2007 prius trunk hatch release rubber piece melted

Most likely a bad batch from one of their suppliers, or should I say ex-suppliers.

Tom

 

Our 2007 has the same issue (located near Orlando, Florida).

 

Same thing with my 2007 Prius in Central Texas. I also have a 2006 and the switch cover is in great shape - although completely different feeling.

I agree Toyota should replace this free since it's obviously a defective part.

 

Looks like they did .. but my dealer refuses to cover under warranty. Mine the same, melted and dripped onto tag and bumper.

 

Mine is Black too. I wonder if the black is hotter? How many others have black?

 

How is it possible that Toyota would not cover such an OBVIOUS manufacturing defect even out of warranty.

What is it with dirtbag companies refusing to stand behind their products? As if *WE* did something to make a rubber or elastomer decompose.

Further, Toyota should be thoroughly embarrassed by such piss poor quality control. In the early days of PVC dashboards, cracking was common with aging. But a solid piece of rubber "dripping" on the bumper because the chemical bonds broke down???

Hopefully they'll never ever attempt to make tires.

 

I have 2 2007 and a 2006. Kids have a 2005, 2008. All of us (cars) are in 110 degrees outside direct sun. 3 are black. 2 are Magnetic Grey. We look like a funeral procession when we drive together. All been to the desert for 5 days in 126 degrees. Most of the time in the desert the hatch was open so the handle would be in direct sun. No melting issues. Not a manuf defect. Isolated.

 

Based on what logic? There are reports from all over the country on 2007's exhibiting this problem. This is the antithesis of "isolated."

Just because yours didn't, doesn't mean it's not a manufacturing problem.

Honda/Acura Accord/TL clearly has a design problem with their transmissions which resulted in a recall. That doesn't mean that you couldn't find anecdotes such as yours where you didn't have problems. Not having the problem would be the "isolated" case.

Further, do you have any concept about how polymers are made and formed? You are so sure that each and every batch and each and every production run were free of problems?

The apologists never cease to amaze.

 

Clearly we should recall every car for everything. Nothing is made exactly the same for everything failing. I was unclear in stating Not a maunf defect. ON MY CAR(s) not a manuf defect, no melting.
If I do or don't have a concept of polymers has nothing to do if it is happening to someones car and not to mine.
I'm not defending a belief (apologists) nor was I making anything humorous (anecdotes). No doubt manlyprius and others are having some issue. I am not under the same circumstances described. Just stating my .02 cents in the thread.

 

I also have a 2007 Prius with this issue. There is no conceivable way this could have resulted from any contaminant strong enough to melt the rubber switch cover. Clearly a faulty part. I am having mine replaced and insisting that the dealer cover the cost.

 

How did you get this resolved? I just bought my 2007 Prius and I have that problem. Wasn't smart enough to have the dealership fix it b4 I bought it.

 

Our 2007 is WAY out of warranty--- 150,000 miles and three years old. I contacted toyotaworld.com and ordered the part for $71.35. The next day Shannon called and said this part was out of stock NATION-WIDE. Does that indicate anything?!?!? He didn't suggest that this was a widespread problem, but I think the evidence speaks for itself. I don't want to hassle with our dealer over fixing this, so I just went ahead and ordered the part. I downloaded Patrick Wong's instructions for replacement and in a month or so (that's how long I was told it would be before the part is available) we will be good as new. I hate to be down on Toyota, because this the the third prius we have owned and the very first and only problem we have had with any of them. Far and away, they are the most reliable and trouble free cars we have ever owned.

 

You do some truckin' in that car!! Hope your keeping up with the trans fluid. BTW, how many sets of tires have you gone through please?

I got lucky on my handle. I ended up bring my car in on the very last day of its 3yr/36 warranty and they replaced it under warr.
And apparently the struts that keep that hatch up too were worn out although I never noticed. They held the hatch up.But those were replaced also.
Anyway the handle feels like its made of a different type of rubber.
It feels like tire inner tube rubber now.

 

Agree.

Looks like the hatch release switch has joined the inverter coolant pump on the back-order list.

 

My 16,000 mile 2007 I just bought has this problem and the headlight problem. Both of which Toyota takes no responsibility for. Added to the fact it gets lower mpg than it should I think am seeing why the previous owner sold it.

 

I just got the switch (rubber handle piece) from an ebay seller for $30. My Prius has smart key, the switch I purchased did not.

The difference is the smart key version of the switch has an additional seperate device on the harness that is not needed to repair the melted rubber problem. Not needed if you can solder and shrink tube two small wires that is.

Hope this info helps someone, I had no idea if the switch itself was the same in both versions previously since they have a different part number. If you can solder and you have the smart key get the cheaper non smart key one and you won't be paying extra for a part you don't need to replace.

 

I have a 2008 - live in Bradenton, Fl - same problem - rubber black hatch release got VERY sticky - I have an extended warranty - the dealer said that they are seeing a lot of these..they fixed it - no problem.

 

My 2007 Prius rubber has melted away also. I have an appointment to replace it at a delearship in Baton Rouge, LA. They tell me on the phone that it is covered under the extended warrenty I purchased on the car. I purchased it used this year.

 

I wonder if the sticky rubber failure is production date related or JDM related.

Mine is made in Japan and on the driver's black door sill plate says 7/07

 

We live in Florida, too, and our 07 Prius has the exact same problem. the hatch release switch cover turns into a black tarry goo, similar to roofing tar, after a year or two, probably from sun exposure. The dealer wanted $96 for the trunk release switch harness, (smart key version) and it is $69 online plus shipping so I negotiated mine down to $83.01.

However, as some have noted it is virtually impossible to install. No instructions provided either. I had hoped to cut and crimp on the new one, or just replace the rubber cover (which makes the most sense), but as some have commented, after attempting to disassemble mine (which required a special z-shaped right angle screwdriver and LOTS of patience, I ended up with a tarry mess all over me that even Carburetor cleaner would hardly remove!

OUTRAGEOUSLY POOR QUALITY TOYOTA!!! SHAME ON YOU!

There is not much wire left there so the only repair method is to cut it and solder the new switch one and wrap it with electrical tape. So, I am now MAD AS HELL and headed back to the dealer to spend even more money to get this fixed. ARGHHHHHHH!!!!Q