Toyota Recalls Over 141,000 Prius and Prius Prime Models for Potential Unexpected Door Opening

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing has announced a voluntary safety recall affecting approximately 141,286 of its 2023-2026 model year Prius and Prius Prime vehicles due to a defect that could cause rear doors to open unexpectedly. This issue stems from the electric rear door lock system, specifically the door opener switch manufactured by a particular supplier within a defined production period.

The recall addresses a concern where water intrusion into the door opener switch, particularly after exposure to substances like car wash detergent, can lead to a short circuit. This short circuit can then cause the switch to activate, potentially unlocking and opening a rear door. While this malfunction will be accompanied by a notification on the vehicle’s combination meter and a warning buzzer if the vehicle is in motion, the unexpected opening of a door while driving could increase the risk of injury to occupants. Toyota is unable to provide an exact percentage of vehicles likely to experience this defect, noting that its occurrence depends on various conditions, including the presence of water and detergents, and the force with which the door is closed.

The vehicles included in this recall are: * 2025-2026 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid, with production dates from December 26, 2024, to November 03, 2025 (15,528 potentially involved vehicles). * 2023-2026 Toyota Prius, with production dates from October 11, 2022, to November 03, 2025 (102,515 potentially involved vehicles). * 2023-2024 Toyota Prius Prime, with production dates from October 13, 2022, to December 23, 2024 (23,243 potentially involved vehicles).

It is important to note that not all vehicles within these production date ranges were sold in the U.S. This issue specifically affects Prius and Prius Prime models equipped with a rear door lock system from a particular supplier and production period. Other Toyota and Lexus vehicles are either equipped with different systems or do not have this specific electric rear door lock system.

The investigation into this issue began in April 2024, with an earlier recall in Japan for a similar problem. Field reports and subsequent testing revealed that a reduction in the seal’s contact area over time, potentially due to thermal cycling, combined with water and detergent exposure and forceful door closure, could allow water to enter the switch.

Toyota dealers will modify the left and right rear door switch circuits to prevent activation even if a short circuit occurs as part of the remedy. Owners of affected vehicles will be notified by mail between March 15 and March 29, 2026, and instructed to bring their vehicles to a Toyota dealer for the repair. Owners who have already paid for repairs related to this condition prior to the recall campaign can seek reimbursement in accordance with Toyota’s General Reimbursement Plan.

Owners can also expect to be able to check if their vehicle is subject to this recall by entering their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on a date to be announced.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

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