NHTSA Complaint #10654010 — 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS

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