VehicleVerdict

2004 Toyota Prius problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 737 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.5 times the median Prius year — the 2004 model ranks #6 of 27 Prius years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 38 injuries in total across these filings.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 198 reports (27% of the total).

737

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

3

Investigations

50

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

38

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2004 compare to other Prius years?

Prius NHTSA complaints by model year, 2004 highlighted3,482 complaints2000: 4 complaints2001: 215 complaints2002: 201 complaints2003: 123 complaints2004: 737 complaints2005: 1,298 complaints2006: 1,690 complaints2007: 2,451 complaints2008: 1,894 complaints2009: 644 complaints2010: 3,482 complaints2011: 662 complaints2012: 537 complaints2013: 533 complaints2014: 273 complaints2015: 210 complaints2016: 215 complaints2017: 127 complaints2018: 45 complaints2019: 51 complaints2020: 23 complaints2021: 11 complaints2022: 28 complaints2023: 25 complaints2024: 31 complaints2025: 28 complaints2026: 5 complaints
Prius NHTSA complaints by model year, 2004 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Prius years to avoid →

What are the most common 2004 Toyota Prius problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System19827%
Lighting18525%
Engine10414%
Brakes7610%
Speed Control527%
Transmission345%
Other193%
Airbags182%
Fuel System142%
Visibility & Wipers101%
Steering101%
Seat Belts51%
Tires & Wheels41%
Suspension20%
Body & Structure20%
Latches & Locks20%
Seats10%
Driver Assistance10%

Does the 2004 Toyota Prius have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

12V536000Fuel SystemNovember 14, 2012 · 350,662 units

Defect

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2009 Prius vehicles manufactured August 6, 2003, through March 30, 2009 and FCHV-adv vehicles manufactured December 12, 2008, through September 13, 2011. During manufacturing, a scratch may have occurred inside of the electrically driven water pump at the coil wire. The coil wire may corrode at the scratched portion.

Consequence

The corroded coil wire may break and the water pump could stop. The corroded coil wire could cause a short circuit between coil wires and a possible open fuse, creating a stall-like condition of the hybrid system while the vehicle is being driven. This may increase the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy

Toyota will notify its owners, and dealers will replace the electric water pump, free of charge. The recall began on January 17, 2013. Owners may contact their Toyota dealer or the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.

12V537000SteeringNovember 14, 2012 · 669,705 units

Defect

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2009 Prius vehicles manufactured August 5, 2003, through March 30, 2009. The affected vehicles have a steering intermediate extension shaft assembly built with metal splines that complete the connection from the steering wheel to the steering gear. These splines may have been manufactured with an insufficient hardness.

Consequence

Over time, the splines may wear and eventually fail resulting in a loss of steering ability, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy

Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the extension shaft and replace it if it is one with insufficient hardness, free of charge. The recall began during December 2012. Owners may contact their Toyota dealer or the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.

09V388000Speed ControlOctober 5, 2009 · 4,445,056 units

Defect

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CAN GET STUCK IN THE WIDE OPEN POSITION DUE TO ITS BEING TRAPPED BY AN UNSECURED OR INCOMPATIBLE DRIVER'S FLOOR MAT.

Consequence

A STUCK OPEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY RESULT IN VERY HIGH VEHICLE SPEEDS AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH, SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy

TOYOTA FILED AN AMENDED DEFECT REPORT ON NOVEMBER 25, 2009, STATING THAT DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND, ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, ALTER THE SHAPE OF THE FLOOR SURFACE UNDER THE PEDAL. THESE CHANGES ADDRESS THE RISK OF PEDAL ENTRAPMENT DUE TO INTERFERENCE WITH THE FLOOR MAT. REDESIGNED ACCELERATOR PEDALS WILL BECOME AVAILABLE BEGINNING IN APRIL 2010 AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY MODIFIED PEDAL WITH THE NEW PEDAL IF DESIRED. ALSO, DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY GENUINE TOYOTA OR LEXUS ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MATS WITH REDESIGNED ALL-WEATHER MATS, OR REPURCHASE THE PREVIOUS MATS FROM OWNERS WHO DO NOT WANT THE NEW ONES. ADDITIONALLY, SOFTWARE MODIFICATIONS WILL BE INSTALLED ON CAMRY, AVALON AND LEXUS ES 350, IS 350 AND IS 250 MODELS THAT WILL ENSURE THAT THE BRAKE OVERRIDES THE ACCELERATOR IN THE EVENT BOTH BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS ARE APPLIED. TOYOTA WILL BEGIN MAILING LETTERS TO OWNERS ON DECEMBER 31, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331, LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.

