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#BS-2004-TOYPRI-5CA12004 Toyota Prius
Based on reports from 737 owners and 6 recalls for this exact model.
Preliminary Verdict
Red Flag
Based on 737 complaints, 50 crashes, 2 fires, and 6 recalls. Complaint rate is 2.8x the class average.
Top reported problems
randomly shut off when driving
9 complaints • Severity 8.4/10
headlights work intermittently
6 complaints • Severity 6.7/10
engine shut down while driving
1 complaints • Severity 10/10
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Mechanic Inspection Checklist
164 owners reported lights issues — failures commonly reported around 72K miles.
Failure Timeline by Mileage
Peak failure range: 0–30K miles (193 reports) • Median: 72K miles
30,000-Mile Cost Projection
Best Case
Most Likely
Worst Case
Top cost driver: Lights (164 reports).
Also in your report
Owner Intelligence
AI-synthesized themes from real complaints
Buyer Lot Checklist
Questions, test drive checks, walk-away triggers
Negotiation Talking Points
Data-backed dollar deductions
Buy / Skip Verdict
Final recommendation with conditions
Where the complaints fall
2004 Toyota Prius: Known Issues & Problem Areas
Lights Issues
Lights complaints account for 22% of all reports filed for the 2004 Toyota Prius, with 164 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. The median mileage at time of complaint is 72,436 miles, suggesting issues tend to surface around the 72K-mile mark.
Electrical Issues
Electrical complaints account for 21% of all reports filed for the 2004 Toyota Prius, with 153 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to electrical-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Engine Issues
Engine complaints account for 7% of all reports filed for the 2004 Toyota Prius, with 54 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to engine-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Speed Control Issues
Speed Control complaints account for 7% of all reports filed for the 2004 Toyota Prius, with 48 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to speed control-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Data sourced from NHTSA owner complaints and community reports. The full report analyzes severity, repair costs, and failure patterns for each category.
Complaint trend by year
Complaints filed with NHTSA by year for the 2004 Toyota Prius. Recent trend: decreasing.
Don't negotiate blind — know what this car costs to own
Repair costs • Negotiation scripts • Mechanic checklist • Buy/skip verdict
Recall History (6 recalls)
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.
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 DEPLOYMENT. IN THIS CONDITION, THE EXPANSION FORCE OF THE GAS MAY BE INSUFFICIENT TO PROPERLY INFLATE THE AIR BAG WHEN THE SRS SYSTEM IS ACTIVATED DURING A CRASH.
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.
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.
HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM: INVERTER
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.
+ 1 more recall in the full report
Recall severity analysis & seller scripts
The full report rates each recall's severity and gives you scripts for asking the seller about recall completion.
The worst model year for the Toyota Prius is the 2011 — worth knowing if you're cross-shopping years. The biggest problem area is lights.
2004 Toyota Prius vs. Class Average (Midsize Cars)
This vehicle
737
Class avg
266
2.8x the class average — significantly more complaints than typical midsize cars vehicles.
Complaint counts correlate with sales volume — popular vehicles naturally generate more reports. The full report normalizes for this.
About this data
NHTSA Complaints
Federal database of owner-filed safety complaints. 737 records for this vehicle.
NHTSA Recalls
Manufacturer-issued safety recalls. 6 recalls found for this vehicle.
Repair Cost Data
Real-world repair costs from owner reports and independent databases.
Other Toyota Prius Model Years
2004 Toyota Prius: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common problem with the 2004 Toyota Prius?
Is the 2004 Toyota Prius reliable?
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Does the 2004 Toyota Prius have any recalls?
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What’s in the full report?
How is this different from free NHTSA data?
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Get the Full 2004 Toyota Prius Report
10 sections of AI analysis based on 737 owner reports. Know before you buy.