2008 Toyota Prius Body & Structure Problems

I WAS TRAVELING AT ABOUT 35-40 MPH ON A 4 LANE CITY ROAD & A TRUCK PULLED IN FRONT OF ME FROM A SHOPPING CENTER ON OPPOSITE SIDE OF ROAD FROM WHICH I WAS TRAVELING WITHOUT STOPPING IN CENTER MEDIAN CROSSOVER. I HIT BRAKES BUT I HAD NO TIME TO STOP. I'M NOT SURE THE BRAKES EVEN WORKED AS THERE WERE NO SKID MARKS FROM BRAKING. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF MY CAR HIT HARD & ALSO DAMAGED DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL WELL, FENDER PANEL. MY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND MY HEAD COLLIDED WITH THE STEERING WHEEL. IT RESULTED IN MY HAVING A CONCUSSION, WHIPLASH, A FRACTURE IN MY NECK, SHOULDER PAIN & NERVE ISSUES IN MY ARMS & HANDS, BACK & HIP PAIN. I KNOW IF THE AIRBAG HAD DEPLOYED I WOULDN'T HAVE SUFFERED ALL THE PHYSICAL ISSUES. THIS ALL HAPPENED JAN. 11 & I STILL HAVE PAIN. THE CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS.

THE RUBBER TRUNK SWITCH COVER HAS DEGRADED, AND CONTINUES TO "MELT" OR "DISINTEGRATE" OVER TIME. ORIGINALLY THIS WAS A MERE IRRITATION, LEAVING STICKY BLACK RESIDUE ON MY FINGERS EVERY TIME I OPENED THE TRUNK. HOWEVER, NOW THE SWITCH FAILS TO OPERATE MOST OF THE TIME. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, SINCE I AM UNABLE TO OPEN THE TRUNK TO ACCESS THE SPARE TIRE, AS WELL AS OTHER SAFETY EQUIPMENT OR SUPPLIES.

THE HATCHBACK RUBBER DOOR HANDLE MELTED EVEN THOUGH MY CAR IS GARAGED AND NOT EXPOSED TO THE SUN'S HEAT. ALSO THE HATCHBACK LATCH WOULD NOT KEEP THE DOOR IN AN OPEN POSITION. IT DROPPED MULTIPLE TIMES HITTING MY HEAD WHILE GETTING THE GROCERIES. CAN'T REMEMBER HOW MANY TIMES IT HIT MY HEAD BUT DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE THAT TOYOTA SHOULD ADDRESS.

MY 2008 PRIUS (67,500 MILES) REGULARLY SERVICED AT THE TOYOTA DEALER HAD A CATASTROPHIC BRAKE FAILURE WHILE I WAS GOING IN REVERSE DOWN MY DRIVE WAY . I HAVE DONE THE SAME MANEUVER EVERY DAY FOR MORE THAN 20 YEARS IN THIS DRIVEWAY AND NEVER HAD A PROBLEM. AS THE BRAKES FAILED I ATTEMPTED TO PUMP THE BRAKE PEDAL MORE TO NO AVAIL. THE CAR CROSSED THE STREET AND WENT IN THE NEIGHBOR YARD ACROSS FROM MY DRIVEWAY. THE CAR IS TOTALED AND I BELIEVE IT WAS A COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE THAT CAUSED THE ACCIDENT. I WOULD LIKE TOYOTA TO COMPENSATE ME FOR THE TOTAL LOSS OF MY CAR.

MY REAR HATCH DOOR LATCH COVER AND SWITCH ARE INOPERABLE AND THE RUBBER LATCH COVER IS GUMMY. HATCH WILL NO LONGER OPEN - THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE- HOW CAN I GET TO MY SPARE TIRE?

I WAS IN A PARKING LOT AND TURNED MY CAR INTO A PARKING SPACE. AS I SLOWED MY CAR TO BRING IT TO A STOP, APPLYING THE BRAKE, THE CAR ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN AND CRASHED INTO A RAILING AT THE HEAD OF THE PARKING SPACE. ALTHOUGH I PUSHED THE BRAKE ALL THE WAY TO TO FLOOR, I COULD NOT STOP THE CAR. THE CAR HIT AT SUCH A SPEED THAT IT BROKE A SOLID WOOD RAILING AT THE FRONT OF THE PARKING SPACE. MY CAR WAS DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY BECAUSE OF THE DAMAGE. IT SEEMED TO ME THE CAR ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN AND THE BRAKE WAS NONFUNCTIONAL. I COULD NOT STOP THE CAR. I HAD TWO RELATED INCIDENTS PRIOR TO THIS CRASH. THE FIRST, I REAR-ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKE TO STOP AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. AGAIN, THE CAR ACCELERATED AND THE BRAKE WOULD NOT STOP IT. EVEN WITH THE BRAKE FULLY PRESSED, THE CAR HIT THE OTHER VEHICLE, BOUNCED BACKWARD, CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AND HIT THE CAR AGAIN BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. SECONDLY, ONE TIME I NOTICED WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKE TO MAKE A SHARP RIGHT TURN, THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD. THIS DID NOT RESULT IN A CRASH.

THE RUBBER ON THE REAR LIFTGATE HAS DETERIORATED. MY FINGERS GET COVERED IN A STICKY GOO EVERY TIME I OPEN IT.

