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Toyota President, Akio Toyoda, sat for an hour-long interview with "Voice-only Toyota Times News” and shed light on various topics. Among those was a recent service recall for the Toyota Prius. The issue itself doesn't concern the driving systems of the car, but could potentially lead to electrical gremlins and potential danger for passengers if left unattended.
Back in April 2024, Toyota issued a service recall for Toyota Prius models manufactured in 2023 and 2024. It concerns a design element of the fifth-generation Prius – the rear door handles. Normally, those are mechanical, but this time, Toyota has chosen a “form over function” approach. This wouldn't have been a problem if the electronically-controlled door handles featured adequate waterproofing.
When exposed to vast quantities of water, like at a carwash for example, the tricky water leaks inside the door handle mechanism and short-circuits it. This could lead to two possible scenarios: either the door stops working altogether or it decides to open at the worst time possible, for example during a drive.
How wide-spread is Toyota's service recall?
The Toyota Prius service recall extends to approximately 211,000 Prius cars. Around 55,000 of the affected cars are sold in North America, while the rest are sold in Japan and Europe. Toyota will replace the defective parts with improved equivalents. However, the service recall will begin in June. Toyota says it will notify affected customers through email.
In the interview, Akio Toyoda shares that a temporary fix was considered, in which the rear doors were isolated. Almost immediately, the people at Toyota realized this was not a viable option for a four-door vehicle. Until the issue is resolved, Toyota advises owners, particularly, in the US and Canada, to keep the automatic door-locking function switched on.
Why Toyota Prius is still a solid choice?
Service recalls in the automotive industry are a relatively frequent occurrence, even with brands that have a great reliability record. Toyota President, Akio Toyoda is adamant that while he is in charge, there will be no cover-ups, as "hiding a recall is the worst thing possible", Toyoda says.
Before the arrival of the fifth-generation Toyota Prius, in 2023, the hybrid model was never associated with excitement. The current iteration of Toyota's hybrid model is the most powerful with powertrains developing up to 223 horsepower and allowing for a 0 to 60 mph time of 6.7 seconds for the range-topping Toyota Prius Prime - that's hot hatch territory. At the same time, the Prius’ average fuel economy ranges from 49 to 57 MPG according to the EPA rating, depending on which powertrain you go for.
With the fifth generation, Toyota Prius finally scored a design a mother could love. The electric door handles, integrated into the edge of the rear-door glass are a bit too "function over form” for Toyota, but that wouldn't have been a problem if the parts weren't faulty. Still, Toyota promises to fix the issue by June so Toyota Prius owners can have the usual for the brand, trouble-free ownership experience.
About the author
Dimitar Angelov's automotive interests made him an expert in a wide variety of vehicles. Japanese brands like Toyota are closest to his heart, although performance cars in general are his favorite segment, which is why he is constantly on the lookout for the best deals on the market. Dimitar Angelov's car passion and knack for the written word led him to complete a Master of Arts in Media and Communications, and classic car restoration. Dim is happy to get behind the wheel of any car and share his impressions. You can follow Dimitar on X, Linked-in, Instagram, and Facebook.
Image source: 2024 Toyota Prius
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