NHTSA Complaint #10295667 — 2010 TOYOTA PRIUS

ACCESS TO THE OIL DRAIN PLUG AND OIL FILTER IS THROUGH A PLASTIC DOORWAY OPENING UNDER THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE DOORWAY IS A PARTIAL CUTOUT FROM A LARGER PLASTIC SHIELD WHICH ENCOMPASSES THE ENTIRE FRONT PORTION OF THE CAR. I PERFORMED MY 3RD OIL CHANGE AND DURING THIS PREPARATION I FOUND THAT THE DOOR PORTION OF THE SHIELD IS BROKEN AWAY FROM THE LARGER PIECE OF PLASTIC DUE TO BENDING/HINGING THE DOOR. ONLY AFTER 2 OIL CHANGES THIS PLASTIC DOOR HAS BROKEN OFF BECAUSE THE PLASTIC IS NOT DESIGNED TO BE REPEATEDLY BENT FROM OPEN TO CLOSE MORE THAN ONCE. UNLESS YOU CHANGE YOUR OWN OIL, YOU WILL NEVER SEE THIS DOOR BREAK OFF... AND AFTER 2 OIL CHANGES. *TR