Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2004 Toyota Prius
NHTSA data on file today
The 2004 Toyota Prius has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns and 610 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #12V537000 Steering Intermediate Extension Shaft may Fail NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #12V536000 Water Pump may Fail Causing a Vehicle Stall NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #09V388000 PEDAL ENTRAPMENT NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #06V188000 STEERING SHAFT FAILURE NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #06V096000 AIR BAG INFLATOR NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #04V558000 TOYOTA/STOP LAMP SWITCH NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Exterior Lighting 184 complaints
- Electrical System 177 complaints
- Engine and Engine Cooling 89 complaints
- Vehicle Speed Control 52 complaints
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic 39 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).
Average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $3,400–$5,800AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2004 Toyota Prius has common issues with steering and electrical systems, but benefits from a strong reputation for overall reliability. Frequent recalls impact its rating, but its fuel efficiency and durability remain a draw for buyers.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| steering shaft | 60,000–100,000 miles | $500–$800 | common |
| water pump | 80,000–120,000 miles | $600–$1,000 | common |
| brake light switch | 50,000–90,000 miles | $150–$300 | occasional |
| airbag system | varied | $400–$1,000 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter changes
- Tire rotations
- Brake inspections
- Coolant system checks
- Battery health assessments
- Air filter replacements
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Steering wheel play
- Engine overheating
- Brake light failure
- Unusual noises in steering
- Airbag warning light
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2004 Toyota Prius at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.