Recall 26V049 covers 141,286 2023-2026 Toyota Prius, Prius Prime, and Prius Plug-In Hybrid vehicles for rear door switches that short. Free repair once Toyota opens it.
Toyota is recalling 141,286 2023-2026 Prius Prime, Prius, and Prius Plug-In Hybrid vehicles because water in the rear door switch can short circuit the switch. An unlocked rear door can open while the vehicle is moving, increasing injury risk; the dealer repair will be free once Toyota opens it.
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What's wrong?
The rear door outside handle on the 2023-2026 Toyota Prius Prime, Prius, and Prius Plug-In Hybrid includes an electric door opener switch. That switch tells the rear door lock release actuator to release the latch when someone opens the door from outside. The latch is supposed to stay secured while the vehicle is moving.
In NHTSA campaign 26V049, Toyota says water can reach the switch if its seal has been reduced by thermal cycling, heavy water splash, and a hard door closing. Water mixed with detergent, such as from a car wash, can short the switch and make it activate. If the rear door is unlocked, that short can release the latch and let the door open unexpectedly while driving.
The warning sign is limited. If the door opens while the vehicle is in motion, the combination meter shows a notification and a buzzer sounds.
Who's affected?
Covers Prius, Prius Prime, and Prius Plug-In Hybrid variants across the 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026 model years, tied to the right rear outside door handle wiring and latch.
| 2024 Toyota Prius Prime | wiring |
|---|---|
| 2024 Toyota Prius Prime | Latch |
| 2023 Toyota Prius Prime | wiring |
| 2023 Toyota Prius Prime | Latch |
| 2026 Toyota Prius | wiring |
| 2026 Toyota Prius | Latch |
| 2025 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid | wiring |
| 2025 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid | Latch |
| 2026 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid | wiring |
| 2026 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid | Latch |
| 2024 Toyota Prius | wiring |
| 2024 Toyota Prius | Latch |
| 2025 Toyota Prius | wiring |
| 2025 Toyota Prius | Latch |
| 2023 Toyota Prius | wiring |
| 2023 Toyota Prius | Latch |
| Units affected | 141,286 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific hatchback is included.
What's the safety risk?
If a rear door opens unexpectedly while the vehicle is moving, occupants face a higher risk of injury. A combination meter notification and buzzer can warn you while driving. Treat that warning as a reason to pull over safely and call the dealer. Repair will be free at any franchised Toyota dealer once Toyota opens it.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2023-2026 Toyota Prius Prime, Prius, or Prius Plug-In Hybrid is included in this recall.
- Watch for Toyota's final remedy letter before scheduling the rear door switch circuit modification.
- Keep the rear doors locked while driving, and keep passengers clear of the rear door switches until the final repair is complete.
- Contact a franchised Toyota dealer after Toyota opens the final remedy; the dealer will modify the rear door switch circuits for free.
- Bring any Toyota recall letter and reference recall number 26V049, Toyota recall 26TB03 or 26TA03, when you call.
- Call Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331 with questions about the interim notice or final repair timing.
What happens at the repair
Toyota has sent interim owner letters explaining the safety risk. The final repair is not open yet. Once Toyota makes it available, a Toyota technician will modify the rear door switch circuits so water intrusion does not let an unlocked rear door open unexpectedly. The final dealer repair will be free once available, including parts and labor. Vehicles repaired under the earlier recall still need this new remedy. If you've already paid for a related repair, Toyota's general reimbursement plan on file covers documented qualifying expenses. Contact Toyota customer service or ask the service desk how to submit repair paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| January 28, 2026 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| January 28, 2026 | Dealer notification began |
| January 28, 2026 | Dealer notification ended |
| January 28, 2026 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| March 29, 2026 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 26V049?
Recall 26V049 covers 141,286 2023-2026 Toyota Prius Prime, Prius, and Prius Plug-In Hybrid vehicles. Water can enter the rear door switch and short the circuit, allowing an unlocked rear door to open while the vehicle is moving. Toyota dealers will modify the rear door switch circuits for free once the final remedy is available.
What should I do if my 2023-2026 Toyota Prius, Prius Prime, or Prius Plug-In Hybrid is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 26V049. If it is, call a franchised Toyota dealer and reference recall 26V049, plus Toyota numbers 26TB03 and 26TA03. The final repair is not open yet, and Toyota will send another letter once it is available.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Toyota says dealers will modify the rear door switch circuits free of charge. Parts and labor are covered once the final remedy for recall 26V049 opens.
What is the safety risk in recall 26V049?
The safety risk is an unlocked rear door opening while the vehicle is moving. NHTSA campaign 26V049 says that condition increases the risk of injury. Until the final repair is available, make sure rear doors are fully closed and locked before driving.
When will Toyota notify owners about the Prius door switch recall?
Toyota mailed interim owner letters on March 26, 2026. Those letters explained the safety risk before the final remedy was ready. Toyota will send additional letters once dealers can perform the final rear door switch circuit modification.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/26V049000 |
|---|---|
| Toyota customer service | 1-800-331-4331 |
| NHTSA recall # | 26V049 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 26V049000 |
Source documents
-
Download Owner Notice (PDF) - Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 19, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →