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
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.…
ODI 10464829
Door · Equipment · Structure
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…
ODI 10479625
Latches/Locks/Linkages · Structure
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
ODI 10442323
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. This seems to be a…
ODI 10548990
Lock · Structure
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
ODI 10560166
Structure
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
ODI 10426922
Equipment · Structure
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…
ODI 10425330
Latches/Locks/Linkages · Structure
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
ODI 10410132
Latches/Locks/Linkages · Structure
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…
ODI 10403789
Structure
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…
ODI 10459956
Structure
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…
ODI 10679972
Structure
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…
ODI 10557452
Latches/Locks/Linkages · Structure
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…
ODI 10395552
Structure
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
ODI 10414807
Equipment · Mechanical · Structure
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…
ODI 10503705
Electrical System · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Structure
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…
ODI 10327870
Structure
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…
ODI 10494796
Structure
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.…
ODI 10266702
Steering · Structure
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…
ODI 10185244