2007 Toyota Prius rear hatch handle has melted like hot tar. Hard to open hatch and Toyota wants close to $250 to repair. I realize there is wear and tear on vehicles but this is not one od them. This is definitely a manufacturing defect. I like my Prius but this has been the only Toyota I have bought and did so for the great reputation but this car has been recalled several times, which I'm happy they did, but it's the first car I've owned that's been recalled.

- Corryton, TN, USA

After only about 3 years use, the rubber cover on the hatch release handle (the exterior handle of the rear hatch) of our 2007 Toyota Prius, melted into a sticky tarry black rubbery gooey mess. To open the hatch, you have to touch this black goo each time, which makes it difficult to operate the hatch release. We believe this melting process started at about the 2 yr. Mark. I thought that this was just sticky at first, but have found that this has happened to several car owners, particularly in Florida. We also live in Florida. Toyota knows about this, and is selling the entire wiring harness for $96 plus repair costs, and has done nothing about recalling this. From a safety perspective, this means you can experience extreme difficulty opening the rear hatch (a life safety access point), and will get sticky black tar on you from the melted down rubber cover of the exterior hatch release handle. 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, since the failure appears to occur at around the 3 year mark (ie after 3 years of exposure to the bright sun in Florida for example). I am aware of the outstanding work done by NHTSA on other safety issues, and I find this problem to be very serious in nature, so I am asking for your Agency to take a look at these instances and also to inquire from Toyota why they are not recalling these handles that are melting in the sun!!! it's outrageous. I think a door handle or hatch handle should be made to last more than 3 years. Please review these forum comments of other incidents:

- Apopka, FL, USA

I am owner of a 2007 Toyota Prius. Less than 3 years since purchasing the vehicle new from Toyota, a rubber weather seal component in the rear hatch handle has progressively melted. With the seal now compromised, I fear the hatch handle will eventually fail or malfunction resulting in corrosion or worse still, accidental opening of the rear hatch while the vehicle is in motion. I have contacted Toyota about the defect and they advise it would be a $150 repair and all costs would be the responsibility of the owner. As this is clearly a manufacturer defect and one that could potentially lead to serious injury or death, I would expect Toyota to correct the problem at their own cost.

- Richmond, TX, USA

After only about 2 3/4 years of use, the rubber cover on the hatch release handle (the exterior handle of the rear hatch) of our 2007 Toyota Prius, started to melt into a sticky tarry black rubbery gooey mess. By the time I was trying to have the dealer replace it under warranty the car just passed a few days the 3 yr. Mark. Of course the dealer refused to replace it under normal warranty. Toyota knows about this issue, and is selling the entire wiring harness for $112 plus repair costs, and has done nothing about recalling this. Fyi I live in South Louisiana. To me, this is a serious quality defect and a potential life threatening hazard. One may touch the electric wires by operating the handle. By filing this complaint I am kindly asking your Agency to take a look at these instances and also to inquire from Toyota why they are not recalling these handles that are melting in the sun. This is outrageous. I think a door handle or hatch assembly should be made to last more than 3 years. Thank you for understanding and your assistance.

- Lafayette, LA, USA

The rear hatch release on my 2007 Toyota Prius has begun to decompose and turn into a rubbery, gooey mess. It interferes with the use of the hatch as the goo not only gets on the fingers but appears to be blocking the release mechanism.

- Richardson, TX, USA

The latch on the hatch of my 2007 Prius has melted into a gooey mess. It interferes with the operation of the latch making it difficult to open the hatch. I started noticing this at the 3-3.5 year mark, now it is a black glob that comes off on my hand whenever I access the latch.

- Deltona, FL, USA

After only about 3 years use, the rubber cover on the hatch release handle (the exterior handle of the rear hatch) of our 2007 Toyota Prius, melted into a sticky tarry black rubbery gooey mess. I can best describe it as being a viscous black glob like roofing tar. To open the hatch, you have to touch this black goo each time, which makes it difficult to operate the hatch release. We believe this melting process started at about the 2 yr. Mark. I thought that this might be a singular issue, but have found that this has happened to several car owners, particularly in Florida. We also live in Florida. Toyota knows about this, and is selling the entire wiring harness for $96 plus repair costs, and has done nothing about recalling this. From a safety perspective, this means you can experience extreme difficulty opening the rear hatch (a life safety access point), and will get sticky black tar on you from the melted down rubber cover of the exterior hatch release handle. To me, 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, since the failure appears to occur at around the 3 year mark). I am aware of the outstanding work done by NHTSA on other safety issues, including the problem with rusty frames on 02 Isuzu axioms, and I find this problem to be similar in nature, so I am asking for your Agency to take a look at these instances and also to inquire from Toyota why they are not recalling these handles that are melting in the sun!!! it's outrageous. I think a door handle or hatch handle should be made to last more than 3 years. Please review these forum comments of other incidents:

- West Columbia, SC, USA

2007 Toyota Prius rear lid release button. This button release has begun 'melting' into a gooey plastic that binds the release.

