Trunk door freezing shut

Was the hybrid battery that died?

 

Is it the rubber weather-proofing around the door that freezes and gets stuck or the rubber covering the latch control which becomes rigid in the cold and will not release the latch? On at least one occasion, I was unable to get the latch to release and just gave up trying to get whatever it was I thought I needed. I now keep my small tool kit and jump kit for our Gen 2 under the passenger seat. I'm assuming Toyota had enough complaints about this problem with the Gen 2 that they changed the design for subsequent generations. It has not happened yet with our Gen 4. (Fingers crossed).

 

Spray the rubber gaskets around the offending doors with silicone spray lube, then smear it around with a small piece of paper or cloth towel.

But even that won't help if the weather conditions are right for accumulating LARGE of ice.

Where in Georgia do you live ? North mountains ??

 

It sounds like you need a jump kit to attach to your under hood jump points. It would be worth buying anyway, in case a friend or family member needs a jump sometime, since using your car for that purpose is likely to damage its electronics. Also, the Prius 12V does not have enough juice to start a regular car. (Ask me how I know.)

 

mine can be difficult sometimes. its not frozen with ice, just seems like the seal is acting like a suction cup. pulling hard on the trim panel will break it, so I just keep steady pressure on it until it lets go. I'm thinking Sam has a good idea with the silicone, which I will try.

 

Check the 12V battery. Also, the micro-switch inside the handle might be getting flakey. (there are many threads about replacing the switch hereabouts - the rubber gasket-thingy starts disintegrating and getting gross!) …but when you go to open the lift-gate, you should hear a faint "click" as the switch operates and releases the catch. Also, the hinges of the gate might benefit from some lube (…as well as the two struts (…one on each side!) Good luck!

BTW you should be able to access the jumper-points from under the hood (see other threads)

 

You could try some kind of lubricant on the rubber to prevent it from sticking. Maybe even a light coating of oil wiped on it with a clean rag..

Another issue is that what you describe as a handle is NOT a handle. That rear garnish was designed very poorly and really will only withstand pushing up the latch to unlock the hatch. You should ALWAYS lift the hatch by the bottom of the metal down by the bumper. If you always lift from the rubber button area that plastic garnish will break off often. It would help too if you make sure that the struts on the hatch aren't a little worn out, meaning the hatch doesn't pop open easily enough to get your fingers under it.

 

1. Silicone spray (as mentioned above.) < $10

2. Jump pack. <$100

3. Move further South.