Legally reviewed by: Jessica Anvar Stotz, JD, MBA
Toyota is currently recalling thousands of 2023–2024 Prius hybrids and Prius Prime plug-in hybrids. The automaker told federal regulators at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that water can short-circuit the rear electronic door latches.
If the rear doors are not locked, they can suddenly open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury or collision. The problem associated with the Toyota Prius recall stems from inadequate waterproofing of the door opener switch during manufacturing.
Until the recall fix is conducted, Toyota recommends that owners ensure that the automatic door lock feature in their Prius vehicles is active. If your vehicle is part of the 2024 Toyota Prius Prime Recall, you should follow these three important steps as soon as possible.
Steps to Fix a Toyota Prius Prime
1. Take Preventative Measures
Keep an eye out for the recall notification, which will provide instructions on scheduling the recall repair. In the meantime, avoid exposing the rear door area to large water splashes, such as those from pressure washing or automatic car washes. Additionally, make sure that the automatic door locking feature is activated to prevent any potential issues. Note that Prius vehicles are sold with this feature automatically activated. If you need instructions on how to turn automatic door locking on, they begin on page 8 here.
2. Schedule and Complete the Recall Repair
Once you receive the recall notification, promptly schedule an appointment with your local Toyota dealer. The dealership will replace the affected right and left rear door opener switches with improved versions at no cost to you.
3. Evaluate Repair Effectiveness and Consider Further Action
After the repair, monitor your vehicle to ensure that the issues have been resolved. If problems persist despite the repair(s), you may want to consider filing a claim under California’s lemon law. This law provides protection and remedies for consumers who purchase vehicles with persistent manufacturing defects or other issues.
If you have had your Prius repaired various times for related problems, you may qualify for a refund or cash compensation under California’s lemon law.
| Affected Vehicle | Average Lemon Law Settlement |
| Toyota Prius | $55,364 |
| Toyota Prius Prime | $64,487 |
*Please note, the figures presented in the chart are approximations based on past case results and should not be interpreted as a prediction or guarantee. Each case is unique and requires personalized legal guidance.
What’s Included in the 2024 Toyota Prius Door Opener Switch Recall?
The recall affects the 2023-2024 Toyota Prius hybrids and the Prius Prime plug-in hybrids. The recall affects 55,000 cars in the U.S. If you own a new Toyota Prius hybrid or a Prius Prime plug-in hybrid, you can check NHTSA’s recall check website to see if your vehicle has any active recalls that need attention.
Your vehicle may exhibit specific warning signs if it’s affected by the short-circuiting issue. Look out for notifications on the combination meter indicating a door opening due to a short circuit. Moreover, while in motion, you might hear a buzzer sound alerting you to the problem.
All known owners of the affected vehicles will receive notifications to return their cars to a Toyota dealer. The dealer will replace both the right and left rear door opener switches with improved ones at no cost to the owners.
While this recall specifically includes 2023-2024 models, please note that older vehicles or other Toyota models may also experience such electrical issues.
2024 Toyota Prius Door Opener Switch Stop Sale Order
Toyota has issued a stop-sale order for the 2024 Prius models. This means that dealerships are prohibited from selling new Prius vehicles until the right and left rear door opener switches are replaced with improved versions.
A stop-sale order is a safety measure that prevents the sale of vehicles with known issues until they are adequately addressed. California residents looking to purchase a new 2024 Toyota Prius should be aware that the vehicle will only be available for sale once the necessary repairs have been completed.
Is there a Fix?
Yes, dealerships will replace the right and left rear door opener switches with improved versions at no cost to the owners. If you own an affected vehicle, you can contact Toyota customer service at 800-331-4331 for more information. The Toyota recall numbers for this issue are 24TB06 and 24TA06, and the NHTSA campaign number is 24V274000. Owners will be notified by mail in June 2024.
In the meantime, you should avoid large water splashes in the rear door area, such as those from pressure washing or automatic car washes. Additionally, make sure the doors on your vehicle automatically lock when you shift out of “Park.” If they don’t, you can enable this feature through your vehicle’s head unit by following these steps while the vehicle is in Park:
- Access the Settings menu by pressing the gear on the bottom left of the home screen
- Select “Vehicle customize” in the lefthand menu
- Then select “Door control”
- Make sure you see “Shift to park” right next to “Auto lock” on the righthand side
If you need further assistance, contact your local authorized Toyota dealer.
Is your car included in the 2024 Toyota Prius Door Opener Switch Recall? Get Help from the Experts
If you are experiencing Prius or Prius Prime problems or other electrical issues, you may have a valid lemon law claim under California law. This could include issues described in the 2024 Toyota Prius recall, which affect the right and left rear door opener switches.
Under California’s lemon law, you may be entitled to a repurchase or replacement vehicle. A lemon law replacement involves providing you with a comparable vehicle that is substantially similar to the one that is a lemon.
A lemon law refund reimburses you for all monies spent on the defective vehicle, including the down payment, monthly payments, taxes, and other fees. With both options, Toyota is allowed to deduct a usage fee, which is a value for when the vehicle was without problems.
Also, as the prevailing party, Toyota is legally required to cover your attorney fees and costs. This makes pursuing a lemon law claim the right and easy financial decision since there is no out of pocket expense to the consumer.
Toyota and other large auto manufacturers hire experienced legal teams to handle breach of warranty claims- and they have endless resources to throw at cases against them. If you attempt to manage your claim alone, you risk being outmatched. Luckily, you can get help from a reputable legal team with multiple years of handling lemon law claims against Toyota.
At the Lemon Law Experts, we have been leveling the playing field for consumers since 2009, helping thousands of people across California recover millions of dollars for their claims against large auto manufacturers like Toyota.
To find out if your case qualifies or if you have any questions about a Toyota vehicle you purchased or leased in California, contact the Lemon Law Experts today for a free consultation. Call 877-885-5366 or fill out a form on our website to get started.
