Model year
2004 Toyota Prius
NHTSA lists 6 recalls and 610 complaints for the 2004 Toyota Prius (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). The components listed on the most complaints are EXTERIOR LIGHTING (164), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (153), VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (48). NHTSA lists 3 investigations. NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 46 mpg combined (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $1,450, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2001 165 complaints
- 2002 167 complaints
- 2003 99 complaints
- 2004 610 complaints
- 2005 1,051 complaints
- 2006 1,439 complaints
- 2007 2,003 complaints
- 2008 1,497 complaints
- 2009 502 complaints
- 2010 2,823 complaints
- 2011 521 complaints
- 2012 424 complaints
- 2013 414 complaints
- 2014 210 complaints
- 2015 166 complaints
- 2016 155 complaints
- 2017 91 complaints
- 2018 37 complaints
- 2019 30 complaints
- 2020 14 complaints
- 2021 6 complaints
- 2022 24 complaints
- 2023 21 complaints
- 2024 27 complaints
- 2025 16 complaints
- 2026 6 complaints
- 2027 0 complaints
Recalls
12V537000 · Nov 14, 2012
STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT SECTOR; 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 with metal splines that complete the connection from the steering wheel to the…
12V536000 · Nov 14, 2012
HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM: INVERTER; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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…
09V388000 · Oct 5, 2009
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
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.
06V188000 · May 31, 2006
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
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.
06V096000 · Apr 3, 2006
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 AN INSUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF THE HEATING AGENTS NECESSARY FOR PROPER AIR BAG…
04V558000 · Nov 22, 2004
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
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.
Complaints
610 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 38, fire flag on 2, injury field 29, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| PE05029 | ENGINE STALLING · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; UNKNOWN OR OTHER | May 31, 2005 | Oct 12, 2005 |
| DP13001 | Intermediate Steering Shaft Separation · STEERING:COLUMN; STEERING:LINKAGES; STEERING | Feb 21, 2013 | Apr 8, 2020 |
| DP22005 | Pedestrian alert sounds · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM | Jan 27, 2023 | Aug 7, 2023 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here.
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prius · 1.5L · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline · Hybrid | 48 | 45 | 46 | — | — | $1,450 |
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2004 Toyota Prius at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.