Failed Door Locks

I have a 2006 Prius also. I had two of the 4 door locks fail and I replaced only the driver's lock based on the high cost. Since that time (2 years ago), the other 2 door locks have failed and this week the *new* driver's door lock failed again. I hate to take it back to the shop and pay another $400 to replace it again but I cant get into the car now without removing the little key from the clicker box, opening the door, and putting it back into the clicker in order to start the car.

I am concerned that the rear lift door lock will fail and I will be unable to lock it or unable to unlock it. There is no other way to open this back door, even with the manual key. Does anyone have any experience with the back door lock failing (the lift gate) ? Does it cost more than a passenger or driver door lock ?

Is there a Toyota service bulletin on this issue ? It seems to be a design flaw and makes me suspicious about buying a new Prius, although I would like to get a plug-in Prius later this year when the California carpool sticker runs out and I am forced to drive in the traffic with the ordinary drivers.

 

I too have a door problem. The rear driver side on my 2005 Prius won't unlock. I'm not willing to spend the money on such a "minor" thing. I just deal with it.

 

This is the Gen III forum.
Do these problems with the Gen II relate to the Gen III?

 

Possibly but I have no evidence of the Gen3 connection. I didn't start the thread but I replied because I share the same annoying issue. Can you move the entire thread to the Gen 2 area ?

See my similar post at: http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-...ids-all-them-flaw-2006-prius.html#post1304831

Thanks,

 

Rear passenger Lock will not unlock/lock with automatic button. I have to manually lock or unlock.

Any solutions?

 

Have you lubricated the door lock mechanism?

 

Probably the actuator. Go see Eric aka Freidawg.

Denver Hybrid Car Repair, Hybrid Car Battery Replacement

 

this is not a problem of the prius but all toyotas, we have owned 2 92 camrys, 97 avalon, 02 vibe, 01 rx, 04 corolla, 04 prius & 05 prius and almost all of them have developed this problem.

the failed part is called the actuator, in the old days you could open the door panel and replace the $7 part, now you have to buy the entire locking mechanism, my dealer charges 3/4 hour labor plus $344 for parts.

when you look at the lock of the door that is in question, you can usually see it wiggle but not able to overcome the friction necessary to fully unlock the door. Have you checked the battery voltage, try putting a float charger on the car and see if the problem goes away, if so than a new battery is in question, I can't help you in UK but I have posted in the main forum a way to buy the prius optima battery for $151 in US. When replaced a battery in one of our prius the problem went away.

However I have read the post (but forgot to bookmark it) about the person who opened up his door panel and lubricated the locking mechanism, this is great preventative maintenance, someone plz post a link to it, if I recall the post had good pictures but they never circled the areas they lubricated and told us what they used to lubricate.

another similar & common problem of toyotas is window regulator failure, especially the drivers window as it is used more often than other windows (drive thrus, toll booths, asking for directions, whistling at girls, etc). spray silicone spray on paper towels and lubricate both the inner and outer rubber door seals. These dry over time and create a lot of drag, the motors aren't that powerful, press your hand on the window hard and try to move the window, it'll barely move. Just a few minutes work a few times a year revives those window seals and your window regulator may last the life of the vehicle. do the drivers window monthly if you use it a lot.