THE ISSUE HAS WORSENED AND THIS WINTER I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO OPEN THE REAR HATCH WHATSOEVER. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN AS I CANNOT ACCESS MY SPARE TIRE, JUMPER CABLES, OR ANYTHING ELSE IN MY TRUNK IN ANY OTHER WAY. *TR

THE RUBBER COVERED LATCH TO THE TRUNK/HATCH HAS DISINTEGRATED SO IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN. THIS CAUSES A SAFETY HAZARD AS I CANNOT ACCESS NECESSARY SAFETY EQUIPMENT, INCLUDING CAR JACK, EMERGENCY SIGN, AND JUMPER CABLES. I HAVE READ MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PIECE ON THIS MODEL, AND SO BELIEVE IT TO BE A DEFECT OF THE SUBSTANCE USED IN THE LATCH.

Mileage: 70,000

THE BACK LATCH OF MY 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS HAS DEGRADED ("MELTED" ALMOST). IT NO LONGER FUNCTIONS PROPERLY, AND I AM UNABLE TO OPEN THE BACK HATCH DOOR EASILY. SOMETIMES IT REQUIRES CONSIDERABLE EFFORT AND PERSEVERANCE TO GET IT OPEN. IF IT'S COLD OUT IT WILL NOT OPEN AT ALL. I AM CONCERNED THAT IN THE CASE OF AN EMERGENCY, I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO GET THE DOOR OPEN. THIS IS A MAJOR CAUSE FOR CONCERN AND IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. I CAN NOT GET TO SPARE TIRE OR TOOLS DURING COLD WEATHER. I AM UNABLE TO GET TO THE CHILD CAR SEAT STRAP THAT LATCHES BEHIND SEAT TO TAKE CAR SEAT OUT. THE PART IS VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE AND I HAS SEEN NUMEROUS POSTINGS ON THIS SITE OF THE SAME ISSUES ACROSS THE UNITED STATES. TIME TO MAKE TOYOTA OWN UP AND REPLACE IT. *TR

Mileage: 68,000

TRUNK/HATCHBACK OPENER/LATCH MELTED. LATCH IS NOW STICKY AND VERY DIFFICULT TO OPEN. THIS IS A HAZARD AS SOMEONE COULD BE TRAPPED IN THE CAR BECAUSE THE REAR HATCH WILL NOT OPEN. *TR

Mileage: 99,000

RUBBER HANDLE ON REAR TRUNK OPENER/RELEASE MELTED RESULTING IN FROZEN LATCH (UNABLE TO OPEN TRUCK). VEHICLE HAS NO ALTERNATIVE WAY OF OPENING (NO INSIDE VEHICLE RELEASE). TO ACCESS TRUNK AREA I MUST REMOVE EITHER OF 2 CHILDREN SITTING IN REAR SEAT STRAPPED INTO CHILD SAFETY SEAT AND LEAN OVER BACK SEAT. THIS REMOVAL OF CHILD OPENS THE POSSIBILITY THAT THEY COULD GET HIT IN PARKING LOT OR ALONG THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHEN ACCESS IS A NECESSITY. TOYOTA REFUSES TO REPAIR. HAVE HAD DIFFICULTY OVER A NUMBER OF YEARS THAT HAS BEEN ESCALATING BUT AT THIS TIME THE TRUCK WILL NOT OPEN AT ALL USING THE HAND RELEASE. *TR

Mileage: 60,000

THE TRUNK LATCH HAS MELTED MAKING IT VERY STICKY/GOOEY IN HOT WEATHER AND FROZEN SOLID (IMMOVABLE) IN COLD WEATHER MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO OPEN THE HATCH. THE SITUATION CONTINUED TO WORSEN TO THE POINT OF WHILE ATTEMPTING TO OPEN THE TRUNK YESTERDAY THE ENTIRE BACK PIECE FELL OFF THE CAR. I CAN NO LONGER OPEN THE HATCH AT ALL. THIS IS BOTH A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE (A LIFE SAVING ACCESS POINT) AND A SERIOUS QUALITY DEFECT THAT TOYOTA HAS CHOSEN TO IGNORE. IN ADDITION, THE COST TOYOTA IS CHARGING FOR REPAIR IS EXORBITANT (OVER $500). ALSO, I'VE NOTICED THAT THERE ARE NO COMPLAINTS ON LATER MODEL PRIUS', SO IT APPEARS THAT TOYOTA HAS FIXED THE PROBLEM AT THE EXPENSE OF MANY. I DO HOPE THAT NHTSA WILL LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE. *TR

Mileage: 160,000

LIFTGATE LATCH RUBBER HANDLE IS DISINTEGRATING. *TR

Mileage: 140,000

THE REAR HATCH IS POORLY DESIGNED WITH NO INDOOR RELEASE. I KEEP INJURING MY HAND AND NECK TO GET IT OPEN, OFTEN HAVING TO TAKE PAIN PILLS, GET THERAPY THE NEXT DAY AFTER STRAINING MY NECK TRYING TO LIFT UP ON THE TINY LITTLE GRIP AREA WITH MY HAND. THE LATCH WILL NOT RELEASE ON THE FIRST TRY AND WHEN THE TEMPS ARE BELOW FREEZING I OFTEN CANNOT GET IT TO OPEN AT ALL. HOW IS ONE SUPPOSED TO GET A SPARE TIRE OUT? WHEN IS IT ZERO DEGREES OUT ONE SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET THEIR REAR DOOR OPEN WITHOUT TAKING OFF ONE'S GLOVE. THIS HATCH WILL NEVER OPERATE WITH A GLOVED HAND ATTEMPTING TO OPEN IT. IT IS ALSO NOT SAFE TO HAVE TO FUMBLE AROUND IN PARKING LOTS ATTEMPTING TO SQUEEZE BETWEEN PARKING PLACES TO LOAD ITEMS PURCHASED WHEN ONE SHOULD BE ABLE TO EASILY DEPOSIT ITEMS IN THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED BY TOYOTA. I HAVE SEEN MANY PEOPLE COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS ONLINE BUT NOBODY HAS MENTIONED BEING ABLE TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM, NOR HAVE DEALERS BEEN ABLE TO FIX THIS WITHOUT CHARGING THE CUSTOMERS $100'S OF DOLLARS. *TR

Mileage: 8,000

IN JULY OF 2014, I BOUGHT A 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS FROM A FAMILY MEMBER IN NEVADA, A WARM STATE; I LIVE IN MINNESOTA, A COLD STATE. THE HATCH RELEASE RUBBER SEAL HAD DETERIORATED, AND IT WAS TACKY TO THE TOUCH, BUT THE HATCH RELEASED AND OPENED. WHEN NOVEMBER CAME, THE HATCH RELEASE WOULD NOT WORK; IT WAS A COOL NOVEMBER. I BELIEVE IT IS A DANGER TO NOT BE ABLE TO OPEN THE BACK HATCH IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. THE MAPLEWOOD TOYOTA DEALERSHIP SERVICE PERSON INSPECTED THE HATCH RELEASE SEAL AND SAID THAT SOMEONE MUST HAVE PUT A CHEMICAL ON IT TO DAMAGE IT. TOYOTA DOES NOT BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PART; I BELIEVE THE PART IS DEFECTIVE. I AM GOING TO HAVE THE PART FIXED, BUT I BELIEVE TOYOTA HAS CREATED A DANGEROUS SITUATION, ESPECIALLY IF SOMEONE WITH A DEFECTIVE HATCH RELEASE SEAL TRAVELS TO A COOLER CLIMATE THAN THE CAR HAS EXPERIENCED IN THE PAST. *TR

Mileage: 68,000

THE RUBBER EXTERNAL TRUNK LATCH COVER ON A 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS HAS MELTED TO THE POINT WHERE IT IS EITHER GOOEY TO THE TOUCH IN WARM WEATHER OR FROZEN SOLID AND IMMOVABLE IN COLDER TEMPERATURES. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE OF THE LOCATION OF THE BATTERY IS IN REAR COMPARTMENT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND IF THERE WAS A NEED TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY, IT WOULD BE NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO GET AT, DUE TO THE INFLEXIBILITY OF THE RUBBER I AM UNABLE TO OPEN THE TRUNK AND, THUS, ACCESS THE SPARE TIRE AND ANY OF MY REPAIR TOOLS, JUMPERS, ETC. THERE IS NO ALTERNATIVE INTERNAL METHOD FOR OPENING THE HATCHBACK/TRUNK. TOYOTA NEEDS A RECALL OF THIS DEFECTIVE PART AND REPLACE AT THEIR COST, AS THE COST TO REPAIR IT IS EXORBITANT AND IT IS A FAULTY DESIGN. *TR

Mileage: 106,000

THE REAR LIFT GATE LATCH ON MY TOYOTA PRIUS HAS STOPPED FUNCTIONING. IN 65 DEGREE WEATHER TODAY THE EXTERIOR RUBBER OVER THE LATCH MECHANISM HAS MELTED AND WILL NO LONGER FUNCTION TO OPEN THE LIFT GATE. IN COLD WEATHER THE LATCH HAS BEEN VERY DIFFICULT TO OPEN AND NOW THE MELTED RUBBER MESS HAS CEASED TO PERFORM. I CAN NO LONGER OPEN THE TRUNK OF MY CAR. THE RUBBER HAS MELTED OUT ONTO THE METAL PART OF THE LIFT GATE AND OVER THE SCREWS THAT HOLD IT IN PLACE. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AS I CAN NOT ACCESS THE REAR HATCH OF MY CAR IN AN EMERGENCY OR IN ANY TYPICAL SITUATION (I WOULD HAVE TO CRAWL INTO THE TRUNK FROM THE BACK SEAT AND REMOVE THE INTERIOR PLASTIC PANEL TO OPEN THE HATCH FROM INSIDE THE CAR IF I NEEDED TO OPEN THE HATCH DOOR.) *TR

Mileage: 111,111

THE LIFT GATE LATCH ON THE 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS IS INOPERATIVE BECAUSE OF THE MELTING OF THE RUBBERIZED SUBSTANCE THAT COVERS THE LIFTGATE MECHANISM. I BELIEVE THIS IS A DEFECT THAT MANY 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED. *TR

Mileage: 90,000

THE HATCHBACK LATCHING MECHANISM HAS DEGRADED TO THE POINT THAT IT IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN IN WINTER CONDITIONS. IN THE SUMMER THE EXPOSED RUBBER PARTS BECAME STICKY AND BASICALLY MELTED ON YOUR HAND WHEN YOU TRIED TO OPEN IT. THE LATCH ALSO BECAME HARDER TO ACTUATE. NOW IN THE WINTER THE LATCH REQUIRES SO MUCH FORCE TO OPEN IT THAT IT IS DIFFICULT TO OPEN AT ALL. *TR

Mileage: 100,000

AS THE WEATHER GETS COLDER AND COLDER IN THE PITTSBURGH AREA THIS FALL, THE BACK HATCH IS BECOMING HARDER AND HARDER TO OPEN. TODAY IS THE COLDEST DAY AND THE BACK HATCH WON'T OPEN AT ALL. I SAW THAT OTHER OWNERS HAVE THIS ISSUE. *TR

Mileage: 74,600

THE HATCH OR TRUNK STICKS WHEN I TRY TO OPEN IT. THE DARK RUBBER IN THE LATCH AREA APPEARS TO HAVE MELTED AND SPREAD. *TR

Mileage: 70,000

THE REAR LATCH OF MY 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS HAS DEGRADED TO THE POINT THAT IT IS INOPERABLE. THE REAR LATCH RELEASE HAS MELTED TO THE POINT THAT IT ENDS UP ALL OVER MY HANDS WHEN I ATTEMPT TO OPEN THE REAR HATCH AND DOES NOT OPEN. I AM UNABLE TO OPEN THE TRUNK. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE TWO CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 5 WHO ARE STRAPPED INTO CAR SEATS. IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY, THE REAR HATCH MAY BE THE ONLY WAY TO ACCESS THEM. OBVIOUSLY, IF I AM UNABLE TO ACCESS THEM, THE FAILURE COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS BODILY INJURY OR DEATH TO THE PASSENGERS, INCLUDING MY CHILDREN. I HAVE CONTACTED TOYOTA REQUESTING THAT TOYOTA CORRECT THIS PROBLEM ON MY CAR, BUT THEY HAVE TOLD ME THAT: 1) THEY ARE UNAWARE OF THE PROBLEM; 2) MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND I DO NOT HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY; AND, 3) THEY WILL NOT FIX THE CAR. DO PEOPLE NEED TO GET INJURED OR DIE BEFORE TOYOTA REACTS? *TR

WATER COLLECTS IN WHEEL WELL WHEN DRIVING IN WET CONDITIONS. *TR

THE HATCH RUBBER PANEL HAS BEEN DETERIORATING. IN WINTER THE RUBBER PANEL IS HARD AS A ROCK. IN SUMMER, THE PANEL IS MELTING AND LOSING ITS FORM. IT MAKES THE OPENING OF THE TRUNK CHALLENGING. IN SUMMER MONTHS, THE PANEL IS GOOEY AND MAKES FINGERS DIRTY. I AM CONCERNED THAT I CANNOT OPEN HATCH IN CASE OF EMERGENCY. *TR

Mileage: 65,000

THE BACK LATCH OF MY 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS HAS DEGRADED ("MELTED" ALMOST). IT NO LONGER FUNCTIONS PROPERLY, AND I AM UNABLE TO OPEN THE BACK HATCH DOOR EASILY. SOMETIMES IT REQUIRES CONSIDERABLE EFFORT AND PERSEVERANCE TO GET IT OPEN. I AM CONCERNED THAT IN THE CASE OF AN EMERGENCY, I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO GET THE DOOR OPEN. THIS IS A MAJOR CAUSE FOR CONCERN AND IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

Mileage: 40,000

THE REAR DOOR LATCH COVER MATERIAL HAS DETERIORATED AND THE LATCH IS NO LONGER OPERATING AS EXPECTED. THE RUBBER MATERIAL IS A SOFT GUMMY CONSISTENCY AND THE LATCH MECHANISM TO THE HATCHBACK FAILS TO RELEASE ALLOWING ACCESS TO THE REAR STORAGE AREA. THIS AREA CONTAINS THE SPARE TIRE. *TR

Mileage: 65,000

EXTERIOR REAR HATCH LATCH HANDLE STICKY/MELTING. MUST USE RAG TO AVOID TOUCHING THE MESS WHEN USING THE DOOR. LATCH AND LOCK OPERATION HAS BECOME UNRELIABLE AND HATCH MUST BE SLAMMED TO ENSURE CLOSURE. PRACTICALLY IDENTICAL TO COMPLAINT ID 10632829. *TR

Mileage: 99,000

2007 PRIUS REAR HATCH LATCH MELTED OFF. THE REAR HATCH WILL NOT OPEN. THERE IS NO WAY TO GET TO EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT AND SPARE TIRE. THIS IS AN EXTREME SAFETY ISSUE. PLEASE ISSUE A NATION RECALL AS THIS REPAIR IS NOT COVERED BY UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

