REAR DOOR Pops Open: Massive Recall

The word 'RECALL' displayed on a perforated surface — SHOCKING RECALL ALERT

A “smart” electronic door system on America’s favorite hybrid is now at the center of a recall after reports it can let a rear door swing open while the car is moving.

Quick Take

Toyota is recalling about 141,000 U.S. Prius and Prius Prime vehicles over an electric rear door lock issue tied to water intrusion.
The defect can short a rear door switch circuit and potentially unlatch an unlocked rear door while driving, raising injury risk for rear passengers.
Toyota says it has not received reports of crashes or injuries in the U.S. linked to the issue, but it confirmed at least one overseas incident.
Dealers were notified on January 28, 2026, with owner notification letters expected in late March 2026.

What Toyota Says Is Failing—and Why It Matters for Families

Toyota’s recall targets certain model-year 2023–2026 Prius vehicles and Prius Prime plug-in hybrids sold in the U.S. The company’s description centers on an electric rear door lock system where water can intrude into the rear door switches and create a short circuit. If that happens, a rear door could unlatch and open while driving if the door is not locked, creating a clear safety risk for rear-seat passengers.

Toyota recalls 141K vehicles over doors that could open while driving https://t.co/rbUEqzVMK5

— FOX Business (@FoxBusiness) February 10, 2026

The key detail is the “unlocked” condition. In plain English, this is not a scenario where a properly locked door is expected to pop open at highway speed; it is a scenario where the electronics may trigger an unlatching event when the door isn’t locked. That still matters because plenty of normal, everyday driving includes passengers who don’t always verify locks—especially in family routines like school drop-offs, carpools, or quick in-town stops.

Timeline: Dealer Notices Now, Owner Letters Later

Toyota’s recall process is already in motion, with dealers notified on January 28, 2026. Owner notification letters are scheduled for late March 2026, with reporting placing that mail window in mid-to-late March. In the meantime, owners are being directed to check their vehicle identification number through Toyota’s recall portal or through the federal government’s recall site tied to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The public-facing timeline matters because it shapes what owners can do right now. Until recall letters arrive, many drivers won’t realize their vehicle is included—especially since the affected fleet is relatively new and spans multiple model years.

Toyota’s remedy is described as a modification to the rear door switch circuits, performed by dealers at no cost. For owners who already paid for related repairs, Toyota has indicated reimbursement may be available.

What the Evidence Shows So Far—and What It Doesn’t

Based on the reporting and Toyota’s own statements, the defect was identified through internal testing and was supported by confirmation of an overseas incident. Multiple outlets also report that Toyota has not received reports of crashes or injuries in the United States connected to this defect. That combination—no known U.S. injuries, but a credible mechanism and at least one confirmed incident elsewhere—fits the classic profile of a preventive safety recall.

One uncertainty is scope. The coverage is widely described as about 141,000 vehicles, while Toyota’s own figure is sometimes presented closer to 142,000 depending on rounding or specific reporting.

Another limitation comes from an estimated defect rate cited around 1%, which signals Toyota is not suggesting every recalled vehicle will experience the condition. Still, recalls are typically organized by build range because manufacturers can’t predict exactly which units will be exposed to the right water-and-circuit conditions over time.

Technology Convenience vs. Reliability: A Lesson the Market Keeps Relearning

This recall also highlights a broader, recurring issue in modern vehicles: more electronic convenience features can mean more points of failure, especially where moisture is involved.

The redesigned 2023+ Prius drew attention for updated styling and newer systems, but the recall underscores a simple reality many drivers already understand—water intrusion and electronics do not mix well. When a basic safety function like a door latch becomes software-and-circuit dependent, the margin for error shrinks.

For consumers who are already frustrated by years of expensive “innovation” marketed as progress, this recall will feel familiar. The most responsible takeaway is not partisan finger-pointing; it’s common-sense risk management.

If you own a 2023–2026 Prius or Prius Prime, verify your VIN, schedule the free fix when available, and treat door locks as a must-check item—especially with kids or older passengers in the rear seat. Safety should never be an optional feature.