THE REAR LATCH ASSEMBLY IS HELD IN PLACE BY PLASTIC BOLTS. OVER TIME, THE PLASTIC DISTINGRATES. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO OPEN THE REAR LATCH OF THE PARKED CAR, THE PLASTIC CRACKED AND THE ASSEMBLY CAME LOOSE.

THE HATCHBACK LATCH HAS A RUBBER COVER WHICH HAS BEEN DETERIORATING FOR SEVERAL YEARS. THERE ARE 100S OF COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET ABOUT IT. NOW, THE LATCH PRESSURE PLATE FAILS TO ALLOW ME TO OPEN HATCH AND THE NEARBY (PLASTIC?) PART IS BROKEN--SIMILAR TO MANY OTHERS ON WEB. DEALER QUOTES A $540 COST TO REPAIR THE LATCH AND PLATE.

THE LATCH HANDLE ON THE HATCHBACK HAS "MELTED" FOR LACK OF A BETTER WORD. THE HANDLE HAS BECOME GOOEY AND LEAVES A BLACK RESIDUE ON MY FINGERS EVERY TIME I OPEN THE HATCHBACK. BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM, THE HANDLE IS HARDER TO USE, MAKING IT MORE TRYING TO OPEN THE TRUNK.

I PURCHASED MY PRIUS IN 2008. APPROXIMATELY 3 YEARS AFTER PURCHASE, I NOTICED THAT THE HANDLE ON THE BACK HATCH HAD STARTED TO GET REALLY SOFT IN HOT WEATHER AND FREEZE UP A LITTLE IN COLD WEATHER. AT FIRST IT WAS JUST A NUISANCE AS IT SOMETIMES LEFT A BLACK STICKY SUBSTANCE ON MY HANDS; HOWEVER, OVER TIME IT BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE AND THE HATCH BECAME HARDER TO OPEN. I CANNOT OPEN IT AT ALL NOW (SEPT. 2015), LEAVING ME WITHOUT ACCESS TO THE SPARE TIRE, THE BATTERY, SNOW SHOVEL, OR MY ACCIDENT KIT (FLARES, BLANKET, ETC). MY BACK LIGHT ALSO KEEPS GOING OFF THEN COMING BACK (I GOT A TICKET FOR IT) BUT I CANNOT GET TO THE LIGHT FIXTURE BECAUSE I CANNOT OPEN THE TRUNK. THIS IS THEREFORE A SAFETY HAZARD AND TOYOTA SHOULD FIX IT. I AM TOLD THAT THEY HAVE ADMITTED LIABILITY AND FIXED THIS PROBLEM FOR FREE IN JAPAN. IF THAT IS TRUE, IT SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO THE US! LACK OF ACCESS TO BATTERY AND SPARE TIRE AND THE PROBLEM WITH THE REAR LIGHT POSE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE.

WE PURCHASED OUR PRIUS IN 2008. APPROXIMATELY 3 YEARS AFTER PURCHASE, WE NOTICED THAT THE HANDLE ON THE BACK HATCH STARTED TO MELT. AT FIRST IT WAS JUST A NUISANCE AS IT LEFT A BLACK GOO ON YOUR HANDS. AS TIME PASSED IT BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE AND THE HATCH BECAME HARDER TO OPEN DUE TO THE MELTED HANDLE. LAST WEEK (AUG. 2015) OUR 12 VOLT BATTERY DIED OVER NIGHT AND WE COULDN'T START THE CAR OR GET ANYTHING TO WORK. OF COURSE, WE COULD NOT OPEN THE BACK HATCH AT ALL TO ACCESS THE BATTERY. WE CALLED A TOW SERVICE TO TOW OUR CAR TO THE LOCAL DEALER. WE WERE ABLE TO JUMP THE CAR AND DRIVE TO THE DEALER. THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN SAID THAT HE HAD NEVER HERD OF THIS HAPPENING. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE MELTED HANDLE SHORTED OUT THE WIRING FOR THE REAR LIGHT AND DRAINED THE BATTERY OVERNIGHT. AFTER A LITTLE RESEARCH< WE FOUND THAT THIS IS NOT A LOCALIZED PROBLEM BUT IS PRETTY COMMON ON 2007 AND 2008 PRIUS'. TOYOTA IS NOT WILLING TO FIX TS OWN DESIGN FLAW AND WE ARE OUT $250. THIS POSES A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE IF THERE IS A FLAT TIRE OR DEAD BATTERY AND WE ARE UNABLE TO OPEN THE BACK HATCH.

I WAS HIT IN THE REAR END WHICH SHOVED ME INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME 7/31/2015. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.

THE BLACK RUBBER IS DISINTEGRATING AND FALLING OFF THE OUTSIDE TRUNK LATCH, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO OPEN THE HATCHBACK TO GET TO THE SPARE TIRE OR BATTERY. THIS IS ALSO HAPPENING TO MY NEIGHBOR, WHO PARKS RIGHT NEXT TO ME AND ALSO HAS A 2008 PRIUS.

REAR HATCHBACK LOCKING/UNLOCKING RUBBER HANDLE DISOLVED/MELTED AND BECAME A TAR-LIKE MASS THAT STUCK TO FINGERS. UNABLE TO UNLOCK TRUCK MANUALLY AND ELECTRICALLY. UNABLE TO ACCESS TRUNK WHERE EMERGENCY/SAFETY EQUIPMENT LOCATED.