Mileage: 90,000

THE COVER TO THE BACK HATCH LATCH HAS MELTED INTO A GOOEY BLACK MASS THIS MAKES IT DIFFICULT (AT BEST) TO OPEN THE BACK HATCH. THERE IS NO ALTERNATIVE INTERNAL METHOD FOR OPENING THE HATCHBACK/TRUNK,. SINCE THE SPARE TIRE AND TIRE CHANGING GEAR (JACK, WRENCH, ETC.) ARE STORED IN THE BACK, THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. THIS IS AN OBVIOUS DEFECT IN THE MATERIAL USED FOR THE LATCH COVER - THE DETERIORATION OF THIS PART CAN IN NO WAY BE ATTRIBUTABLE TO NEGLECT OR ABUSE ON THE PART OF THE DRIVER/OWNER OF THE VEHICLE. SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REPLACED BY TOYOTA. *TR

BACK HATCH LATCH OR OPENER IS STICKY AND RUBBERY AND FAILING. SEEMS LIKE MELTING. *TR

Mileage: 82,345

THE BACK HATCH DOOR GRIP HANDLE ON THE HATCH OF MY 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS NO LONGER FUNCTIONS PROPERLY. THE RUBBER GRIP HAS DEGRADED AND IS SOFT AND STICKY DURING WARM WEATHER AND IN COLD WEATHER BECOMES NEARLY IMMOVABLE. THE BACK HATCH DOOR GRIP HANDLE FREQUENTLY JAMS RENDERING THE CAR INACCESSIBLE THROUGH THE REAR COMPARTMENT. THIS IS A MAJOR CAUSE FOR CONCERN AND IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. THERE HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE CASES OF THIS COMPLAINT REPORTED. THIS RUBBER GRIP IS CLEARLY A MATERIAL OF POOR QUALITY AND GIVEN THE PAST HISTORY OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS TOYOTA HAS HAD WITH THE PRIUS IT IS HIGHLY PROBABLE THAT THIS IS ONE MORE. BEFORE SOMEONE IS INJURED OR DIES AS A RESULT OF NOT HAVING EGRESS FROM THIS VEHICLE TOYOTA NEEDS TO BE MADE TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND PROVIDE REPAIRS AT NO COST. *TR

THE VINYL(?) MATERIAL THAT COVERS THE LATCH TO OPEN THE BACK HATCH IS MELTING AND STICKY. LIKE SO MANY OTHER 2007 PRIUS OWNERS I LOVE MY PRIUS BUT AM DISAPPOINTED WITH TOYOTA FOR NOT TAKING CARE OF THIS PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP STATES THAT IT IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND THE COST FOR THE REPLACEMENT SWITCH (I WAS TOLD THE FIX IS TO REPLACE THE WHOLE SWITCH BECAUSE THEY DON'T SELL A REPLACEMENT PIECE OF VINYL ONLY) IS $70, THIS IS THE COST FOR THE PART ONLY, NOT INCLUDING LABOR. AFTER THE HASSLE OF MULTIPLE RECALLS ON THIS CAR IT IS UNFORTUNATE THAT TOYOTA REFUSES TO TAKE CARE OF A PROBLEM THAT SO MANY OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING. *TR

Mileage: 63,000

THE RUBBER HANDLE ON MY 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS MELTS IN THE SUMMER AND FREEZES IN THE WINTER. IF IT'S COLD OUTSIDE IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO GET INTO THE CAR THROUGH THE TAILGATE WHICH COULD PRESENT A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE SHOULD THE REST OF THE DOORS BE UNUSABLE IN AN EMERGENCY. IN THE SUMMER, I'M ABLE TO GET INTO THE DRUNK BUT IT LEAVES A BLACK RESIDUE ON MY HANDS THAT TAKES A FEW DAYS TO CLEAN OFF ENTIRELY AND IT CAN BE VERY HOT TO THE TOUCH IF LEFT OUTSIDE ON A HOT DAY. *TR

Mileage: 111,180

THE BACK LATCH OF MY 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS HAS DEGRADED ("MELTED" ALMOST). IT NO LONGER FUNCTIONS PROPERLY, AND I AM UNABLE TO OPEN THE BACK HATCH DOOR EASILY. SOMETIMES IT REQUIRES CONSIDERABLE EFFORT AND PERSEVERANCE TO GET IT OPEN. I AM CONCERNED THAT IN THE CASE OF AN EMERGENCY, I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO GET THE DOOR OPEN. THIS IS A MAJOR CAUSE FOR CONCERN AND IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RUBBER ON THE HATCHBACK WAS MELTED AND, WHEN OPENED, WOULD COVER HER IN BLACK TAR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE HATCH HANDLE COVER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000.

Mileage: 38,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RUBBER ON THE TRUNK MELTED AND LEFT A BLACK TAR SUBSTANCE ON HIS HAND WHENEVER THE TRUNK WAS OPENED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED DAILY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

Mileage: 60,000

THE RUBBER ON THE HANDLE / LATCH ON THE BACK HATCH OF MY 2007 PRIUS HAS DEGRADED TO THE POINT OF MELTING / FALLING OFF. STICKY TACKY RUBBER HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR A WHILE, BUT NOW THE PIECE JUST MELTED ONTO THE BUMPER. IT IS NOT A PARTICULARLY HOT DAY COMPARATIVELY, SO MUST HAVE JUST FINALLY DEGRADED TO THE POINT OF FALLING OFF WHILE I WAS PARKED. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON DEFECT, AND I WOULD LIKE TOYOTA / DEALERSHIP TO COVER FIXING THIS: HTTP://WWW.MEYERSONSTRATEGY.COM/2013/09/TOYOTAS-STICKY-2007-PRIUS-HATCH-PROBLEM.HTML. *TR

Mileage: 115,000

MY TOYOTA PRIUS HAS A RUBBER HATCH LATCH COVERING THAT HAS MELTED AND HAS TURNED TO A GOOEY SUBSTANCE THAT ATTACHES TO YOUR FINGERS WHEN BEING OPENED. IT APPEARS TO HAVE IMPACTED THE EASE OF OPENING THE HATCH. THIS APPEARS TO BE A SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE OF THE DIFFICULTY TO OPEN THE HATCH. FOR EXAMPLE IF THE TIRE IS NEEDING TO BE CHANGED I AM AFRAID THAT THE ENTRY MAY BE HINDERED DUE TO THE APPARENTLY DEFECTIVE LATCH COVER. WHAT I WOULD LIKE IS FOR NHTSA TO FOLLOW UP WITH TOYOTA ON WHY THIS PART HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED. THE RUBBER COVER ON THE HATCH RELEASE HANDLE OF MY 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS HAS MELTED INTO A STICKY, BLACK TAR SUBSTANCE. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO OPEN. PLEASE HELP. *TR

Mileage: 75,000

COVER OVER HATCH HAS TURNED TO GOO AND HATCH RELEASE NO LONGER FUNCTIONS. THIS APPEARS TO BE A POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE SINCE THE DOOR CAN NOT BE OPERATED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN KEPT IN A GARAGE WHEN NOT IN USE SINCE PURCHASE, SO WEATHER WOULD NOT BE A FACTOR. AM WONDERING WHETHER THIS WAS A FACTOR IN THE EARLY DEMISE OF THE 12V BATTERY. *TR

Mileage: 62,488

THE RUBBER ON THE REAR HATCH LATCH WAS DEFECTIVE AND DEGENERATED INTO A PILE OF GOO, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO OPEN THE REAR HATCH DOOR. THIS IS A WELL-KNOWN DEFECT FOR THIS MODEL AND YEAR, BUT TOYOTA HAS SO FAR NOT MADE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY TO HAVE THE PROBLEM REPAIRED AT NO CHARGE TO THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

Mileage: 80,000

THE RUBBER COVER OF THE EXTERNAL TRUNK LATCH HAS MELTED. ON MANY OCCASIONS, THE LATCH OPENS ONLY AFTER MANY ATTEMPTS. A WEB SEARCH FOUND MANY OTHER OWNERS WHO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 13,700

REAR HATCH RELEASE LATCH RUBBER IS DISSOLVING AND WILL ONLY WORK WITH DIFFICULTY OR NOT AT ALL. I WAS UNAWARE THAT THIS IS A FREQUENTLY REPORTED PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR AND HAD NOT CHECKED WITH THIS WEB SITE. THE DISINTEGRATING RUBBER APPEARS TO BE INTERFERING WITH THE ACTION OF THE SWITCH THAT RELEASES THE HATCH. MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER SAID NOTHING ABOUT THIS BEING A COMMON PROBLEM AND REPLACED THE REAR HATCH SWITCH ASSEMBLY FOR A COST OF $167 PLUS TAX. THIS COMPLAINT WAS MADE AUG. 6, 2014. *TR

Mileage: 53,588

REAR HATCH RELEASE LATCH HAS BEEN GETTING STICK TO THE TOUCH AND INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO OPEN. TRIED CLEANING THE LATCH AND DISCOVERED THAT THE RUBBER COVERING THE LATCH SEEMS TO BE MELTING. CHECKED ONLINE AND DISCOVERED THAT THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM AND, IF NOT CORRECTED, WILL LIKELY RESULT IN LATCH RELEASE SWITCH FAILURE. THE LOCATION OF THE RUBBER LATCH RELEASE COVER PROTECTS IT FROM DIRECT SUNLIGHT AND THERE SEEMS TO BE NO REASONABLE EXPLANATION FOR THE FAILURE OF THIS PART OTHER THAN A DEFECT IN MANUFACTURE. *TR

Mileage: 145,000

2007 PRIUS LIFTBACK BLACK RUBBER SWITCH-HANDLE IS MELTING AND BLACK RUBBER TAR IS ALL OVER HANDS WHEN TOUCHING THE SWITCH-HANDLE. REPORTED FOR YEARS BY OTHER OWNERS ON PRIUSCHAT BLOG: HTTP://PRIUSCHAT.COM/THREADS/2007-PRIUS-TRUNK-HATCH-RELEASE-RUBBER-PIECE-MELTED.71647/PAGE-3 SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS DEFECTIVE MELTING RUBBER HANDLE WHICH IS ON HANDS WHENEVER YOU TOUCH IT. VERY HOT TO TOUCH DURING SUMMER WEATHER TOO. PART NUMBERS FOR 2007 PRIUS (BUT ALWAYS DOUBLE CHECK THEM!): 84905-47010 - FOR MODELS WITH SMART ENTRY. 84840-47020 - FOR MODELS WITHOUT SMART ENTRY. LOCAL DEALER ACKNOWLEDGES THE DEFECTIVE PART IS COMMON, BUT WOULD NOT REPLACE/REPAIR FOR FREE. THE BLOG ABOVE SHOWS COUNTLESS NUMBERS OF SIMILAR CASES COSTING AS MUCH AS >$300 TO REPLACE. THIS IS ALSO HAPPENING IN OUR 2009 PRIUS TOO. *TR

Mileage: 35,000

REAR HATCH RELEASE IS DISSOLVING AND HATCH WILL ONLY OPEN WITH DIFFICULTY OR NOT AT ALL. MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON LINE ABOUT THIS ISSUE FOR THIS PRIUS MODEL YEAR. *TR

Mileage: 140,000

LATCH ON MY 2007 PRIUS IS MELTING AND STICKY, LEAVING BLACK RESIDUE ON MY FINGERS WHEN I OPEN IT. IT IS DIFFICULT TO OPEN AT TIMES IN ADDITION. *TR

Mileage: 120,729

ON OUR 2007 PRIUS, THE RUBBER COVER FOR THE REAR TRUNK HATCH HAS MELTED INTO BLACK GOO. THIS DEGRADATION DOESN'T APPEAR TO BE DUE TO HEAT, SINCE THE CAR HAS BEEN KEPT IN A COOL GARAGE. THE RUBBER ITSELF EFFECTIVELY TURNED INTO TAR, COMING OFF ON OUR HANDS AND DRIPPING ONTO THE BUMPER AT TIMES. THE MELTING HAS ALSO MADE IT DIFFICULT TO OPEN THE REAR TRUNK, AS THE GOOEY RUBBERY MESS APPEARS TO BE INTERFERING WITH THE ACTION OF THE SWITCH THAT RELEASES THE HATCH. *TR

Mileage: 64,205

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FOR THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ILLUMINATED. I CONTACTED A-1 TOYOTA DEALER AND THEY DIAGNOSED LEAK ON REAR WINDOW. HEARD WATER SLOSHING IN THE CAR. WATER LEAKED INTO CARGO AREA. THE WEATHER STRIP WAS REPLACED.

OVER TIME THE BLACK RUBBER ON OUR HATCH HAS MELTED. IT HAS GOTTEN HARDER AND HARDER TO OPEN THE TRUNK. FINALLY WE POPPED THE PLASTIC PART OFF DUE TO THE PRESSURE NEEDED TO OPEN THE TRUNK. IT NO LONGER OPENS. MY HUSBAND HAD A FLAT TIRE ON 6/13/2014. HE COULD NOT GET IN TO THE TRUNK AND HAD TO DRIVE THE CAR TO A TIRE PLACE TO BUY NEW TIRES. THE FACT THAT HE COULDN'T GET IN TO THE TRUNK WAS INCONVENIENT AND EXPENSIVE. MY GREATEST CONCERN IS THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. YOU CAN'T GET IN OR OUT OF THE TRUNK IN CASE OF EMERGENCY. THAT IS PRETTY SCARY, ESPECIALLY SINCE WE ARE TRAVELING WITH 2 SMALL CHILDREN. *JS

Mileage: 120,000

THE BACK DOOR LATCH OF MY 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS HAS DEGRADED ("MELTED" ALMOST). IT NO LONGER FUNCTIONS PROPERLY, AND I AM UNABLE TO OPEN THE BACK HATCH DOOR. SOMETIMES IT REQUIRED CONSIDERABLE EFFORT AND PERSEVERANCE TO GET IT OPEN. I CANNOT OPEN IT ANYMORE AS THE LATCH BROKE. I AM CONCERNED THAT IN THE CASE OF AN EMERGENCY, I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO GET THE DOOR OPEN. THIS IS A MAJOR CAUSE FOR CONCERN AND IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. BLUE 2007 PRIUS IN CUPERTINO, CA. *TR

Mileage: 110,000

PARKING MY PRIUS, MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, I HIT A VERY SMALL PATCH OF BLACK ICE WITH THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL. THE CAR SLANTED BRIEFLY TO THE LEFT--THEN THERE WAS A SUDDEN SURGE OF ENGINE POWER. THE CAR RUSHED OVER A MOUND OF ICE AND SNOW, JUMPED THE CURB, RUSHED FORWARD BETWEEN A WALL AND A TREE, NARROWLY MISSING IT, AND CRASHED INTO A PARKED TOYOTA TRUCK FACING OUTWARD FROM THE CURB. MY PRIUS HIT THE HEAVY TRUCK WITH ENOUGH FORCE TO KNOCK IT SIX FEET FOR THEIR NORTH AND THREE FEET TO THE WEST. AFTER IMPACT, THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO MAKE A LOT OF NOISE, A SOUND I'VE NEVER HEARD BEFORE IN SEVEN YEARS OF DRIVING THE CAR. IT WAS ATTEMPTING TO SURGE PAST THE TRUCK, WHICH I BELIEVE CAUSED THE MOST DAMAGE TO THE FRONT LEFT BUMPER OF THE CAR. I WAS STUNNED AND DIDN'T THINK TO TURN OFF THE IGNITION BEFORE IT QUIT ON ITS OWN AFTER PERHAPS TEN SECONDS. THE BODY WAS SHEARED BACK, STRIPS OF BLUE PAINT HANGING IN SHREDS. I CRAWLED OUT THE PASSENGER SIDE UNHURT. (THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.) *JS

