MYRModel Year Report

2005 Toyota Prius

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2005 Toyota Prius
BUILT 2026-08-02

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, 2005 highlighted. 2000: 4 complaints 2000 2001: 165 complaints 2002: 167 complaints 2003: 99 complaints 2004: 610 complaints 2004 2005: 1051 complaints 2005 2006: 1439 complaints 2007: 2003 complaints 2008: 1497 complaints 2008 2009: 502 complaints 2010: 2819 complaints 2011: 515 complaints 2012: 419 complaints 2012 2013: 398 complaints 2014: 202 complaints 2015: 159 complaints 2016: 154 complaints 2016 2017: 91 complaints 2018: 35 complaints 2019: 28 complaints 2020: 14 complaints 2020 2021: 6 complaints 2022: 23 complaints 2023: 18 complaints 2024: 22 complaints 2024 2025: 15 complaints 2026: 5 complaints 2026
2005: 1051 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
20004
2001165
2002167
200399
2004610
20051051
20061439
20072003
20081497
2009502
20102819
2011515
2012419
2013398
2014202
2015159
2016154
201791
201835
201928
202014
20216
202223
202318
202422
202515
20265

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 30%

30% of complaints: exterior lighting — 316 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 15%

15% of complaints: electrical system — 161 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

I HAVE A 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS. I GOT MY CAR 8-23-2005 AND ON 10-13-2005 I WAS HIT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WHILE MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN.

NHTSA ODI report, 20051231

HEADLIGHT GOES OUT REPEATEDLY. HEADLIGHT WORKS AGAIN AFTER HEADLIGHTS ARE TURNED OFF THEN ON AGAIN. STARTED WITH THE SAME ONE HEADLIGHT GOING OUT. NOW THE OTHER. SOMETIMES BOTH GO OUT, INCLUDING AT NIGHT.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171106

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 9%

9% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 98 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 9%

9% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 98 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

I WAS ON THE FREEWAY FAR RIGHT LANE MOVING ONTO AN INTERCHANGE TO ANOTHER FREEWAY WHEN TRAFFIC SUDDENLY STOPPED AHEAD. I SLOWED IN PREPARATION TO STOP WITH PLENTY ROOM TO DO SO. THE CAR BEHIND ME WAS TOO CLOSE AND REAR ENDED MY CAR.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120311

SERVICE BRAKES 8%

8% of complaints: service brakes — 82 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

I AM THE FIRST OWNER OF THIS 2005 PRIUS AND HAVE KEPT UP WITH ALL MAINTENANCE AND RECALL ISSUES. THIS IS MY FIRST COMPLAINT.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120629

11 months ago I had a brand new Toyota ABS brake actuator installed on my 2005 Prius. Less than a year later, it is failing again. Since I've driven the car more than 12,000 miles Toyota will not replace the part under warranty.

NHTSA ODI report, 20230916

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2005 — complaint volume: 1051
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 20100527 — equipment

SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS."

Remedy: DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT S

Campaign 10V036000 — 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

2005 Toyota Prius — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for exterior lighting issues (316 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (161 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (98 reports on file for this year).
  • 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 10V036000 (equipment) 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

▲ 2018 ▲ 2017 ▲ 2003

WORST YEARS

■ 2010 ■ 2007 ■ 2008

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2005 Toyota Prius reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2005 Toyota Prius is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 2005 Toyota Prius?

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

How many recalls does the 2005 Toyota Prius have?

6 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.