THE RUBBER COVER ON THE REAR HATCH DOOR LATCH / SWITCH HAS DEGRADED AND MELTED. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN THE REAR HATCH AND TO ACCESS MY SPARE TIRE, MAKING THIS A SAFETY HAZARD. THERE IS NO MANUAL WAY TO RELEASE THE HATCH. THERE HAVE BEEN DOZENS OF COMPLAINTS ON THE NHTSA SITE ABOUT THIS ISSUE, SEE HTTP://WWW.MEYERSONSTRATEGY.COM/2013/09/TOYOTAS-STICKY-2007-PRIUS-HATCH-PROBLEM.HTML FOR MORE. THIS SHOULD BE FIXED BY TOYOTA--IT IS A VERY EXPENSIVE ($200-400) REPAIR. *TR

THIS ISN'T A "SAFETY" ISSUE SO I HOPE THIS IS THE RIGHT PLACE TO FILE THIS. THE TRUNK LATCH ON THE TOYOTA PRIUS DISINTEGRATES. I BELIEVE THE MATERIAL, DESIGN IS POOR. IT WILL COST $487 TO REPLACE THIS. *TR

I WAS DRIVING MY 2008 PRIUS IN RAINY WEATHER (NORMAL FOR SEATTLE) NORTHBOUND ON INTERSTATE 5 IN RELATIVELY HEAVY TRAFFIC. TRAFFIC WAS SLOWING DOWN, SO I BRAKE AND DECREASED MY SPEED FURTHER. AS I GOT CLOSER TO THE CAR AHEAD OF ME, I PUSHED MORE FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE, AND NOTHING HAPPENED. THE ABS DID NOT ENGAGE. THE CAR JUST KEPT MOVING ALONG AND I RAN INTO THE CAR AHEAD OF ME. LUCKILY MY SPEED WAS ONLY 5-7 MPH. THE OTHER CAR, AN SUV, WAS NOT DAMAGED. MY FRONT HOOD WAS QUITE CRUNCHED. NO ONE WAS HURT. MY CONCERN IS THAT THE BRAKES SIMPLY DID NOT ENGAGE AT THE LAST MOMENT. I HAVE READ ABOUT THE RECALLS OF 2010 PRIUS' BECAUSE OF ABS FAILURES, SO I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU WERE AWARE OF AT LEAST ONE 2008 PRIUS THAT SEEMS TO HAVE EXPERIENCED A SIMILAR FAILURE. THANKS. *TR

THE LATCH COVER ON THE HATCHBACK HAS DETERIORATED AND IS ALMOST COMPLETELY MELTED AWAY. IN WARM WEATHER IT IS INCREDIBLY STICKY AND ANYTHING THAT TOUCHES IT GETS BLACK GOO ON IT, AND THE GOO IS HARD TO REMOVE FORM HANDS OR ANYTHING ELSE. IT HAS BEEN HARD TO OPEN FOR MORE THAN A YEAR, AND HAS GOTTEN SO BAD THAT WE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE IT TODAY AT A COST OF $285. I EMAILED TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE MONTHS AGO ABOUT THE PROBLEM, AND THEY SAID THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD THIS IS AN ISSUE ON THEIR VEHICLES. *TR

THE BACK LATCH OF MY 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS BEGAN MELTING LAST SUMMER, LEAVING A STICKY BLACK RESIDUE ON MY HAND WHEN I TOUCHED IT. IT NOW TAKES BOTH HANDS AND A LOT OF PRESSURE/STRENGTH TO EVEN OPEN IT. I SEE THAT OTHER OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM, YET TOYOTA DID NOT ISSUE A RECALL AND IS INSTEAD, DEMANDING $315 TO REPLACE IT. SINCE THE INABILITY TO QUICKLY ACCESS THE TRUNK IN AM EMERGENCY PRESENTS A SAFETY CONCERN, I FEEL THAT I HAVE NO ALTERNATIVE BUT TO REPLACE IT. IT WILL BE THE LAST TOYOTA THAT I OWN. *TR

THE BLACK PART ON THE "TRUNK" WHICH YOU HAVE TO TOUCH TO OPEN THE HATCHBACK, STARTED MELTING THE FIRST SUMMER AFTER WE BOUGHT THE PRIUS. EVERY SUMMER SINCE IT DRIPS BLACK RUBBER, WHICH SMEARS ALL OVER YOUR HAND EVERY TIME YOU OPEN THE DOOR. IN THE WINTER, IT DOESN'T MELT, BUT THE TRUNK IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO OPEN, WHICH COULD CREATE A RISK OF DEATH, IF PASSENGERS WERE TRAPPED INSIDE A BURNING CAR AFTER A COLLISION. FROM WHAT I READ ON THE INTERNET, TOYOTA IS DENYING THIS IS A MANUFACURING DEFECT, CLAIMING THAT PEOPLE ARE USING THE WRONG PRODUCTS TO CLEAN THEIR CARS. WHICH IS ILLOGICAL, AND WHOLLY INACCURATE IN THIS CASE, SINCE MY HUSBAND CERTAINLY NEVER WASHED THE CAR FOR THE FIRST SEVERAL YEARS HE HAD IT, UNTIL I GOT TIRED OF A DIRTY CAR AND HAD IT DETAILED. IT WAS MELTING LONG BEFORE THAT. TOYOTA NEEDS TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR MISTAKE, AND FIX IT. *TR