Mileage: 41,604

THE TRUNK HANDLE HAS MELTED - TURNING THE RUBBER INTO A STICKY GOO - AND ONE IS UNABLE TO OPEN THE TRUNK. LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER REMOVED AND REPLACED THE REAR HATCH SWITCH AT THE COST OF $310.22..THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER INFORMED ME THAT THIS REPAIR WAS NOT UNEXPECTED IN THAT A SIMILAR PROBLEM ON THE SCION HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AND IS BEING REPAIRED BY TOYOTA AT THEIR EXPENSE. OTHER REPORTS ON THE WEB HIGHLIGHT THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE PRIUS. REQUEST HAVE BEEN SENT TO TOYOTA TO COVER THE COST OF THIS REPAIR, BUT THEY HAVE REFUSED TO PAY FOR THIS DEFECT. *TR

Mileage: 46,626

DURING THE SUMMER OF 2011, WE NOTICED THE TRUNK LATCH MECHANISM TO BE STICKY AND MELTING, LEAVING BLACK STUFF ON OUR HANDS. WE LIVE IN SOUTHWEST OHIO, SO TEMPERATURES ARE USUALLY IN THE 80S-90S IN THE PEAK OF SUMMER. AT TIMES, THIS WOULD CAUSE THE TRUNK LATCH NOT TO WORK, AND WE COULDN'T OPEN THE TRUNK. DURING THE FALL MONTHS, THINGS IMPROVED, AND IT WASN'T AS MUCH OF AN ISSUE. ONCE THE COLDER WINTER MONTHS BEGAN, THE TRUNK LATCH BEGAN TO STICK AND WOULDN'T OPEN WHEN IT WAS COLD. I CAN RECALL SEVERAL TIMES TRYING TO OPEN THE TRUNK UNSUCCESSFULLY. AGAIN, THINGS IMPROVED ONCE TEMPERATURES WARMED UP IN SPRING. THE WHOLE CYCLE STARTED AGAIN IN THE SUMMER AND REPEATED OVER AND OVER. OVER TIME, THE PART THAT THE LATCH IS CONNECTED TO BEGAN TO FEEL LOOSE. I ASKED ABOUT IT DURING MY ROUTINE 80K MILE SERVICE, AND THEY SAID THAT THE WHOLE PART WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED, NOT JUST THE LATCH. ALTHOUGH WE HAVE THE EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE, APPARENTLY IT WAS NOT COVERED AND WE COULD NOT AFFORD TO REPLACE IT AT THAT TIME. WELL, THIS FEBRUARY, THE TRUNK LATCH WAS ONCE AGAIN MALFUNCTIONING AND WOULD NOT OPEN WHILE RUNNING ERRANDS. AT ONE LOCATION, I TRIED OPENING THE TRUNK, SQUEEZING THE MELTED BUTTON, AND THE ENTIRE PART THAT THE SWITCH IS ATTACHED TO (INCLUDING THE PUSH BUTTON LOCK, THE BACK-UP CAMERA, ETC.) BROKE OFF OF THE CAR. I AM 30SOMETHING WOMAN WITH AVERAGE STRENGTH, AND I DON'T FEEL I WAS BEING OVERLY AGGRESSIVE ON TRYING TO OPEN THE CAR. I BELIEVE THIS WAS DUE TO THE PART NOT FUNCTIONING AND OVER TIME, THE CONNECTIONS WERE JUST TOO WEAK. THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED FROM NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR, AND IT IS CLEARLY A DEFECT BY THE MANUFACTURER. I HAVE READ ONLINE THAT THIS ISSUE HAS OCCURRED ON MANY OTHER TOYOTA PRIUS VEHICLES OF THE SAME AGE. I BELIEVE THAT TOYOTA NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL AND REFUND THE $312.03 I HAD TO SPEND TO REPAIR A DEFECTIVE PART. *TR

Mileage: 83,000

THE RUBBER TRUNK LATCH HAS MELTED INCREASINGLY OVER TIME. WHEN THE WEATHER IS WARM, OPENING THE TRUNK LEAVES MY HAND COVERED IN TAR-LIKE GOO AND THE SENSOR IS DIFFICULT TO ENGAGE. IN WINTER, THE LATCH DOES NOT WORK AT ALL AND THE TRUNK CANNOT BE OPENED WHATSOEVER. IN ADDITION TO BEING INCREDIBLY ANNOYING, THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN AS IT IS A POSSIBLE EGRESS POINT SHOULD THE CAR EVER BECOME WEDGED. PLEASE GET TOYOTA TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 80,000

I CANNOT OPEN MY HATCHBACK IN COLD WEATHER. THE RUBBER PIECE IS VERY HARD IN COLD WEATHER NOT ALLOWING ME TO ENGAGE MECHANISM FOR OPENING HATCHBACK. IF IT WAS MADE OF A PLIABLE MATERIAL IN COLD WEATHER I THINK IT WOULD OPEN. PLEASE GET TOYOTA TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 26,600

I AM UNABLE TO OPEN MY REAR HOOD LATCH. THERE IS A COVERING ON THE LATCH THAT IS STICKY, GOOEY AND IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN MANIPULATE AND USE. I HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THE WEB (SEE, FOR EXAMPLE: HTTP://WWW.MEYERSONSTRATEGY.COM/2013/09/TOYOTAS-STICKY-2007-PRIUS-HATCH-PROBLEM.HTML). IT HAS GOTTEN WORSE OVER TIME. GIVEN THE WIDESPREAD NATURE OF THIS PROBLEM, I BELIEVE THAT TOYOTA INSTALLED A FAULTY LATCH AND SHOULD REPLACE THE LATCH AT NO CHARGE. *TR

Mileage: 64,500

2007 TOYOTA PRIUS REAR HATCH HANDLE FAILURE. RUBBER COVER MELTS INTO ELECTRIC SWITCH MAKING IT INOPERABLE.THE BACK LATCH OF MY 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS FIRST DEGRADED ("MELTED" ALMOST) OVER THE COURSE OF SEVERAL MONTHS/YEARS. IT NO LONGER FUNCTIONED PROPERLY, AND I WAS UNABLE TO OPEN THE BACK HATCH DOOR EASILY. SOMETIMES IT REQUIRED CONSIDERABLE EFFORT AND PERSEVERANCE TO GET IT OPEN. THE MALFUNCTIONING HANDLE STARTED TO GET LOOSE UNTIL EVENTUALLY IF JUST FALL OFF AND IT'S JUST HANGING BY THE ELECTRICAL WIRES. I HAD TO TAPE IT UNTIL IT GETS FIXED I AM CONCERNED THAT IN THE CASE OF AN EMERGENCY, I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO GET THE DOOR OPEN. THIS IS A MAJOR CAUSE FOR CONCERN AND IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD.THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE THE TRUNK IS THE ONLY WAY TO ACCESS THE SPARE, ANY OF MY REPAIR TOOLS, EMERGENCY KIT, FLARES, JUMPERS, ETC. THERE IS NO ALTERNATIVE INTERNAL METHOD FOR OPENING THE HATCHBACK/TRUNK. TOYOTA NEEDS A RECALL OF THIS DEFECTIVE PART AS THE COST TO REPAIR IT IS EXORBITANT, QUOTED TO ME OVER $200 FOR THE PART ALONE. I CALLED TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY WON'T FIXED THEIR FAULTY PARTS UNTIL THE GOVERNMENT FORCES THEM TO. IT'S SAD THAT IT MIGHT TAKE SOME INJURIES OR DEATH FOR THIS ISSUE TO BE FIXED. *TR

Mileage: 54,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED DURING THE WINTER, WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE LIFT GATE IT FAILED TO OPEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION BUT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Mileage: 79,000

THE BACK LATCH OF MY TOYOTA PRIUS 2007 HAS DEGRADED. IN THE PAST I HAVE RARELY USED THE TRUNK OF MY CAR AND THEREFORE DID NOT REALIZE THE EXTENT OF THE PROBLEM. I AM NOW ALMOST 9 MONTHS PREGNANT. A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO (AROUND NOVEMBER 2013) I TRIED TO OPEN THE TRUNK. WHILE IT WAS DIFFICULT, AFTER A LOT OF PRESSING AND MANEUVERING I WAS ABLE TO OPEN IT. MOST RECENTLY FOR THE PAST 3 WEEKS, I AM COMPLETELY UNABLE TO OPEN THE TRUNK. NOW THAT THE TRUNK IS COMPLETELY UNABLE TO BE OPENED, I AM EXTREMELY CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY OF MY NEWBORN THAT WILL BE RIDING IN THE CAR. IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY, BEING ABLE TO OPEN THE TRUNK TO POTENTIALLY REMOVE MY BABY OUT OF THE CAR IS A MUST. THEREFORE, I BELIEVE THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. I AM REQUESTING THAT TOYOTA CORRECT THIS PROBLEM ON MY CAR. *TR

Mileage: 58,000

REAR HATCH HANDLE LIQUEFIED. *TR

Mileage: 45,000

THE HATCHBACK HANDLE/LOCK HAS MELTED. NOW WHEN IT'S VERY COLD YOU CANNOT OPEN IT WITHOUT CONSIDERABLE FORCE. MY 16 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER IS DRIVING THE CAR AND SHE CAN'T GET IT OPEN. *TR

Mileage: 135,000

THE BACK LATCH OF MY 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS HAS DEGRADED ("MELTED" ALMOST). IT NO LONGER FUNCTIONS PROPERLY, AND I AM UNABLE TO OPEN THE BACK HATCH DOOR EASILY. SOMETIMES IT REQUIRES CONSIDERABLE EFFORT AND PERSEVERANCE TO GET IT OPEN. I AM CONCERNED THAT IN THE CASE OF AN EMERGENCY, I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO GET THE DOOR OPEN. THIS IS A MAJOR CAUSE FOR CONCERN AND IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

REAR HATCH HANDLE HAS MELTED AND MAKING ACCESSIBILITY TO THE REAR HATCH LIFT GATE IS VERY STICKY AND SOFT. SOMETIMES THE HATCH DOES NOT RESPOND WHEN ATTEMPTING TO OPEN THE REAR HATCH. THE PIECE WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY IN 2009 AND IS NOW MALFUNCTIONING AGAIN. *TR

I TOO AM A VICTIM OF THE MELTING REAR HATCH COVER. THE RUBBER COVER TO THE EXTERNAL TRUNK LATCH HAS DETERIORATED TO THE POINT WHERE IT IS EITHER GOOEY TO THE TOUCH IN WARM WEATHER OR FROZEN SOLID TO THE POINT WHERE IT IS IMMOVABLE IN COLDER TEMPERATURES. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD SINCE I AM UNABLE TO ACCESS THE SPARE TIRE. THE RUBBER APPEARS TO BE BLOCKING THE RELEASE MECHANISM. THE DETERIORATION STARTED DURING THE SUMMER OF 2013. THIS ISSUE HAS WORSENED AND BEGINNING DECEMBER 29, I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO OPEN THE REAR HATCH. IT IS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF TOYOTA TO REPLACE THIS HANDLE AT NO EXPENSE TO THE CONSUMER. HOWEVER, THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO DO SO. *TR

Mileage: 97,500

THE BACK LATCH OF MY 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS HAS DEGRADED ("MELTED" ALMOST). IT NO LONGER FUNCTIONS PROPERLY, AND I AM UNABLE TO OPEN THE BACK HATCH DOOR EASILY (FROZEN SOLID AND IMMOVABLE IN COLDER TEMPERATURES). SOMETIMES IT REQUIRES CONSIDERABLE EFFORT AND PERSEVERANCE TO GET IT OPEN. I AM CONCERNED THAT IN THE CASE OF AN EMERGENCY, I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO GET THE DOOR OPEN. ALSO, AT TIMES, DUE TO THE INFLEXIBILITY OF THE RUBBER I AM UNABLE TO OPEN THE TRUNK AND, THUS, ACCESS THE SPARE, ANY OF MY REPAIR TOOLS, EMERGENCY SAFETY KIT, FLARES, JUMPERS, ETC. THERE IS NO ALTERNATIVE INTERNAL METHOD FOR OPENING THE HATCHBACK/TRUNK.THIS IS A MAJOR CAUSE FOR CONCERN AND IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

Mileage: 83,650

THE HANDLE TO THE REAR DOOR IS BARELY FUNCTIONING. IT HAS BEEN STICKING FOR A LONG TIME BUT NOW IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN THE REAR DOOR ALTOGETHER. THE RUBBER OF THE HANDLE LOOKS MELTED. *TR

Mileage: 70,000

I HAVE A 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS AND THE RUBBER HAS "DECOMPOSED" OFF THE LATCH AND HAS MADE IT NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO GAIN ACCESS TO THE REAR COMPARTMENT OF MY VEHICLE. THE RUBBER DEGRADATION HAS MADE THE SENSITIVITY OF THE HATCH DOOR LATCH ERRATIC AND NOT WORKING MOSTLY. ITS CAUSE ME TO TRY TO YANK THE HATCH DOOR A COUPLE OF TIMES WHICH HAS CAUSE THE LATCH DOOR HANDLE TO COME LOOSE. TOYOTA PLS ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. THANKS *TR

Mileage: 72,000

LIKE SO MANY OTHERS WITH A 2007 PRIUS, MY HATCH BACK RUBBER LATCH STARTED GETTING STICKY AND THEN SLOWLY STARTED DETERIORATING TO THE POINT WHERE I COULDN'T OPEN THE HATCH DOOR. I TOOK IT TO MAITA TOYOTA IN SACRAMENTO AND ASKED IF THEY WOULD FIX IT, BUT THEY CHARGED ME. I'M SEEING THAT SOME PEOPLE COMPLAINED TO TOYOTA AND GOT THIS PAID FOR. I'M GOING TO SEE IF I CAN GET REIMBURSED FOR THIS. I'M GLAD PEOPLE PUT THEIR COMPLAINTS HERE TO SEE. *TR

I HAVE A 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS AND THE RUBBER HAS "MELTED" OFF IF THE LATCH AND HAS MADE IT NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO GAIN ACCESS TO THE REAR COMPARTMENT OF MY VEHICLE. IT BEGAN WITH NUMEROUS BLACK AND STICKY FINGERS THEN PROGRESSED TO CHUNKS OF GOOEY OF WHAT I THINK WAS PLASTIC COMING OFF INTO MY HANDS AND HAS ENDED UP BEING AN ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TASK TO GAIN ACCESS VIA THE BACK END OF MY CAR. FROM A VERY QUICK SEARCH OF THE INTERNET, THIS APPEARS TO BE A WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM AND EVERYONE IS GETTING THE SAME ANSWER I AM GETTING FROM TOYOTA....PAY UP!! THIS HAS TO BE A MFG DEFECT. I LIVE IN NORTH TEXAS SO YES, IT DOES GET HOT HERE BUT MELT THE PLASTIC OFF YOUR CAR HOT, I THINK NOT! PLEASE HELP US! *TR

