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2018 Prime - Rust on Hatch Handle

Discussion in 'Prime Main Forum (2017-2022)' started by JeremyL, Mar 10, 2019.

  1. JeremyL

    JeremyL Junior Member

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    I purchased my Prime Plus in August. It has now gone through it's first winter with salt in the Northeast.

    I noticed today that there is rust beginning to form in the handle area of the hatch. There is a piece of metal in that area that is not showing visible rust but is all bubbled (clear sign that rust is forming below the paint).

    I see some posts on this from 17 but nothing more recent and no resolution. Is this still a common problem? Any clue what the fix is?
     
  2. kevin.c

    kevin.c Member

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    curious what this looks like - could you post a picture?
     
  3. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    There's another fairly long thread on that subject somewhere here. Apparently quite a few people have had this happen including the previous owner of mine. Like this:
    IMG_0104 copy.jpg
     
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  4. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    You are correct, nothing has been done by Toyota to remedy this problem AFAIK. The issue has been brought up to the Toyota headquarter (both US and Canada), and they know this problem exist. I have been on a waiting list to replace the handle parts as soon as a new (and hopefully improved) material parts becomes available, but it has been almost 8 months.

    When weather brakes, I am going to try to remedy it DIY. Probably taking the parts off and applying rust proof paint of some sort.

    Here is the link to the original thread on 2017 PRIME.
    Rust on rear hatch handle | PriusChat
     
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  5. JGC61

    JGC61 Active Member

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    Had the same rust on mine. The dealer repaired it under warranty.
     
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  6. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    Repaired by replacing with the same parts made of the same material? Have you had the same issue after this winter yet?
     
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  7. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    These are the kinds of issue the AWOL Prius Team need to see, but apparently, Toyota US is not interested in customer support after they have your money.
     
  8. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    Nice! I just looked at the corrosion warranty and it said it's for perforation (rust through), so I wouldn't expect them to replace it. Maybe I should check on that before I take it apart and treat it myself.
     
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  9. JGC61

    JGC61 Active Member

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    Had body shop repaint it.
    Looks like it is starting to rust again.
     
  10. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    I lived on a small island for nine years. This stuff is the best:
     
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  11. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    So, it was never replaced? Toyota just reimbursed you for the cost of painting it under warranty?
     
  12. JGC61

    JGC61 Active Member

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    The dealers body shop repainted it. It is starting to rust.
     
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  13. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    Well, that makes me wonder how hard it is to replace it. I was thinking if I can remove the piece easily, then repair it DIY. If it is super difficult, I may have to wait for Toyota to come up with a replacement parts.
     
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  14. JGC61

    JGC61 Active Member

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    It doesn't look like an easy part to replace. I believe the rear hatch is a carbon fiber material.
     
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  15. pghyndman

    pghyndman Active Member

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    I checked mine with a magnet and found it has a plastic trim shell surround, but the rusted section jerry showed is actually behind the surround. Might be easiest to just brush on a rust converter/stabilizer or preemptively slap a quick protective coat of paint on it.
     
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  16. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    That thought crossed my mind, but it wouldn't help the sides or the back. I wonder if anyone has popped the panel off of there yet and knows where to safely pry. I'm sure it's not too hard, but it is a little scary. If the handle has a plastic coating the coating would have to be removed in order to properly treat the rust.
     
  17. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    The difference material thickness likely means a different part than what the gen4 uses.

    If the Prius handle isn't having any issues, looking into whether it could be made to fit the Prime may be quicker than waiting for Toyota.
     
  18. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    You mean this?

    Switch - Toyota (84840-47040) | Toyota Parts
     
  19. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    Whichever part that is rusting.
    Since it hasn't been mentioned here, I'm working with the assumption that the issue isn't effecting the plain old Prius model. Thus the part isn't one shared between them. This looks like a strip a steel to give some extra reinforcement to the carbon fiber around the handle area.
     
  20. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    I just went out to my car & verified. The Gen 4 switch is totally different. The switch itself only has rubber exposed.
     
    #20 Prodigyplace, Mar 13, 2019
    Last edited: Mar 13, 2019