2007 prius trunk hatch release rubber piece melted

I am having the same issue with my 2008 Prius - melting of the switch cover - and was told by my local dealer that the repair would be:

Part #76801-47060: $306.77
Labor: $ 172.50

Thanks to PriusChat, I know this is an ongoing problem with the later model Prius, so I contacted Toyota Customer Service and they have opened a case. Went to the dealer, had the written estimate faxed to the Torrance office and will hear the outcome in 1-2 business days.

PriusChat is the BEST!

BTW, no problem with my 2005 Prius switch cover... wonder if the later models have a cheaper grade rubber...?

 

This seems to be an issue with 2007 and early 2008 models only. I wouldn't hold my breath on Toyota assisting on this one.

 

Great news! Toyota covered the cost of both the part and labor. VERY happy with the outcome.

 

I live in California central valley and it gets very hot here too, no chemical contamination needed. I am wondering if anyone has tried to just remove the rubber (they quoted me $350 to fix it!), and just have the metal latch exposed, who cares? It would take a lot of prying and Goo Gone though...

 

It took seven years for it to happen. The exposure adds up. It is a defective rubber.

 

The part costs about $80 online. However if you contact Toyota hq they may cover the repair for you at no cost. Just tell them it's a defect that's well documented online

 

Thank you!!!!! I will

 

(sigh)

Wanted to add my case to this sad list. The car was bought used from a private party and I just thought the previous owners were less than gentle in handling the latch.

For the record, this is a later 2008 (june or july 2008), Southern California car.
The rubber is only present in a few spots around the rim, suggesting it began disintegrating quite a while ago.

Time to make myself known at the local dealership and with Toyota HQ.

 

I found a temporary fix for the stick hatch release. Cleaning solution or silicone just made it worse. But talcum powder fixed the stickiness and I can get into my hatch without black fingers. Still need to replace it, I guess, or I won't be able to get in at all next winter.

 

Try talcum powder as a temporary fix. Worked for me.

 

I just replaced my switch yesterday, ordered a part for $77. It took about 30 minutes to do, fairly easy process and the switch is working as it should be.

I tried temporary fixes before, it doesn't last long.

 

Not gonna read through the other 8 pages seeing if anyone else mentioned it, but I bought a $5 bicycle inner tube from walmart, took off the button assembly (it was pretty easy following this video:

) and goo gone to get the crap off. Took about 30-45 min and I had no prior experience really doing anything to my car before.

 

my 2008 same problem .. I covered the black goop with short piece of duct tape.
Had to renew the tape after 2 years.

 

Toyota says it's from lotions. The same soaking action that soaks into your hands lets it soak into the switch. At least thats what Toyota is telling us. Master Toyota Tech here.

 

That sounds like a bogus answer - Did Toyota say why only those owners who own 2006-2008 model year Prius use lotions? This was not a widely reported issue prior to the 2007 model year...

 

I see all models, all years with that style switch having issues. Granted I haven't written down any exact numbers as of year or model, but it's definitely not just a prius thing and it hasn't seemed to only be after 2007. I know for sure I've replaced a few switches from years before 2007. The lotion excuse does seem to be just a put-off IMHO, but it's the only answer we've gotten from our Technical Assistance. They get their answers from engineers along with other sources.

 

I understand you are relaying an answer provided by your tech support group. I really haven't noticed that any owners of older 2G Prius reported an issue with the rubber on the hatch switch.

The following relates my personal experience with this issue on my 2007 and you'll note several responses from owners of similar vintage Prius reporting the same issue, but no problems reported by owners of older 2G. My 2004 has 180K miles on the odometer. The original equipment hatch switch continues to work well and the rubber shows no signs of aging.
How to Replace the Hatch Opening Switch | PriusChat

 

Yeah, it sucks when I would tell customers what we're told is the cause and they say they don't use lotion. All I could do is shrug my shoulders and say "I don't know". So I stopped trying to explain altogether.

Being a technician, I have to look at it from both sides. Maybe Toyota changed something with the formula for the rubber or changed manufacturers. Or, maybe it is something WE are doing as users. Could be Toyota doesn't even know. I know I have no clue what the cause is. Lol. I just fix it.

 

Repeating what was already expressed in a separate thread.
Master Tech happily admitting that (s)he has "no clue," but insists, persists on selling it's-the-hand-lotion defense.

 

"Repeating what was already expressed in separate thread"? Why yes, I think I would reply the same to two similar threads with the same question. Were you expecting a different story? Also, I think I have made it fairly clear my opinion on the matter. Whilst I do not know the actual cause of the failures, the information I've been given from those from Toyota whom are smarter and better connected than I, is what I will relay. This information I have provided is one of only two possible explanations I have seen thus far on this forum. Bad batch of rubber, or possibly lotions. People here seem to think bad batch because only people with those models have had problems. I stated my experience with other models and years. I wasn't trying to say they're flat out wrong, but I wanted it to be known that I have seen it on other models and years. Furthermore, this "experience" I have does not make me an expert on the molecular structure of the rubber on the switches. So, since the only information I have and have relayed to the great people on this forum is from lotions, I should expect some sort of "prove them wrong" kind of approach to it. Fifine, I think you're spinning this in the wrong direction. I have stated that I don't know the actual cause and that I don't quite believe the answer Toyota has given me, but if everyone is jumping off a cliff and one person says, "That might be why everyone's dying", are you going to slam it in their face and jump or are you going to look into it and possibly live because they might be right? Tell you what Fifine, call Toyota and ask them why. Then, share what they say on here. Otherwise, I suggest you give us a heading on this ship so others can bash you for having "Logic".

I can tell you this. When Toyota searched for a manufacturer of said rubber to cover the switches, they did testing. Mechanical testing to "simulate" normal wear and tear over 5-10 years. "Simulate" being the key word. Why did they choose a material that would be affected by anything? Because it stood up to the rigors of testing. The only REAL way to know (after it passes in the lab) if a product is sound, safe, and functional, is to put it on the cars. That's why we have recalls. They had a sound product in the lab and turns out it wasn't so sound in the real world. Being as this switch "Malfunction" isn't directly related to safety, Toyota, or any other manufacturer for that matter, is not required to investigate this type of matter to ANY degree by the NHTSA. Which is the exact reason I stated that I don't quite believe their answer. At least it was an answer, and the "Logic" seems sound enough to for me to follow whether I believe it or not. Because, at least if I'm wrong about Toyota being wrong, my switch will still be intact.