Worst doors on a car I've ever had -- are all Prii like this?

You can replace door check to get the door to stay in place.

 

No I could not find Dorman part number. Toyota parts were so expensive that I just decided to leave it.

 

Recall that the Prius is built to start at a low $20K price point. It's not realistic to expect that every aspect of the car will be above normal. But if the doors bug you, you can replace the door check mechanism as previously suggested. Some owners add additional sound insulation into the doors.

Regarding Toyota part numbers, you can look at toyodiy.com or one of the US dealer parts websites, such as AutoNation Toyota Gulf Freeway, Houston, TX.
Toyota Parts - Genuine Accessories | AutoNation Toyota Gulf Freeway Parts

 

I just replaced the rear hyrdaulic struts on the rear hatch (that never were strong enough to open from day one). $20 for a pair. Working quite nicely now. Never had any gripes about the side doors, tho.

 

Do your doors then stay open if it is parked so that one side is a bit lower than other? Or if it’s just parked in uphill? I haven’t seen a single one where the door checks are powerful enough.

 

If it was that big of a deal to begin with isn’t it wort spending that money to get it fixed?

 

Apparently the OP just wanted to vent his complaint.

I agree though, that if the issue was bad enough for the OP to decide it was a problem, he could start by replacing the driver's door check and see if the improvement is sufficient to motivate him to replace one or more of the door checks in the other doors.

There are several areas where the 2G Prius performs at an average level.

1. the suspension system is cheaply designed and as a result the vehicle handling is adequate, at best. If you are used to driving vehicles that excel in that area, there is a big difference.
2. the vehicle seating will not win awards for comfort.
3. the friction braking system is adequate for the intended use but no one would say the system is elegant, especially the rear drum brakes.
4. the overall vehicle noise level.
5. the North American Classic and 2G fuel tank bladder, installed to meet CA AT-PZEV requirements. The bladder was an example of advanced technology emissions control. 2G owners in CA and other states following CA emissions standards benefited from this system as they received the longer hybrid components warranties. This system is just a burden on owners in the other states where the longer warranties are not offered, because the system makes the vehicle harder to refuel and the ultimate fuel tank capacity is variable.

But again, the base Prius was designed for a low-$20K price point. Since the hybrid drivetrain costs are relatively high, funding of other areas clearly had to fit within a stringent cost budget. Prius owners are primarily motivated by mpg, so the tradeoffs seem to be justified.

 

Should the door detents be left dry, not greased? What I mean: periodic light lube on the hinges, but none along the length of the arms?

 

I would do that.

If the part that contacts the arm is rubber and arm itself is (coated in) plastic then only thing that you can put in there is silicon but that would make it hold even less.

 

For plastic parts, still not cheap, but less than Toyota parts. You'll thank yourself every time you need the door to stay open.

04 2004 Toyota Prius Door Check - Body Mechanical & Trim - Dorman, Front Left, Front Right, Rear Left, Rear Right - PartsGeek

Also found at Rockauto.com for $46.79 each.

 

Ridiculous statement. ANY other car I've owned with way more miles on them (hard life or not) had doors operating normal. The prius has all 4 doors act like this with not even that many miles on them. No, Toyota screwed it up with the doors.

 

1. MY RESPONSE: I know this is a common complaint but I've never felt the handling was in any way inadequate. It's not a sports car and I don't drive it like one. Regular driving on city or country roads is just fine with me.

2. MY RESPONSE: I know this too is a common complaint but it depends on one's body style. We've had the Gen II for 7+ years and 155K miles and I've never felt the seats were uncomfortable. In fact I like the seats so much I'm concerned the Gen IV changes won't be as comfortable to me.

3. MY RESPONSE: This may very well be true but I've never felt the brakes were inadequate. The fact is we don't use the brakes much. We still have 50% on the original brakes with 155K miles on the car.

4. MY RESPONSE: Here I agree. I don't think Toyota puts enough design effort into eliminating road noise. On some rough road surfaces the noise can be quite loud.

5. MY RESPONSE: Totally. Nothing but a pain. I doubt we've every been able to put 10 gallons in the 11.9 gallon tank. We often have gotten 400 miles on a tank. Never have we gotten the 500 miles we should get from time to time. This is due to the bladder.

To the original OP I've never had problems with the doors staying open on our Gen II, even on a slight hill. Sooner or later the gas shocks on the hatch will wear out and will need to be replaced. I've had to replace them on my boat engine hatch and jet ski front storage bin. It's a wear item.

I suspect the problem with your doors is not normal. As others have indicated lubricating them may cause them not to work properly. I've never lubricated them on any car I've owned.

 

Every gen 2 Prius that I have seen that has done more than 160tkm or 100t miles has very week door checks. Normally the weakest being in the driver’s door and rest of them in the order of their use. So I just think they just wear too fast. Maybe different peoples just have different opinions on what is too lose?

 

FWIW mine has the same problem on both front doors but the rears are fine. I've considered replacing the door checks but haven't bothered yet as the problem rarely causes me grief.

 

We have 155K miles on ours. So no longer "every" gen 2 Prius.