Is there a way to release the hatch from the interior of the car? I searched the Owner's Manual, and they mention a way to do it, but when I was forced to do so recently, didn't find any way to do it? Any thoughts? PS I'm talking from the hatch area, not from the front dash.
There is an emergency release, in case you are locked in the back. If you are talking about a simple release lever, then no, as there is no need for it. If the car is unlocked, anyone can open the hatch by simply pulling on the handle. Tom
Ok so you are aware of the method in the manual but you're unsure how to execute it? Try and find it with the hatch open (makes it more comfortable than lying on your tummy on the rear seats). Lift up your false floor. You'll see the black bin right? Towards you (i.e. towards the rear of the car), you'll find a small plastic cover that's on the black bin. Remove that cover. Now, with a flashlight, locate a small metal lever. That lever is the emergency release.
If your battery died and you need to access the hatch (cause that's where the battery is. I know there's a charge point in the front but some tow trucks are anal and want direct access to the battery or if you're park head first against a concrete wall.... of which both cases were applicable to my scenario when my battery died)
I also believe there is a legal requirement for an inside release. This comes from people getting locking in the trunk. While the hatch space in not a trunk, I suspect it counts as one. Tom
Generally safety release levers are required to be more prominent, though. It's probably easier to fold a rear seat down and climb over it than navigate to the release lever. I think the main issue is the battery -- you can't open the hatch without the battery, and you can't change the battery without opening the hatch. (Though you could jump-start it long enough to get the hatch open.)
On Saturday, after washing and waxing the car I pulled it in to the garage. After awhile, I needed to leave and the car would not start. The hatch was locked, so I was looking for the interior release per the manual. Didn't see it until today when I took it apart again to search for it. So I couldn't jump it from the back, couldn't jump it from the front, ( no room in the garage ), and I couldn't push it out to get to the jump point in the front. Too bad there is not a way to do that. I ended up spending 60 bucks for a jump and then went to Toyota for a battery. (160 bucks) The battery does have a 2 yr full replacement warranty and then pro rated up to 5 years.
The replies of #5 and #6 are quite correct. However the types that would to climb over the seats, grovel and search and curse for this handle on a cold and stormy night with your wife and kids complaining, deserve what they get! How much simpler: considering the multiplicity of 12V battery problems, to carry a small 7.5AH, spade terminal, block battery, release the hood, and use it as a jumper battery. Battery cost $20.00, cheap meter cost $7.00 (and less) This battery can even be charged while driving and fits nicely right under the seat. The meter will even tell you the SOC of both batteries! Of course, if you would rather clinb over the seat.........................................
And if you have a small jumper battery, you can jump it under the hood in the garage. Honestly, I consider the interior hatch release a sort of "last ditch effort" type of thing. I can't imaging using it, except under vary weird conditions. Tom
This internal release mechanism can be difficult to reach and operate, especially for older drivers. Seems like Toyota would have attached it to a cable that extends to the back seats, like other vehicles have. I can see being in an accident and needing to open the rear hatch to escape, only to be slowed down because I had little room to fold seats, remove floor panels then find the stupid manual release mechanism.