Mileage: 111,201

I NOTICED OVER THE SUMMER THAT THE HATCHBACK BUTTON BECAME EXTREMELY SOFT AND FOR LACK OF A BETTER TERM, GOOEY. ONCE THE WEATHER COOLED DOWN THE BUTTON SEEMED TO HAVE RESHAPED/MELTED SO THAT I AM NO LONGER ABLE TO OPEN THE HATCH OF MY CAR. I HAVE CONTACTED TOYOTA WITH THIS CONCERN BUT WAS TOLD THAT BECAUSE I HAVE EXCEEDED THE MILEAGE AND WARRANTY COVERAGE IT IS MY RESPONSIBILITY. I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT THIS IS THE CAUSE OF FAULTY MANUFACTURING. I CANNOT ACCESS MY SPARE TIRE IS KEPT UNDER COVER IN THE REAR HATCH. TOYOTA NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS AND ISSUE A RECALL IMMEDIATELY. *TR

Mileage: 89,000

REAR HATCH LATCH IS INOPERABLE AND PREVENTS ACCESS TO SPARE TIRE. RUBBER COVERING OF LATCH MECHANISM DEGRADED 'MELTED,' EVEN THOUGH CAR IS GARAGE STORED IN THE HEAT OF SUMMER, M-F. *TR

Mileage: 68,000

THE RUBBER COVERING THE EXTERNAL HATCH LATCH AT THE REAR OF MY 2007 PRIUS HAS DEGRADED TO THE EXTENT THAT THE LATCH NO LONGER FUNCTIONS PROPERLY. THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW FOR THE 2007 PRIUS AND VERY DANGEROUS AS IT WILL NOT ALLOW ACCESS INTO THE TRUNK AREA IN CASE OF EMERGENCY. BECAUSE OF THE MELTED/DEGRADED RUBBER MY WIFE CAN NO LONGER GET INTO THE TRUNK AND I CAN ONLY GET INTO THE TRUNK AT RANDOM INTERVALS WITH SEVERE PRESSURE PLACED ON THE RUBBER/SWITCH AREA. IT COULD BE IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TO REACH THE SPARE IN AN EMERGENCY. IT COULD ALSO DAMAGE THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WITH THE PRESSURE NEEDED TO MAKE IT WORK. THIS IS CLEARLY A TOYOTA DESIGN AND MATERIALS PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE FIXED BY TOYOTA BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT. *TR

Mileage: 80,200

THE REAR HATCH BECAME STICKY AND LEFT BLACK RESIDUE ON MY FINGERS. THE HATCH TOOK SEVERAL TRIES UNTIL IT UNLOCKED. NOW THAT IT IS COLD IN PENNSYLVANIA THE HATCH WILL EITHER NOT OPEN AT ALL OR IT TAKES NUMEROUS TRIES UNTIL IT UNLOCKS. THIS IS VERY INCONVENIENT AS ACCESS TO THE REAR IS NOT GAINED SOMETIMES AND ITEMS MUST BE PLACED IN THE BACKSEAT AS A RESULT. ALSO IF I AM UNLUCKY ENOUGH TO GET A FLAT TIRE I CANNOT GET TO THE SPARE. THE REAR HATCH AREA IS WHERE MY EMERGENCY KIT AND JUMPER CABLES ARE KEPT. OUR FAMILY OWNS THREE TOYOTA'S AND BEING LOYAL CUSTOMERS OF TOYOTA I WOULD THINK THAT TOYOTA WOULD BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND FIX THIS PROBLEM FOR FREE SINCE THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM! *TR

Mileage: 70,000

RUBBER HATCH LATCH COVER HAS DETERIORATED AND IT HAS BECOME DIFFICULT TO OPEN THE HATCH, AND VERY DIFFICULT IN COLD WEATHER (MY WIFE CANNOT OPEN IT AND IT IS HER CAR). I CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

Mileage: 77,000

THE RUBBER ON THE REAR HATCH RELEASE HAS DETERIORATED CAUSING DIFFICULTY OR IMPOSSIBILITY OF OPENING THE REAR HATCH. THIS COULD POSE A SAFETY ISSUE IN AN EMERGENCY. *TR

Mileage: 85,000

FOR THE PAST YEAR, THE RUBBER SURFACE OF THE REAR HATCH RELEASE HAS BEEN GOOEY, LEAVING BLACK MARKS ON MY HANDS. THE FUNCTION OF THE RELEASE HAS BEEN ERRATIC. OFTEN, I CAN'T RELEASE IT AT ALL. IT SEEMS PARTICULARLY BAD IN COOLER WEATHER. I'VE READ THAT THIS HAS BEEN A PRETTY COMMON PROBLEM AND FIND IT SURPRISING THAT TOYOTA HAS NOT RECALLED THESE VEHICLES TO REPLACE THE ASSEMBLY. *TR

Mileage: 52,000

I'VE ALSO BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE REAR HATCH ON MY 2007 PRIUS FOR SOME TIME. THE RUBBER HAS SOFTENED AND PARTIALLY MELTED IN WARM WEATHER, MAKING IT EXTREMELY HARD TO GRIP AND DEPRESS THE RELEASE BUTTON, PARTICULARLY FOR A WOMAN WITH WEAK FINGER JOINTS. SEVERAL TIMES IT HURT MY HANDS TO GRIP AND PRESS THE RELEASE. NOT TO MENTION THE GOOEY MESS IT MADE ON MY FINGERS WHEN I'D TRY TO OPEN IT. THEN ONCE THE WEATHER TURNED COLDER, IT SEEMS THE RUBBER SOLIDIFIED IN AN ABNORMAL SHAPE AND RECENTLY IT HAS BECOME IMPOSSIBLE FOR EVEN A MAN WITH STRONG HANDS TO DEPRESS AND OPEN THE HATCH. I FEAR IT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE FOR ANYONE TO WRESTLE THE SPARE TIRE OUT OF THE TRUNK WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO OPEN THE HATCH. SURE, YOU CAN GAIN ACCESS TO THE HATCH AREA BY FOLDING DOWN THE SEATS, BUT HOW COULD YOU OPEN THE COVER FOR THE TIRE WELL AND PULL OUT THE SPARE TIRE? AND IN AN EMERGENCY, THERE WOULD BE NO WAY TO OPEN THE TRUNK TO ASSIST SOMEONE. WE'VE OWNED FOUR PRIUS CARS, INCLUDING A 2008 MODEL, AND THIS IS THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. TOYOTA REALLY SHOULD RECALL THESE MODELS AND FIX THIS ISSUE. PLEASE HELP. *TR

Mileage: 135,000

THE RUBBER TRUNK RELEASE MELTED THIS SUMMER, CREATING A STICKY MESS AND MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO OPEN THE TRUNK. HAD TO TRY NUMEROUS TIMES WITH GREAT FORCE TO OPEN THE TRUNK. NOW THAT THE TEMPERATURE HAS DROPPED, THE RUBBER BAR IS FROZEN HARD AND I CANNOT DEPRESS IT TO OPEN THE TRUNK. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY. *TR

Mileage: 58,000

I AM REPORTING A DEFECTIVE 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS TRUNK HATCH RELEASE. THE MATERIAL APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN DEFECTIVE. IT APPEARS TO BE A GENERAL ISSUE DUE TO POOR QUALITY CONTROL AND FAULTY DESIGN BY TOYOTA. THE REPAIR COST FOR THIS CRUCIAL FUNCTION IS OBSCENELY HIGH (AROUND $500). *TR

HATCHBACK LATCH DOES NOT RESPOND TO SMART KEY AND WILL NOT OPEN TO TOUCH AS IT IS SUPPOSED TO. THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY FOR ABOUT TEN MONTHS. ALSO, THE RUBBER LATCH COVERING HAS DETERIORATED INTO A SOFT, STICKY BLACK SUBSTANCE THAT STAINS MY FINGERS WHEN I TRY TO OPEN THE LATCH. THE DETERIORATION PROBLEM PRECEDED THE HATCHBACK OPERATIONAL PROBLEM BY FOUR OR FIVE MONTHS AS BEST I CAN RECALL. I WAS ABLE TO TOLERATE THE MESSY PROBLEM BUT CANNOT PUT UP WITH A HATCHBACK THAT IS INOPERABLE BECAUSE IT PREVENTS ME FROM ACCESSING THE SPARE AND SAFETY EQUIPMENT, AND MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE TO USE THE CARGO AREA. I THINK TOYOTA SHOULD NOTIFY CUSTOMERS OF THIS DEFECT AND PROVIDE A FREE REPAIR. *TR

Mileage: 72,000

THE REAR HATCH RELEASE ON MY 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS HAS DETERIORATED AND HAS BECOME MORE AND MORE DIFFICULT TO OPEN THE HATCH. TONIGHT IT IS VERY COLD OUT AND THE MECHANISM STUCK AGAIN AND WOULD NOT OPEN. I TRIED UNLOCKING TO MAKE SURE IT DIDN'T RE-LOCK THE DOORS AND PULLED AGAIN ON THE LATCH AND THE WHOLE BACK PART BROKE OFF IN MY HAND. THE COMBINATION OF THE STICKING AND THE COLD MADE THE PLASTIC PIECE THAT IS ALL THAT IT IS HOLDING THE LATCH BRITTLE TO THE POINT OF SIMPLY BREAKING WHILE TRYING TO OPEN THE HATCH. *TR

Mileage: 133,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRUNK DOOR FAILED TO OPEN. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE MATERIAL THAT LATCHED THE DOOR WITH THE TRUNK WAS MELTED AND THE TRUNK COULD NOT BE ACCESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000.

Mileage: 69,000

THE RUBBER LATCH THAT PROVIDES ACCESS TO THE TRUNK AREA OF MY 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS HAS ESSENTIALLY MELTED. WHEN I TOUCH IT MY HAND COMES AWAY WITH A BLACK GOOEY SUBSTANCE. IN THE SUMMERTIME THIS IS MORE OF AN ANNOYANCE THAN ANYTHING (I HAVE TO CARRY AROUND WET-WIPES, AND I OFTEN PUT GROCERIES ETC. IN THE PASSENGER CABIN JUST TO AVOID ACCESSING THE TRUNK), BUT IN THE WINTER IT CAN BE QUITE DANGEROUS, AS THE MELTED LATCH FREEZES, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN THE HATCHBACK. THIS MEANS THAT I CANNOT ACCESS MY TOOLS, SPARE TIRE, SNOW EQUIPMENT, OR ANYTHING ELSE BACK THERE. THE DEGRADATION OF THE HANDLE LATCH ACTUALLY BEGAN SOME TIME AGO (IT PROBABLY BEGAN AFTER I HAD OWNED THE CAR FOR ABOUT 4 YEARS) BUT IT HAS GOTTEN WORSE OVER TIME SO I FINALLY DECIDED TO TRY TO GET IT FIXED. MY TOYOTA DEALER WANTED TO CHARGE ME OVER $300 TO REPLACE THE PART. THIS STRUCK ME AS ABSOLUTELY OUTRAGEOUS GIVEN THAT IT APPEARS TO BE A DESIGN DEFECT THAT CREATES A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

Mileage: 43,000

2007 TOYOTA PRIUS REAR HATCH HANDLE FAILURE. RUBBER COVER MELTS INTO ELECTRIC SWITCH MAKING IT INOPERABLE. *TR

Mileage: 85,000

THE HATCHBACK HANDLE/RELEASE IS SOFT AND GOOEY, AND AT TIMES THE RELEASE TO OPEN THE HATCHBACK WILL NOT WORK. GOOEY BLACK SUBSTANCE GETS ALL OVER HANDS AND FINGERS WHEN YOU TRY TO "POP" THE HATCHBACK. UNABLE TO GET THE TRUNK TO OPEN ON A COUPLE OF OCCASIONS. THERE IS NO INTERNAL RELEASE SWITCH INSIDE THE CAR. SINCE THE SPARE TIRE IS IN THE TRUNK, THERE COULD POTENTIALLY BE NO ACCESS TO THE TIRE. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON COMPLAINT ON THIS SITE, INCLUDING NHTSA ID NUMBERS: 10541882, 10541772, AND 1053526. *TR

Mileage: 80,000

2007 TOYOTA PRIUS TAILGATE LATCH RUBBER HAS DEGRADED AND EFFECTIVELY MELTED TO WHERE THE LATCH FAILS TO WORK MOST OF THE TIME, AND DEPOSITS RUBBER GOO RESIDUE WHEN CONTACTING THE LATCH. THE PART IS CLEARLY DEFECTIVE AS INDICATIONS OF THE PROBLEM STARTED WITHIN 3 YEARS OF PURCHASE. CLEARLY SHOULD BE A RECALL OR REPLACEMENT VIA TOYOTA. IF NOT LABOR, AT LEAST COST OF NEW PART. *TR

HATCH LATCHES SHOULD NOT MELT DOWN IN 2-3 YEARS, AND ACCESS TO THE HATCH IS A LIFE SAFETY ISSUE. AS WITH MANY OTHER 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS VEHICLES THE RUBBER MATERIAL ON THE HANDLE OF THE REAR HATCH HAS BEEN DETERIORATING ON MY 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS AND IS GETTING MORE DIFFICULT TO USE. WITHOUT AN EXPENSIVE REPLACEMENT BY TOYOTA THE PART WILL FAIL BEYOND THE ABILITY TO OPEN THE REAR HATCH. TOYOTA REFUSES TO RECALL THE PART AND REPLACE IT AS A DEFECTIVE PART. *TR

DEAR GENTLEPERSONS: TOYOTA MUST HAVE PURCHASED A BATCH OF DEFECTIVE RUBBER FROM A VENDOR BACK IN 2007 AND 2008 BECAUSE THE RUBBER THAT YOU PUSH AGAINST TO RELEASE THE LOCKING MECHANISM FOR THE TRUNK/HATCHBACK HAS TURNED TO PLAY DOUGH OR SLUDGE ON MY CAR. I CONTACTED TOYOTA IN MAY OF THIS YEAR AND THEY DISCLAIMED ANY AWARENESS OF THE PROBLEM. RECENTLY I WENT ONLINE AND FOUND IT IS WIDELY KNOWN ON SITES INCLUDING PRIUS CHAT, AND WHEN I SPOKE WITH MY SERVICE ADVISOR AT MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP, HE SAID HE WAS WELL AWARE OF IT, THAT THE SAME THING HAPPENED ON HIS 2008 TOYOTA SIENNA, AND THE ONLY RECOURSE IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE MECHANISM WHICH COSTS AN ARM AND A LEG. I CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IF THE RUBBER DETERIORATES ENOUGH, MY FINGERS WILL PROTRUDE INTO THE LOCK MECHANISM WHICH I SURMISE WOULD NOT WORK AND PLAY WELL WITH FINGERS, OR MAY HAVE AN ELECTRICAL CURRENT IF I MAKE CONTACT. I FOLLOWED UP LAST WEEK WITH TOYOTA AGAIN, AND THE REP WITH WHOM I FIRST SPOKE, INITIALLY SAID TOYOTA HAD NO COMPLAINTS ABOUT IT, THEN SAID THAT SHE KNEW OF THE ISSUE, AND TOLD ME TO CONTACT MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP TO SEE IF THEY WERE AWARE OF A FIX THAT DID NOT INVOLVE A TOTAL SWITCH REPLACEMENT. AFTER I CALLED MY DEALERSHIP AS SUGGESTED, AND MY OWN SERVICE ADVISOR SHARED HIS PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH THE ISSUE, I WAS NOT ABLE TO SPEAK WITH THE ORIGINAL REP AT TOYOTA, AND THE NEXT REP WITH WHOM I SPOKE TOLD ME THEY'D LOOK INTO IT AND I'D HEAR BACK FROM TOYOTA WITHIN TWO BUSINESS DAYS ... THAT HAS COME AND GONE. MY WIFE HAS A 2004 PRIUS AND THE RUBBER ON THE LATCH LOOKS AND FEELS TOTALLY NEW. I DON'T THINK THIS IS A WARRANTY ISSUE (WHICH TOYOTA IS NOW TRYING TO TOSS OUT TO GET RID OF ME), BUT INSTEAD, A MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT HAS SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS. I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE'S SOMETHING THAT CAN BE DONE. THANK YOU. SINCERELY, [XXXX] *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

