Hatchback/liftgate Support Device problems of the 2007 Toyota Prius

Faulty liftgate handle. The rubber melts in warm weather, leaving a sticky black tar on your fingers that will not wash off. This rubber melts into the mechanism such that the liftgate is no longer operational. Toyota knows about this faulty batch of rubber that was used, but so far refuses to recall the faulty mechanism in the us. The liftgate would only open intermittantly, with a lot of effort about a year ago. Now, it will not open at all, so we are taking it to the dealer for repair.

Liftgate handle latch mechanism deteriorated (inside the exterior handle, not the actual connection down near the bumper). This is a known 2007 Prius problem both within this database and in online forums, if you search. Probably part of the 'rubber parts / gasket turning into goop' problem discussed elsewhere. Should be a dealer warranty repair as it is expensive defect to fix, $600 or so, entailing removing panels from the inside etc and replacing the switch. I called Toyota and they gave me a case number but that is all thus far. Lexington Toyota dealer (mass. ) said they had never heard of it, which seems unlikely.

The rubber handle of the rear liftgate latch has "melted" into the operating part of the latch, making it totally inoperable in the winter, and cooler months. This is not due to exposure to heat extremes - the car has always been garaged in a northern part of the us, where summer temperatures rarely exceed 80 degrees. In an emergency in the winter, there is no way to make use of the hatchback. The operation is problematic in the summer - sometimes it can be forced open, sometimes not. It has taken a few years for the latch to become inoperative; it became increasingly difficult to open over the last several years, and sticky black residue transferred to hands touching it for those years. This is not normal wear and tear; clearly defective rubber was used.

Liftgate latch rubber handle is disintegrating.

The lift gate latch on the 2007 Toyota Prius is inoperative because of the melting of the rubberized substance that covers the liftgate mechanism. I believe this is a defect that many 2007 Toyota Prius owners have experienced.