Faulty Switch Could Cause Rear Door to Open Suddenly
Toyota Motor Corp. announced a recall on April 17 for 135,305 Prius vehicles manufactured between November 2022 and April 2024. The recall is due to a faulty switch that could cause a rear door to open suddenly.
The automaker notified the transport ministry of the recall and will offer free repairs to Prius owners.
"We deeply apologize for the great concern and inconvenience we have caused," said Hiroyuki Ueda, chief officer of Toyota's External and Public Affairs Group.
According to the ministry, the waterproof performance of the switch on the rear door handle is inadequate. If exposed to a large volume of water, it could cause a short circuit and potentially lead to the door opening unexpectedly.
In the worst-case scenario, the door could open while the vehicle is in motion, posing a safety risk.
In response to the recall, Toyota has announced that it will halt production of the Prius for the time being. The first production line at its Tsutsumi Plant in Toyota city, Aichi Prefecture, which has been shut down since April 4, will resume production of the Corolla model on the morning of April 18. However, Prius production will remain suspended until further notice.