THE HATCHBACK RELEASE LATCH OF MY 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS HAS DEGRADED ("MELTED" ALMOST). IT NO LONGER FUNCTIONS PROPERLY, AND I AM UNABLE TO OPEN THE BACK HATCH DOOR EASILY. SOMETIMES IT REQUIRES CONSIDERABLE EFFORT TO GET IT OPEN. I AM CONCERNED THAT IN THE CASE OF AN EMERGENCY, I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO GET THE DOOR OPEN. THIS IS A MAJOR CAUSE FOR CONCERN AND IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

Mileage: 75,000

THE HATCHBACK HANDLE/RELEASE IS SOFT AND GOOEY AND AT TIMES THE RELEASE TO OPEN THE HATCHBACK WILL NOT WORK. GOOEY BLACK SUBSTANCE GETS ALL OVER HANDS AND FINGERS WHEN YOU TRY TO "POP" THE HATCHBACK. UNABLE TO GET THE TRUNK TO OPEN ON A COUPLE OF OCCASIONS. THERE IS NO INTERNAL RELEASE SWITCH INSIDE THE CAR. SINCE THE SPARE TIRE IS IN THE TRUNK, THERE COULD POTENTIALLY BE NO ACCESS TO THE TIRE. IT WAS DISCOVERED THE DAY AFTER WE BOUGHT THE CAR (USED). CONTACTED DEALER, WHO QUOTED US $300+ TO REPAIR. HAVE NOT HAD IT REPAIRED YET. *JB

Mileage: 30,993

BRAKE SYSTEM: ABS WARNING MALFUNCTION LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE WHEN BRAKE IS TAPPED, BUT THERE IS NO MALFUNCTION OR ISSUE. HAVE TO TURN OFF VEHICLE TO RESET IT. HANDLE ON REAR DOOR/HATCHBACK DOOR: HANDLE MELTED INTO A BLACK GOOEY MESS, HATCHBACK COULD NOT BE OPENED. WENT TO DEALERSHIP, THEY WOULD NOT FIX WITHOUT CHARGING ME EVEN THOUGH THEY ADMITTED IT WAS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLES. THE FIRST QUOTE WE GOT WAS ALMOST $300 TO FIX, WAITED A COUPLE OF MONTHS, DEALER FINALLY DROPPED TO $138 TO FIX IT. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A KNOWN DEFECTIVE ISSUE--NO ONE SHOULD BE CHARGED ANYTHING. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS THE DOOR CANNOT BE OPENED IN AN EMERGENCY. WHY TOYOTA WILL NOT FIX THIS WITHOUT CAUSING THEIR CUSTOMER'S POTENTIAL DANGER/HARM SPEAKS VOLUMES TO THEM NOT CARING ABOUT THE CUSTOMER. DASHBOARD WARPING: DASHBOARD ON DRIVER SIDE BUCKLES UP WHERE IT MEETS THE EDGE OF THE WINDSHIELD, WAS TOLD IT WAS IN ISSUE WITH THE MATERIAL THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS MADE FROM. VERY POOR QUALITY TO HAVE THIS HAPPEN. *JB

REAR HATCH LATCH RELEASE BUTTON IS RUBBER. IT HAS DETERIORATED RELEASING BLACK SUBSTANCE ONTO FINGERS, IT IS STICKY AND BUTTON DOES NOT RELEASE AS WELL AS BEFORE. *TR

Mileage: 63,000

I CANNOT OPEN THE HATCH OF MY PRIUS. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN. IN ALL PRIUS BASE MODELS THAT I KNOW OF THE HANDLE LITERALLY MELTS OFF OF THE CAR MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN THE HATCH. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE IN THE CASE OF AN EMERGENCY. THE DEALERSHIP CHARGES UP TO $300.00 TO FIX THIS ISSUE WHEN IT IS QUITE OBVIOUS IT SHOULD BE A RECALL. IT IS COMPLETELY INSANE THAT THEY ARE MAKING PRIUS OWNERS PAY THIS AND ARE MAKING AN INSANE AMOUNT OF MONEY OFF OF ITS CONSUMERS WHEN WE WERE SOLD A FAULTY PART. *TR

Mileage: 60,000

THE RUBBER COVER ON THE HATCH RELEASE HANDLE (THE EXTERIOR HANDLE OF THE REAR HATCH) ON MY 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS HAS MELTED MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO OPEN THE REAR HATCH. I CAN BEST DESCRIBE IT AS BEING A VISCOUS BLACK GLOB LIKE ROOFING TAR. THE VEHICLE'S SMART KEY LOCKING SYSTEM HAS ALSO BEEN AFFECTED BY THE MELTED SWITCH. IT NOW TAKES SEVERAL SECONDS TO FIND THE SENSOR DUE TO A LOSS IN SENSITIVITY IN THE SWITCH, CAUSED BY THE MELTING OF THE RUBBER COVER. I THOUGHT THAT THIS MIGHT BE A SINGULAR ISSUE, BUT HAVE READ NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ONLINE FROM OTHER CAR OWNERS. FROM A SAFETY PERSPECTIVE, THIS MEANS YOU CAN EXPERIENCE EXTREME DIFFICULTY OPENING THE REAR HATCH (A LIFE SAFETY ACCESS POINT) TO ME, THIS IS BOTH A SERIOUS LIFE SAFETY ISSUE AND A SERIOUS QUALITY DEFECT THAT TOYOTA IS OPTING TO IGNORE AND ONLY FIXING ON VEHICLES WITH EXTENDED WARRANTIES, SINCE THE FAILURE APPEARS TO OCCUR AT AROUND THE 3 YEAR MARK (IE AFTER 3 YEARS OF EXPOSURE TO THE HEAT). I THINK A DOOR HANDLE OR HATCH HANDLE SHOULD BE MADE TO LAST MORE THAN 3 YEARS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE. *TR

Mileage: 120,000

THE RUBBER ON MY TRUNK RELEASE HAS TURNED TO A TARRY MESS MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO OPEN AND LEAVING BLACK TAR ALL OVER MY FINGERS. WHEN THE RELEASE DOES NOT WORK, I HAVE PULL OUT MY KEYS TO PRESS THE UNLOCK BUTTON OR OPEN THE CAR TO PRESS THE UNLOCK BUTTON WHICH SOMETIMES RELEASES IT BUT NOT ALWAYS. I OPT NOT TO USE MY TRUNK BECAUSE IT IS SO TERRIBLY INCONVENIENT AND FRUSTRATING NOW, ESPECIALLY WHEN I AM JUGGLING PACKAGES AND/OR KIDS. I AM TERRIBLY DISAPPOINTED THAT TOYOTA IS NOT TAKING OWNERSHIP OF THIS PROBLEM AS I SEE MANY POSTS DEALING WITH THIS VERY SAME ISSUE. *TR

THE MATERIAL IN THE TRUNK DOOR HANDLE IS DISSOLVING AND OR DISINTEGRATING. I RECENTLY RESEARCHED THE DEFECT ON THE INTERNET AND OBSERVED WHAT I WAS EXPERIENCING HAS BEEN PREVIOUSLY DOCUMENTED IN OTHER COMPLAINTS. IN A RECENT VISIT TO A TOYOTA SERVICE CENTER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE I PRESENTED WHAT WAS HAPPENING AND WAS TOLD THE VEHICLE REPAIR WAS OUT OF THE WARRANTY PERIOD AND THERE WOULD BE A CHARGE IF I WANTED THE REPAIR. THE CHARGE IMO WAS EXCESSIVE FOR SOMETHING THAT IMO WAS A BUILT IN DEFECT AND DESERVES A RECALL. *TR

Mileage: 45,000

WITHIN THE HANDLE FOR THE REAR HATCH OF THE 2007 PRIUS THERE IS A STRIP OF RUBBER WHICH I ASSUME IS TO PREVENT MOISTURE FROM PENETRATING INTO THE INTERIOR COMPONENTS AND IT MAY ALSO SHIELD SOME ELECTRICAL WIRING. THIS PIECE OF RUBBER IS BECOMING SOFT AND MELTING. WHENEVER WE OPEN THE HATCH, OUR FINGERS AND HANDS ARE STAINED WITH A BLACK GOOEY SUBSTANCE THAT'S DIFFICULT TO REMOVE FROM OUR HANDS. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM EVER SINCE WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN 2011. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT A BODY PART SHOULD LAST MORE THAN 4 YRS AND SINCE WE PURCHASED USED, IT MAY HAVE ALREADY BEEN GOOEY BEFORE WE PURCHASED. *TR

THE RUBBER COVER TO THE EXTERNAL TRUNK LATCH HAS MELTED TO THE POINT WHERE IT IS EITHER GOOEY TO THE TOUCH IN WARM WEATHER OR FROZEN SOLID AND IMMOVABLE IN COLDER TEMPERATURES. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE, AT TIMES, DUE TO THE INFLEXIBILITY OF THE RUBBER I AM UNABLE TO OPEN THE TRUNK AND, THUS, ACCESS THE SPARE, ANY OF MY REPAIR TOOLS, OUR EARTHQUAKE KIT, FLARES, JUMPERS, ETC. THERE IS NO ALTERNATIVE INTERNAL METHOD FOR OPENING THE HATCHBACK/TRUNK. TOYOTA NEEDS A RECALL OF THIS DEFECTIVE PART AS THE COST TO REPAIR IT IS EXORBITANT, QUOTED TO ME AS $352. *TR

Mileage: 45,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE REAR HATCH DOOR SEAL FAILED AND ALLOWED WATER TO PENETRATE THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR BOARD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER DENIED ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,000.

Mileage: 86,000

THE PLASTIC WELD PROCESS OR OTHER TYPE OF GLUING PROCESS USED TO MAKE THE VEHICLES EXTERIOR FRONT AND REAR TURN SIGNAL, BRAKE AND BACK UP LIGHT LENSE ASSEMBLIES OR HOUSINGS FAILS. ALL FOUR, TWO FRONT AND TWO REAR, EXTERIOR COMBINATION LIGHT LENSE ASSEMBLIES SUFFER THIS PREMATURE AND SERIOUS FAILURE. WHEN THESE EXTERIOR LENSES BEGIN TO FAIL THEY ALLOW WATER INTRUSION FROM THE EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THIS ALLOWS MOISTURE TO PENETRATE INTO AREAS OF THE LENSE ASSEMBLY WHICH SUPPORT ALL OF THE LIGHT BULBS USED TO WARN OR SIGNAL OTHER DRIVERS OR PEDESTRIANS. AT A VERY MINIMUM THIS PROBLEM RESULTS IN PREMATURE BULB FAILURE FOR ALL OF THE SIGNALING SYSTEMS SPECIFIED ABOVE. RESEARCHING YOUR SITE THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED TO YOU MANY TIMES AND TOYOTA MOTOR CORP. IS ALSO AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. WHAT YOU DON'T SEEM TO BE AWARE OF IS THE MOST SERIOUS CONCERN RESULTING FROM THIS PROBLEM; IF THE RIGHT (PASSENGER SIDE) REAR LENSE SUFFERS THIS PROBLEM AND BEGINS LEAKING, THE WATER RUNS OR DRAINS DIRECTLY INTO THE INTERIOR 12VDC STARTER BATTERY WELL. THIS BATTERY WELL IS AS DEEP, OR DEEPER THAN THE FACTORY INSTALLED 12VDC STARTER BATTERY IS TALL AND CAN RESULT IN WATER OVERTOPPING THE BATTERY. THIS CAUSES SHORTING/GROUNDING ACROSS THE POSITIVE/NEGATIVE 12VDC STARTER BATTERY TERMINALS. THIS PREVENTS THE OPERATOR FROM STARTING THE VEHICLE AND CUTS OFF POWER TO ALL 12VDC ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS INCLUDING EMERGENCY FLASHERS. IT COULD EASILY RESULT IN SERIOUS DAMAGE TO THE 12VDC STARTER BATTERY AND MANY EXPENSIVE 12VDC ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS OR SYSTEMS. THIS PROBLEM IS MORE SERIOUS IN AREAS THAT RECEIVE HIGH AMOUNTS OF RAINFALL. I CALLED A TOYOTA AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP, LUM'S AUTO CENTER, AND REPORTED MY CAR WOULDN'T START. THEY SUGGESTED I BRING IT IN. AFTER 4 DAYS THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM. NO DIAGNOSTIC CODES WERE LOGGED. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM NEEDING IMMEDIATE ATTENTION! *TR

Mileage: 14,000

REAR DOOR OPENER !! RUBBER MELTED AND BLOCK DOOR OPENER (LOCK UNLOCK SYSTEM) . *TR

Mileage: 67,953

AFTER ONLY ABOUT 3 YEARS USE, THE RUBBER COVER ON THE HATCH RELEASE HANDLE (THE EXTERIOR HANDLE OF THE REAR HATCH) OF OUR 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS, MELTED INTO A STICKY TARRY BLACK RUBBERY GOOEY MESS. I CAN BEST DESCRIBE IT AS BEING A VISCOUS BLACK GLOB LIKE ROOFING TAR. TO OPEN THE HATCH, YOU HAVE TO TOUCH THIS BLACK GOO EACH TIME, WHICH MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO OPERATE THE HATCH RELEASE. WE BELIEVE THIS MELTING PROCESS STARTED AT ABOUT THE 2 YR. MARK. I THOUGHT THAT THIS MIGHT BE A SINGULAR ISSUE, BUT HAVE FOUND THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO SEVERAL CAR OWNERS, PARTICULARLY IN FLORIDA. I LIVE IN LOUISIANA . TOYOTA KNOWS ABOUT THIS, AND IS SELLING THE ENTIRE WIRING HARNESS FOR $600, AND HAS DONE NOTHING ABOUT RECALLING THIS. FROM A SAFETY PERSPECTIVE, THIS MEANS YOU CAN EXPERIENCE EXTREME DIFFICULTY OPENING THE REAR HATCH (A LIFE SAFETY ACCESS POINT), AND WILL GET STICKY BLACK TAR ON YOU FROM THE MELTED DOWN RUBBER COVER OF THE EXTERIOR HATCH RELEASE HANDLE. TO ME, THIS IS BOTH A SERIOUS LIFE SAFETY ISSUE AND A SERIOUS QUALITY DEFECT THAT TOYOTA IS OPTING TO IGNORE AND ONLY FIXING ON VEHICLES WITH EXTENDED WARRANTIES, SINCE THE FAILURE APPEARS TO OCCUR AT AROUND THE 3 YEAR MARK (IE AFTER 3 YEARS OF EXPOSURE TO THE BRIGHT SUN IN LOUISIANA, FOR EXAMPLE). I AM AWARE OF THE OUTSTANDING WORK DONE BY NHTSA ON OTHER SAFETY ISSUES, INCLUDING THE PROBLEM WITH RUSTY FRAMES ON 02 ISUZU AXIOMS, AND I FIND THIS PROBLEM TO BE SIMILAR IN NATURE, SO I AM ASKING FOR YOUR AGENCY TO TAKE A LOOK AT THESE INSTANCES AND ALSO TO INQUIRE FROM TOYOTA WHY THEY ARE NOT RECALLING THESE HANDLES THAT ARE MELTING IN THE SUN!!! IT'S OUTRAGEOUS. I THINK A DOOR HANDLE OR HATCH HANDLE SHOULD BE MADE TO LAST MORE THAN 3 YEARS. AND NOW MY TRUNK WON'T OPEN AND IT IS ABOUT DETACH FROM THE CAR BECAUSE OF THE EXTRA PULLING NEEDED TO OPEN IT. WHY HAS IT NOT BEEN RECALLED? IT SHOULD BE MANDATORY. THEY TOLD ME I WOULD HAVE TO PAY OVER $600 TO DO IT AT THE DEALER, BUT THEY SHOULD PAY FOR IT. *TR

