1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Key fob won't unlock driver door only

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Technical Discussion' started by Moomoo69, Dec 6, 2021.

  1. Moomoo69

    Moomoo69 New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 6, 2021
    13
    3
    0
    Location:
    California
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    A few days ago my 2012 Prius was broken into (nothing stolen bc I don't keep anything in my car luckily). I didn't notice any damage immediately but now when I unlock the car, the driver door will not unlock but all other doors will. The car will beep like 10 times but the driver door will not unlock. I can open the driver door manually with the key but I would like to keep using the key fob obviously. The driver door (along with the others) will lock from the key fob though.

    Could this have been caused by the break in or is this something that Prius is prone to?
     
    bisco likes this.
  2. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 31, 2018
    7,035
    2,780
    0
    Location:
    USA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius c
    Model:
    Four
    Yes and yes.
    Door lock actuators fail fairly often.
    But the timing probably is NOT a coincidence.
    You might want to file a "comprehensive" insurance claim just incase.
    Dealer replacement of the actuator is over $600, IIRC.
     
  3. Moomoo69

    Moomoo69 New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 6, 2021
    13
    3
    0
    Location:
    California
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Yeah I called my insurance and they said there's nothing they can do. I'm going to have to replace it myself. I will look into replacing the actuator.
     
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,862
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    they may have slipped a tool down inside the door along the window to unlock it, and damaged something inside. you'll need to pull the inner panel and have a looksee
     
  5. Moomoo69

    Moomoo69 New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 6, 2021
    13
    3
    0
    Location:
    California
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Yeah I def will bc it will unlock once out of ten times, very annoying.
     
    bisco likes this.
  6. Moomoo69

    Moomoo69 New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 6, 2021
    13
    3
    0
    Location:
    California
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    I'm going to replace the actuator. My question is: will the Prius C model actuator fit the Prius III? I'm finding parts for the Prius C at a very good price and I know the Prius C is a little more compact but I would imagine the door is similar or the exact same. Thanks.
     
  7. Foxafire

    Foxafire New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 8, 2022
    5
    0
    2
    Location:
    Oakland, CA
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    Moomoo69 what did you end up doing, and how much did the lock actuator cost? I needed to replace my drivers side door and will have to move the lock from the old door to the new door and am not sure if I can because it looks kind of broken so I'm wondering how much it would cost to get a new lock.
     
  8. Moomoo69

    Moomoo69 New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 6, 2021
    13
    3
    0
    Location:
    California
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Hey what's up. I ended up going a local junkyard since I needed one for each front door which would have totalled over $200 (probably $300). I paid $55 total for both, pretty sweet deal. Just make sure the doors aren't damaged if you can view the vehicle online before you go, it should be good to use.