ON MY 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS REAR HATCH LIFTGATE, THE HANDLE HAS MELTED MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO OPEN THE REAR HATCH. THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM BECAUSE THERE IS THEN NO SAFE WAY TO REMOVE ITEMS FROM THE REAR. SINCE THE SPARE TIRE IS STORED IN THE HATCH, TOYOTA SHOULD REPAIR THIS PROBLEM. THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE 2ND GENERATION PRIUS. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS ISSUE ON VARIOUS FORUMS. THE ENTIRE LIFTGATE ASSEMBLY HAS NOW BROKEN FROM THE HATCH, CAUSING THE REAR HATCH NOT TO OPEN OR CLOSE PROPERLY. THE SAFETY ISSUE HAS NOW BECOME WORSE AS I AM WORRIED THAT THE REAR HATCH MAY OPEN WHILE DRIVING. *TR

RUBBER LIKE MATERIAL THAT MADE THE HATCHBACK LATCH HAS MELTED TO THE PLASTIC/METAL. DIFFICULTY OPENING. ON SOME OCCASIONS, IT WILL NOT OPEN. WILL NOT OPEN IN EXTREME HEAT OR COLD WEATHER. ALL DOORS SHOULD FUNCTION PROPERLY. DEALERSHIP WILL NOT REPLACE EVEN THOUGH IT IS OBVIOUSLY A PROBLEM. *TR

I AM A MECHANICAL PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER LICENSED IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA. I WAS WITH AN INDIVIDUAL AT THE TIME THIS OCCURRED AS THEY ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE BACK HATCH. UPON TRYING TO LIFT THE TAIL GATE THE INDIVIDUAL HEARD THE CLICK AND THE SLIGHT RELEASE OF THE LOCK FOR THE TAIL GATE. THEY WERE UNAWARE OF THE DEGRADED CONDITION OF THE SWITCHES COVER. UPON TRYING TO LIFT THE HATCH THEY FELT THEIR FINGERS "APPEAR" TO SINK INTO THE SWITCH. AFRAID OF SHOCK OR SUFFERING PHYSICAL ARM THE INDIVIDUAL ATTEMPTED TO PULL HAND AWAY FROM HATCH LATCH. DUE TO THE ADHESIVE NATURE OF THE DEGRADED SWITCH COVER THE FINGERS COULD NOT BE REMOVED IN THE NATURAL EXPECTED MOTION. THE ALTER MOTION RESULTED IN THE BREAKING OF THE LATCH SWITCH COVER AND THE INDIVIDUALS HAND BEING LAUNCHED IN A DIRECTION THAT FORTUNATELY ONLY RESULTED IN A SHOULDER SPRAIN. THIS LEFT THE VEHICLE BACK HATCH WITH A BROKEN COVER AND PREVENT THE USER FROM USING THE BACK HATCH UNTIL THE COVER AND SWITCH WERE /REPAIRED OR REPLACED. IT APPEARS THE RUBBER/GASKET/COVER FOR THE BACK HATCH LATCH SWITCH DEGRADES OVERTIME DUE TO UNKNOWN REASONS. IN THE HEAT IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE THE COVER BEGAN TO MELT AND DRIP OFF THE COVER/SWITCH. THE MATERIAL BECAME TACKY/STICKY ENOUGH TO BECOME ADHESIVE ENOUGH THAT SIGNIFICATION [IMPLYING THAT FORCE WOULD BE ENOUGH TO CAUSE SELF INJURY FOR SOMEONE THAT WAS NOT EXPECTING THE SITUATION TO DEVELOP AS SUCH.] FORCE WAS REQUIRED TO SEPARATE FINGERS FROM THE SWITCH (SEVERAL FT/LBS OF FORCE). *TR

BLACK HANDLE ON HATCH STARTED MELTING. AFTER ONLY ABOUT 4 YEARS USE, THE RUBBER COVER ON THE HATCH RELEASE HANDLE (THE EXTERIOR HANDLE OF THE REAR HATCH) OF MY 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS, MELTED INTO A STICKY TARRY BLACK RUBBERY GOOEY MESS. IT DRIPS DOWN ON THE REAR BUMPER. 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. EVENTUALLY THIS WILL DISABLE THE LATCH FROM OPERATING. I WENT TO TOYOTA DEALER TO COMPLAIN ABOUT IT BUT DID NOT GET ANY ANSWERS AND CHOOSE TO IGNORE IT. I AM ASKING FOR YOUR AGENCY TO TAKE A LOOK AT THESE INSTANCES AND ALSO TO ASK TOYOTA WHY THEY ARE NOT RECALLING THESE HANDLES. THANKS FOR YOUR HELP. *TR

THE REAR HATCH RELEASE BUTTON/COVER HAS DISINTEGRATED INTO A MUSH OF BLACK GOOEY MATERIAL THAT TURNS MY HANDS BLACK. I HAVE READ THAT MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE BUT THAT THERE HAS NOT YET BEEN A RECALL. IT DOESN'T SEEM REASONABLE THAT A 6 YEAR OLD CAR SHOULD HAVE THIS HAPPENING TO MANY PEOPLE. CLEARLY IT WAS A DEFECTIVE PART TO BEGIN WITH. *TR

THE LATCH HANDLE ON THE HATCHBACK HAS "MELTED" FOR LACK OF A BETTER WORD. THE HANDLE HAS BECOME GOOEY AND LEAVES A BLACK RESIDUE ON MY FINGERS EVERY TIME I OPEN THE HATCHBACK. BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM, THE HANDLE IS HARDER TO USE, MAKING IT MORE TRYING TO OPEN THE TRUNK. *TR

