NHTSA vehicle safety data

2004 Toyota Prius Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2004 Toyota Prius has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns and 610 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Toyota dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2004 Toyota Prius, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2004 Toyota Prius owner complaints

Owners have filed 610 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Toyota Prius, describing incidents dated November 23, 2003 to September 24, 2025.

Most-cited components

Exterior Lighting 184 complaints
Electrical System 177 complaints
Engine 98 complaints
Service Brakes 73 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control 52 complaints
Power Train 34 complaints

Of the 610 complaints on file, 38 report a crash and 2 a fire; across all 610 complaints, owners report 29 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11689579 · Filed September 24, 2025
Codes C1256 and C1391 ACC low pressure and abnormal leak of ACC press
ODI #11674939 · Filed July 21, 2025
The odometer on my 2004 Prius stops at 299,999. This is a known problem in the 04-05 models that was corrected in 2006. Leaves me unable to track miles for maintenance and other uses. This also has the problem with the entire digital dash going dark which means no speedometer or gas gauge. Making…
ODI #11493255 · Filed November 12, 2022
During a hot period of summer, my drive selector decided to not stay in the drive position unless I held it there. I could make the initial selection of drive and then stop on the gas, but it would not stay unless I physically held the lever down in the drive position. I never had an issue with the…

Read all 610 complaints

Owner-reported

2004 Toyota Prius mileage at failure

495 of the 610 complaints on file for the 2004 Toyota Prius give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.

Mileage at failure by component, from owners' complaints to NHTSA
Component	Median	Middle half	Based on
Exterior Lighting	Median 110,000 miles	Middle half 80,000–145,000 miles	Based on 159 complaints
Electrical System	Median 30,000 miles	Middle half 9,000–110,000 miles	Based on 141 complaints
Engine	Median 15,000 miles	Middle half 9,000–40,000 miles	Based on 78 complaints
Service Brakes	Median 85,000 miles	Middle half 50,000–110,000 miles	Based on 60 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control	Median 55,000 miles	Middle half 17,000–90,000 miles	Based on 38 complaints

A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.

Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.

These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.

Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2004 Toyota Prius in 3 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Defect Petition DP22-005: Pedestrian alert sounds
Closed August 7, 2023
- Recall 22V-063
Defect Petition DP13-001: Intermediate Steering Shaft Separation
Closed April 8, 2020
Preliminary Evaluation PE05-029: ENGINE STALLING
Closed October 12, 2005

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Steering Intermediate Extension Shaft may Fail

NHTSA #12V537000 · Steering · NHTSA notice

Reported November 14, 2012 · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Potentially affected: 669,705 vehicles

Owners notified December 20, 2012 · Vehicles built August 5, 2003 – March 30, 2009 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Water Pump may Fail Causing a Vehicle Stall

NHTSA #12V536000 · Engine and Engine Cooling · NHTSA notice

Reported November 14, 2012 · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Potentially affected: 350,662 vehicles

Owners notified January 17, 2013 · Vehicles built August 6, 2003 – March 30, 2009 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

PEDAL ENTRAPMENT

NHTSA #09V388000 · Vehicle Speed Control — Accelerator Pedal · NHTSA notice

Reported October 5, 2009 · TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Potentially affected: 4,445,056 vehicles

Toyota campaign 90L(TOYOTA)/90LG(LEX · Owners notified December 31, 2009

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

TOYOTA RECALL NO. 90L/90LG.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

STEERING SHAFT FAILURE

NHTSA #06V188000 · Steering — Electric Power Assist System · NHTSA notice

Reported May 31, 2006 · TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Potentially affected: 170,856 vehicles

Toyota campaign 60C · Owners notified June 9, 2006 · Vehicles built August 5, 2003 – November 10, 2005 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

TOYOTA RECALL NO. 60C.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

AIR BAG INFLATOR

NHTSA #06V096000 · Air Bags · NHTSA notice

Reported April 3, 2006 · TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Potentially affected: 133 vehicles

Toyota campaign 60B 6LB · Owners notified April 6, 2006 · Vehicles built September 23, 2003 – December 1, 2005 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

TOYOTA RECALL NO. 60B AND LEXUS RECALL NO. 6LB.CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

TOYOTA/STOP LAMP SWITCH

NHTSA #04V558000 · Exterior Lighting — Brake Lights — Switch · NHTSA notice

Reported November 22, 2004 · TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Potentially affected: 183,090 vehicles

Toyota campaign SSC 40L/SSC 4LH · Owners notified December 20, 2004 · Vehicles built February 10, 2003 – September 3, 2004 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer remedy

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

Notes

TOYOTA RECALL NO. SSC 40/LEXUS RECALL NO. SSC 4LH.CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

2004 Toyota Prius 4-DR.

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 4

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 4, Passenger: 4

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

3 investigations

610 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2004 Toyota Prius.

