2004 TOYOTA PRIUS — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
737
Owner Complaints
6
Recalls
34
Service Bulletins
1
Investigation
Overview of the 2004 TOYOTA PRIUS
The 2004 TOYOTA PRIUS has received a total of 737 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 8 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM: INVERTER, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT SECTOR. 34 technical service bulletins have been issued by Toyota Motor Corporation for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Exterior Lighting (164 complaints), Electrical System (153 complaints), and Vehicle Speed Control (48 complaints).
Recalls for the 2004 TOYOTA PRIUS
NHTSA has recorded 8 recalls for the 2004 TOYOTA PRIUS, potentially affecting up to 6,839,869 vehicles.
Recall 12V536000 — HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM: INVERTER
| 350,662 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
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.
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.
View full details →Recall 12V536000 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
| 350,662 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
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.
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.
View full details →Recall 12V537000 — STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT SECTOR
| 669,705 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: Over time, the splines may wear and eventually fail resulting in a loss of steering ability, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
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...
View full details →Recall 12V537000 — STEERING
| 669,705 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: Over time, the splines may wear and eventually fail resulting in a loss of steering ability, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
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...
View full details →Recall 09V388000 — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
| 4,445,056 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
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.
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...
View full details →Recall 06V188000 — STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
| 170,856 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.
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.
View full details →Recall 06V096000 — AIR BAGS
| 133 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: THIS MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT IN THE INVOLVED SEATING POSITION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
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.
View full details →Recall 04V558000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
| 183,090 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: IF THE SWITCH IS INOPERABLE, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL NOT ILLUMINATE AND CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING DECEMBER 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2004 TOYOTA PRIUS
737 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2004 TOYOTA PRIUS. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
Codes C1256 and C1391 ACC low pressure and abnormal leak of ACC press
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
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.
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.
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.
Safety Rating for the 2004 TOYOTA PRIUS
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2004 TOYOTA PRIUS in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2004 TOYOTA PRIUS
Toyota Motor Corporation has issued 34 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2004 TOYOTA PRIUS. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
Toyota Safety Re — AIR BAGS
Toyota Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements
T-SB-0153-13 Obs — ENGINE
TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE August 08, 2020: This bulletin is no longer applicable and is now obsolete.
T-SB-0153-13 Obs — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE August 08, 2020: This bulletin is no longer applicable and is now obsolete.
ZG1_Dealer Lette — EQUIPMENT
Dealer Letter: In these vehicles, Toyota has received some reports where various brake system related warning lamps illuminate due to internal malfunctions of the Brake Actuator assembly. Although the Brake Actuator Assembly is covered by Toyota?s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 3 years or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first), we...
T-TT-0365-15 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
TT: A VEHICLE MAY ARRIVE TO THE DEALER WITH A MIL ON CONDITION AND P0A80 STORED IN THE MEMORY. SOME CASES HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED WITH INTERNAL MODIFICATION DONE TO THE HV BATTERY. MODIFIED OR ALTERED PARTS ARE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY.
T-TT-0303-14 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
Tech Tip: When a DTC is detected by the HV Battery ECU, the HV Control ECU will automatically store a P3000, Information Code 123 ?HV Battery Control System Malfunction? DTC. The purpose of the P3000/123 is to capture the state of the Hybrid Control System when the HV Battery ECU...
T-PG002-04_Obsol — UNKNOWN OR OTHER
This bulletin is no longer applicable and is now obsolete.
ZTV Dealer Lette — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Toyota has received a limited number of reports from high mileage 2004 to certain 2009 model year Prius vehicles regarding the Combination Meter display not illuminating when the vehicle's ignition is turned "ON". This condition may occur in certain cold weather conditions and is identified during vehicle start-up.
T-SB-0172-09 Rev — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
Some 2004 ? 2009 model year Prius vehicles may experience an intermittent condition where the combination meter display will not illuminate in cold weather conditions. An updated combination meter ECU is now available to correct this condition.
SB-120120 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TOYOTA: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. INFORMATION REGARDING WATER PUMP REPLACEMENT, ON SOME ELECTRIC HYBRID VEHICLES, WHICH CAUSES SLOWNESS OF THE PUMP ACTUATION. *PE
Showing 10 of 34 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2004 TOYOTA PRIUS
NHTSA has opened 1 investigation into potential safety defects in the 2004 TOYOTA PRIUS.
Other Model Years of the TOYOTA PRIUS
- 2000 TOYOTA PRIUS — 4 complaints
- 2001 TOYOTA PRIUS — 215 complaints
- 2002 TOYOTA PRIUS — 201 complaints
- 2003 TOYOTA PRIUS — 123 complaints
- 2004 TOYOTA PRIUS (current)
- 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS — 1,298 complaints
- 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS — 1,688 complaints
- 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS — 2,451 complaints
- 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS — 1,891 complaints
- 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS — 637 complaints
Other TOYOTA Models
- TOYOTA CAMRY — 23,209 total complaints
- TOYOTA COROLLA — 14,342 total complaints
- TOYOTA RAV4 — 11,737 total complaints
- TOYOTA SIENNA — 10,769 total complaints
- TOYOTA TACOMA — 10,512 total complaints
- TOYOTA TUNDRA — 8,997 total complaints
- TOYOTA HIGHLANDER — 6,663 total complaints
- TOYOTA 4RUNNER — 6,405 total complaints