THE BACK LATCH OF MY 2008 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. THE ITEM IN QUESTION IS A RUBBER PAD, ABOUT 1" X 3", LOCATED FACING DOWN ON A HORIZONTAL SURFACE OF THE TRUNK LID, JUST ABOVE THE LICENSE PLATE. IT COVERS A MOMENTARY CONTACT SWITCH. WHEN YOU DEPRESS THE SWITCH, THROUGH THIS RUBBERY PAD, THE COMPUTER CHECKS TO SEE IF THERE'S A KEY IN THE VICINITY. IF THERE IS, THE AUTOMATIC LATCH FOR THE TRUNK IS ACTIVATED AND THE TRUNK OPENS. THE RUBBER PAD DETERIORATION INTERFERES WITH THE FUNCTIONING OF THE LATCH AND TOYOTA REFUSES TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE PROACTIVELY IN SPITE OF NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS RELATED TO THE DEFECTIVE MATERIALS THEY HAVE USED. *JS

TOYOTA PRIUS (2008) HATCH RELEASE RUBBER COVER PIECE DETACHED AND TORE APART. NOTE THAT MY RX300 SELECTION OF MAKE/PART NUMBER IS BOGUS, AS I HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING WHO MADE THIS RUBBER COMPONENT. *TR

REAR HATCH SWITCH MELTED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED FOR $290.62. THIS IS A TOYOTA PROBLEM WHICH THEY REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE. *TR

BLACK HANDLE ON HATCH MELTING. AFTER ONLY ABOUT 5 YEARS USE, THE RUBBER COVER ON THE HATCH RELEASE HANDLE (THE EXTERIOR HANDLE OF THE REAR HATCH) OF MY 2008 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. I WENT TO TOYOTA ARDMORE, PA TO COMPLAIN ABOUT IT BUT DID NOT GET ANY ANSWERS AND CHOOSE TO IGNORE IT. I AM ASKING FOR YOUR AGENCY TO TAKE A LOOK AT THESE INSTANCES AND ALSO TO ASK TOYOTA WHY THEY ARE NOT RECALLING THESE HANDLES. THANKS FOR YOUR HELP.

THE REAR HATCH LATCH RUBBER COVER HAS MELTED, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO OPEN THE DOOR.

LIFT GATE LATCH RUBBER COVER IS MELTED. *TR

REAR LIFTGATE RUBBER GUARD HAS BECOME MELTED AND GOOEY CAUSING INTERMITTENT BACK LIFTGATE DOOR LOOK ISSUES. I NEED TO REPLACE JUST THE RUBBER PIECE. *TR

WHEN I TRY TO OPEN THE TRUNK, THE RUBBER PIECE THAT YOU TOUCH IN ORDER TO OPEN THE TRUNK SEEM TO HAVE MELTED. MY FINGERS TURN BLACK EVERY TIME I TRY TO OPEN THE TRUNK. DOES ANYONE KNOW WHAT THAT RUBBER PIECE IS CALLED OR THE PART NUMBER SO THAT I CAN REPLACE IT? IT MAKES THE REAR HATCH VERY HARD TO OPEN IN HOT AND COLD WEATHER. *TR

I LIVE IN TEXAS WHERE THE WEATHER GETS HOT DURING THE SUMMER. I NOTICED LAST YEAR THAT THE RUBBER TRUNK LATCH ON MY TOYOTA PRIUS WAS NOTICEABLY DIFFERENT IN TEXTURE AFTER I HAD TRIED TO USE IT AFTER IT HAD BEEN PARKED IN THE SUN. IT DIDN'T CAUSE MUCH OF A PROBLEM THEN, BUT NOW IT HAS MELTED SO MUCH THAT IT DROOPS DOWN OVER AN INCH AND IS ABOUT TO FALL OFF FROM THE SIDES. THE HANDLE HAS TURNED INTO A TAR LIKE SUBSTANCE, AND WILL NOT REATTACHED TO THE ORIGINAL PART. I SPOKE WITH MY DEALERSHIP, AND THEY HAVE TOLD ME THAT THIS IS A CONSISTENT PROBLEM, BUT WILL NOT REPLACE IT FOR UNDER $400. I NORMALLY PARK MY VEHICLE IN A GARAGE, SO THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURER DEFECT THAT THEY WANT ME TO PAY FOR TO REPLACE. THIS CONCERNS ME AS I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO USE MY TRUNK WITH THE RUBBER PIECE GONE, SINCE IT PROTECTS IT FROM THE WATER, DUST AND DEBRIS. THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS ALSO ALLOW ME TO USE THE TRUNK, LOCK AND UNLOCK THE CAR, AND IS PART OF THE ENTIRE ENGINE AND BRAKING SYSTEM. WITH THE KNOWN PROBLEMS THAT ALREADY ARE ASSOCIATED WITH THE PRIUS, I AM SCARED TO DRIVE THE CAR WITH POTENTIAL ISSUES THAT COULD ARISE FROM THE ELECTRICAL ISSUES AND LOSING ACCESS TO THE SAFETY EQUIPMENT (EMERGENCY SUPPLIES, SPARE TIRE, JACK) THAT ARE ALL LOCATED IN THE TRUNK. IF THERE WAS EVER A NEED TO EXIT FROM THE TRUNK, IT WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE ONCE THE LATCH HAS BEEN COMPROMISED. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE AS IT HAS OCCURRED TO COUNTLESS PEOPLE WHO ALL OWN 07-08 PRIUSES, AS WE WOULD ALL LIKE TO BE ABLE TO USE OUR TRUNK HANDLES WITHOUT BEING COVERED IN BLACK GOO. *TR

