VehicleVerdict

2004 Toyota Prius electrical system problems

The 2004 Toyota Prius has 198 electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA — 27% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

198

Electrical System complaints

27%

Share of year

4

Crash-involved

0

Related recalls

Electrical System complaints by year

Prius electrical system complaints by model year323 complaints2001: 28 complaints2002: 23 complaints2003: 16 complaints2004: 198 complaints2005: 219 complaints2006: 187 complaints2007: 323 complaints2008: 321 complaints2009: 89 complaints2010: 294 complaints2011: 87 complaints2012: 60 complaints2013: 58 complaints2014: 42 complaints2015: 27 complaints2016: 23 complaints2017: 12 complaints2018: 2 complaints2019: 4 complaints2020: 3 complaints2021: 1 complaints2022: 6 complaints2023: 5 complaints2024: 3 complaints2025: 5 complaints2026: 2 complaints
Prius electrical system complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

What owners report

“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

Common questions

How many electrical system complaints does the 2004 Toyota Prius have?

NHTSA has 198 complaints about the 2004 Toyota Prius electrical system — 27% of all complaints filed for that model year.

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.