Like so many others with a 2007 Prius, my hatch back rubber latch started getting sticky and then slowly started deteriorating to the point where I couldn't open the hatch door. I took it to maita Toyota in sacramento and asked if they would fix it, but they charged me. I'm seeing that some people complained to Toyota and got this paid for. I'm going to see if I can get reimbursed for this. I'm glad people put their complaints here to see.

- Fair Oaks, CA, USA

The rubber latch that provides access to the trunk area of my 2007 Toyota Prius has essentially melted. When I touch it my hand comes away with a black gooey substance. In the summertime this is more of an annoyance than anything (I have to carry around wet-wipes, and I often put groceries etc. In the passenger cabin just to avoid accessing the trunk), but in the winter it can be quite dangerous, as the melted latch freezes, making it impossible to open the hatchback. This means that I cannot access my tools, spare tire, snow equipment, or anything else back there. The degradation of the handle latch actually began some time ago (it probably began after I had owned the car for about 4 years) but it has gotten worse over time so I finally decided to try to get it fixed. My Toyota dealer wanted to charge me over $300 to replace the part. This struck me as absolutely outrageous given that it appears to be a design defect that creates a serious safety hazard.

- Washington, DC, USA

The hatchback handle/release is soft and gooey, and at times the release to open the hatchback will not work. Gooey black substance gets all over hands and fingers when you try to "pop" the hatchback. Unable to get the trunk to open on a couple of occasions. There is no internal release switch inside the car. Since the spare tire is in the trunk, there could potentially be no access to the tire. This seems to be a common complaint on this site, including NHTSA id numbers: 10541882, 10541772, and 1053526.

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

Hatch latches should not melt down in 2-3 years, and access to the hatch is a life safety issue. As with many other 2007 Toyota Prius vehicles the rubber material on the handle of the rear hatch has been deteriorating on my 2007 Toyota Prius and is getting more difficult to use. Without an expensive replacement by Toyota the part will fail beyond the ability to open the rear hatch. Toyota refuses to recall the part and replace it as a defective part.

- Orlando, FL, USA

Dear gentlepersons: Toyota must have purchased a batch of defective rubber from a vendor back in 2007 and 2008 because the rubber that you push against to release the locking mechanism for the trunk/hatchback has turned to play dough or sludge on my car. I contacted Toyota in may of this year and they disclaimed any awareness of the problem. Recently I went online and found it is widely known on sites including Prius chat, and when I spoke with my service advisor at my local dealership, he said he was well aware of it, that the same thing happened on his 2008 Toyota sienna, and the only recourse is to replace the entire mechanism which costs an arm and a leg. I consider this a safety issue because if the rubber deteriorates enough, my fingers will protrude into the lock mechanism which I surmise would not work and play well with fingers, or may have an electrical current if I make contact. I followed up last week with Toyota again, and the rep with whom I first spoke, initially said Toyota had no complaints about it, then said that she knew of the issue, and told me to contact my local dealership to see if they were aware of a fix that did not involve a total switch replacement. After I called my dealership as suggested, and my own service advisor shared his personal experience with the issue, I was not able to speak with the original rep at Toyota, and the next rep with whom I spoke told me they'd look into it and I'd hear back from Toyota within two business days... that has come and gone. My wife has a 2004 Prius and the rubber on the latch looks and feels totally new. I don't think this is a warranty issue (which Toyota is now trying to toss out to get rid of me), but instead, a manufacturing defect that has safety considerations. I would really like to know if there's something that can be done. Thank you. Sincerely, [xxxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Agoura Hills, CA, USA

The hatchback handle/release is soft and gooey and at times the release to open the hatchback will not work. Gooey black substance gets all over hands and fingers when you try to "pop" the hatchback. Unable to get the trunk to open on a couple of occasions. There is no internal release switch inside the car. Since the spare tire is in the trunk, there could potentially be no access to the tire. It was discovered the day after we bought the car (used). Contacted dealer, who quoted us $300+ to repair. Have not had it repaired yet.

- Rock Island, 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, 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. I live in Louisiana. Toyota knows about this, and is selling the entire wiring harness for $600, 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 Louisiana, 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. And now my trunk won't open and it is about detach from the car because of the extra pulling needed to open it. Why has it not been recalled? it should be mandatory. They told me I would have to pay over $600 to do it at the dealer, but they should pay for it.

- Metairie, LA, USA

The problem has occurred whenever the donut tire is being used on the vehicle as a temporary replacement for a flat tire - this has occurred on both the two occasions that in which I have had to used them both times on the front tires, once on the left tire and the second occasion, most recent on the left. Apparently, the donut tire because of its smaller diameter causes the car's slip differential system to activate (surmised by the icon I see on the dash when this occurs), often for periods of half the driving time - what then happens is that there is a total loss of engine power to the drive chain, the car cannot accelerate or even maintain speed - it essentially coasts or slows. This occurs even when/if the accelerator pedal is depressed to try to feed power to the wheels - the engine is unresponsive. Intermittently, the power is restored, and then the cycle begins again. Although I have not had an accident due to this loss of vehicle control, I consider myself lucky not to have. Use of a donut tire is the only option open to temporarily replacing a flat tire. I think that this system's response to use of the donut tire (which is manufacturer's supplied) is a defect that is dangerous. A driver must be able to maintain and control vehicle speed to prevent and/or remedy a dangerous situation. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Bethesda, MD, USA

The rubber rear hatch release button (wide rubber piece which activates an electrical switch) first became sticky and black rubber would stick you your hand. Then the rubber piece hardened and became so hard (and cracked) that the rear hatch release does not work. This is a safety issue in addition to making the trunk unusable. Toyota owners of this model year frequently report this problem in all climates, Toyota clearly has a manufacturing defect in the rubber material they used for this model year and should perform these repairs for no charge.

- Richmond, VT, USA

After only about 1 year of owning my pre-owned 2007 Prius, the rubber cover on the hatch release handle (the exterior handle of the rear hatch) 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. I thought that this might be a singular issue, but have found that this has happened to several car owners, particularly in Florida and California. I live in southern California and noticed an increase after a particularly hot spell. 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 3-5 year mark (ie after 3 years of exposure to the bright sun in ca 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.

- Ca, CA, USA

We have had some unseasonably hot weather here recently; on the day in question the car thermometer said it was 91 degrees in full shade. The rubber gasket covering the hatch opening switch was attached when I parked. When I came back, it looked like the gasket had literally melted off one of the screws; the covering was just hanging on to screw on the driver's side by a few gooey threads. That left a melted, tar-like residue on the hatch opening switch. Now the switch is covered in gunk and nearly inoperable. The Prius does not have a trunk release, and without a repair the hatch is nearly inaccessible. This is a major safety issue because the hatch on the Prius is a safety access point (the largest on the vehicle); the hatch is also the only way to access the batteries stored in the rear in case of fire or accident. When I googled the issue, I found multiple reports in hot weather areas of exactly the same issue, but I found no official response from Toyota. My understanding is that this is a very common problem, especially here in southern California, and dealerships keep the part on hand in hot weather for exactly this reason.

- Long Beach, CA, USA

The trunk handle had melted off, making access to the spare tire impossible in the heat.

- Ellicott City, MD, USA

On the trunk is a door latch with a plastic cover. The plastic cover has melted or is disintegrating. There are many posts on google if you search for the terms "Prius trunk latch melt". considering I don't drive very often my car is almost always covered in the garage. Plus I live in Hawaii so heat shouldn't be too much of an issue like other states. This isn't my picture but it shows what mines looks like. priuschat.com/attachments/P1000894-jpg.22615/.

- Honolulu, HI, USA

My 2007 Toyota Prius' rear hatchback latch rubber covering has melted into black goo. Every time I open the hatch it gets all over my fingers. I asked my dealer if Toyota had recalled the latch and was told no. I didn't have it replaced then because it is very expensive. However I can't take it anymore and am going to get it replaced before the latch fails to open. It is going to cost $257! this is a safety issue and a defect issue, not a normal wear and tear item. Toyota has known about this and done nothing to fix it by issuing a recall. Shameful.

- Fleming Island, FL, USA

The rear hatch release on my 2007 Toyota Prius has begun to deteriorate and turn into a rubbery and sticky black mess. This issue interferes with the use of the hatch as the rubber not only gets on your fingers but appears to be blocking the release mechanism. The deterioration started during the summer of 2011. The issue has worsened and yesterday I was unable to open the rear hatch whatsoever.

- Warrenton, VA, USA

The rubber cover on the rear exterior hatch latch melted and is like tar. Big sticky mess every time I use the hatch which is often.the latch now also sticks sometimes. Dealer wants $260 to fix it. Why isn't Toyota covering this obvious defect?

- Austin, TX, 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 California. Toyota knows about this, and is selling the entire wiring harness for $200 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 California for example).

- Ca, CA, USA

2007 Toyota Prius, back hatch release, rubber piece. This piece has deteriorated and it difficult to open back hatch. I have had this problem for about 1 year. I have done research and see this is a common problem in these 2007 Toyota vehicles. I believe this to be a hazard and would think Toyota would have recalled this piece as there are so many complaints.

- Austin, TX, 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

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