THE HATCHBACK RELEASE IS MELTING. IT IS ALL GOOEY WHEN YOU OPEN THE DOOR. ONE OF MY CONCERNS IS WHAT TYPE OF CHEMICAL IS GETTING ON MY HANDS? IS IT TOXIC? THE SECOND IS SAFETY. I HAVE READ OVER TIME YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO OPEN THE HATCHBACK. THIS WOULD NOT BE APPROPRIATE IF YOU HAD A FLAT TIRE. I CONTACTED TOYOTA AND THEY SAID THEY HAVE NO RECORD OF THIS PROBLEM,BUT AFTER RESEARCHING THE INTERNET I SEE A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF COMPLAINTS. I ALSO SEE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ON THIS SITE. PLEASE HAVE A RECALL FOR A DEFECTIVE PART. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT IT WOULD COST 210.00 PLUS TAX FOR A REPLACEMENT. *TR

MELT DOWN OF HATCHBACK RELEASE HANDLE. VERY HARD TO OPEN HATCHBACK. *TR

THE PLASTIC PART ON THE REAR LATCH FOR THE TOYOTA PRIUS IS NOW LIKE GUM. AFTER INTERNET RESEARCH THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR ALL TOYOTA LATCHES AND IT COSTS ABOUT $280.00 TO FIX. I HAVE A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS AND THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECTIVE PART AND SHOULD BE RECALLED AND THE CONSUMER SHOULD NOT BE CHARGED. *TR

THE MATERIAL IN THE TRUNK DOOR HANDLE IS DISSOLVING AND OR DISINTEGRATING. AT TIMES THIS APPEARS TO BE THE CAUSE OF A DELAY IN OPENING THE TRUNK. MY CONCERN IS THAT IN THE CASE OF AN EMERGENCY A DELAY IN REACHING ITEMS NEEDED TO DEAL WITH A ROADSIDE EMERGENCY THAT ARE STORED IN THE TRUNK MAY OCCUR. I HAD MENTIONED THIS DEFECT TO TOYOTA DEALERS IN PRIOR YEARS AND MY COMPLAINT WAS IN MY OPINION RELEGATED TO THE "UNIMPORTANT BUCKET". I RECENTLY RESEARCHED THE DEFECT ON THE INTERNET AND OBSERVED WHAT I WAS EXPERIENCING HAS BEEN PREVIOUSLY DOCUMENTED IN OTHER COMPLAINTS. IN A RECENT VISIT TO A TOYOTA SERVICE CENTER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE I AGAIN PRESENTED WHAT WAS HAPPENING AND THE DOCUMENTATION I OBSERVED ON THE INTERNET AND WAS TOLD THE VEHICLE REPAIR WAS OUT OF THE WARRANTY PERIOD AND THERE WOULD BE A CHARGE IF I WANTED THE REPAIR. THE CHARGE IMO WAS EXCESSIVE FOR SOMETHING THAT IMO WAS A BUILT IN DEFECT AND DESERVES A RECALL. *TR

THE BLACK RUBBER TRUNK RELEASE COVER HAS DETERIORATED/MELTED, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO OPEN THE REAR HATCH OF THE CAR. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM, BASED ON THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS REPORTED ON THE INTERNET FOR THIS SAME ISSUE. APPEARS TO BE A MANUFACTURING/PART DEFECT. *TR

AFTER ABOUT 3 YEARS OF USE, THE HATCH RELEASE HANDLE (THE EXTERIOR HANDLE OF THE REAR HATCH) STARTED TO BECOME SOFT AND STICKY, AND AFTER A FEW MONTHS EVENTUALLY TOTALLY MELTS INTO A STICKY, GOOEY BLACK MESS THAT WOULD STICK TO YOUR HANDS WHENEVER YOU TOUCH IT. THE HATCH BECOMES HARDER AND HARDER TO OPEN. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE ENGINE REVVED UP. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE JUMPED THE CURVE AND RAN INTO SOME BUSHES. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 87,102. ..UPDATED 11/14/12 *BF UPDATED 11/15/2012 *JS

