by Problems with Electric Locks in Toyota
Modern electric door locks, despite their technological sophistication, sometimes become a source of serious problems and concern, especially when it comes to safety. Toyota has initiated a recall of nearly 20,000 vehicles in Canada due to a malfunction that could lead to doors opening on their own while the vehicle is in motion.
Key points of the recall:
Recall Details for the Prius
According to Transport Canada, the recall affects 19,399 Toyota vehicles, specifically Prius and Prius Prime models from the 2023-2026 model years. The root of the problem lies in the rear doors: moisture ingress into the exterior door handles can lead to a short circuit in the electric opening switches.
When this occurs, the rear doors may unexpectedly open while the vehicle is in motion, creating an obvious safety risk for passengers.
This action expands an earlier recall for the same issue, meaning: even vehicles that have already undergone repairs must return to dealers for additional work. The situation is very similar to one Toyota already announced in the USA in 2024.
As in the previous case, the problem is that the short circuit can activate the door lock without any action from the driver. Toyota reports that the risk can be temporarily reduced by activating the automatic door lock function via the vehicle’s multimedia system, but this is obviously not a permanent solution. Owners will receive notification by mail and instructions to visit a dealership, where technicians will modify the electrical circuits of the rear door switches to properly eliminate the malfunction.
A Separate Issue with Tundra Pickups
This information emerged just days after Toyota recalled 12,179 Tundra pickups from the 2024 and 2025 model years. These trucks are equipped with a panoramic rearview mirror with a digital display. A software error can cause the display to freeze or not show an image at all when reverse gear is engaged.
To fix the issue, all these vehicles require a software update. Technology is great when it works, but sometimes it creates entirely new problems that need solving.
Such incidents with well-known and mass-market models like the Prius or Tundra highlight the complex challenges manufacturers face when integrating increasingly complex electronics into vehicle design. On one hand, it increases comfort and functionality; on the other, it introduces new points of failure related to software and the vulnerability of electrical components to external influences, such as moisture. For owners, it is a reminder of the importance of promptly responding to recall notices, even if previous repairs have already been carried out, as manufacturers may refine defect remediation methods. For the market as a whole, it illustrates how the process of technological improvement is often accompanied by a stage of identifying and correcting errors after the start of operation.
