MYRModel Year Report

2004 Toyota Prius

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2004 Toyota Prius
BUILT 2026-09-02

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Toyota Prius Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2004 highlighted. 2000: 4 complaints 2000 2001: 165 complaints 2002: 167 complaints 2003: 99 complaints 2004: 610 complaints 2004 2005: 1051 complaints 2006: 1439 complaints 2007: 2003 complaints 2008: 1497 complaints 2008 2009: 502 complaints 2010: 2822 complaints 2011: 517 complaints 2012: 422 complaints 2012 2013: 408 complaints 2014: 205 complaints 2015: 163 complaints 2016: 154 complaints 2016 2017: 91 complaints 2018: 36 complaints 2019: 30 complaints 2020: 14 complaints 2020 2021: 6 complaints 2022: 24 complaints 2023: 19 complaints 2024: 23 complaints 2024 2025: 16 complaints 2026: 5 complaints 2026
2004: 610 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
20004
2001165
2002167
200399
2004610
20051051
20061439
20072003
20081497
2009502
20102822
2011517
2012422
2013408
2014205
2015163
2016154
201791
201836
201930
202014
20216
202224
202319
202423
202516
20265

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 30%

30% of complaints: exterior lighting — 185 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing headlights and switch.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 30%

30% of complaints: electrical system — 184 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing 12v/24v/48v battery and instrument cluster/panel.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171206

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20250721

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 16%

16% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 95 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

CRASH
SERVICE BRAKES 12%

12% of complaints: service brakes — 73 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and electric.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

WHEN STOPPING SUDDENLY SOMETIMES THE BRAKES ON MY 2004 PRIUS WOULD NOT RESPOND IMMEDIATELY AS THEY SHOULD. THEY WOULD RELEASE THE CALIPERS COMPLETELY AND THE ONLY WAY TO STOP WOULD BE TO LET OFF THE BRAKES AND PRESS THEM AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI report, 20190925

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

NHTSA ODI report, 20250924

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 9%

9% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 52 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing accelerator pedal.

CRASH INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2004 — complaint volume: 610
R 20041220 — exterior lighting

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.

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

Campaign 04V558000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20050531 — PE (closed 20051012)

ENGINE STALLING

R 20060406 — air bags

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 A

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.

Campaign 06V096000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060609 — steering

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.

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.

Campaign 06V188000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20091231 — vehicle speed control

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 FL

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. THES

Campaign 09V388000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20121220 — steering

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

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 cont

Campaign 12V537000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20130117 — engine and engine cooling, hybrid propulsion system

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. D

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 E

Campaign 12V536000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20130221 — DP (closed 20200408)

Intermediate Steering Shaft Separation

I 20230127 — DP (closed 20230807)

Pedestrian alert sounds

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2004 Toyota Prius — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for exterior lighting issues (185 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (184 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (95 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 04V558000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06V096000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06V188000 (steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09V388000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 12V537000 (steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 12V536000 (engine and engine cooling, hybrid propulsion system) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2019 ▲ 2018 ▲ 2017

WORST YEARS

■ 2010 ■ 2007 ■ 2008

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2004 Toyota Prius reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2004 Toyota Prius is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 2004 Toyota Prius?

The most-reported component is exterior lighting, accounting for 30% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2004 Toyota Prius have?

6 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.