
Logo of Toyota is seen at the Japan Mobility Show on Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023, in Tokyo.
Toyota has announced a major vehicle recall in Canada.
Nearly 20,000 cars are affected by a rear door safety concern.
The issue could cause rear doors to open while driving.
Officials warn this poses a serious injury risk.
Transport Canada released an updated recall notice this week.
The notice outlines a defect linked to water exposure.
The problem affects specific Toyota hybrid models.
What Triggered the Toyota Recall in Canada
According to Transport Canada, water may leak into rear door handles.
This moisture can reach the door opener switch.
If that happens, the switch may short circuit.
A short circuit can trigger unexpected door opening.
This may occur while the vehicle is in motion.
Such an event increases the risk of passenger injury.
The safety regulator described the issue as unpredictable.
Drivers may not receive advance warning.
Toyota Models Included in the Recall
The Toyota recall in Canada affects popular hybrid vehicles.
Only specific model years are involved.
The recalled models include:
- Toyota Prius, model years 2023 to 2026
- Toyota Prius Prime, model years 2023 to 2026
Both vehicles are widely used across Canada.
Many families rely on them for daily commuting.
Steps Toyota Is Urging Owners to Take
Toyota has issued immediate guidance for vehicle owners.
Drivers are advised to activate automatic door locking.
This setting can be enabled through the vehicle’s head unit.
Automatic locking reduces the chance of doors opening mid-drive.
However, it does not fix the underlying defect.
Toyota stresses that a dealership visit remains necessary.
Dealership Repairs Planned
Toyota will contact affected owners by mail.
The company will instruct them to book a dealership appointment.
Technicians will modify the rear door switch circuits.
The repair aims to eliminate the short-circuit risk.
Toyota says the fix will be performed at no cost.
Owners are encouraged not to delay the service.
Expansion of an Earlier Recall
Transport Canada confirmed this is not a new issue.
The recall expands a previous safety notice.
That earlier notice was listed as recall number 2024-228.
Vehicles repaired under the previous recall are included again.
Those cars also require the updated repair.
Transport Canada emphasized this point clearly.
Toyota Recalls Continue Across Canada
This rear door issue is not Toyota’s only recent recall.
Earlier this week, thousands of Toyota Tundra trucks were recalled.
That recall involved a rear-view camera defect.
Under certain conditions, camera software may malfunction.
The image could freeze or fail to appear.
This can happen when shifting into reverse.
Previous Camera Recall Still Relevant
Toyota issued a similar camera recall last October.
That recall impacted both Tundra and Sequoia models.
More than 32,000 vehicles were affected in Canada.
Transport Canada has been monitoring these defects closely.
The agency continues to publish updates online.
Drivers are urged to check recall databases regularly.
What Owners Should Do Next
Owners should confirm whether their vehicle is affected.
This can be done through Toyota or Transport Canada websites.
Scheduling repairs promptly is strongly recommended.
The Toyota recall Canada announcement highlights ongoing safety vigilance.
While no injuries have been reported, risks remain real.
Timely repairs can help ensure driver and passenger safety.

