Toyota Recalls 141,000+ Priuses: Rear Doors Could Open While Driving
Toyota is recalling 141,286 Prius hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles from model years 2023 through 2026 after discovering that faulty rear door switches could cause the doors to unlock and open unexpectedly — even while driving.
The recall affects both the standard Prius and the Prius Prime (plug-in hybrid) sold in the United States and Canada.
What's the Problem?
The rear door handle switches, supplied by Tokai Rika, have a seal designed to keep water away from the electrical components that control the door locking system. Toyota's investigation found that the seal's effectiveness can degrade over time due to thermal cycling and exposure to water — especially water containing detergents, like during a car wash. Slamming the doors shut can make it worse by forcing water into the switch.
If enough water gets in, it can cause a short circuit that activates the door release. If the doors are unlocked when this happens, a rear door could open while the vehicle is in motion. A warning icon and chime will alert the driver, but by then a passenger could already be at risk of injury.
Who's Affected
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You may be affected if you own a 2023–2026 Toyota Prius or Prius Prime. The oldest affected vehicle was built on October 11, 2022, and the newest on November 3, 2025.
What Toyota Is Doing
Toyota dealers will modify the left and right rear door switch circuits so that the doors won't unlock even if a short circuit occurs. All repairs are free of charge.
Owner notification letters will be mailed between March 15 and March 29, 2026. In the meantime, Toyota advises owners to enable the automatic door locking function through the vehicle's head unit to reduce risk.
No Injuries Reported — Yet
Toyota says there have been no reported injuries or accidents related to this defect, with only three warranty claims filed so far. This recall expands on a previous one from 2024 covering the same issue.
What to Do Now
Contact Toyota at 800-331-4331 or visit the Toyota recall page. You can also call NHTSA at 888-327-4236 or check your VIN at nhtsa.gov.
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