TAIL GATE LIFTERS FAILED TO COMPLETELY LIFT THE TAIL GATE. NOT NOTICING THE TAIL GATE WAS SLIGHTLY LOWER THAN NORMAL, THE DRIVER, WHILE STANDING ON THE GROUND TO REMOVE GROCERIES FROM THE BACK, LEANED INTO BACK OF VEHICLE AND STRUCK THE TOP OF HER HEAD ON THE TAIL GATE, SUSTAINING A CONCUSSION. SYMPTOMS INCLUDED NAUSEA, HEADACHES AND DIFFICULTY CONCENTRATING, LEAVING HER UNABLE TO COMPLETE HER NORMAL TASKS FOR THE DAY. THE SYMPTOMS LASTED 2 DAYS. DRIVER'S HUSBAND CAME OUT AND IMMEDIATELY CONFIRMED THAT TAILGATE HAD FAILED TO OPEN COMPLETELY AND HE DETERMINED IT WAS NO LONGER OPENING COMPLETELY, REPRESENTING A PARTIAL BUT DANGEROUS FAILURE OF THE LIFTING MECHANISM. THE TIME WAS APPROXIMATELY 4 PM; THE TEMPERATURE WAS APPROXIMATELY 48 DEGREES. WHAT MAKES IT PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS AND PERNICIOUS IS THAT THE MECHANISM THAT USED TO OPEN THE TAIL GATE ALL THE WAY UP, PROVIDING AMPLE HEAD CLEARANCE, WAS NOW LEAVING THE TAIL GATE OPEN BUT WITH REDUCED HEADROOM. THE MECHANISM THAT USED TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT HEAD CLEARANCE SO ONE COULD STAND BEHIND THE VEHICLE AND LEAN INTO THE REAR WAS NOW ONLY PARTIALLY OPENING THE TAIL GATE, TO A POINT LOW ENOUGH TO CAUSE A CONCUSSION BUT NOT LOW ENOUGH TO BE NOTICEABLE. THE CHANGE FROM HAVING AMPLE HEADROOM TO NOT HAVING ENOUGH HEADROOM CREATED A TRAP. *TR

Mileage: 123,109

THE PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED WHENEVER THE DONUT TIRE IS BEING USED ON THE VEHICLE AS A TEMPORARY REPLACEMENT FOR A FLAT TIRE - THIS HAS OCCURRED ON BOTH THE TWO OCCASIONS THAT IN WHICH I HAVE HAD TO USED THEM BOTH TIMES ON THE FRONT TIRES, ONCE ON THE LEFT TIRE AND THE SECOND OCCASION, MOST RECENT ON THE LEFT. APPARENTLY, THE DONUT TIRE BECAUSE OF ITS SMALLER DIAMETER CAUSES THE CAR'S SLIP DIFFERENTIAL SYSTEM TO ACTIVATE (SURMISED BY THE ICON I SEE ON THE DASH WHEN THIS OCCURS), OFTEN FOR PERIODS OF HALF THE DRIVING TIME - WHAT THEN HAPPENS IS THAT THERE IS A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER TO THE DRIVE CHAIN, THE CAR CANNOT ACCELERATE OR EVEN MAINTAIN SPEED - IT ESSENTIALLY COASTS OR SLOWS. THIS OCCURS EVEN WHEN/IF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS DEPRESSED TO TRY TO FEED POWER TO THE WHEELS - THE ENGINE IS UNRESPONSIVE. INTERMITTENTLY, THE POWER IS RESTORED, AND THEN THE CYCLE BEGINS AGAIN. ALTHOUGH I HAVE NOT HAD AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THIS LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, I CONSIDER MYSELF LUCKY NOT TO HAVE. USE OF A DONUT TIRE IS THE ONLY OPTION OPEN TO TEMPORARILY REPLACING A FLAT TIRE. I THINK THAT THIS SYSTEM'S RESPONSE TO USE OF THE DONUT TIRE (WHICH IS MANUFACTURER'S SUPPLIED) IS A DEFECT THAT IS DANGEROUS. A DRIVER MUST BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN AND CONTROL VEHICLE SPEED TO PREVENT AND/OR REMEDY A DANGEROUS SITUATION. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Mileage: 87,000

2007 PRIUS TRUNK HATCH RELEASE RUBBER PIECE MELTED AND I HAD TO REPLACED IT WITH MY OWN MONEY IN TOYOTA DEALER. *TR

THE RUBBER REAR HATCH RELEASE BUTTON (WIDE RUBBER PIECE WHICH ACTIVATES AN ELECTRICAL SWITCH) FIRST BECAME STICKY AND BLACK RUBBER WOULD STICK YOU YOUR HAND. THEN THE RUBBER PIECE HARDENED AND BECAME SO HARD (AND CRACKED) THAT THE REAR HATCH RELEASE DOES NOT WORK. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE IN ADDITION TO MAKING THE TRUNK UNUSABLE. TOYOTA OWNERS OF THIS MODEL YEAR FREQUENTLY REPORT THIS PROBLEM IN ALL CLIMATES, TOYOTA CLEARLY HAS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN THE RUBBER MATERIAL THEY USED FOR THIS MODEL YEAR AND SHOULD PERFORM THESE REPAIRS FOR NO CHARGE. *TR

THE RUBBER TRUNK RELEASE IS CRACKED, MELTED AND DOES NOT FUNCTION IN COLD WEATHER. IT IS A STICKY GOOEY MESS IN HOT WEATHER. THE ESTIMATE TO REPLACE IT IS $187. IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. THE DEALER CLAIMS IT IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. I THINK THAT IF YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO OPEN A DOOR TO YOUR CAR, IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. HOW, FOR INSTANCE WOULD I BE ABLE TO REMOVE MY SPARE TIRE IN THE EVENT OF A FLAT TIRE. BIG SAFETY ISSUE. WHAT IF I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE ONLY ACCESSIBLE WAY OUT WAS THE HATCHBACK? BIG SAFETY ISSUE. REALLY. *TR

Mileage: 44,000

RELEASE BUTTON FOR 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS HATCHBACK HAS DEFECTIVE RUBBER, WHICH DETERIORATES PREMATURELY AND LEAKS HYDRAULIC FLUID USED TO ACTUATE THE DOOR RELEASE. AFTER A WHILE, DOOR WILL NOT OPEN, AND REQUIRES REPLACEMENT OF RELEASE MECHANISM. *TR

Mileage: 40,000

THE REAR TRUNK RELEASE HAS MELTED AND THE TRUNK CANNOT OPEN OR IF IT DOES REQUIRES MUCH EFFORT. POSES A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

Mileage: 110,000

AFTER ONLY ABOUT 1 YEAR OF OWNING MY PRE-OWNED 2007 PRIUS, THE RUBBER COVER ON THE HATCH RELEASE HANDLE (THE EXTERIOR HANDLE OF THE REAR HATCH) MELTED INTO A STICKY TARRY BLACK RUBBERY GOOEY MESS. I CAN BEST DESCRIBE IT AS BEING A VISCOUS BLACK GLOB LIKE ROOFING TAR. TO OPEN THE HATCH, YOU HAVE TO TOUCH THIS BLACK GOO EACH TIME, WHICH MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO OPERATE THE HATCH RELEASE. I THOUGHT THAT THIS MIGHT BE A SINGULAR ISSUE, BUT HAVE FOUND THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO SEVERAL CAR OWNERS, PARTICULARLY IN FLORIDA AND CALIFORNIA. I LIVE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AND NOTICED AN INCREASE AFTER A PARTICULARLY HOT SPELL. TOYOTA KNOWS ABOUT THIS, AND IS SELLING THE ENTIRE WIRING HARNESS FOR $96 PLUS REPAIR COSTS, AND HAS DONE NOTHING ABOUT RECALLING THIS. FROM A SAFETY PERSPECTIVE, THIS MEANS YOU CAN EXPERIENCE EXTREME DIFFICULTY OPENING THE REAR HATCH (A LIFE SAFETY ACCESS POINT), AND WILL GET STICKY BLACK TAR ON YOU FROM THE MELTED DOWN RUBBER COVER OF THE EXTERIOR HATCH RELEASE HANDLE. TO ME, THIS IS BOTH A SERIOUS LIFE SAFETY ISSUE AND A SERIOUS QUALITY DEFECT THAT TOYOTA IS OPTING TO IGNORE AND ONLY FIXING ON VEHICLES WITH EXTENDED WARRANTIES, SINCE THE FAILURE APPEARS TO OCCUR AT AROUND THE 3-5 YEAR MARK (IE AFTER 3 YEARS OF EXPOSURE TO THE BRIGHT SUN IN CA FOR EXAMPLE). I AM AWARE OF THE OUTSTANDING WORK DONE BY NHTSA ON OTHER SAFETY ISSUES, INCLUDING THE PROBLEM WITH RUSTY FRAMES ON 02 ISUZU AXIOMS, AND I FIND THIS PROBLEM TO BE SIMILAR IN NATURE, SO I AM ASKING FOR YOUR AGENCY TO TAKE A LOOK AT THESE INSTANCES AND ALSO TO INQUIRE FROM TOYOTA WHY THEY ARE NOT RECALLING THESE HANDLES THAT ARE MELTING IN THE SUN!!! IT'S OUTRAGEOUS. I THINK A DOOR HANDLE OR HATCH HANDLE SHOULD BE MADE TO LAST MORE THAN 3 YEARS. *TR

AFTER ONLY ABOUT 1 YEAR OF OWNING MY PRE-OWNED 2007 PRIUS, THE RUBBER COVER ON THE HATCH RELEASE HANDLE (THE EXTERIOR HANDLE OF THE REAR HATCH) MELTED INTO A STICKY TARRY BLACK RUBBERY GOOEY MESS. I CAN BEST DESCRIBE IT AS BEING A VISCOUS BLACK GLOB LIKE ROOFING TAR. TO OPEN THE HATCH, YOU HAVE TO TOUCH THIS BLACK GOO EACH TIME, WHICH MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO OPERATE THE HATCH RELEASE. I THOUGHT THAT THIS MIGHT BE A SINGULAR ISSUE, BUT HAVE FOUND THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO SEVERAL CAR OWNERS, PARTICULARLY IN FLORIDA AND CALIFORNIA. I LIVE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AND NOTICED AN INCREASE AFTER A PARTICULARLY HOT SPELL. TOYOTA KNOWS ABOUT THIS, AND IS SELLING THE ENTIRE WIRING HARNESS FOR $96 PLUS REPAIR COSTS, AND HAS DONE NOTHING ABOUT RECALLING THIS. FROM A SAFETY PERSPECTIVE, THIS MEANS YOU CAN EXPERIENCE EXTREME DIFFICULTY OPENING THE REAR HATCH (A LIFE SAFETY ACCESS POINT), AND WILL GET STICKY BLACK TAR ON YOU FROM THE MELTED DOWN RUBBER COVER OF THE EXTERIOR HATCH RELEASE HANDLE. TO ME, THIS IS BOTH A SERIOUS LIFE SAFETY ISSUE AND A SERIOUS QUALITY DEFECT THAT TOYOTA IS OPTING TO IGNORE AND ONLY FIXING ON VEHICLES WITH EXTENDED WARRANTIES, SINCE THE FAILURE APPEARS TO OCCUR AT AROUND THE 3-5 YEAR MARK (IE AFTER 3 YEARS OF EXPOSURE TO THE BRIGHT SUN IN CA FOR EXAMPLE). I AM AWARE OF THE OUTSTANDING WORK DONE BY NHTSA ON OTHER SAFETY ISSUES, INCLUDING THE PROBLEM WITH RUSTY FRAMES ON 02 ISUZU AXIOMS, AND I FIND THIS PROBLEM TO BE SIMILAR IN NATURE, SO I AM ASKING FOR YOUR AGENCY TO TAKE A LOOK AT THESE INSTANCES AND ALSO TO INQUIRE FROM TOYOTA WHY THEY ARE NOT RECALLING THESE HANDLES THAT ARE MELTING IN THE SUN!!! IT'S OUTRAGEOUS. I THINK A DOOR HANDLE OR HATCH HANDLE SHOULD BE MADE TO LAST MORE THAN 3 YEARS. *TR

THE RUBBER ON THE HATCH ENTRY DETERIORATED SO SEVERELY THAT IT COATED MY FINGERS WITH A HOT TARRY MESS THAT BURNED MY FINGERS AND STUCK THERE, CONTINUING TO BURN. THE HATCH ALSO BECAME VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN AND SEVERAL TIMES, ESPECIALLY IN COLDER WEATHER WOULD NOT OPEN AT ALL. THIS IS ALSO A SAFETY HAZARD SINCE ENTRY TO THE VEHICLE FROM THE REAR BECOMES IMPOSSIBLE AT SUCH TIMES. SINCE I AM HANDICAPPED AND ON DISABILITY (SERIOUS HEART, LUNG AND BACK PROBLEMS) I NEED TO BE ABLE TO PLACE EQUIPMENT AND PURCHASES IN THE HATCH AREA, BUT I OFTEN CANNOT ACCESS THE AREA. TOYOTA IS WELL AWARE THAT THIS PART IS DEFECTIVE, BUT HAS REFUSED TO COOPERATE WITH TOYOTA OWNERS. THEREFORE, I AM ASKING THE NHTSA TO CONSIDER THE SAFETY ISSUES CAUSED BY THIS DEFECTIVE PART AND TAKE ACTION TO FORCE TOYOTA TO REPLACE OR REPAIR THIS DEFECTIVE PART. *TR

Mileage: 120,070

WE HAVE HAD SOME UNSEASONABLY HOT WEATHER HERE RECENTLY; ON THE DAY IN QUESTION THE CAR THERMOMETER SAID IT WAS 91 DEGREES IN FULL SHADE. THE RUBBER GASKET COVERING THE HATCH OPENING SWITCH WAS ATTACHED WHEN I PARKED. WHEN I CAME BACK, IT LOOKED LIKE THE GASKET HAD LITERALLY MELTED OFF ONE OF THE SCREWS; THE COVERING WAS JUST HANGING ON TO SCREW ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE BY A FEW GOOEY THREADS. THAT LEFT A MELTED, TAR-LIKE RESIDUE ON THE HATCH OPENING SWITCH. NOW THE SWITCH IS COVERED IN GUNK AND NEARLY INOPERABLE. THE PRIUS DOES NOT HAVE A TRUNK RELEASE, AND WITHOUT A REPAIR THE HATCH IS NEARLY INACCESSIBLE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE HATCH ON THE PRIUS IS A SAFETY ACCESS POINT (THE LARGEST ON THE VEHICLE); THE HATCH IS ALSO THE ONLY WAY TO ACCESS THE BATTERIES STORED IN THE REAR IN CASE OF FIRE OR ACCIDENT. WHEN I GOOGLED THE ISSUE, I FOUND MULTIPLE REPORTS IN HOT WEATHER AREAS OF EXACTLY THE SAME ISSUE, BUT I FOUND NO OFFICIAL RESPONSE FROM TOYOTA. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM, ESPECIALLY HERE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, AND DEALERSHIPS KEEP THE PART ON HAND IN HOT WEATHER FOR EXACTLY THIS REASON. *TR

