2007 TOYOTA PRIUS Structure Problems

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

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

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...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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...

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

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...

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

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...

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...

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

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...

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...

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

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

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

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 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

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...

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

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

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...

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

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.

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...

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