Clearwater, FL — Toyota Recall: Faulty Prius Door Latches May Open While Driving, Increasing Injury Risk

Clearwater, FL (February 11th, 2026) – Toyota has issued a recall affecting approximately 141,000 Prius vehicles. The recall stems from a critical safety defect: rear door latches may unexpectedly open while the vehicle is in motion. For drivers in Clearwater and throughout Florida, this electrical failure presents serious risks of ejection, falling from the vehicle, or collision-related injuries.

If you or a loved one has been injured due to a defective vehicle door latch or another product defect, Light & Wyatt Law Group is here to help. Call 727-499-9900 for a free consultation about your product liability claim.

Understanding the Toyota Rear Door Defect

The recall affects 2023-2026 Prius models, 2023-2024 Prius Prime vehicles, and 2025-2026 Prius Plug-in Hybrid models. According to Toyota’s recall safety notice, the affected vehicles contain electronic rear door switches vulnerable to water intrusion. The defect stems from inadequate sealing of switches, which degrade over time due to thermal cycling.

When water enters during car washes or pressure washing, it can short-circuit the door latch system. If rear doors are unlocked, the malfunction can trigger the door release, causing doors to open unexpectedly while driving.

Injury Risks from Doors Opening During Vehicle Operation

A rear door opening at highway speeds on Clearwater roadways like the Courtney Campbell Causeway or U.S. Highway 19 can be catastrophic.

Ejection Injuries

Occupants may be ejected from the vehicle, causing traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, broken bones, and internal organ damage. Ejection significantly increases fatality risk, particularly at Florida’s common highway speeds of 55-70 mph. 

Fall-Related Trauma

Passengers may fall partially from the vehicle, contacting the roadway or guardrails. These incidents may result in severe head trauma, skull fractures, and broken limbs requiring surgery. 

Secondary Collisions

Open doors can strike pedestrians, cyclists, or motorcyclists. Other motorists may swerve, causing multi-vehicle accidents. Additionally, objects may fall into traffic, creating hazards for drivers.

Children at Risk

Car seats near the defective door place children at particular risk from door instability or exposure to road debris.

Psychological Trauma

Survivors often experience post-traumatic stress and vehicle-related anxiety.

Product Liability Law and Defective Automotive Components in Florida

Under Florida product liability law, manufacturers must ensure their products are safe and free from defects. When defects cause injury, victims may pursue compensation through several legal theories:

Strict Liability

Manufacturers are held liable when a product defect causes injury, regardless of fault. If the rear door switch defect caused ejection or falls, strict liability may apply.

Negligence

The rear door issue stemmed from inadequate sealing by supplier Tokai Rika. Toyota may be liable for insufficient testing, improper supplier oversight, or inadequate quality control.

Failure to warn

Manufacturers have a continuing duty to warn consumers of known dangers and provide adequate instructions for safe use. If Toyota knew or should have known that the first repair was inadequate but failed to notify affected owners promptly, or if the company did not provide sufficient warnings about the risks of water exposure to the rear doors, failure-to-warn claims may apply.

Design Defect

The unique design of the Prius rear door system, not used in other Toyota models, may constitute an inherently unsafe design.

Florida law allows recovery of economic damages (medical expenses, lost wages) and non-economic damages (pain and suffering, emotional distress). Punitive damages may be available in cases of egregious conduct.

Manufacturer Responsibility and Consumer Protection

When automotive defects cause injuries, multiple parties may bear legal responsibility. Those who may be held liable in cases resulting from defective Prius doors include:

Toyota Motor Corporation: As manufacturer, Toyota bears primary responsibility for ensuring component safety. The second recall for the same problem raises questions about the company’s response to the known hazard.

Component suppliers: Tokai Rika manufactured the defective switches. If the defect arose from failure to follow specifications or inadequate sealing materials, the supplier may share responsibility.

Dealerships: Dealerships that failed to disclose defects or performed incorrect recall repairs may face liability.

Affected owners should document incidents, preserve evidence, seek medical attention, and consult experienced product liability attorneys.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if I own an affected Toyota Prius?
Contact your local Toyota dealership immediately to determine if your vehicle is included in the recall by providing your VIN. You can also check online at Toyota.com/recall. Toyota will inspect and modify your rear door circuits at no cost. 

Until repairs are completed, enable the automatic door-locking feature in your vehicle settings and avoid exposing the rear doors to large amounts of water, such as automatic car washes. I

Can I file a lawsuit if I was injured by a defective door latch even after the recall was announced?
Yes. A manufacturer’s recall does not eliminate your right to seek compensation for injuries caused by a defective product. If the defect caused your injuries before you received notice of the recall, before you had an opportunity to obtain repairs, or even after repairs if those repairs were performed incorrectly, you may have valid legal claims for damages. The recall actually supports your claim by establishing that Toyota recognized a safety defect in its vehicles.

What types of compensation are available in Florida product liability cases?
Florida law permits recovery of economic damages such as medical bills, future medical care, lost income, lost earning capacity, and property damage. You may also recover non-economic damages, including pain and suffering, emotional distress, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, and permanent disability or disfigurement. 

In cases involving gross negligence, willful misconduct, or knowing concealment of defects, punitive damages may also be available to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct by other manufacturers.

Taking Action After a Defective Product Injury

Victims of defective automotive products face significant challenges with insurance claims, recall procedures, and litigation. Product liability cases require expert testimony, engineering analysis, and thorough documentation.

Light & Wyatt Law Group has extensive experience representing Clearwater residents injured by defective products. Our attorneys understand manufacturer tactics and work to hold negligent companies accountable.

Product liability claims must be filed within Florida’s four-year statute of limitations. Early investigation is critical as evidence deteriorates over time.

If you have been injured due to a vehicle defect, contact Light & Wyatt Law Group at 727-499-9900 for a free consultation. 

Jim Magazine

James (Jim) Magazine is a Florida Board Certified Civil Trial lawyer who has spent his career helping injured victims. Jim is licensed to practice law in the State of Florida since 1990 and is also admitted to practice at the Appellate level and admitted to the United States Supreme Court.

Years of Experience: More than 30 years
Florida Registration Status: Active
Bar Admissions:
Clearwater Bar Association
West Pasco Bar Association