Something sticky on the baggage button

Are you referring to the hatch opening? If so, this has been reported before (do a search). It will need to be replaced.

http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-...-trunk-hatch-release-rubber-piece-melted.html

 

Try talcum powder as a temporary fix. It will still need to be replaced, but this will keep your fingers clean in the meantime.

 

It probably came in contact with something that dissolves it. If cleaning doesn't help, it's probably been absorbed.

SGH-I317M ? 2

 

This has been reported before. The only sure fix is replacement of the part.

 

Do read this thread (above) and please take the time to contact Toyota Customer Service and file a report w/ NHTSA. (even though you're overseas)

This is mass-scale failure (2007, 2008 and some 2009 models) and should be acknowledged by Toyota.

 

I see it all the time as a master toyota tech. Toyota tells us it's because people use lotion and then open the hatch. Something about what's in lotion soaks into the rubber an makes it maliable.

 

Would something like alcohol make it unmalleable, and perhaps save a costly repair bill?

 

I haven't tried anything. Most switches I change are destroyed too badly to be fixed. Since I bought my prius, I've been keeping a mental note on how "clean" my hands are before touchng the switch. If I had put lotion on at all or if my hands have any oil/grease, I'd use my shirt.

Oh, and BTW, this problem is NOT only a prius thing. ALL models, and all years, with this kind of switch are affected in my professional experience. Keep that in mind if ya'll own other models with them also.

 

Well, I don't use lotion, so I guess my switches are safe.

 

I said the same thing to myself when I read what Toyota was saying. "How many people use lotion"? Until I started paying attention to other products I use outside of my home. I would think any substance that can soak into the skin would then soak into the switch.

Any kind of soap like Dove, Dawn (with moisutrisers), laundry soap, etc. Even the soaps at public restrooms that supposedly have moisturisers in them can then affect the switches.

My wife now carries hand wipes with no moisturisers for this exact reason.

 

I don't believe it's a lotion thing. I have a 2004 Sienna with a similar switch, my wife and kids use tons of lotion and that thing is still like new. Also my 2005 and 2006 both are like new. However my 2008 is like mush and I just changed it out, compliments of Toyota.

I find it strange the new switches you order doesn't come with new screws. You have to use the old ones from the mushy tar covered switch

 

IDK, that's the only info we as techs were given about the issue.

 

Note to self: look for some sort of rubber-protectant.

 

For not knowing much (per your own admission), you are also very confident about your belief that lotions AND soaps, and anything with the 102 ingredients that go into these liquids are the cause of the rubber casing meltdown.

Oh... and any oil and grease.
Shall I sue my mechanic from the last several years for having touched the latch with his greasy hands?
Should your customers point to your and your colleagues' hands as the culprits?
There must be a ton of them since "ALL models, and all years, with this kind of switch are affected in [your] professional experience."

How come Toyota has not issued an advisory to its customer base, millions and millions of them since "ALL models, and all years, with this kind of switch are affected in [your] professional experience"?
Something like, " WATCH OUT FANS! THE NATURAL OILS OF YOUR SKIN WILL DESTROY THE RUBBER!!!!"

And why would Toyota, which came up the Prius and all those Lexus models, chose a rubber material for "ALL models, and all years, with this kind of switch?"

Someone PLEASE stop me before there's an overdose of logic.