I wasn't sure what subsection of the GEN II form this inquiry should be placed in, so this is my best guess. I do not know whether I am just experiencing some bad luck or if there is something more sinister at work here. For the second time now the roof molding on top of my car has either blown off or been taken off. It's the little plastic strip running down both sides of the top of the car. (Left Side 75556C 75556-47020) For some reason it is hellishly expensive. Might have something to do with the reason it keeps disappearing. The best price I can find is on eBay for $49.95 and from there it just keeps going up to a high figure of $70.51. How that little strip of plastic can be worth that much is beyond me. Guess it's one of those I've got it if you want it type things.
Are the 75561a (7556133030?) parts that the strip clips onto OK? The strip might come off easily if the things holding it down were broken. The MSRP on these clips is only around $2 each.
The metal tabs that hold the strips get bent out of position over time and are easily bent back into position. I've bought the black plastic roof trim strip at wrecking yards more than once for $8ish. They're very easy to removed from a wrecked Prius and requires no tools. You can add a little glue of your choosing to help secure the new ones, also inspect for cracks in the seals in this area and add epoxy when needed. It's the most common place for roof leaks.
pasadena_commut, PriusCamper, and Mendel Leiskand thanks for taking the time to assist me. I presented this question because on two different Priuses that I have owned both lost the left side trim molding. The first time I just attributed it to bad luck and the car was still under warranty, so it was replaced at no cost to me. This car, however, has long since been out of warranty and I am going to have to bear the cost. I was very surprised at how much the little piece of plastic cost and was curious if this was a problem for anyone else. I will take your suggestion and replace the clips at the same time. I even have entertained the thought of putting a little bit of weather strip adhesive under the molding. Those two little clips are only held in place by some two-sided tape. I live in Yuma AZ and Priuses are not a common thing here. I have a doctor's appointment come the end of January up in Phoenix, perhaps I will look for the trim molding then.
Those roof strips are one thing readily pulled off, don't need the car unlocked/opened. Furstrating. I've heard in Russia windshield wipers were a common theft item. There'd be a phenomena, after a stretch of dry weather, whenever it'd start to rain in earnest, cars would be pulling over, drivers jumping out to reinstall their wipers.
Somebody swiped mine on a previous car while it was in the parking structure at work. Luckily I noticed before using them, or it would have scratched the window. Very annoying, but not nearly as much as having the catalytic converter stolen, or finding the car up on blocks with no wheels.
