The back latch of my 2008 Toyota Prius has degraded ("melted" almost). It no longer functions properly, and I am unable to open the back hatch door easily. Sometimes it requires considerable effort and perseverance to get it open. I am concerned that in the case of an emergency, I will not be able to get the door open. This is a major cause for concern and it is a serious safety hazard. The item in question is a rubber pad, about 1" X 3", located facing down on a horizontal surface of the trunk lid, just above the license plate. It covers a momentary contact switch. When you depress the switch, through this rubbery pad, the computer checks to see if there's a key in the vicinity. If there is, the automatic latch for the trunk is activated and the trunk opens. The rubber pad deterioration interferes with the functioning of the latch and Toyota refuses to address this issue proactively in spite of numerous complaints related to the defective materials they have used.

- San Ramon, CA, USA

Rear hatch release cover melts off switch. My Prius rear hatch release rubber cover became sticky a year or so ago. Then started melting off the switch this year. I left the car sit for a week in high 90 temps and the rubber cover was nearly melted to my license plate. It was no longer attached to the electric switch. I researched on line and found several people complaining about this issue. Toyota wants $200 plus for the switch. This should not breakdown like this. Would like to have Toyota fix the problem since it has a hard time keeping this part in stock. That shows it's a problem.

- Hagerstown, MD, USA