KnownCarProblems2004 Toyota Prius Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 610 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Toyota Prius, most often about the lights (30% of complaints, typically around 105,500 miles). It is 6th of 27 Prius model years by number of complaints and has 6 recalls.
Most common 2004 Toyota Prius problems
Lights
184 complaints · 30%Half of these problems showed up before 105,500 miles. Parts named most often: headlights, brake lights, tail lights.
Both headlights turn off intermittently and twice both have gone out at the same time while driving. There was no warning. To replace one headlight, Toyota of melbourne told me it would be over $600 (labor not included). (bulb and harness)
Driver-side hid headlamp in 2004 Toyota Prius was noticed to be very, very, dim (effectively off) around 2008/10/14. Turning headlamps off and on restored brightness. But the problem recurred at unpredictable times--frequently enough to be a serious safety problem. Frequently the driver can't tell while driving…
Electrical
177 complaints · 29%Half of these problems showed up before 30,000 miles. Parts named most often: 12v/24v/48v battery, instrument cluster/panel, wiring, ignition.
Dt: the warning lights came on consumer turned car around to take it to the dealer, and the car just shut off. Dealer did clear everything (the lights), and the car started back up.
Driving my 2004 Prius about 25mph on my way home, all of a sudden warning lights on the dashboard lit up. The yellow brake system warning, the malfunction indicator, the master warning and the vsc warning lights were all on. The display had a message that indicated a hybrid system warning. The next day, upon stating…
Engine
98 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 15,500 miles. Parts named most often: engine, cooling system.
I own a 2004 Toyota Prius, 15680 miles. The engine stopped when I was driving at about 60 MPH and all warning lights came on. I was able to drive it on the electrical motor for about 1 mile to a gas station before the battery ran out. I had it towed to my dealer, Toyota of bowie in md. The next day, it started right…
I own a 2004 Prius and also experienced a complete system shutdown while driving on the highway about 3 months ago. The entire gas engine shut down and all warning lights came on. The electric motor remained operational and allowed me to get off the road and into a parking lot safely. The dealer (cabe Toyota - long…
Brakes
63 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 78,500 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, foundation components, brake fluid low warning.
I have a 2004 Prius which I bought used about a year ago and when I read the line that I cut and pasted right from your news release, I couldn't believe it because it describes exactly what has happened to me numerous times. "allegations of momentary loss of braking capability while traveling over an uneven road…
I was driving the Prius on city streets in rain. I came to a stop and started to drive and a bunch of emergency lights and beeping started. There was no unusual noise or grinding until I applied the brakes. The brake pedal was hard and had significantly lost braking power. All lights and beeping continued after…
Speed control
52 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 59,500 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal.
Tl contact owns a 2004 Toyota Prius. While driving at approximately 20 MPH, the floor mat became stuck inside the accelerator pad. The vehicle accelerated and the contact pressed a button to turn off the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealership but the dealer could not duplicate the failure. The…
Tl contact owns a 2004 Toyota Prius. When he applied pressure on the brake pedal at 50 MPH in the dark, the vehicle would not stop. The anti-lock brake system activated, but the vehicle did not stop. Consequently the vehicle crashed into a tree. The vehicle was completely destroyed. He sustained injuries. The failure…
Transmission
34 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 73,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, manual transmission.
The dash gear selector (common to 2004 - 2009 g2 Prius) began clicking when I changed gears (r-d-n) I researched the subject and learned that this can lead to the shifter locking in d or r, a hazardous condition. I also learned that some diy owners have discovered a warped dust plate in the shifter component. It…
When shifting from park to drive, car sometimes goes into reverse instead. Dealer confirmed problem and offered to replace shifting mechanism for $50 deductible on extended warranty. Will try to obtain old part.
Air bags
18 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 73,500 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
Tl 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 approximately 74,000.
I was driving downhill, came around a blind curve and cars were backed up really high on the street. I rear-ended the car that was at a dead stop in front of me as I turned the corner. My car crunched like an accordion and is considered a total loss. I have severe whiplash as well as alot of other bodily pain. My…
Other or unspecified
14 complaints · 2%Half of these problems showed up before 29,000 miles.
My 2004 Toyota Prius lost powe, eventually running on battery alone until power was completely lost. Contacted my dealer tristate Toyota in dudley. By contacting Toyota roadside assistance, I was towed to dealer. Service mgr. Immediately applied the reprogramming of my computer as covered in tsb issued around 10/04.…
I was driving about 45 MPH and felt the power die and saw the dashboard warning lights come on. I had to stop at a light and the car accelerated but felt like it was coasting. I was very close to home and made it about 500 feet from my driveway when the car stopped. I could not turn off the engine, the lights nor…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2004 Toyota Prius recalls
Hybrid system: inverter
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Steering: shaft sector
Risk: Over time, the splines may wear and eventually fail resulting in a loss of steering ability, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Speed control: accelerator pedal
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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
Full defect summary
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.
Steering: electric power assist system
Risk: This could result in a loss of steering control of the vehicle.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags
Risk: This may increase the risk of injury to the occupant in the involved seating position in the event of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Lights: switch
Risk: If the switch is inoperable, the brake lights will not illuminate and can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the brake light switch. The recall began during december 2004. Owners should contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Pedestrian alert sounds
Summary
Nhtsa received a petition on or about july 18, 2022, requesting that federal motor vehicle safety standard (fmvss) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the united states. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under odi number 11486072. Fmvss 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 kg or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after march 1, 2021.on january 27, 2023, NHTSA opened defect petition (dp) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matt
Intermediate steering shaft separation
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) received a january 2013 defect petition requesting that it open an investigation on model year (my) 2004-2009 toyota prius vehicles to address a possible manufacturing safety defect related to the steering column intermediate shaft.during the defect petition evaluation, odi: 1.reviewed the petition and its enclosures; 2.reviewed the subject steering system layout; 3.examined the petition vehicle?s history, including its repair history; 4.reviewed and followed-up potentially related consumer complaints; 5.assessed safety recalls 06v-188 and 12v-537; and, 6.requested and examined complaint, claim, field report, service history, and warranty information
Engine stalling
Summary
Odi opened pe05-029 based on 33 reports of alleged gasoline engine stalling on the subject vehicles.the subject vehicles are gasoline/ electric hybrid vehicles that can be operated in gasoline or electric modes, or a combination of both depending on the power demand.all reports allege that the gasoline engine shut down suddenly without warning.some of the complainants reported that the vehicle continued to operate using the electric mode for a period of time after the gas engine stalled and some reported that the vehicle shut down at the same time that they felt the gas engine stalled.some consumers reported that they were able to restart the vehicle either immediately or after allowing the
Questions about the 2004 Toyota Prius
- What are the most common problems with the 2004 Toyota Prius?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: lights (184 complaints, typically around 105,500 miles); electrical (177 complaints, typically around 30,000 miles); engine (98 complaints, typically around 15,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2004 Toyota Prius have?
- 6 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from November 14, 2012 (hybrid system). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2004 a bad year for the Toyota Prius?
- It is 6th of 27 Prius model years by number of complaints, with 610 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.