NHTSA safety recall National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Toyota recall: Water may enter the rear door switch and cause a short circuit

Recall published 9 months ago

Water may enter the rear door switch and cause a short circuit, allowing an unlocked rear door to open unexpectedly.

The hazard: Fuel leak or fire risk

A fire risk is what prompted this recall, and the manufacturer’s parking instruction is the part of the notice people most often skip.

What the notice says: A door that unexpectedly opens while the vehicle is moving increases the risk of injury.

Why it matters: The vehicle may leak fuel, or a component may overheat enough to start a fire. Several of these campaigns involve a fire risk while the vehicle is parked and switched off, which is why the parking instructions matter.

Recall details

Recall number
26V049000
Published
January 28, 2026
Risk level
NHTSA safety recall
Status
Open safety recall
Issued by
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Brand
Toyota
Product type
Electrical System
Distribution
Nationwide
Vehicles
Toyota Prius
Lot / code info
NHTSA campaign number 26V049000

Products covered by this recall

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Prius Prime, 2023-2026 Prius, and 2025-2026 Prius Plug-in Hybrid vehicles. Water may enter the rear door switch and cause a short circuit, allowing an unlocked rear door to open unexpectedly.

Vehicles in this campaign

Check your product

The notice names 3 codes you can read straight off the package. Type the one printed on yours and the list below narrows to it.

Vehicle

Match this against the make and model on your registration.

  • Prius Prime
  • Prius
  • and 2025-2026 Prius Plug-in Hybrid

Codes are lifted verbatim from the NHTSA — Vehicle safety recalls notice. A code that is missing here may still be covered — the official notice is the complete list.

What to do about Fuel / fire

Toyota — A fire risk is what prompted this recall, and the manufacturer’s parking instruction is the part of the notice people most often skip.

  1. Read the risk note above carefully. If it says to park outdoors and away from buildings, do that tonight — the fire can start with the engine off and the key indoors.
  2. Check your own VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you do anything else. A campaign covers a build range, not every car of that model year, and the VIN lookup is the only thing that confirms yours is included.
  3. Call any franchised dealer for the brand, give them the campaign number from this page, and ask them to confirm parts are in stock before you book — part supply, not labour, is what delays a fresh recall.
  4. If you smell fuel, see a leak under the car or notice smoke or a burning smell, stop driving it and have it towed.

What the recall repair costs you

Nothing, and that is a legal obligation rather than a goodwill gesture. The question worth asking is what else is covered.

  • Recall work is free for as long as you own the vehicle, with no mileage limit, no age limit for the current owner, and no requirement that you bought the car from that dealer.
  • Keep receipts for towing, storage or a rental you arranged yourself — reimbursement for these is common where the vehicle was undrivable.
  • If you already paid an independent garage for the same fix, submit the invoice to the manufacturer under their reimbursement plan.
  • Get the closed campaign noted on your service record. Buyers and insurers both check.

Remedy named in the notice: Dealers will modify the rear door switch circuits, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed July 13, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 26TB03 and 26TA03. This recall expands and replaces NHTSA recall number 24V274. Vehicles repaired under the previous recall will need to have the new remedy performed.

Company contact: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

The official notice

This page summarises a notice published by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The agency notice is the authoritative version — read it before you act, and treat it as the final word if anything here looks different.

Open the NHTSA — Vehicle safety recalls record National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recalls

Questions people ask about this recall

Why was Toyota electrical system recalled?

Water may enter the rear door switch and cause a short circuit, allowing an unlocked rear door to open unexpectedly. A door that unexpectedly opens while the vehicle is moving increases the risk of injury.

How do I know if I have the recalled product?

The notice does not publish package codes for this recall. Compare the product name, size and the purchase window against the official NHTSA — Vehicle safety recalls record, and contact the company if you are unsure.

What should I do with it right now?

Read the risk note above carefully. If it says to park outdoors and away from buildings, do that tonight — the fire can start with the engine off and the key indoors.

Can I get my money back?

The notice says: Dealers will modify the rear door switch circuits, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed July 13, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 26TB03 and 26TA03. This recall expands and replaces NHTSA recall number 24V274. Vehicles repaired under the previous recall will need to have the new remedy performed.

Does the repair cost me anything?

No. Safety recall repairs are performed free of charge at a franchised dealer for as long as the campaign is open, whether or not the vehicle is still under warranty.

Related recalls