06V188000SteeringMay 31, 2006 · 170,856 units

Defect

THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT AND SLIDING YOKE IN THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM CAN CRACK WHEN LARGE FORCES ARE APPLIED AND THE CONNECTION MAY SEPARATE OR THE SLEEVE MAY FRACTURE.

Consequence

THIS COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.

Remedy

TOYOTA WILL REPLACE THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT AND INSPECT THE SLIDING YOKE AND REPLACE IT IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 9, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

06V096000AirbagsApril 3, 2006 · 133 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, DUE TO IMPROPER ASSEMBLY OF THE AIR BAG INFLATOR, WHICH IS USED IN THE SIDE AIR BAG, THE CURTAIN SHIELD AIR BAG, AND THE KNEE AIR BAG ASSEMBLY, SOME INFLATORS WERE PRODUCED WITH AN INSUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF THE HEATING AGENTS NECESSARY FOR PROPER AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. IN THIS CONDITION, THE EXPANSION FORCE OF THE GAS MAY BE INSUFFICIENT TO PROPERLY INFLATE THE AIR BAG WHEN THE SRS SYSTEM IS ACTIVATED DURING A CRASH.

Consequence

THIS MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT IN THE INVOLVED SEATING POSITION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SPECIFIC SRS AIR BAG. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 6, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-888-270-9371, SCION AT 1-866-548-1851, OR LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.

04V558000LightingNovember 22, 2004 · 183,090 units

Defect

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH AN IMPROPERLY DESIGNED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. A SILICON OXIDE BUILD-UP OCCURS ON THE CONTACTS INSIDE THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH, WHICH CAN MAKE IT INOPERABLE.

Consequence

IF THE SWITCH IS INOPERABLE, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL NOT ILLUMINATE AND CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING DECEMBER 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“CAR WAS IN MOTION, 55 MPH ON HIGHWAY GOING STRAIGHT, HAD BEEN DRIVING ONE HOUR. SMOKE STARTED FILLING THE REAR HATCHBACK AREA, COMING FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE CARGO-AREA FLOOR. PULLED OVER AND FLAMES CAME UP. DOUSED IT WITH WATER. UPON INSPECTION THE SKS SENSOR (REMOTE CONTROL DOOR LOCK…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · December 5, 2017 · fire

“I WAS DRIVING AT NIGHT ON A NARROW COUNTRY ROAD, LINED WITH TREES, AT 55 MPH. SUDDENLY , BOTH HEAD LAMPS SHUT OFF. IT IS A MIRACLE THAT I DIDN'T WRECK, I COULD NOT SEE A THING, AND BRAKED BLINDLY. AS I WAS COMING TO A STOP I TURNED THE LIGHT SWITCH ON AND OFF AND THE LIGHTS CAME BACK ON. BEFORE I…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · February 20, 2012

“2004 TOYOTA PRIUS CUT OFF WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS.*MR WHEN THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY, ANOTHER MOTORIST REAR ENDED THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE. *JB”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · October 12, 2004 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. NO ONE WAS INJURED DURING THE CRASH AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED FOR THE FAULTY BRAKES. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · November 24, 2011 · crash

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A VEHICLE AS SHE ATTEMPTED TO SLOW DOWN. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE CONTACT WAS INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · April 5, 2010 · crash

2004 Toyota Prius — common questions

Is the 2004 Toyota Prius reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 737 complaints put the 2004 model at #6 of 27 Prius years. It is one of the Prius years to avoid.

What are the most common 2004 Prius problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (198 complaints), lighting (185 complaints), engine (104 complaints).

Does the 2004 Toyota Prius have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2004 Toyota Prius. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2004 Toyota Prius under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Toyota Prius years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Prius years to avoid are 2010, 2007, 2008, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2011, 2009, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015. The cleanest record among Prius years belongs to 2000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.