Toyota Expands Prius Recall Over Rear Doors Opening While Driving

Toyota has expanded a Prius recall after NHTSA warnings that water may cause rear doors to open while driving. Check affected 2023–2026 models.

Toyota has announced another recall of the fifth-generation Prius in North America, once again linked to a potentially serious safety issue: rear doors that could open while the vehicle is in motion.

According to official recall documents, the problem is tied to water entering the rear door electric switch, which may cause a short circuit. If that happens, an unlocked rear door could unexpectedly open while driving — a scenario that could pose an obvious risk, particularly for rear-seat passengers.

The recall applies to both standard hybrid and plug-in hybrid Prius models, covering the 2023 through 2026 model years. In the United States, as many as 141,286 vehicles may be affected, with an additional 19,399 vehicles involved in Canada.

This is not the first time the Prius has faced the same defect. Toyota previously issued a recall in April 2024, but regulators now describe the latest campaign as an expansion of that earlier action. As a result, even vehicles that were already repaired under the 2024 recall will need to return to dealers for a second fix.

Toyota is expected to roll out the updated repair in the spring, with owner notification letters in the U.S. scheduled to begin on March 15. Until then, the company advises owners to activate the vehicle’s automatic door-locking function to reduce the likelihood of doors opening unexpectedly.

While the Prius remains one of the most recognized hybrid nameplates in the market, a second recall for the same issue is an unusual development. How quickly Toyota can implement a permanent solution may be key to maintaining confidence in the latest generation of the model.