2007 Toyota Prius Hatchback/Liftgate Problems
- 19
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
Among these 19 stored complaint records:
- 0 indicate a crash
- 2 indicate injury
- 0 indicate fire
What owners report
- rear hatch · 13 records
- hatch release · 6 records
- spare tire · 4 records
- open trunk · 4 records
- unable open · 4 records
- access spare · 4 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 60–100k mi | 7 |
| 30–60k mi | 7 |
| 100–150k mi | 4 |
| 1–30k mi | 1 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Hatchback/Liftgate
The rear lift gate latch on my toyota prius has stopped functioning. In 65 degree weather today the exterior rubber over the latch mechanism has melted and will no longer function to open the lift gate. In cold weather the latch has been very difficult to open and now the melted rubber mess has ceased to perform. I can no longer open the trunk of my car. The rubber has melted out onto the metal part of the lift gate…
ODI 10664146
Hatchback/Liftgate
The hatch or trunk sticks when i try to open it. The dark rubber in the latch area appears to have melted and spread. *tr
ODI 10655041
Hatchback/Liftgate
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 toyota prius. The contact stated that the rubber on the hatchback was melted and, when opened, would cover her in black tar. The dealer stated that the hatch handle cover needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 38,000.
ODI 10632151
Hatchback/Liftgate
Rear hatch release latch rubber is dissolving and will only work with difficulty or not at all. I was unaware that this is a frequently reported problem with this car and had not checked with this web site. The disintegrating rubber appears to be interfering with the action of the switch that releases the hatch. My local toyota dealer said nothing about this being a common problem and replaced the rear hatch switch…
ODI 10619395
Hatchback/Liftgate
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 (frozen solid and immovable in colder temperatures). 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. Also, at times, due to the inflexibility of…
ODI 10558582
Electrical System · Hatchback/Liftgate
I too am a victim of the melting rear hatch cover. The rubber cover to the external trunk latch has deteriorated to the point where it is either gooey to the touch in warm weather or frozen solid to the point where it is immovable in colder temperatures. This is a safety hazard since i am unable to access the spare tire. The rubber appears to be blocking the release mechanism. The deterioration started during the…
ODI 10558893
Hatchback/Liftgate
I noticed over the summer that the hatchback button became extremely soft and for lack of a better term, gooey. Once the weather cooled down the button seemed to have reshaped/melted so that i am no longer able to open the hatch of my car. I have contacted toyota with this concern but was told that because i have exceeded the mileage and warranty coverage it is my responsibility. I strongly believe that this is the…
ODI 10556598
Hatchback/Liftgate · Latches/Locks/Linkages
The back latch of my toyota prius 2007 has degraded. In the past i have rarely used the trunk of my car and therefore did not realize the extent of the problem. I am now almost 9 months pregnant. A couple of months ago (around november 2013) i tried to open the trunk. While it was difficult, after a lot of pressing and maneuvering i was able to open it. Most recently for the past 3 weeks, i am completely unable to…
ODI 10561633
Hatchback/Liftgate
Rear hatch latch is inoperable and prevents access to spare tire. Rubber covering of latch mechanism degraded 'melted,' even though car is garage stored in the heat of summer, m-f. *tr
ODI 10556617
Hatchback/Liftgate · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Mechanical
2007 toyota prius rear hatch handle failure. Rubber cover melts into electric switch making it inoperable. *tr
ODI 10551223
Hatchback/Liftgate
Rear hatch release is dissolving and hatch will only open with difficulty or not at all. Many similar complaints on line about this issue for this prius model year. *tr
ODI 10616040
Hatchback/Liftgate
The rear hatch became sticky and left black residue on my fingers. The hatch took several tries until it unlocked. Now that it is cold in pennsylvania the hatch will either not open at all or it takes numerous tries until it unlocks. This is very inconvenient as access to the rear is not gained sometimes and items must be placed in the backseat as a result. Also if i am unlucky enough to get a flat tire i cannot get…
ODI 10556569
Hatchback/Liftgate
I've also been having problems with the rear hatch on my 2007 prius for some time. The rubber has softened and partially melted in warm weather, making it extremely hard to grip and depress the release button, particularly for a woman with weak finger joints. Several times it hurt my hands to grip and press the release. Not to mention the gooey mess it made on my fingers when i'd try to open it. Then once the…
1 injury
ODI 10554566
Hatchback/Liftgate
For the past year, the rubber surface of the rear hatch release has been gooey, leaving black marks on my hands. The function of the release has been erratic. Often, i can't release it at all. It seems particularly bad in cooler weather. I've read that this has been a pretty common problem and find it surprising that toyota has not recalled these vehicles to replace the assembly. *tr
ODI 10554454
Hatchback/Liftgate
Hatchdoor handle release plate melting. Just like the multiple reports of this same problem already reported at this website. Majority of my car miles were accumulated in michigan; melting occurred just recently in texas. When calling the dealership parts dept they immediately guessed the problem. Melting. Due to previous customer complaints. Estimated part ($97) and installation ($100). Guess i should be thankful…
ODI 10429319
Hatchback/Liftgate
After only about 4 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…
ODI 10413856
Hatchback/Liftgate
The hatch release on the hatchback melted making the hatchback nearly impossible to open. As safety equipment such as flares, spare tires, and flags are kept in the hatch under the flooring, not being able to access them in an emergency is a serious safety issue. *tr
ODI 10472879
Hatchback/Liftgate · Latches/Locks/Linkages
Rear hatch door latch failure, starting with softening and deformation of the rubber-like cover and progressing to latch not opening, especially in cold weather. *tr
ODI 10448470
Hatchback/Liftgate
The rear hatch is poorly designed with no indoor release. I keep injuring my hand and neck to get it open, often having to take pain pills, get therapy the next day after straining my neck trying to lift up on the tiny little grip area with my hand. The latch will not release on the first try and when the temps are below freezing i often cannot get it to open at all. How is one supposed to get a spare tire out? When…
1 injury
ODI 10670321