Any Idea how to put this back in its place?

did you try to push it in?

 

I suggest marriage counseling.

Was it, she noticed the bumper loose and has no idea what happened? Or is it something happened but she's not saying?

 

Going to need some new plastic clips. The old ones probably sheared when the car got "bumped."

Bill the Engineer.

 

It's kind of strange though.
I know through experience that those bumpers are mostly designed to absorb impact...but not bounce back. I'd think an impact strong enough to sheer the clips, would be strong enough to show damage at the point of impact. So I'd think you'd see scratches or an impact point. So I'd ask the OP if he see's any visible damage on the bumper?

If the clips are simply missing?

I'm now wondering if someone wasn't trying to steal the bumper? Got interrupted or just gave up?

 

She probably bumped the bottom edge of the bumper on a parking space stop which was higher than the bottom of the bumper.

Happens quite often with the Prius.

 

Was the car 'bumped', or did that panel get 'pulled'?

This is the first thing I'd try. When doing things to other cars, including removing panels while adding a hitch to another household car recently, many of those clips can be popped without shearing them, and can be popped back on. But not all, I've needed to buy a few replacement clips.

 

It's happened to me...but never caused the clips to sheer off....

I'm just trying to save their marriage.

If someone was trying to steal the bumper? Then that would explain the wife NOT knowing what caused the issue.

Otherwise,- I suspect it happened in the parking lot of a cheap motel as she was meeting her lover.

PS.
But I do like to write stories.

 

The bumpers are usually held together by clips, you can probably straighten any connecting clips that looks to be crooked and push the bumper back into place. If anything, there would be 1 or 2 bolts holding the end of the bumper. The rest are just clips

 

I'd suspect the bottom lip of the "bumper" (really just a fairing) snagged on some wheel stop curb when pulling away, tried to pull it out, in the position it's in now. Obviously not gonna solve the problem, just an observation. I think it'd be best to remove it completely, see what's happened to to the fasteners.

 

Oh come on!
Innocent, benign pulling away from curbs?

Boring...

So none of you are willing to believe his wife has been smuggling drugs across the border hidden behind the bumper assembly?

I'm thinking OBVIOUSLY the wife is involved in some covert criminal activity. Probably having an affair with some high ranking drug cartel operative or downwardly mobile Silicone Valley Executive trying to supplement his dwindling income. Using her and The Prius as tools and pawns. This is going to end in nothing but tragedy. Or at least a tearful admission of infidelity.

I'd look for the saliva from the drug sniffing dogs. Dust for fingerprints.

If you guys just want to believe there's nothing here but a loose bumper? Then I think your shaving with Occams Razor a little too much.

The simplest answer...is usually the most boring.

Is the wife missing time? There could be an Alien Abduction angle here too....

If those saucer tractor beams can lift entire cows? They can dislodge a Prius bumper.

 

It's happened to me... From the pix it looks like it should just snap back into place. At least try that first...

 

Now I'm REALLY suspicious.

Wasn't your location designated as San Jose California yesterday?- That's why I said "Silicone Valley Executive".
Today, you're suddenly living in Corvallis Oregon.

Hmm.....well glad you seem to have resolved the problem with the bumper....

 

Does she back into parking spots?