2007 Toyota Prius Structure Problems
- 44
- 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.
What owners report
- hatch release · 16 records
- rear hatch · 12 records
- back hatch · 9 records
- open hatch · 7 records
- unable open · 6 records
- spare tire · 6 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 60–100k mi | 12 |
| 30–60k mi | 9 |
| 100–150k mi | 4 |
| 1–30k mi | 4 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Structure
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…
ODI 10667680
Structure
Back hatch latch or opener is sticky and rubbery and failing. Seems like melting. *tr
ODI 10638993
Structure
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…
ODI 10633580
Structure
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 /…
ODI 10630688
Structure
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
ODI 10630092
Structure
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…
ODI 10668358
Structure
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…
ODI 10610623
Structure
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
ODI 10610621
Structure
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…
ODI 10691569
Structure
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.
ODI 10605271
Structure
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…
ODI 10638521
Electrical System · Structure
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
ODI 10643937
Structure
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
ODI 10563207
Structure
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…
ODI 10563170
Structure
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
ODI 10557706
Electrical System · Structure
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…
ODI 10551913
Structure
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
ODI 10644801
Structure
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…
ODI 10541772
Structure
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…
ODI 10545255
Electronic Stability Control · Power Train · Structure · Temporary/Emergency Spare Tire
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…
ODI 10502002
Electrical System · Structure
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…
ODI 10638594
Electrical System · Structure
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,…
ODI 10476932
Structure
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…
ODI 10630384
Structure
The trunk handle had melted off, making access to the spare tire impossible in the heat. *tr
ODI 10471387
Equipment · Lock · Structure
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…
ODI 10546107