NHTSA Complaint #10479448 — 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS

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