Door locks only by hand, unlocks OK otherwise

How are you manually locking it - the inside door handle lever, or the black button by the outside door handle?

Does the key fob light blink when you press buttons? - if not, replace the battery.

 

Here's an exploded parts diagram of the front passenger door.
Champion ToyotaWorld

Looks like you may need #11 on the list, the "lock assembly right" which has an MSRP of $291. If that part needs to be replaced your total repair invoice will probably be around $400 (unless the part can be lubricated instead of replaced.)

 

I suppose one could get the part from salvage cheaply...

 

I can understand and that is the way I usually go. The decisive point to me would be whether or not the mechanism of that model had a history of failure after a few years. If so then only a new part will do. If not, then a salvage part would not be a problem if you can do the change yourself.

Sometimes when you get new parts or kits, problem pieces have been fixed. That happened on my deceased F-150 with replacment gear sets for the automatic windows, the nylon gears were failing and the replacements were metal. Ford also changed materials on the alternator wiring harness as the plastic they used couldn't stand the engine heat, became brittle and failed posing a fire hazard. Had to solder the new one in when I chucked the dying alternator. Lots of poor materials/design choices on that vehicle. Of course, Toyota made some poor choices on my Tundra with plastic parts like the AC knob and the rear window hinges.

 

Sometimes it happens i use remote system suddenly it works manually by hand opening them and locking it... it cos of some particles jammed in sode of the door or the lock problem.......

 

My 2003 has same problem... At first I noticed that the locks would unlock as I walked away after using key fob to lock. This was very unnerveing because I don't know how long this had been happening. The electric solenoid would trigger with key fob but the mechanism would only move about half way then return to unlock position. For a while I could unlock the car but not lock it with key fob, then as the mechanism became more worn it would neither lock nor unlock the drivers door. The other 3 doors still work fine. Methinks it feels like a worn out clevis pin and corrosponding hole at linkage pivot points(not enough moly grease). Sometime soon I will take the time to remove the door panel and repair this little detail. Afterwards I will give full report unless someone else does before me...

 

I've had the lock problems for awhile now. Last year, I got the "stuttering lock" on the Front Passenger door. Since then, it's not worked. The driver's side does not respond to auto-lock - must manually lock it with the button on the door or by using the key in the lock.

Last week, the rear drivers side door started to be unresponsive when unlocking via FOB or auto lock.

So... what the heck? I've read a lot of problems with the locks - is it a problem with the Prius? Is there any recalls or notices out there about this problem?

 

does anyone have instructions on how to disassemble the door panel?

 

I'm in the same boat now after 53,000 miles myself. First my drivers side door would only respond to the lock command and not the unlock via FOB and pressing the button inside the car

Now 2000 miles later i get the half lock and then nothing when I hit the lock button. This is a pain to do manually b/c its so hard to remove the key from the FOB when your used to just using SKS.

I called a few dealers and the general consensus is about $110 in a diagnostic fee that would go towards any part that needed to be replaced. However if it is the actuator one dealer did mention that itd be a 300$ part.

I've opened the door panel and played around some but cant seem to find the problem. Such a pain in the nice person b/c its not serious enough to pay 300+ for but it sucks to have to deal with it.

 

so I finally gave in and called the dealership to schedule an appointment only to find out that for electrical issues I have to bring the car in during the week.

as if the problem wasnt annoying enough now i have to take time off of from work

 

so my problem seems to be solved

I say this with a bit of hesitation b/c its only been 3 days since I "fixed it". All I did was excercise the lock. I put my real key in the door and locked unlocked about 30 times or so and now its back to working fine...

weird, im so glad i didnt spend 300 bucks on this only to realize there is something blocking the lock.