140,000+ Toyotas Recalled Over Spontaneous Door Openings — Is Yours on the List?

Few things short of engine fires or deadly crashes can scare someone as much as the idea of their car door flying open while the vehicle is in motion. Unfortunately for some Toyota owners, this nightmare is a reality. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently announced that the automotive company is recalling hundreds of thousands of Prius vehicles because of doors opening unexpectedly.

Why Is Toyota Recalling Prius Vehicles?

According to the brief, not all Prius vehicles have safe rear door switches. In the affected vehicles, “water may enter the rear door switch and cause a short circuit, allowing an unlocked rear door to open unexpectedly.” The NHTSA warns that “a door that unexpectedly opens while the vehicle is moving increases the risk of injury.”

If you own a Prius, minimize its use as much as you can until you know whether it’s safe. If you need to drive it, keep the rear seats clear of any items or passengers. The last thing you want is your items strewn across the road, or, worse, your passengers in danger of falling out. You should also ensure that your rear doors are locked whenever you’re driving your Prius, at least until you know the repair is finished.

Which Prius Vehicles Are at Risk?

Toyota is recalling over 140,000 vehicles, including the:

• 2023 Prius Prime
• 2024 Prius Prime
• 2023 Prius
• 2024 Prius
• 2025 Prius
• 2026 Prius
• 2025 Prius Plug-in Hybrid
• 2026 Prius Plug-in Hybrid

If you own any of the models listed above, keep an eye on your mailbox. Toyota will mail out letters to impacted owners in mid-March. The NHTSA warns that “this recall expands and replaces NHTSA recall number 24V274.” It explains that “vehicles repaired under the previous recall will need to have the new remedy performed.” So if you’ve already had this issue fixed, you’re not necessarily in the clear just yet.

How Will Toyota Fix This Problem?

Toyota says that “dealers will modify the rear door switch circuits, free of charge.” If your Prius is affected by this issue, schedule your repair as soon as it’s available to you. Unsecured doors are a nightmare and a tragedy just waiting to happen.

If you have further questions, you can reach Toyota’s customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota’s numbers for this recall are 26TB03 and 26TA03 and the NHTSA number for it is 26V049000.

Source

Unlocked Rear Door May Open Unexpectedly, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2026.

The post 140,000+ Toyotas Recalled Over Spontaneous Door Openings — Is Yours on the List? appeared first on Family Handyman.

Article source here: 140,000+ Toyotas Recalled Over Spontaneous Door Openings — Is Yours on the List?