On a recent trip out of state, I was shocked when the fuel door wouldn't open, apparently due to a broken cable. Of course, this happened on a weekend and there was no technical help available from Toyota. There is a panel through which the cable is accessible just behind the release lever in front, but the cable was slack. Most cars have an emergency release in the trunk, and the cable is accessible through the left rear liner, but apparently the Prius does not have an emergency release, although there is a T-shaped fitting as the cable enters the fueling compartment from the rear. The mechanism that locks the fuel door is built to be very difficult to pick open, with the locking mechanism immediately adjacent to the filler spout. It took a guy with a big screw driver and a lot of determination to open the door so that we could get fuel. Has anyone else experienced this, or figured out an emergency procedure that doesn't involve bending the **** out of the fuel door?
First case I've heard of...sounds like a serious PITA. When you take it in to get fixed ask if there is an easy way to access if it should occur again and please share you findings here.
According to my dealer and the "Toyota Experience" hotline, there is no emergency way to open the fuel door except by force. Taking a look at how it works the next time you fuel may help avoid breaking anything should you ever need to jimmy it open.
I'm updating this old thread cause after a dozen years, the gen2 fuel filler door may not pop open when you pull up on the Fuel door handle , and usually there is an easy workaround. Toyota cables don't break or stretch often. At this age, the issue is more with the door locking parts. A broken, missing, or lost spring, etc. A couple of threads say that two people are needed. One for holding up the Fuel door handle on the floor to the left of the driver's seat, and a second person for gently opening the fuel filler door at the same time. Instead, prop up the Fuel door handle with some waded up paper towels or rags, and then try gently opening the fuel filler door. Other threads note that there is no emergency cable pull or other easy access to the inside of the fuel fill compartment. I pulled the plastic and carpet pieces off from the inside and could not unlock the door. So, I tried propping up the Fuel handle and then could easily open the fuel door. . . .