THE RUBBER COVERING ON THE REAR HATCH OPENING MECHANISM IS MELTING. I HAVE TWO OTHER MODEL YEAR PRIUS VEHICLES (2004 AND 2006) AND THIS HAS NOT OCCURRED ON THOSE - ONLY ON THIS 2007 CAR. IT IS BECOMING DIFFICULT TO OPEN THE HATCH AND IT WILL PROBABLY FAIL COMPLETELY SOON. *TR

Mileage: 55,000

THE CAR WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION NORTH OF SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS. THE COLLISION ENDED UP BEING A TOTAL LOSE OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE FRAME BEING SPLIT, FIREWALL BENT AND A BROKEN WINDSHIELD. MY CONCERN IS THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE AIRBAGS NOT DEPLOYING WITH AN IMPACT OF THIS NATURE COULD INCREASE THE LIKELIHOOD OF INJURIES. I BELIEVE A FAILURE OF SAFETY EQUIPMENT OF THIS NATURE SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED TO PREVENT POSSIBLE FUTURE INJURIES OR FATALITIES. *TR

Mileage: 55,170

THE HATCH RELEASE ON THE HATCHBACK MELTED MAKING THE HATCHBACK NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN. AS SAFETY EQUIPMENT SUCH AS FLARES, SPARE TIRES, AND FLAGS ARE KEPT IN THE HATCH UNDER THE FLOORING, NOT BEING ABLE TO ACCESS THEM IN AN EMERGENCY IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

Mileage: 35,000

THE TRUNK HANDLE HAD MELTED OFF, MAKING ACCESS TO THE SPARE TIRE IMPOSSIBLE IN THE HEAT. *TR

Mileage: 56,817

THE SWITCH SUB-ASSEMBLY, LUG (PART# 84905-47010) PART FOR THE REAR DOOR HANDLE STARTED TO MELT. BLACK TAR LIKE MATERIAL WOULD GET ON YOUR HANDS AND UNDER THE FINGERNAILS. THE ENTIRE PART WAS DECOMPOSING AND THE DOOR LOCK WOULD NOT WORK AS IT SHOULD. SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FOUND MANY OTHER 2007 PRIUS CARS DOING THE SAME THING. CALLED TOYOTA, AND THEY SAID DURING PRODUCTION THEY USED AN ADHESIVE FOR INSULATION. THIS ADHESIVE, WHEN EXPOSED TO HEAT (NORMAL SUMMER CONDITIONS), WOULD EMIT CHEMICALS THAT WOULD CAUSE THE RUBBER TO MELT, OR DECOMPOSE. TOYOTA SAID THAT THEY WOULD DO NOTHING, AND OFFERED TO CLEAN THE RUBBER. I TOLD THEM IT IS LIKE TAR NOT RUBBER! THIS IS NOT A COSMETIC PROBLEM, IT COULD LEAD TO MORE DAMAGE TO THE CAR. I PURCHASED A NEW PART FOR $84.31, AND WILL INSTALL IT. ALSO CONTACTING THE BBB. *TR

Mileage: 25,000

THE TAILGATE SWITCH HAD A RUBBER COVER THAT IS MELTING AND BECOME NONFUNCTIONAL AT TIMES. ACCORDING TO TOYOTA SERVICE DEPARTMENT, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON MANY PRIUS. THE BREAKDOWN STARTS AFTER WARRANTY RUNS OUT IN MANY CARS. *TR

Mileage: 65,000

I WAS DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ABOUT 20 OR 25 MPH THE CARS IN FRONT OF ME STOPPED, WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKE NOTHING HAPPENED, MY CAR CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THE TIME WAS ABOUT 2:30PM JULY 10/2012 THE CAR HAD JUST BEEN SERVICED BY A TOYOTA DEALER ON JUNE 28TH/2012 FOR THE 30,000 MILE CHECK UP. WE LIVE IN WEST LOS ANGELES. *TR

Mileage: 32,000

ON THE TRUNK IS A DOOR LATCH WITH A PLASTIC COVER. THE PLASTIC COVER HAS MELTED OR IS DISINTEGRATING. THERE ARE MANY POSTS ON GOOGLE IF YOU SEARCH FOR THE TERMS "PRIUS TRUNK LATCH MELT". CONSIDERING I DON'T DRIVE VERY OFTEN MY CAR IS ALMOST ALWAYS COVERED IN THE GARAGE. PLUS I LIVE IN HAWAII SO HEAT SHOULDN'T BE TOO MUCH OF AN ISSUE LIKE OTHER STATES. THIS ISN'T MY PICTURE BUT IT SHOWS WHAT MINES LOOKS LIKE. HTTP://PRIUSCHAT.COM/ATTACHMENTS/P1000894-JPG.22615/. *TR

Mileage: 23,320

ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK ON THE FRONTAGE ROAD ALONG I-5. MY TIRES HIT THE GRAVEL AND I LOST CONTROL. I WENT THROUGH THE GRASS ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD DOWN A DIP AND LANDED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR ON THE RAILROAD TRACKS. I BEGAN TO ROLL AND ROLLED THE CAR FROM SIDE TO SIDE AT LEAST 15 TIMES. A ROW OF TREES IS WHAT STOPPED ME. THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING AND I WAS STILL BUCKLED IN THE DRIVERS SEAT. I HAD TO KICK OUT THE WINDSHIELD IN ORDER TO GET OUT OF THE CAR. I WENT TO EMERGENCY THAT NIGHT WHERE I WAS X-RAYED AND CHECKED OUT. I ENDED UP WITH ONLY MAJOR BRUISING ON THE LEFT SIDE OF MY BODY, THE CHP THAT RESPONDED WAS SURE I WAS DEAD. THEY TOLD ME THEY EXPECTED TO SEE A DEAD BODY IN THE CAR. I BARELY ESCAPED WITH MY LIFE AND THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED IN THE CAR. *JB

Mileage: 48,000

MY 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS' REAR HATCHBACK LATCH RUBBER COVERING HAS MELTED INTO BLACK GOO. EVERY TIME I OPEN THE HATCH IT GETS ALL OVER MY FINGERS. I ASKED MY DEALER IF TOYOTA HAD RECALLED THE LATCH AND WAS TOLD NO. I DIDN'T HAVE IT REPLACED THEN BECAUSE IT IS VERY EXPENSIVE. HOWEVER I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE AND AM GOING TO GET IT REPLACED BEFORE THE LATCH FAILS TO OPEN. IT IS GOING TO COST $257! THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND A DEFECT ISSUE, NOT A NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR ITEM. TOYOTA HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS AND DONE NOTHING TO FIX IT BY ISSUING A RECALL. SHAMEFUL. *TR

Mileage: 27,000

THE TRUNK HINGE HAS MELTED, IT LOOKS LIKE THE PLASTIC ON THE HINGE HAS COME APART THUS NOT ALLOWING THE TRUNK TO CLOSE. I'VE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER TWICE NOW WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 92,635

AFTER ONLY ABOUT 4 YEARS USE, THE RUBBER COVER ON THE HATCH RELEASE HANDLE (THE EXTERIOR HANDLE OF THE REAR HATCH) OF OUR 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS, MELTED INTO A STICKY TARRY BLACK RUBBERY GOOEY MESS. I CAN BEST DESCRIBE IT AS BEING A VISCOUS BLACK GLOB LIKE ROOFING TAR. TO OPEN THE HATCH, YOU HAVE TO TOUCH THIS BLACK GOO EACH TIME, WHICH MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO OPERATE THE HATCH RELEASE. WE BELIEVE THIS MELTING PROCESS STARTED AT ABOUT THE 3 YR. MARK. WE LIVE IN TEXAS WHERE TEMPERATURES WERE EXTREMELY WARM LAST SUMMER. APPARENTLY TOYOTA KNOWS ABOUT THIS, AND IS SELLING THE ENTIRE WIRING HARNESS FOR $96 PLUS REPAIR COSTS, AND HAS DONE NOTHING ABOUT RECALLING THIS. FROM A SAFETY PERSPECTIVE, THIS MEANS YOU CAN EXPERIENCE EXTREME DIFFICULTY OPENING THE REAR HATCH (A LIFE SAFETY ACCESS POINT), AND WILL GET STICKY BLACK TAR ON YOU FROM THE MELTED DOWN RUBBER COVER OF THE EXTERIOR HATCH RELEASE HANDLE. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL INSTANCES WHERE I WAS NOT ABLE TO GET THE HATCH OPEN ON AN EXTREMELY HOT DAY. TO ME, THIS IS BOTH A SERIOUS LIFE SAFETY ISSUE AND A SERIOUS QUALITY DEFECT THAT TOYOTA IS OPTING TO IGNORE AND ONLY FIXING ON VEHICLES WITH EXTENDED WARRANTIES, SINCE THE FAILURE APPEARS TO OCCUR AT AROUND THE 3 YEAR MARK (IE AFTER 3 YEARS OF EXPOSURE TO THE BRIGHT SUN IN FLORIDA FOR EXAMPLE). I AM AWARE OF THE OUTSTANDING WORK DONE BY NHTSA ON OTHER SAFETY ISSUES, INCLUDING THE PROBLEM WITH RUSTY FRAMES ON 02 ISUZU AXIOMS, AND I FIND THIS PROBLEM TO BE SIMILAR IN NATURE, SO I AM ASKING FOR YOUR AGENCY TO TAKE A LOOK AT THESE INSTANCES AND ALSO TO INQUIRE FROM TOYOTA WHY THEY ARE NOT RECALLING THESE HANDLES THAT ARE MELTING IN THE SUN!!! IT'S OUTRAGEOUS. I THINK A DOOR HANDLE OR HATCH HANDLE SHOULD BE MADE TO LAST MORE THAN 3 YEARS.

2007 TOYOTA PRIUS - TAILGATE SWITCH MELTED AND MAKES OPENING THE TAILGATE DIFFICULT AND MESSY. *TR

VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW IN 2007 IN HOUSTON, TX. IN SUMMER OF 2010 THE RUBBERIZED COVER TO THE BACK LATCH BEGAN TO MELT AND HAS BECOME MALFORMED DURING HOT WEATHER. THIS HAS RESULTED IN DIFFICULTY OPENING THE BACK HATCH DOOR, SINCE THE MALFORMED RUBBER HAS MADE IT, AT TIMES, ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO PRESS WITH ENOUGH FORCE ON THE PORTION OF THE HANDLE REQUIRED TO RELEASE THE LATCH. INABILITY TO OPEN DOORS ON A VEHICLE IS OBVIOUSLY A SAFETY CONCERN. THE HANDLE CONTINUES TO MALFORM DURING HOT WEATHER, RESULTING IN AN ONGOING CHANGE IN THE SHAPE OF THE HANDLE COVER THAT SOLIDIFIES INTO THIS SHAPE FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE YEAR (COOLER WEATHER) - MAKING IT EVEN MORE DIFFICULT TO OPEN THE DOOR SINCE THE RUBBER IS FAR STIFFER IN ITS NORMAL STATE. AS A SEPARATE ANNOYANCE, WHEN IN THE MELTED STATE, THE HANDLE LEAVES A TAR-LIKE SUBSTANCE ON YOUR HANDS WHENEVER TOUCHING THE HANDLE. *TR

REAR HATCH DOOR LATCH FAILURE, STARTING WITH SOFTENING AND DEFORMATION OF THE RUBBER-LIKE COVER AND PROGRESSING TO LATCH NOT OPENING, ESPECIALLY IN COLD WEATHER. *TR

Mileage: 40,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT HE RUBBER COVER ON THE HATCH RELEASE LATCH WAS MELTED AND MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO OPEN THE HATCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED TO THE CONTACT THAT THE HATCH RELEASE ASSEMBLY WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

Mileage: 55,000

THE REAR HATCH RELEASE ON MY 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS HAS BEGUN TO DETERIORATE AND TURN INTO A RUBBERY AND STICKY BLACK MESS. THIS ISSUE INTERFERES WITH THE USE OF THE HATCH AS THE RUBBER NOT ONLY GETS ON YOUR FINGERS BUT APPEARS TO BE BLOCKING THE RELEASE MECHANISM. THE DETERIORATION STARTED DURING THE SUMMER OF 2011. THE ISSUE HAS WORSENED AND YESTERDAY I WAS UNABLE TO OPEN THE REAR HATCH WHATSOEVER. *TR

THE REAR HATCH RELEASE HAS BECOME INOPERABLE DUE TO A DETERIORATED RUBBER COVER. FIXING THE PROBLEM REQUIRES REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE RELEASE ASSEMBLY. THE AREA FOR THE SPARE TIRE AND HYBRID BATTERY ARE INACCESSIBLE UNTIL THE LATCH IS REPLACED. *TR

I STARTED TO NOTICE THE BACK HATCH HANDLE GETTING STICKY NEAR THE 3 YEAR MARK, WHICH WAS ABOUT A YEAR AGO. IT HAS BECOME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE WHERE THE BLACK STICKY TAR WILL GET HOT & MARK MY HANDS SO I DECIDED TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID THAT IT WOULD COST AROUND $330 TO FIX. AFTER SEARCHING AROUND IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS A VERY RECURRENT PROBLEM THAT IF MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO OPEN THE HATCH BACK, WHICH MIGHT RESULT IN INJURY OR EVEN DEATH. I HOPE THAT TOYOTA RECALLS THIS KNOWN ISSUE OF THEIRS SOON. *TR

Mileage: 36,000

THE REAR DOOR LATCH RUBBER COVER HAS TURNED TO A GOO, AND MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO OPEN THE REAR HATCH DOOR. *KB

Mileage: 47,447

THE REAR DOOR LATCH RUBBER COVER HAS TURNED TO A GOO, AND MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO OPEN THE REAR HATCH DOOR. *KB

Mileage: 47,447

HATCHDOOR HANDLE RELEASE PLATE MELTING. JUST LIKE THE MULTIPLE REPORTS OF THIS SAME PROBLEM ALREADY REPORTED AT THIS WEBSITE. MAJORITY OF MY CAR MILES WERE ACCUMULATED IN MICHIGAN; MELTING OCCURRED JUST RECENTLY IN TEXAS. WHEN CALLING THE DEALERSHIP PARTS DEPT THEY IMMEDIATELY GUESSED THE PROBLEM. MELTING. DUE TO PREVIOUS CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS. ESTIMATED PART ($97) AND INSTALLATION ($100). GUESS I SHOULD BE THANKFUL MY TIRES AND OTHER CAR PARTS AREN'T MELTING! *KB

Mileage: 128,000

THE HATCHBACK HANDLE ON MY 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS HAS MELTED OVER TIME. THIS CAUSES THE LATCHING MECHANISM TO FAIL, WHICH IS A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD IN THAT IT LEAVES THIS DOOR VIRTUALLY INACCESSIBLE DURING AN EMERGENCY. EACH TIME I TRY TO OPEN THE REAR DOOR, MELTED RUBBER STICKS TO MY HAND. THIS CAR HAS PERFORMED SATISFACTORILY OTHERWISE, BUT THE HANDLE FAILURE CONSTITUTES A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. *TR

