Hatchback Struts Too Stiff??

Typically worn struts make it easier to close and harder to open, since they lose damping and the weight of the hatch is acting undamped. Do either of the struts have evidence of significant leakage? Have you lubricated the hinge points?

New struts are not particularly expensive - typically less than $15 each on the aftermarket (Rock Auto, for example). Or $23 each at McGeorge Toyota (plus shipping). Looking at mine, it might take 30 minutes to replace the pair.

 

stop in at a dealer and check out a new one. i have never had a prius with a hard to pull down hatch, but i do realize prime is different.
i did try one during a test drive, and didn't feel a noticeable difference from my gen3

 

The struts are likely same part as the ones on the Prius. On a Prime, you have a lighter hatch, so less help from its weight in closing it.

 

The hatch on my 2018 Prime with 10K miles is very easy to open and close. Light and well balanced. That is good advice above to go to a dealer and compare your hatch back to back with a new vehicle.

 

I can do mine with one finger.

 

Hit the gym.

 

And then you would have a spare!

 

Or it might be the expensive fix. With only one strut, that hatch will flex and twist and likely beat up the hinges. Just spend the few bucks to fix any struts that are dead.

 

My 2018 Prime's hatchback has a decent amount of resistance when pulling it down. I try to close it as slowly as possible to preserve the struts, though.

 

i let mine up slowly. after 7 years, so far, so good

 

Agree with @bisco - I let it up slowly and close it slowly. Unfortunately the wife doesn't always keep to that plan

 

They feel stiff in August in the hopes that they don't feel too weak in February.

 

Exactly. That’s when the weak struts let the hatch slam you on the head. 1988 Volvo, 1996 Caravan and 2010 Subaru all got me.

 

windstars had to be cut of with a welding torch

 

with one strut you'll probably end up breaking the rear window

 

Aftermarket struts from outfits like StrongArm are very stiff when new. Check to see if you have stock struts or if they've been replaced. Seems doubtful they have been replaced so soon but you never know.

 

Pretty sure mine are stock since it only had 23k miles when I got it. It's much stuffer than necessary. I don't mind, but my wife struggles. The fact that she can barely reach it makes it even harder for her.