NHTSA Complaint #10411638 — 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS

I AM OWNER OF A 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS. LESS THAN 3 YEARS SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE NEW FROM TOYOTA, A RUBBER WEATHER SEAL COMPONENT IN THE REAR HATCH HANDLE HAS PROGRESSIVELY MELTED. WITH THE SEAL NOW COMPROMISED, I FEAR THE HATCH HANDLE WILL EVENTUALLY FAIL OR MALFUNCTION RESULTING IN CORROSION OR WORSE STILL, ACCIDENTAL OPENING OF THE REAR HATCH WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. I HAVE CONTACTED TOYOTA ABOUT THE DEFECT AND THEY ADVISE IT WOULD BE A $150 REPAIR AND ALL COSTS WOULD BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE OWNER. AS THIS IS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND ONE THAT COULD POTENTIALLY LEAD TO SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH, I WOULD EXPECT TOYOTA TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM AT THEIR OWN COST. *TR