Service Brakes

ODI #11689579

Incident: September 24, 2025 · Filed: September 24, 2025

Codes C1256 and C1391 ACC low pressure and abnormal leak of ACC press

Electrical System

ODI #11674939

Incident: July 18, 2025 · Filed: July 21, 2025

The odometer on my 2004 Prius stops at 299,999. This is a known problem in the 04-05 models that was corrected in 2006. Leaves me unable to track miles for maintenance and other uses. This also has the problem with the entire digital dash going dark which means no speedometer or gas gauge. Making the vehicle almost unable to be driven safely at this point. I have reached out to Toyota and they verify that it was an issue with this year range but because I have owned it too long they don't do anything about it

Electrical System

ODI #11493255

Incident: September 1, 2020 · Filed: November 12, 2022

During a hot period of summer, my drive selector decided to not stay in the drive position unless I held it there. I could make the initial selection of drive and then stop on the gas, but it would not stay unless I physically held the lever down in the drive position. I never had an issue with the reverse position; only drive. I could always get the car back into Park. This is an extremely unsafe driving condition because it happens without warning and the fix is not obvious. Once the driver is aware of the fix, it forces them into an unsafe driving condition: driving with one hand on the parking selector. Once cooler weather came, the issue went away. It didn't happen on all hot days and was intermittent. I replaced the drive selector in 2022 and have only had the issue come up one other time since replacing this part.

Steering; Forward Collision Avoidance

ODI #11468633

Incident: June 9, 2022 · Filed: June 10, 2022

The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Prius. The contact stated while driving 51 MPH, the vehicle experienced phantom braking and a loss of power steering assist with the engine overheating message displayed. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 154,079.

Electrical System; Engine

ODI #11460805

Incident: April 9, 2022 · Filed: April 14, 2022

The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Prius. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle lost power steering functionality but the contact was able to safely pull off of the road. The contact stated that the check engine warning light and other unknown warning lights were illuminated before the vehicle stalled. Additionally, the instrument panel went black. The contact stated that she attempted to restart the vehicle but the vehicle would not restart. The contact had the vehicle towed to her residence and later towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was diagnosed and it was determined that a wiring cable connector had melted onto the battery and affected the engine. Additionally, the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 83,200.

Vehicle Speed Control; Unknown or Other

ODI #11459332

Incident: April 2, 2022 · Filed: April 2, 2022

I need your help to get Toyota to fix 2 items: -ABS Accumulator: I understand Toyota at one time had a recall on the ‘ABS Accumulator’, that may have expired. At that time, I did not have any issue, nor was I aware of the recall. Now the ‘ABS Accumulator’ has gone out and is really hurting the braking. I had to get new brakes & they get locked because of the ABS malfunction. It is an expensive item – more than the cost of the car. I intend to keep the car for a long time, if Toyota can help me get the ABS Accumulator fixed? -MFD: The Multi-Functional Display (MFD) in the middle of the dashboard, has gone blank. It used to just partially blank out before, but now the whole screen is blank all the time, making it very hazardous to drive. Obviously, there is nothing I have done & it is a manufacturing defect, because it should last the life of the car. Please have Toyota fix the 2 problems (ABS & MFD). All requests to Toyota have gone unfulfilled. Your help is needed & will be greatly appreciated.

Service Brakes

ODI #11452343

Incident: September 13, 2021 · Filed: February 17, 2022

ABS failure. Won't pressurize. Anti-lock brakes quit working.

Service Brakes

ODI #11441812

Incident: September 1, 2021 · Filed: November 27, 2021

Toyota has issued time-limited 'Warranty enhancement program ZG1' instead of working with the NHSTA to issue a comprehensive BRAKE ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY RECALL. ZG1 was explicitly in place only from April 2016 to Dec 2017, requiring dealer verification of an actual system failure prior to 31 Dec 2017. My failure occurred in 2021 and Toyota will not extend ZG1 for me (case 211015000390). Obviously the BRAKE ACTUATOR is a key safety component. Obviously this is a design flaw - brake systems MUST be designed to last the life of the vehicle. Obviously Toyota has had an excessive number of failures. Toyota is improperly using this 'warranty enhancement program ZG1' to avoid the NHSTA and to avoid responsibility for the poor BRAKE ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY design. Per their letter to owners, Toyota was NOT replacing the BRAKE ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY on a preventive basis prior to actual brake failure. Because of the importance and severity, Toyota should have replaced the BRAKE ACTUATORS via a recall. I would like Toyota to fix my faulty brakes at their expense.

Service Brakes

ODI #11416310

Incident: May 12, 2021 · Filed: May 12, 2021

BRAKE ACTUATOR WENT OUT AND DEALER SAID TOYOTA USED TO COVER IT, BUT NOT ANYMORE. I SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND DISCOVERED THIS [PART IS BAD IN MOST PRIUS VEHICLES AND TOYOTA EXTENDED THE COVERAGE ON THE 2010-2015 UNTIL AUGUST 31, 2021. UNFORTUNATELY MY CAR IS 2004 AND DOES NOT GET THE BENEFIT OF THE EXTENSION. THE COST TO REPAIR IS ALMOST $4,000. TOYOTA KNOWS OF THIS ISSUE AND SHOULD REPAIR MY CAR AS THEY ARE WITH THE OTHER YEARS 2010-2015. THIS IS A DRIVER SAFETY ISSUE.

Electrical System; Exterior Lighting; Unknown or Other

ODI #11373705

Incident: November 2, 2020 · Filed: November 8, 2020

ALL THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHTS CONTINUE TO GO OUT ON MY 04 PRIUS. I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH FUEL I HAVE THIS COULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE. I DON'T KNOW HOW FAST I'M GOING THIS COULD DEFINITELY BE A SAFETY ISSUE. AND ZERO WARNING LIGHTS COME ON THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE. BY LOOKING ON THE INTERNET I CAN TELL THOUSANDS OF PRIUSES HAVE THIS EXACT SAME ISSUE WITH THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER GOING OUT. THIS SHOULD DEFINITELY BE A RECALL.

Other Toyota Prius model years

Check your 2004 Toyota Prius VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Toyota Prius at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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