Featured Toyota suspends Prius production following major recall order

That’s an odd one but definitely not unheard of. Rear hatch switch may open or catch fire

 

I've repaired a good number of Gen2 Hatch switches... Anyone know the differences between the Gen2 and Gen5 hatch switches other than they both kinda suck?

 

...so the factory shut down on April 4th, and they spent x time deciding whether or not a recall was needed.

Then they announce the recall yesterday and cite it as a reason why Prius production did not resume this morning.

No, that timing isn't careful at all...

 

Always amazes me how often Toyota's business plan decreases, rather than increases, their production numbers. They aren't going to be able to sustain themselves if they keep going backwards like this...

 

I wonder if the recall might be about rear door switches, not the hatch.

Only gen 5 has that new sleek rear door handle arrangement.

 

Yea... You're probably right... I don't pay super close attention to Gen5 because my people and I are in a much more lowly tax bracket and it'll be a decade or more before we're driving a 2024.

 

The problem switch is the one that opens the rear passenger doors. I've already looked at mine, and it's obvious that a clear piece of stretchable waterproof packaging tape will block any large amount of water from entering the switch mechanism. Our area will be leaving it's rainy season soon. Oregon might have a few dry days between now and the start of autumn, so I will be implementing the packaging tape solution until the real fix is implemented.

The recall:

Lookup Safety Recalls & Service Campaigns : 2024 Toyota Prius Prime

Title: Rear Door May Open While Driving
Status: Remedy Not Available
Description: Water can enter and short circuit the electronic rear door latches in the involved vehicles.
Remedy: Toyota is currently preparing the remedy for this issue. When the remedy is available, Toyota dealers will replace both right and left rear door opener switches with improved ones FREE OF CHARGE. At this time, Toyota estimates the remedy can be available in the third quarter of 2024.

For answers to frequently asked questions, please click here.

NHTSA Recall ID: AWAITING#

 

Does the switch actually opel the doe automatically or just unlocks it.

I don't necessarily want doors that open without pulling a handle. I'm not that lazy.

 

This is yet another reason to wait for Gen 6 or even Gen 6½. Gen 5 has had way too many problems. I am glad that I just got a $500 check from Longo Toyota for the refund of my deposit for a Gen 5 Prime.

 

They are the two rear doors. It is not the hatch. It says both left and right.

 

Gen 6 will be a different version of the Prius, with new engineering, materials and a whole new set of possible problems.

Wait for Gen 6 to get all the bugs out??? That only makes sense in the Microsoft world where Windows 3.1 was supposed to fix all the flaws from Windows 3.0. Unfortunately, 3.1 fixed nothing and created more flaws, some of which were still in the OS and still a pain in the butt 20 years later.

I'm not seeing a lot of recall items for the 2023 Prius Prime. Where did you find them, Gokhan?

 

The switch unlocks the door, and when you give it a slight tug the door latch releases and the door swings open. All it really needs to make it waterproof should be a flexible membrane that sticks inside the door handle pocket.

 

More gadgets that I'll never need or want. What weakling is not strong enough to pull a mechanical door handle?

 

Well, I don't have the Windows 3.0 equivalent of the Prius (Gen 1?) but a Gen 4; so, I am A-OK to wait for a newer, better Prius.

I was referring to system-malfunction errors, 12-V-battery problems, rear hatch breaking, etc., etc.

 

Give it a few more years. At 90 years old when you have a shattered shoulder blade (now mended) and damaged rotator cuff (still damaged) that were not properly repaired, any little help that you find will be important.

 

You use it or lose it. No pain; no gain.

Exercise is the key.

 

I'm astounded to hear that there are easily duplicated flaws such as 12 volt batteries that run down when used as intended. Even more astounding is the fact that you like your Toyota so much that you are willing to keep and use the Gen 4 Prius despite all the flaws that are complained about daily.

I bought the 2024 model because it should have all bugs and quirks worked out by Feb 1, 2024.

 

Ah, the certain attitude of youth. Give it a few decades, and you too will hear doctors saying things like "We might be able to fix that, but it will be painful and the patch will only last 10 years, then we have to do it again. I wouldn't have the surgery at your age."

They really say that.

 

The continuing array of safety and convivence features of modern cars are very much appreciated by the vast majority of automobile users.

For those rare characters who feel it is their duty to continually rail against the modern car convivences there are still rebuilt Model T Fords available.

You can prove how adamant you really are against modern car features when you go out to manually turn your engine over to start your vehicle in below 0 degree weather.