Plastic front panel damage, 2010 Prius

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by TimB317, Feb 8, 2026 at 10:06 AM.

  1. TimB317

    TimB317 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 17, 2019
    4
    3
    0
    Location:
    Maryland
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    After 16 1/2 years with only a few small scratches, I tore the front right plastic panel on a pile of hard snow last night. See photos. If it weren't for the bolt in the wheel well, it would undoubtedly have torn off completely, but now it's holding on by a small piece at the upper left. It was bent outward, but I managed to bend it back. Driving home, it came loose and bent out again. Fortunately after a stop to put it back and a slow drive home, it stayed put. Is this in any way repairable, or am I going to need a replacement? What can I do in the short term, to keep it from bending out on its own again? It's been very cold lately, which makes adhesives less effective, although it's supposed to get to the 40s on Tuesday and Wednesday. I do have some large binder clips... I would appreciate any advice.

    Almost makes me miss my 1988 Accord. Its steel panels and rubber-covered bumper would only have been scratched.
     

    Attached Files:

    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  2. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk MMX GEN III

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    60,619
    41,749
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Agree. But we "progress"...
     
  3. Stu Wood

    Stu Wood Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 5, 2014
    18
    9
    0
    Location:
    Bellevue, NE
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Similar incident happened to my 2010. I put a piece of wood behind the plastic bumper cover and used wood screws and fender washers from ACE hardware to join the ripped parts together. After painting the screws and washers it's only noticeable if you really look at it. Cheap fix until I got a new bumper cover (which I never did).
     
  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk MMX GEN III

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    60,619
    41,749
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Fiberglas mesh on the back side, buttered up with 2 part epoxy, and on the front, a little bondo and sanding, spray can, you can get it looking "plausible", save it ending up in a landfill (aka dump). It's down low, so not too visible.
     
  5. TimB317

    TimB317 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 17, 2019
    4
    3
    0
    Location:
    Maryland
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Thanks for the suggestions. If I can patch it so it holds together reliably, I won't need to replace it. At this point, the appearance is secondary.