TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT HE RUBBER COVER ON THE HATCH RELEASE LATCH WAS MELTED AND MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO OPEN THE HATCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED TO THE CONTACT THAT THE HATCH RELEASE ASSEMBLY WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.