2023–2026 Toyota Prius Doors Could Unexpectedly Open

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing has announced a safety defect affecting certain 2023–2026 Prius vehicles. The defect could allow a rear door to open unexpectedly while the vehicle is in motion.

The issue involves water intrusion into the rear door opener switch, which can cause a short circuit and activate the door release without driver input. If the door is unlocked when this occurs, it may open while driving—creating a serious safety risk for occupants.

Affected Vehicles

The recall applies to certain:

• 2023–2024 Prius Prime
• 2023–2026 Prius
• 2025–2026 Prius Plug-in Hybrid

Toyota has assigned recall numbers 26TB03 and 26TA03, with NHTSA campaign number 26V-049.

This recall expands and replaces an earlier recall, NHTSA 24V-274. Vehicles that were already repaired under the prior recall must still receive the new remedy.

What Is the Problem?

The affected vehicles are equipped with an electric rear door lock system that includes a rear door opener switch and a rear door lock release actuator.

Under certain conditions, the seal protecting the rear door opener switch can degrade over time due to thermal cycling (repeated heating and cooling). When this happens, large amounts of water splashing onto the switch—such as during a car wash—can temporarily enter the switch housing.

Toyota’s investigation found that closing the rear door with high force can momentarily reduce seal contact. If water containing surfactants (such as car wash detergent) enters the switch, a short circuit can occur, activating the door release.

If the rear door is unlocked, it may open unexpectedly. When this happens, the vehicle will display a warning on the instrument cluster and sound a buzzer if the vehicle is in motion.

Why This Is a Safety Risk

An unexpectedly opening door while driving significantly increases the risk of injury to vehicle occupants, particularly rear-seat passengers.

Even if the door only opens partially, it can create dangerous conditions during normal driving.

How Toyota Discovered the Issue

April 2024 – June 2025

Toyota initially submitted a recall report (24V-274) after identifying insufficient waterproofing of the rear door opener switch.

In February 2025, a field report from Japan revealed a rear door opening to a half-latch position while driving—even after a previous recall repair.

A recovered door handle showed water intrusion and detergent residue on the internal circuit board.

July 2025 – January 2026

Further testing confirmed that:

• Seal contact area can shrink over time
• Door slamming temporarily worsens sealing
• Water mixed with detergents can activate the switch if intrusion occurs

Toyota concluded that thermal cycling, water exposure, and high-force door closing could combine to cause the defect.

Recall Remedy

Toyota dealers will:

• Modify the left and right rear door switch circuits
• Prevent the switch from activating even if a short circuit occurs

This fix is designed to eliminate the risk of unintended door opening.

Owner Notification Timeline

• Owner notification letters: Expected to be mailed March 15, 2026
• Recall decision date: January 22, 2026

As of January 21, 2026, Toyota reported three U.S. warranty claims potentially related to this issue and no confirmed field technical reports from the U.S.

What Prius Owners Should Do

If you own or lease a 2023–2026 Prius or Prius Plug-in Hybrid:

• Watch for a recall notice from Toyota
• Schedule the repair promptly once notified
• If you already had a repair under recall 24V-274, you still need this new repair

Unexpected door opening is not a minor inconvenience—it is a serious safety defect.

Legal Rights May Apply

Repeated safety defects, recall delays, or continued issues after repair may give rise to lemon law claims, depending on your state and vehicle history.

Owners experiencing problems related to this recall should document all repairs and communications with the dealer.