NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 610 owner complaints for the 2004 Toyota Prius. Most complaints involve exterior lighting (184) and electrical system (177). The EPA rates it 46 mpg combined.
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.
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.
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.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Prius model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 170 |
| 2002 | 193 |
| 2003 | 111 |
| 2004 | 610 |
| 2005 | 1,051 |
| 2006 | 1,440 |
| 2007 | 2,004 |
| 2008 | 1,497 |
| 2009 | 502 |
| 2010 | 2,823 |
| 2011 | 523 |
| 2012 | 688 |
| 2013 | 414 |
| 2014 | 241 |
| 2015 | 166 |
| 2016 | 181 |
| 2017 | 91 |
| 2018 | 38 |
| 2019 | 30 |
| 2020 | 14 |
| 2021 | 6 |
| 2022 | 24 |
| 2023 | 21 |
| 2024 | 27 |
| 2025 | 16 |
“ALL THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHTS CONTINUE TO GO OUT ON MY 04 PRIUS. I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH FUEL I HAVE THIS COULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE. I DON'T KNOW HOW FAST I'M GOING THIS COULD DEFINITELY BE A SAFETY ISSUE. AND ZERO WARNING LIGHTS COME ON THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE. BY LOOKING ON THE INTERNET I CAN TELL THOUSANDS OF PRIUSES HAVE THIS EXACT SAME ISSUE WITH THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER GOING OUT. THIS SHOULD DEFINITELY BE A RECALL.”
“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”
“I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT ABOUT 63 MILES PER HOUR, I HAD BEEN DRIVING FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES WHEN MY ENGINE CUT OUT, ALL THE LIGHTS ON MY DASH TURNED ON INCLUDING THE CHECK ENGINE AND RED TRIANGLE WARNING LIGHT. I DRIFTED TO THE SHOULDER AND POWERED THE CAR OFF. I TRIED TO START IT 2 MORE TIMES, BOTH TIMES THE ENGINE DID NOT START AND THE RED TRIANGLE AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS CAME ON AGAIN. I WAITED LONGER AND TRIED TO POWER UP THE ENGINE AGAIN, IT STARTED WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP 3 DAYS LATER (THEY COULD NOT SEE ME SOONER), RAN THE CODES AND IT ONLY CAME UP WITH THE CODE POAOF, WHICH MEANS THAT THE ENGINE DID NOT START. THEY HAD NO EXPLANATION OF WHAT HAPPENED AND DID NOT SEEM TO SHARE MY CONCERN THAT THIS COULD HAPPEN AGAIN. THE DID RECALL WORK FOR ME AND SENT ME HOME. *TR”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prius Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 48 | 45 | 46 | $1,400 | 193 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
6 safety recalls as of Nov 4, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 610 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are exterior lighting (184), electrical system (177), engine and engine cooling (89). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2004 Toyota Prius at 46 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).