THE RUBBER COVER ON THE REAR EXTERIOR HATCH LATCH MELTED AND IS LIKE TAR. BIG STICKY MESS EVERY TIME I USE THE HATCH WHICH IS OFTEN.THE LATCH NOW ALSO STICKS SOMETIMES. DEALER WANTS $260 TO FIX IT. WHY ISN'T TOYOTA COVERING THIS OBVIOUS DEFECT? *TR

Mileage: 44,000

AFTER ONLY ABOUT 3 YEARS USE, THE RUBBER COVER ON THE HATCH RELEASE HANDLE (THE EXTERIOR HANDLE OF THE REAR HATCH) OF OUR 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS, MELTED INTO A STICKY TARRY BLACK RUBBERY GOOEY MESS. I CAN BEST DESCRIBE IT AS BEING A VISCOUS BLACK GLOB LIKE ROOFING TAR. TO OPEN THE HATCH, YOU HAVE TO TOUCH THIS BLACK GOO EACH TIME, WHICH MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO OPERATE THE HATCH RELEASE. WE BELIEVE THIS MELTING PROCESS STARTED AT ABOUT THE 2 YR. MARK. I THOUGHT THAT THIS MIGHT BE A SINGULAR ISSUE, BUT HAVE FOUND THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO SEVERAL CAR OWNERS, PARTICULARLY IN CALIFORNIA. TOYOTA KNOWS ABOUT THIS, AND IS SELLING THE ENTIRE WIRING HARNESS FOR $200 PLUS REPAIR COSTS, AND HAS DONE NOTHING ABOUT RECALLING THIS. FROM A SAFETY PERSPECTIVE, THIS MEANS YOU CAN EXPERIENCE EXTREME DIFFICULTY OPENING THE REAR HATCH (A LIFE SAFETY ACCESS POINT), AND WILL GET STICKY BLACK TAR ON YOU FROM THE MELTED DOWN RUBBER COVER OF THE EXTERIOR HATCH RELEASE HANDLE. TO ME, THIS IS BOTH A SERIOUS LIFE SAFETY ISSUE AND A SERIOUS QUALITY DEFECT THAT TOYOTA IS OPTING TO IGNORE AND ONLY FIXING ON VEHICLES WITH EXTENDED WARRANTIES, SINCE THE FAILURE APPEARS TO OCCUR AT AROUND THE 3 YEAR MARK (IE AFTER 3 YEARS OF EXPOSURE TO THE BRIGHT SUN IN CALIFORNIA FOR EXAMPLE). *TR

2007 TOYOTA PRIUS, BACK HATCH RELEASE, RUBBER PIECE. THIS PIECE HAS DETERIORATED AND IT DIFFICULT TO OPEN BACK HATCH. I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR ABOUT 1 YEAR. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH AND SEE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN THESE 2007 TOYOTA VEHICLES. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A HAZARD AND WOULD THINK TOYOTA WOULD HAVE RECALLED THIS PIECE AS THERE ARE SO MANY COMPLAINTS. *TR

AFTER ONLY ABOUT 4 YEARS USE, THE RUBBER COVER ON THE HATCH RELEASE HANDLE (THE EXTERIOR HANDLE OF THE REAR HATCH) OF OUR 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS, MELTED INTO A STICKY TARRY BLACK RUBBERY GOOEY MESS. I CAN BEST DESCRIBE IT AS BEING A VISCOUS BLACK GLOB LIKE ROOFING TAR. TO OPEN THE HATCH, YOU HAVE TO TOUCH THIS BLACK GOO EACH TIME, WHICH MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO OPERATE THE HATCH RELEASE. WE BELIEVE THIS MELTING PROCESS STARTED AT ABOUT THE 2 YR. MARK. I THOUGHT THAT THIS MIGHT BE A SINGULAR ISSUE, BUT HAVE FOUND THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO SEVERAL CAR OWNERS IN TEXAS. TOYOTA KNOWS ABOUT THIS, AND IS SELLING THE ENTIRE WIRING HARNESS FOR $96 PLUS REPAIR COSTS, AND HAS DONE NOTHING ABOUT RECALLING THIS. FROM A SAFETY PERSPECTIVE, THIS MEANS YOU CAN EXPERIENCE EXTREME DIFFICULTY OPENING THE REAR HATCH (A LIFE SAFETY ACCESS POINT), AND WILL GET STICKY BLACK TAR ON YOU FROM THE MELTED DOWN RUBBER COVER OF THE EXTERIOR HATCH RELEASE HANDLE. TO ME, THIS IS BOTH A SERIOUS LIFE SAFETY ISSUE AND A SERIOUS QUALITY DEFECT THAT TOYOTA IS OPTING TO IGNORE AND ONLY FIXING ON VEHICLES WITH EXTENDED WARRANTIES, SINCE THE FAILURE APPEARS TO OCCUR AT AROUND THE 3 YEAR MARK I AM AWARE OF THE OUTSTANDING WORK DONE BY NHTSA ON OTHER SAFETY ISSUES, INCLUDING THE PROBLEM WITH RUSTY FRAMES ON 02 ISUZU AXIOMS, AND I FIND THIS PROBLEM TO BE SIMILAR IN NATURE, SO I AM ASKING FOR YOUR AGENCY TO TAKE A LOOK AT THESE INSTANCES AND ALSO TO INQUIRE FROM TOYOTA WHY THEY ARE NOT RECALLING THESE HANDLES THAT ARE MELTING IN THE SUN!!! IT'S OUTRAGEOUS. I THINK A DOOR HANDLE OR HATCH HANDLE SHOULD BE MADE TO LAST MORE THAN 3 YEARS. PLEASE REVIEW THESE FORUM COMMENTS OF OTHER INCIDENTS: HTTP://PRIUSCHAT.COM/FORUMS/GEN-II-PRIUS-CARE-MAINTENANCE-TROUBLESHOOTING/71647-2007-PRIUS-TRUNK-HATCH-RELEASE-RUBBER-PIECE-MELTED-4.HTML *KB

Mileage: 35,000

THE REAR HATCH RELEASE ON MY 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS HAS BEGUN TO DECOMPOSE AND TURN INTO A RUBBERY, GOOEY MESS. IT INTERFERES WITH THE USE OF THE HATCH AS THE GOO NOT ONLY GETS ON THE FINGERS BUT APPEARS TO BE BLOCKING THE RELEASE MECHANISM. *TR

Mileage: 60,000

I BOUGHT A SCION IN '06, MY FIRST CAR I'VE EVER BOUGHT. IT WAS WONDERFUL, EXCEPT THAT I LIVE IN FLORIDA AND THE RUBBER PIECE ON MY TRUNK HANDLE MELTED. IT MELTED SO MUCH THAT, TO THIS DAY, THERE IS A HUGE GLOB OF RUBBER ON MY LICENSE PLATE. WELL, YESTERDAY I TRADED IN MY SCION FOR A PRIUS. I AM HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE HANDLE! EVERY TIME I OPEN MY TRUNK, I GET BLACK GUNK ON MY HANDS. UPON RESEARCH, I FOUND THAT A LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM WITH THEIR TOYOTAS. I EMAILED TOYOTA AND ADDRESSED THEM WITH THE ISSUE. THEY WROTE IT OFF AS GREASE DRIPPING FROM THE HANDLE, WHEN IF YOU LOOK AT MY CAR, IT IS CLEAR THAT THERE ARE GLOBS OF MELTED RUBBER EVERYWHERE. THEY TOLD ME IT COULD EASILY BE WIPED OFF AND I CAN'T EVEN SCRAPE IT OFF OR WASH IT OFF WITH SOAP AND WATER! I EVEN SENT THEM LINKS TO FORUMS WITH PAGE AND PAGES OF COMPLAINTS WITH THE SAME ISSUE AND THEY STILL WON'T ADDRESS IT. THEREFORE, I DECIDED TO REPORT IT HERE. THIS COULD POTENTIALLY TURN INTO A SAFETY ISSUE, IF THE RUBBER CONTINUES TO MELT CAUSING THE TRUNK TO BE INOPERABLE. *TR

I HAVE A 2007 PRIUS AND 2-3 YEARS AFTER PURCHASE, THE RUBBER PIECE UNDER THE HATCHBACK MELTED, MAKING SO THAT IT WAS A STICKY BLACK MESS AND IT WOULDN'T OPEN. IT NOW DOESN'T OPEN AT ALL AND I CAN NOT GET INTO MY TRUNK, RECENTLY HAD A BATTERY REPLACED AND MY CAR WAS STRANDED, THE AAA GUY HAD TO CRAWL TO THE BACK W/ SEATS DOWN FROM THE SIDE OF THE CAR. I COULD NOT GET TO MY TRUNK IF I HAVE A FLAT TIRE IN THE FUTURE. I AM OUT OF WARRANTY . MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT TOYOTA IS MAKING OWNERS PAY 300+ TO FIX THIS DESPITE THE FACT THAT IT IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. PLEASE ASSIST WITH THIS SAFETY CONCERN ON ALL PRIUS VEHICLES. *TR

Mileage: 45,000

AFTER ONLY ABOUT 3 YEARS USE, THE RUBBER COVER ON THE HATCH RELEASE HANDLE (THE EXTERIOR HANDLE OF THE REAR HATCH) OF OUR 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS, MELTED INTO A STICKY TARRY BLACK RUBBERY GOOEY MESS. I CAN BEST DESCRIBE IT AS BEING A VISCOUS BLACK GLOB LIKE ROOFING TAR. TO OPEN THE HATCH, YOU HAVE TO TOUCH THIS BLACK GOO EACH TIME, WHICH MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO OPERATE THE HATCH RELEASE. WE BELIEVE THIS MELTING PROCESS STARTED AT ABOUT THE 2 YR. MARK. I THOUGHT THAT THIS MIGHT BE A SINGULAR ISSUE, BUT HAVE FOUND THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO SEVERAL CAR OWNERS, PARTICULARLY IN FLORIDA. WE ALSO LIVE IN FLORIDA. TOYOTA KNOWS ABOUT THIS, AND IS SELLING THE ENTIRE WIRING HARNESS FOR $96 PLUS REPAIR COSTS, AND HAS DONE NOTHING ABOUT RECALLING THIS. FROM A SAFETY PERSPECTIVE, THIS MEANS YOU CAN EXPERIENCE EXTREME DIFFICULTY OPENING THE REAR HATCH (A LIFE SAFETY ACCESS POINT), AND WILL GET STICKY BLACK TAR ON YOU FROM THE MELTED DOWN RUBBER COVER OF THE EXTERIOR HATCH RELEASE HANDLE. TO ME, THIS IS BOTH A SERIOUS LIFE SAFETY ISSUE AND A SERIOUS QUALITY DEFECT THAT TOYOTA IS OPTING TO IGNORE AND ONLY FIXING ON VEHICLES WITH EXTENDED WARRANTIES, SINCE THE FAILURE APPEARS TO OCCUR AT AROUND THE 3 YEAR MARK (IE AFTER 3 YEARS OF EXPOSURE TO THE BRIGHT SUN IN FLORIDA FOR EXAMPLE). I AM AWARE OF THE OUTSTANDING WORK DONE BY NHTSA ON OTHER SAFETY ISSUES, INCLUDING THE PROBLEM WITH RUSTY FRAMES ON 02 ISUZU AXIOMS, AND I FIND THIS PROBLEM TO BE SIMILAR IN NATURE, SO I AM ASKING FOR YOUR AGENCY TO TAKE A LOOK AT THESE INSTANCES AND ALSO TO INQUIRE FROM TOYOTA WHY THEY ARE NOT RECALLING THESE HANDLES THAT ARE MELTING IN THE SUN!!! IT'S OUTRAGEOUS. I THINK A DOOR HANDLE OR HATCH HANDLE SHOULD BE MADE TO LAST MORE THAN 3 YEARS. PLEASE REVIEW THESE FORUM COMMENTS OF OTHER INCIDENTS: HTTP://PRIUSCHAT.COM/FORUMS/GEN-II-PRIUS-CARE-MAINTENANCE-TROUBLESHOOTING/71647-2007-PRIUS-TRUNK-HATCH-RELEASE-RUBBER-PIECE-MELTED-4.HTML [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B

Mileage: 40,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 48 MPH, THE BRAKES SUDDENLY LOCKED UP AND SWAYED TO THE LEFT SIDE WHEN HE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE AXLE AND DRIVER SIDE BODY BUT IT WAS UNKNOWN IF THE DEALER REPAIRED THE BRAKE SYSTEM. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE RAIN WAS A FACTOR IN THE FAILURE AS IT CAUSED THE COMPUTER CHIP FOR THE BRAKE PEDAL TO MALFUNCTION. THE BRAKING SYSTEM FOR THE VEHICLE FAILED PERIODICALLY IN RAINY WEATHER. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 35,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000.

Mileage: 35,000

1. AFTER I OPENED THE AUTOMATIC ELECTRIC GARAGE DOOR AND WAITED FOR MY WIFE TO ENTER FROM OUR HOME AND SEAT HERSELF IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT I STARTED THE VEHICLE, GEARED IT INTO REVERSE TO PREPARE TO BACK OUT OF OUR ATTACHED INDOOR GARAGE. 2. AS I STARTED TO BACK UP, PROCEEDING NOT MORE THAN ABOUT 18 INCHES, WE HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSIVE SOUND ACCOMPANIED BY A TREMOR AND SHATTERING GLASS AT THE SAME MOMENT. IMMEDIATELY I SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND BOTH OF US EXITED THE VEHICLE. WE DISCOVERED THAT THE RIGHT REAR GAS PRESSURIZED STRUT HAD EXITED WITH SUCH FORCE THROUGH THE REAR HATCHBACH TRUNK LID WINDOW SHATTERING THE GLASS AND THE IMPACT OF THE STRUT HAD DAMAGED THE METAL RAILING OF THE GARAGE DOOR. HAD ANYONE BEEN IN THE PATH OF THE STRUT THEY COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE WAS AT LEAST TWO FEET INSIDE THE OPEN GARAGE DOOR. THE REAR TRUNK LID DID NOT COLLIDE WITH ANY PART OF THE GARAGE DOOR. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. 3. UPON MY INSISTENCE THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO OUR DEALER FOR INSPECTION. AND EVENTUALLY REPAIRED. I HAVE MOST OF THE OLD PARTS AT MY HOME. *TR

Mileage: 33,050

TL*- THE CONTACT PURCHASED A 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS ON FEBRUARY 28, 2007 WITH 4 MILES FROM BEAVER TOYOTA OF SANTA FE NEW MEXICO. THE DAY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING OVER 40 MPH IT DID NOT DRIVE STRAIGHT, IT MOVED LEFT TO RIGHT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS HOW THE VEHICLE DROVE. THE SERVICE MANAGER EXPLAINED THAT THESE VEHICLES HAD MANY COMPLAINTS BECAUSE OF THE WAY THE VEHICLE WAS AERODYNAMICLY MADE, THE VEHICLE TENDED TO MOVE FROM SIDE TO SIDE GOING OVER 40 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20, AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 300 MILES.*AK UPDATED 04/09/07. *JB

Mileage: 20