AT ABOUT 2 YEARS OLD THE HANDLE TO THE BACK HATCH RELEASE MELTED INTO A TARRY GOO. *TR

ON 8/29/12, I GOT INTO MY 2008 PRIUS IN THE PARKING LOT OF THE EASTON, MD GIANT FOOD-STORE TO RETURN HOME. THIS LOT IS ON A SLOPE JUST ABOVE A PARKING LOT FOR WALMART, WITH A PAVED ROAD BETWEEN THE 2 LOTS. THE PARKING LOTS WERE VERY CROWDED. I NEEDED TO GET TO THE ROAD SEPARATING THE 2 LOTS IN ORDER TO GO HOME. I HAD JUST STARTED THE PRIUS AND PUT IT INTO DRIVE WHEN IT STARTED TO ROAR LOUDLY, JUMPED OUT FAST, AND ACCELERATED RAPIDLY, EVEN THOUGH I BRAKE MULTIPLE TIMES. THE BRAKES SEEMED TO MAKE IT ACCELERATE FASTER. I WAS NOT TOUCHING THE GAS PEDAL, ONLY THE BRAKE, BUT THE CAR WAS ROARING AND OUT OF CONTROL. ON THE WAY OUT OF THE GIANT LOT, THE PRIUS HIT 3 CARS. THE NOISE WAS VERY LOUD, AND THE CAR WAS OUT OF CONTROL. PUMPING THE BRAKES OR HOLDING THEM DOWN DID NOTHING TO SLOW THE CAR, AND THE NOISE WAS TERRIFYING. THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK, AND THE PRIUS CONTINUED TO MAKE A VERY LOUD ROARING NOISE. THE SPEED OF THE CAR MADE STEERING DIFFICULT, IF NOT IMPOSSIBLE, AND THERE COULD HAVE BEEN INJURIES. THE PRIUS THEN LEFT THE GIANT PARKING LOT, WENT DOWN THE MULCHED SLOPE, CROSSED THE STREET, BUMPED OVER THE CURB, AND WENT UP THE WALMART SLOPE HITTING A SMALL TREE. THE CAR WAS PROBABLY GOING AT LEAST 40 MPH AND CAME TO A STOP ONLY AFTER IT PLUNGED INTO AN UNOCCUPIED BLACK CAR PARKED IN THE WALMART PARKING LOT. IT WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED AND TOWED AWAY. NO ONE KNEW WHO THE OWNER WAS AT THE TIME THE POLICE ORDERED IT TOWED AWAY. AN OCCUPANT WOULD HAVE BEEN SEVERELY INJURED OR KILLED.DURING THE ABOVE, THE PRIUS CONTINUED TO RUN AND THE AIRBAG FUNCTIONED, KEEPING ME UNINJURED. THE BRAKES AND THE ACCELERATOR FAILED TOTALLY. FOUR VEHICLES WERE DAMAGED, ONE OF WHICH WAS TOTALED. BUT AS FAR AS I KNOW, THERE WERE NO INJURIES??FOR WHICH I AM GRATEFUL. THIS PRIUS SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ON THE ROAD DESPITE HAVING ONLY 74,000 MILES AND ITS APPARENT GOOD CONDITION. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HANDLE ON THE LIFT GATE MELTED. THE CONTACT NOTICED IT WHEN HE GRABBED THE LIFT GATE HANDLE AND A STICKY SOLUTION COVERED HIS HANDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALLS ON THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000.

AFTER ONLY ABOUT 3 YEARS USE, THE RUBBER COVER ON THE HATCH RELEASE HANDLE (THE EXTERIOR HANDLE OF THE REAR HATCH) OF OUR 2008 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 STARTED AT ABOUT THE 2 YR. MARK. I THOUGHT THAT THIS MIGHT BE A SINGULAR ISSUE, BUT HAVE FOUND THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO SEVERAL CAR OWNERS, PARTICULARLY IN FLORIDA. WE LIVE IN LOUISIANA. TOYOTA KNOWS ABOUT THIS, AND IS SELLING THE ENTIRE WIRING HARNESS FOR $96 PLUS REPAIR COSTS, AND HAS DONE NOTHING ABOUT RECALLING THIS. FROM A SAFETY PERSPECTIVE, THIS MEANS YOU CAN EXPERIENCE EXTREME DIFFICULTY OPENING THE REAR HATCH (A LIFE SAFETY ACCESS POINT), AND WILL GET STICKY BLACK TAR ON YOU FROM THE MELTED DOWN RUBBER COVER OF THE EXTERIOR HATCH RELEASE HANDLE. TO ME, THIS IS BOTH A SERIOUS LIFE SAFETY ISSUE AND A SERIOUS QUALITY DEFECT THAT TOYOTA IS OPTING TO IGNORE AND ONLY FIXING ON VEHICLES WITH EXTENDED WARRANTIES, SINCE THE FAILURE APPEARS TO OCCUR AT AROUND THE 2 YEAR MARK (IE AFTER 2 YEARS OF EXPOSURE TO THE BRIGHT SUN IN LOUISIANA FOR EXAMPLE). I AM AWARE OF THE OUTSTANDING WORK DONE BY NHTSA ON OTHER SAFETY ISSUES, INCLUDING THE PROBLEM WITH RUSTY FRAMES ON 02 ISUZU AXIOMS, AND I FIND THIS PROBLEM TO BE SIMILAR IN NATURE, SO I AM ASKING FOR YOUR AGENCY TO TAKE A LOOK AT THESE INSTANCES AND ALSO TO INQUIRE FROM TOYOTA WHY THEY ARE NOT RECALLING THESE HANDLES THAT ARE MELTING IN THE SUN!!! IT'S OUTRAGEOUS. I THINK A DOOR HANDLE OR HATCH HANDLE SHOULD BE MADE TO LAST MORE THAN 2 YEARS. *TR

THE LIFT GATE'S PROBLEMATIC OPENING, HAS CAUSED THE LATCH AND THE BODY PART THAT IT IS ATTACHED, TO BREAK AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE. *JS

TOYOTA 2008 PRIUS TRUNK HATCH RELEASE RUBBER PIECE MELTED. 2008 MODEL WAS ONLY 2.5 YEARS OLD WHEN THIS HAPPENED. DEALER SAYS $197.00 FOR THIS PART. *TR

