Prius Rear Bumper Cover loose and gap?

good point, and also, why are there so many with gaps, just waiting to fall off?

iirc, the airbag fiasco is a recall on vehicles up to 11 years old.

 

I've asked my Prius instagram friends from Japan, and was pointed to this: KEN STYLE プリウス ZVW30 純正リアバンパー用 補強プレート /【Buyee】 "Buyee" 日本の通販商品・オークションの代理入札・代理購入

I am going to get one to see if this will help remedy the problem, then report back to you guys.

 

That's becouse the rear bumper cover's material quality is too soft. And the bumper cover's hook becomes depressed. We can find a hard pad like chrome steel/aluminum/PVC pad etc. that size long*wide*thikness is 3cm*0.8cm*0.2cm(0.3cm MAX) and paste it(use 3M 1mm Double Coated Tape) onto the bumper cover retainer's frame between retainer's hook and bumper's hook.
Ken style is too expensive. And it is designed for Ken style's bumper cover(the pumper cover is more heavy than original).

 

Yup, I have the same problem on the right side bumper and yes my problem is similar to alexendra's. Have been planning to remove that bumper and fix it for a while now but has just been too busy and now winters coming

 

Forgot to mention I also originally envisioned strengthening that part with metal as alex mentioned. But I'm also thinking plastering it with a layer (or 2?) of fiberglass might be enough to strengthen that area. The fiberglass layer might also be enough to thicken the part and raise it a bit higher so the gap will look smaller.

 

I think we should all just let the effing "bumpers" fall off, shame Toyota.

 

I and some friends in hyridclub.tw have developed a product. The meterial is PVC, and the size is 20~25mm long*8mm wide(9mm MAX)*2.5~3mm thick.

The pictures is blow.

Both right side and left side of rear bumper cover are loosed.


Paste the PVC pad onto the bumper cover retainer's frame. And push rear bumper into the gap.


You can find the hook can clip to the retainer's hook security. The problem is fixed.


The pad can be maked by youself.

 

pictures?
ne chance to get that to the usa or instructions how to make it?

 

I have the same problem. I think it's a design flaw- i.e. too much bumper for too small ( or too-sparse) a clip to retain its position. That's a pretty big piece of bumper on the back there. I might try a generous piece of well-placed hi-tack 3M foam tape to see if it helps.

 

It can be made by yourself.

The materials I recommand are PVC/chrome steel with good strength(intensity) and duration

 

Thanks for those pic's Alexendra. Altho since I really haven't taken out my bumpers I'm still trying to wrap my head on what exactly those wedges you created do. Here's the points I'm guessing is what your doing based on your pics:

1. The dimensions you quoted... 20~25mm long*8mm wide(9mm MAX)*2.5~3mm thick:

They are exactly the gap between the bumper and the body right?

2. By wedging them between the body and bumper, in essence you are using the rigidity of the metal body to reinforce the soft plastic clip between holes right?

Please confirm and many thanks in advance! I really appreciate you posting this. If I'm guessing right, it is a very quick and simple fix.

Now if Toyota would only own this boo-boo and just send all Prius owners these clips for free...lol

 

Because the bumper cover's hook is depressed(or can be said it is sagged). We just raise it to the position where it should be. So we put a pad 3mm thick to raise it up. We have measured the retainer's frame and get the pad's long and wide size.
By the way soft plastic is possible to be depressed. So we suggest use hard and stainless materals like PVC plastic ,chome metal or stainless steel. That is our solution.

 

oh I get it now. So it is put on the top portion of the retainer attached to the body (not between the gap of the bumper and body crease as 1st thought). I guess the 3rd picture threw me off... I should have looked at the 4th pic instead.

So my original plan of reinforcing that portion with fiberglass (and in the process padding/raising it up) would have worked. But your solution is much much simpler. Thanks again... I'll try your solution before winter comes.

 

Combining Alexendra's fix with westcoasthd's bracket looks to be the solution.

How long are the legs of those aluminum angle bars were, westcoasthd?

 

Think I'll just let mine drag along the road if it comes to that, get a bumper sticker that that says "Toyota's Flagship Vehicle". Just kidding.

 

The body shop just installed the third bumper. None fit correctly, dealer denies there is an issue. I will show him this thread.

 

Mine came loose because I was a newby in my car and was trying to make a right turn in a parking lot, and my right rear tire went up and over one of those small concrete islands. When I came down from the island, it hit the bottom of the fender and "popped" it out. I was able to push it all back in, but since then, I have had the same gap you have. I will try to fix it with your idea.

 

Since my last post in July my bumper has gotten worse. I called Toyota corporate and they referred me back to my dealership and I spoke to the customer relations manager. I brought it in today for the body shop to inspect and they are going to replace my bumper and retainer clips.

 

My left side has that gap, I can snap it back in, but the next time I look at it, the gap is back. I'll just live with it, 143,000 miles and several other battle scars.

 

Guys, I did the fix a couple of weeks ago and it worked. Unfortunately the soft lip of the bumper that attaches to the clip is slightly torn so it was not a perfect fix. But I think I can safely say if it wasn't for that it would have worked perfectly.

Had a similar experience, that's what tore the lip of the bumper.

Make sure the replacement clip and bumpers are not identical to the ones you have otherwise it will just reoccur. As already mentioned by alexendre the problem is the bumper lips are too soft. So in just a short time it will bend upward and your bumper will sag again.