Cheap interior door handle piece

[VT4runnin]

I just noticed the other day that there was a loose plastic piece behind my interior door handle. It popped back into place when I pushed it but I thought that was kind of cheap for a $40k car. A few days went by and I realized the passenger side had the same issue. I assume it popped off from slamming the door shut or something. Hopefully this isn't a repeat issue every month or so.:ybrick:

 

[doodman]

I just noticed the other day that there was a loose plastic piece behind my interior door handle. It popped back into place when I pushed it but I thought that was kind of cheap for a $40k car. A few days went by and I realized the passenger side had the same issue. I assume it popped off from slamming the door shut or something. Hopefully this isn't a repeat issue every month or so.:ybrick:

that does suck on such a pricey vehicle.

if it does recur, you could just put a dollop of super glue on the back of the plastic piece and pop it back in place.

 

[ciaz]

I noticed this too. The door handles (not the levers that open the door) are super cheap. They flex if you pull on them.

Stupid cost cutting. What's the deal?

 

[024RunnerSE]

I would really be pissed if that happened to me. If I were you, I would go give the Toyota dealer an earful.

And people bashed me for calling the new Toyotas cheap.. I've been through beat up old rusted Toyota's that had interiors holding up as tight as when they were new. Can't wait to see the threads for interior squeaks and rattles.

 

[sandcrawler]

I would really be pissed if that happened to me. If I were you, I would go give the Toyota dealer an earful.

And people bashed me for calling the new Toyotas cheap.. I've been through beat up old rusted Toyota's that had interiors holding up as tight as when they were new. Can't wait to see the threads for interior squeaks and rattles.

sheesh, a little schadenfreude there or what?
i understand being upset about cost-cutting but this reminds me of a newspaper headline from The Simpsons: "Old Man Yells at Cloud."

 

[chimyz]

After reading this I went out to my truck to check...no looseness on my door? Seems to be nice and tight.

 

[doodman]

Seems to be nice and tight.

That's what she said.

 

[7harper]

I just noticed the other day that there was a loose plastic piece behind my interior door handle. It popped back into place when I pushed it but I thought that was kind of cheap for a $40k car. A few days went by and I realized the passenger side had the same issue. I assume it popped off from slamming the door shut or something. Hopefully this isn't a repeat issue every month or so.:ybrick:

That plastic piece is one of the three access panels that hide the screws that hold the door panel on.They are just clip in,same as almost all cars. Mine are on real tight as is the whole door panel.
Has somebody possibly taken the door panels off of yours before? Also,some window tinters take the door panels off to make it easier to get a better tint job.
Sometimes they bend the clips on the back and they won't catch right.Look at it and straighten them out or have the dealer get new ones if the problem persist.The part number is on the back and they are probably dirt cheap.

 

[VT4runnin]

That plastic piece is one of the three access panels that hide the screws that hold the door panel on.They are just clip in,same as almost all cars. Mine are on real tight as is the whole door panel.
Has somebody possibly taken the door panels off of yours before? Also,some window tinters take the door panels off to make it easier to get a better tint job.
Sometimes they bend the clips on the back and they won't catch right.Look at it and straighten them out or have the dealer get new ones if the problem persist.The part number is on the back and they are probably dirt cheap.

Thanks harper. Now that I think of it, my tint guy did take off the panels to do my windows. I THINK I noticed the issue after this was done. Next time they pop off I'll see if the clips need attention.

 

[adoihcj]

Thanks harper. Now that I think of it, my tint guy did take off the panels to do my windows. I THINK I noticed the issue after this was done. Next time they pop off I'll see if the clips need attention.

So I guess this car is not so cheap after all? :bluejump:

 

[BlueBelt]

That's what she said.

Ha-ha-ha... :frisky:

 

[M1911]

sheesh, a little schadenfreude there or what?

Props for using schadenfreude. And spelling it correctly.

 

[bobs4state]

So I guess this car is not so cheap after all? :bluejump:

Geez o' Petes

 

[bobs4state]

I would really be pissed if that happened to me. If I were you, I would go give the Toyota dealer an earful.

And people bashed me for calling the new Toyotas cheap.. I've been through beat up old rusted Toyota's that had interiors holding up as tight as when they were new. Can't wait to see the threads for interior squeaks and rattles.

My door handles are very secure, as is the rest of the interior. As a matter of fact, this truck has a much more secure feeling interior than my previous cars which were a Toyota 4runner and an Acura TL. I think the interior is fine.

I'll take a rattle or two over rust any day.

 

[T4Fun]

if anyone is concerned about the thinness of the metal, very easy solution to that!

just get a carbon fiber weave cloth and epoxy it on the back of the metal sheet. lighter than aluminum, stronger than steel! use it on my rc jets all the time, stuff is incredible.

use west systems epoxy resin and hardener. they use it on boats and other fiberglass

 

[ciaz]

NOT the handles that unlock/open the door, but the large handles that you grab to swing the doors closed... THOSE handles aren't loose. Toyota just decided to make it out of cheap plastic, and creaks when you squeeze it. I'd be interested in finding a way to maybe reinforce it from behind.

I live in AZ, so maybe the plastic gets more flexible in the heat or something...

 

[clemson4rnr]

This is a picture of my door handle. Seemed a little cheap when I picked it up ... :bash: