Hatchback/liftgate Lock Problems of Toyota Prius

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.

See all problems of the 2007 Toyota Prius 🔎.

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.

Lift gate is defective and repeatedly stops when lifting and/or falls when lifting. Multiple incidents. . Has been reported to dealer. Toyota refuses to approve repair of the vehicle.

See all problems of the 2006 Toyota Prius 🔎.

In the 2004 Toyota Prius there is a button on both back seats by the headrests that unlatches the seatback. My four year old can easily push down this button with one finger, and my concern is that a child (or others) could unlatch the seat without the driver knowing. Should the car crash or stop suddenly the seat could come down, possibly with a passenger in it. I told the car dealer and a Toyota customer service rep about my concern. I was told the button is not designed that way, but when I contacted a second dealership their 2004 Prius did the same as the car I tested. I was told that it was designed so that you had to continue to hold down the button in order to pull the seatback forward. This is not the case in reality. The button needs to be childproofed either by moving it so it is not easily seen and reached by a child, providing a cover, or adding a light on the dash so the driver is aware of the seat being unlatched. I was told that it was also designed so that the seat could not be unlatched while the car was in motion. Also not true. I was the first to notice this unsafe feature, and we were in motion when I unlatched my seat.

See all problems of the 2004 Toyota Prius 🔎.