- Tulsa, OK, USA

I bought a Scion in '06, my first car I've ever bought. It was wonderful, except that I live in Florida and the rubber piece on my trunk handle melted. It melted so much that, to this day, there is a huge glob of rubber on my license plate. Well, yesterday I traded in my Scion for a Prius. I am having the same issue with the handle! every time I open my trunk, I get black gunk on my hands. Upon research, I found that a large number of people are experiencing this problem with their Toyota. I emailed Toyota and addressed them with the issue. They wrote it off as grease dripping from the handle, when if you look at my car, it is clear that there are globs of melted rubber everywhere. They told me it could easily be wiped off and I can't even scrape it off or wash it off with soap and water! I even sent them links to forums with page and pages of complaints with the same issue and they still won't address it. Therefore, I decided to report it here. This could potentially turn into a safety issue, if the rubber continues to melt causing the trunk to be inoperable.

- Tampa, FL, USA

After only about 3 years use, the rubber cover on the hatch release handle (the exterior handle of the rear hatch) of our 2007 Toyota Prius, melted into a sticky tarry black rubbery gooey mess. I can best describe it as being a viscous black glob like roofing tar. To open the hatch, you have to touch this black goo each time, which makes it difficult to operate the hatch release. We believe this melting process started at about the 3 yr. Mark. I thought that this might be a singular issue, but have found that this has happened to several car owners, particularly in Florida. We purchased the car in Florida. Toyota knows about this, and is selling the entire wiring harness for $96 plus repair costs, and has done nothing about recalling this. The dealer stated that this is a problem on numerous makes and they see this regularly. From a safety perspective, this means you can experience extreme difficulty opening the rear hatch (a life safety access point), and will get sticky black tar on you from the melted down rubber cover of the exterior hatch release handle. To me, 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, since the failure appears to occur at around the 3 year mark (ie after 3 years of exposure to the bright sun in Florida for example). I am aware of the outstanding work done by NHTSA on other safety issues, including the problem with rusty frames on 02 Isuzu axioms, and I find this problem to be similar in nature, so I am asking for your Agency to take a look at these instances and also to inquire from Toyota why they are not recalling these handles that are melting in the sun!!! it's outrageous. I think a door handle or hatch handle should be made to last more than 3 years.

- Santa Monica, CA, USA

I have a 2007 Prius and 2-3 years after purchase, the rubber piece under the hatchback melted, making so that it was a sticky black mess and it wouldn't open. It now doesn't open at all and I can not get into my trunk, recently had a battery replaced and my car was stranded, the aaa guy had to crawl to the back w/ seats down from the side of the car. I could not get to my trunk if I have a flat tire in the future. I am out of warranty. My understanding is that Toyota is making owners pay 300+ to fix this despite the fact that it is obviously a manufacturing defect. Please assist with this safety concern on all Prius vehicles.

- Chicago, IL, USA

After only about 3 years use, the rubber cover on the hatch release handle (the exterior handle of the rear hatch) of our 2007 Toyota Prius has begun melting. It is sticky to the touch and it does make the trunk release difficult to operate. I just dropped my car off at the servco Hawaii dealership and they told me that I would have to pay $170 to replace the latch system. The service tech asked me if my car has been out in the sun. Well, I do live in Hawaii, I do garage my car but I have never experienced a rubber piece on any car to melt. Further, the rubber trunk release cover is not exposed to direct sunlight at any time because the rubber cover is on the underside of the trunk/rear hatch release by design. Please have Toyota take responsibility for this defective part. After a quick google search it appears that I am one of many people that have had this happen. Thank you for your assistance.

- Honolulu, HI, USA

After only about 3 years use, the rubber cover on the hatch release handle (the exterior handle of the rear hatch) of our 2007 Toyota Prius, melted into a sticky tarry black rubbery gooey mess. I can best describe it as being a viscous black glob like roofing tar. To open the hatch, you have to touch this black goo each time, which makes it difficult to operate the hatch release. We believe this melting process started at about the 2 yr. Mark. I thought that this might be a singular issue, but have found that this has happened to several car owners, particularly in Florida. We also live in Florida. Toyota knows about this, and is selling the entire wiring harness for $96 plus repair costs, and has done nothing about recalling this. From a safety perspective, this means you can experience extreme difficulty opening the rear hatch (a life safety access point), and will get sticky black tar on you from the melted down rubber cover of the exterior hatch release handle. To me, 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, since the failure appears to occur at around the 3 year mark (ie after 3 years of exposure to the bright sun in Florida for example). I am aware of the outstanding work done by NHTSA on other safety issues, including the problem with rusty frames on 02 Isuzu axioms, and I find this problem to be similar in nature, so I am asking for your Agency to take a look at these instances and also to inquire from Toyota why they are not recalling these handles that are melting in the sun!!! it's outrageous. I think a door handle or hatch handle should be made to last more than 3 years. Please review these forum comments of other incidents: priuschat.com/forums/gen-II-Prius-care-maintenance-troubleshooting/71647-2007-Prius-trunk-hatch-release-rubber-piece-melted-4.html [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B

- Gainesville, FL, USA

The 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

- Sea Bright, NJ, USA