Door Lock & Latch complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (door latches, locks, hood and tailgate latches).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Prius. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V274000 (Electrical System, Latches/Locks/Linkages) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Prius. The contact received a recall notification, NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V049000 (Electrical System, Latches/Locks/Linkages)however the parts were unavailable. The dealer was contacted, the contact was informed that the parts were unavailable. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact had not experienced any failure regarding the unrepaired recall.
There were no distinguishing events that LED up to the total failure of my 2008 Toyota Prius driver side headlight and door lock assembly (front). They both no longer worked within a 1 day period and required replacement. Noticing 2 or more other vehicles of the same make and model there for light replacement caused me to inquire what caused their light malfunctions. In the matter of minutes of my calling in, roughly an hour into the dealerships opening, I was told the lights were available, by the time arrived, within 5 minutes, enough autos had arrived also with the "HID" headlamps out that the dealerships entire stock of lights had been used up, and required my having to return after another shipment of lights were received, as well. I did not request the old part.
In early 2010 (estimate), the rear driver side door lock of our 2008 Toyota Prius would not unlock with key faub or driver side door lock/unlock button. I took vehicle into poway Toyota (poway, ca) and they stated door lock actuator failed, which they replaced at my cost. By the summer of 2010 (estimate), the other three door locks have failed. I must use the key to open the front driver's door and reach over to open the passenger side doors while passengers wait outside the vehicle. It is not safe for passengers to wait to enter vehicle. To have all four door locks fail within three years of the car construction, indicates to me there could be a defect with this part of the Toyota Prius. I request you investigate this matter.
Tl contact owns a 2007 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that the key to the vehicle was radioactive. The contact was concerned about the safety risk because he wore a pacemaker. The dealer informed the contact that there was no need for concern. The current and failure mileages were approximately 56,000. The consumer stated he was involved in two accidents and was injured. He didn't give any other specifics. Updated 07/22/10
At only 4 years of use and under 34,000 miles, the rubber cover on the hatch release handle of my 2007 Toyota Prius has melted into a sticky, black tar substance. In order to operate the hatch, you have to push a button which is located under the black tar substance, which makes it difficult to operate the hatch release. As I have looked into this issue, it seems that there are several other Toyota Prius owners, nationwide, who have experienced this same specific issue. Toyota knows told me there have been several complaints about the rubber switch melting as well, and is selling the entire wiring harness for $153.23 plus repair costs, and had no recalls concerning the rubber switch. From a safety perspective, this is both a serious life safety issue and a serious quality defect that Toyota is opting to ignore and only fixing on vehicles with extended warranties. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that the exterior trunk latch deteriorated, which made the hatch unable to open half of the time. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the latch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.
The rear hatchback latch of my 2006 Toyota Prius has deteriorated over time. It started back in February 2012 with a difficulty opening the hatchback even with considerable effort. Now, when I touch the latch release it is gummy and will not open at all about 90% of the time. This is a safety hazard as I can't access any of the equipment (spare tire, emergency tools etc) that are located under the floor of the hatch. I found out that to fix it will cost me over $300. This is unacceptable that a door handle should fail so quickly. The rest of the car works beautifully. I believe there is a manufacturer defect in this latch release and it should be recalled. There is no way to open the hatch from the interior as an alternative (unlike a side door).
Frequently asked questions
Which Toyota Prius years have door lock & latch problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2007 (42), 2008 (12) and 2006 (6) model years. Door Lock & Latch complaints make up 2% of all complaints for the 2007.
Is there a recall for Toyota Prius door lock & latch problems?
No. NHTSA lists no locks & latches recall for any Toyota Prius model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Toyota Prius door lock & latch problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 52,000 miles; 48% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the hatchback/liftgate › lock (5 mentions), followed by the doors › latch (4).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.