Toyota has issued a recall for 211,000 units of the 2023 and 2024 Toyota Prius models globally, with about 55,000 cars affected in the U.S. The reason behind the recall pertains to concerns over the rear doors potentially opening unexpectedly.

The issue arises from the electronic door latches utilized in the current Prius model, a design choice aimed at creating a sleek exterior by concealing the rear handles around the windows. While electronic door handles are not a novel concept, with examples dating back to vehicles like the C6 Corvette, the problem with the recalled Prius vehicles stems from water infiltration into the electronic door latch. This water intrusion can lead to a short circuit of the switch, triggering the unintended release of the door, causing it to open.

The remedy for this issue is a relatively straightforward process. Owners of affected Prius vehicles will be able to take their cars to Toyota dealerships, where new latch mechanisms will be installed to rectify the problem. Importantly, this repair service will be provided at no cost to the owners. Toyota plans to initiate the recall process by sending out notifications via mail to impacted Prius owners starting in June. For those seeking further information or assistance, Toyota has provided contact details including their customer service hotline at 1-800-331-4331, as well as online resources accessible through toyota.com/recall or nhtsa.gov/recalls.