Rear hatch release

Discussion in 'Gen 5 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by Paul Gregory, Jul 27, 2025 at 9:50 PM.

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  1. Paul Gregory

    Paul Gregory Senior Member

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    I would like to know if there is a way to open the rear hatch from the front driver's seat. If this topic has been discussed, I haven't found it, and I apologize if it has.

    I know about the manual release handle, but I am unable to crawl into the back to access it.
     
    #1 Paul Gregory, Jul 27, 2025 at 9:50 PM
    Last edited: Jul 28, 2025 at 12:16 AM
  2. Hammersmith

    Hammersmith Senior Member

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    If you have the power rear hatch - yes. Button next to the fuel door release.
    If you have the manual rear hatch - no.
     
    #2 Hammersmith, Jul 27, 2025 at 11:26 PM
  3. Paul Gregory

    Paul Gregory Senior Member

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    The only way I've found is to press the switch in the lift handle.
     
    #3 Paul Gregory, Jul 28, 2025 at 12:10 AM
  4. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    I had a work colleague with a gen 3 who was doing some ride-share driving, and wanted a way to unlock the hatch from the driver position for the riders' convenience.

    We looked on the wiring diagram and saw that the wiring from the release button in the hatch came along the floor and through the junctions behind the driver's kick panel, making it very easy to add another button in one of the switch blanks in the instrument panel.

    That was gen 3, but it wouldn't surprise me a bit to find similar wire routing in gen 5.
     
    #4 ChapmanF, Jul 28, 2025 at 12:19 AM
  5. Hammersmith

    Hammersmith Senior Member

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    Like I said:

    If you have the power rear hatch option, there's a button up front next to the fuel door release button.

    If you don't have the power rear hatch option, there is no way to open the rear hatch from the driver's position.

    There's nothing more to elaborate on. You either have the power rear hatch option or you don't.
     
    #5 Hammersmith, Jul 28, 2025 at 12:21 AM
  6. Paul Gregory

    Paul Gregory Senior Member

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    I know I don't have that button. There are 3 buttons; fuel door, auto headlight dimming and inverter power.
     
    #6 Paul Gregory, Jul 28, 2025 at 12:26 AM
  7. Hammersmith

    Hammersmith Senior Member

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    Does the rear hatch completely open by itself when you press the button in the back? You press the button and stand back and the hatch motorizes up completely without you touching it?
     
    #7 Hammersmith, Jul 28, 2025 at 12:35 AM
  8. Paul Gregory

    Paul Gregory Senior Member

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    I don't have power assist, just gas shocks.
     
    #8 Paul Gregory, Jul 28, 2025 at 12:37 AM
  9. Hammersmith

    Hammersmith Senior Member

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    Then why did you keep asking?


    Back to my original post with emphasis added:

    You:
    I would like to know if there is a way to open the rear hatch from the front driver's seat.

    Me:
    If you have the power rear hatch - yes. Button next to the fuel door release.
    If you have the manual rear hatch - no.
     
    #9 Hammersmith, Jul 28, 2025 at 12:40 AM
  10. Paul Gregory

    Paul Gregory Senior Member

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    What did I "keep asking?" That makes no sense whatsoever.
    So you have an answer, good for you.
     
    #10 Paul Gregory, Jul 28, 2025 at 1:34 AM
  11. Paul Gregory

    Paul Gregory Senior Member

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    It would be nice to find out how to connect it. I have a feeling that the dealer would make it an expensive upgrade.
     
    #11 Paul Gregory, Jul 28, 2025 at 1:58 AM
  12. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    The dealer might just say "that's not an upgrade we offer."

    A local independent auto electric shop or audio/alarm installer might take it on, if you weren't inclined to DIY.

    DIY would probably be straightforward after a glance in the wiring diagram.

    Toyota Service Information and Where To Find It | PriusChat
     
    #12 ChapmanF, Jul 28, 2025 at 12:12 PM
  13. Paul Gregory

    Paul Gregory Senior Member

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    Calling the dealer to find out...
    Found out; it is a dealer upgrade. Costs $260 just for the button, installation is extra.
    So. quite expensive.
     
    #13 Paul Gregory, Jul 28, 2025 at 12:53 PM
  14. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    seems to me that you should be able to install a remote control switch inside the hatch.
     
    #14 bisco, Jul 28, 2025 at 1:16 PM
  15. Paul Gregory

    Paul Gregory Senior Member

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    I'm thinking that when my remote relays arrive from China, I'll be able to tie into the hatch release circuit somehow. I suppose I'll have to dive into the technical manuals.
     
    #15 Paul Gregory, Jul 28, 2025 at 1:29 PM
  16. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i would just open it up and check the wires
     
    #16 bisco, Jul 28, 2025 at 1:31 PM
  17. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace 2025 Camry XLE FWD

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    A dealer would likely refuse to do it because it is not sanctioned by Toyota US
     
    #17 Prodigyplace, Jul 28, 2025 at 1:35 PM
  18. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk MMX GEN III

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    Wiring so it only works if the car's in Park (or similar) seems a good ploy.
     
    #18 Mendel Leisk, Jul 28, 2025 at 1:42 PM
  19. Paul Gregory

    Paul Gregory Senior Member

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    It's not an unsanctioned mod. It's an actual dealer upgrade.
     
    #19 Paul Gregory, Jul 28, 2025 at 1:43 PM
  20. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    if it's wired to the hatch release button, it would only work while in park
     
    #20 bisco, Jul 28, 2025 at 1:46 PM
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