WE BOUGHT OUR 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS IN NOV 2007. AFTER ABOUT 3 YEARS USE, THE RUBBER COVER ON THE HATCH RELEASE HANDLE (THE EXTERIOR HANDLE OF THE REAR HATCH) MELTED INTO A STICKY TARRY BLACK RUBBERY GOOEY MESS. 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 STARTED AT ABOUT THE 2 YR. MARK, BUT HAS BEEN A SERIOUS ISSUE FOR THE PAST YEAR. WE CAN BARELY OPEN THE REAR HATCHBACK NOW. I HAVE SEEN ON THE INTERNET THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO SEVERAL CAR OWNERS, PARTICULARLY IN FLORIDA. WE LIVE IN VIRGINIA THOUGH. TOYOTA KNOWS ABOUT THIS, AND IS SELLING THE ENTIRE WIRING HARNESS FOR $96 PLUS REPAIR COSTS, AND HAS DONE NOTHING ABOUT RECALLING THIS. FROM A SAFETY PERSPECTIVE, WE EXPERIENCE EXTREME DIFFICULTY OPENING THE REAR HATCH (A LIFE SAFETY ACCESS POINT), AND WILL GET STICKY BLACK TAR ON OUR HANDS FROM THE MELTED DOWN RUBBER COVER OF THE EXTERIOR HATCH RELEASE HANDLE. TO ME, THIS IS BOTH A SERIOUS LIFE SAFETY ISSUE AND A SERIOUS QUALITY DEFECT THAT TOYOTA IS OPTING TO IGNORE AND ONLY FIXING ON VEHICLES WITH EXTENDED WARRANTIES, SINCE THE FAILURE APPEARS TO OCCUR AT AROUND THE 3 YEAR MARK. I AM AWARE OF THE OUTSTANDING WORK DONE BY NHTSA ON OTHER SAFETY ISSUES, SO I AM ASKING FOR YOUR AGENCY TO TAKE A LOOK AT THESE INSTANCES AND ALSO TO INQUIRE FROM TOYOTA WHY THEY ARE NOT RECALLING THESE HANDLES THAT ARE MELTING IN THE SUN!!! IT'S OUTRAGEOUS. I THINK A DOOR HANDLE OR HATCH HANDLE SHOULD BE MADE TO LAST MORE THAN 3 YEARS. PLEASE REVIEW THESE FORUM COMMENTS OF OTHER INCIDENTS: *TR

AFTER ONLY ABOUT 3 YEARS USE, THE RUBBER COVER ON THE HATCH RELEASE HANDLE (THE EXTERIOR HANDLE OF THE REAR HATCH) OF OUR 2008 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 STARTED AT ABOUT THE 2 YR. MARK. I THOUGHT THAT THIS MIGHT BE A SINGULAR ISSUE, BUT HAVE FOUND THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO SEVERAL CAR OWNERS, PARTICULARLY IN LOUISIANA. WE ALSO LIVE IN LOUISIANA. TOYOTA KNOWS ABOUT THIS, AND IS SELLING THE ENTIRE WIRING HARNESS FOR $96 PLUS REPAIR COSTS, AND HAS DONE NOTHING ABOUT RECALLING THIS. FROM A SAFETY PERSPECTIVE, THIS MEANS YOU CAN EXPERIENCE EXTREME DIFFICULTY OPENING THE REAR HATCH (A LIFE SAFETY ACCESS POINT), AND WILL GET STICKY BLACK TAR ON YOU FROM THE MELTED DOWN RUBBER COVER OF THE EXTERIOR HATCH RELEASE HANDLE. TO ME, THIS IS BOTH A SERIOUS LIFE SAFETY ISSUE AND A SERIOUS QUALITY DEFECT THAT TOYOTA IS OPTING TO IGNORE AND ONLY FIXING ON VEHICLES WITH EXTENDED WARRANTIES, SINCE THE FAILURE APPEARS TO OCCUR AT AROUND THE 3 YEAR MARK (IE AFTER 3 YEARS OF EXPOSURE TO THE BRIGHT SUN). I AM AWARE OF THE OUTSTANDING WORK DONE BY NHTSA ON OTHER SAFETY ISSUES AND I FIND THIS PROBLEM TO BE SIMILAR IN NATURE, SO I AM ASKING FOR YOUR AGENCY TO TAKE A LOOK AT THESE INSTANCES AND ALSO TO INQUIRE FROM TOYOTA WHY THEY ARE NOT RECALLING THESE HANDLES THAT ARE MELTING IN THE SUN!!! IT'S OUTRAGEOUS. I THINK A DOOR HANDLE OR HATCH HANDLE SHOULD BE MADE TO LAST MORE THAN 3 YEARS. PLEASE REVIEW THESE FORUM COMMENTS OF OTHER INCIDENTS: HTTP://PRIUSCHAT.COM/FORUMS/GEN-II-PRIUS-CARE-MAINTENANCE-TROUBLESHOOTING/71647-2007-PRIUS-TRUNK-HATCH-RELEASE-RUBBER-PIECE-MELTED-5.HTML THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE. *TR

MY 2008 PRIUS TRUNK HANDLE HAS MELTED. IT IS NOW DIFFICULT TO OPEN, AND IS EXTREMELY MESSY. THIS STARTED IN MAY 2011, JUST OUTSIDE THE WARRANTY PERIOD OF THE CAR. *TR

RUBBER ON THE 2008 PRIUS IS MELTING AND DRIPPING. I'VE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ON LINE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. THE CONTACT OBSERVED A WATER LEAK IN THE TRUNK IN THE SPARE TIRE WHEEL WELL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED DURING RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE WATER WAS DRAINED FROM THE WHEEL WELL. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD CONTRIBUTED TO WATER LEAKAGE WITHIN THE BATTERY. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 40,000.

THE PRIUS HAS A MARK ON DASH BY CENTER SCREEN AND IS POOR SIGN. *TR