2004 Toyota Prius Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 18about this part
- Share
- 3%of 610 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 73,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 18 complaints about the air bags of the 2004 Toyota Prius, 3% of the 610 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 73,500 miles. 16 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I own a 2004 Toyota Prius which I have been driving for about couple years and recently couple days ago I had a major accident (see attachment for more details) which damaged most of my car. The accident was very severe and during which none of the air bags activated. The air bags should have been activated in this type of accident, recently my car had been to a general inspection at a Toyota dealer and there was no issues recorded of this sort.”
NHTSA complaint #10794425, filed 2015-11, 72,000 miles“I was driving downhill, came around a blind curve and cars were backed up really high on the street. I rear-ended the car that was at a dead stop in front of me as I turned the corner. My car crunched like an accordion and is considered a total loss. I have severe whiplash as well as alot of other bodily pain. My airbags did not deploy. Everyone who sees my car is shocked that they did not deploy. I would like to know why and would like Toyota to take responsibility for what I consider a faulty part.”
NHTSA complaint #10584258, filed 2014-04, 73,000 miles“The owns a 2004 Toyota Prius. The contact was sitting at a traffic stop when another vehicle crashed into the rear of the contact's vehicle, causing the contact's vehicle to crash into a third vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. The contact was reported injured and the vehicle was destroyed.the manufacturer was notified of the incident and informed the contact that the crash did not meet the requirements for the airbag to deploy. The failure mileage was 122,543.”
NHTSA complaint #10460038, filed 2012-05, 122,543 miles“Driver's front seat frame failed upon rear impact. Car was stopped, impact was at approximately 25mph. The seat back portion was twisted towards the driver's door while the seat bottom portion remained facing forward. No airbags deployed. Car was totaled.”
NHTSA complaint #10273284, filed 2009-06, 80,312 miles“2004 Toyota Prius frontal impact crash into rear of vehicle 2, 2002 honda crv, on tuesday november 22, 2011, 4:33pm est. Bumper impact at approx speed 25mph in clear conditions totaled subject vehicle including complete folding of hood, displacement of structural bumper, fan assemblies, radiator & condenser assemblies into engine with structural bumper pushed back 24 at center and 18 to left & right sides. Insurance adjuster stated that bending occurred at front of vehicle frame. …”
NHTSA complaint #10439142, filed 2011-12, 193,000 milesRelated recalls
- 06V096000Apr 3, 2006On 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…Covers: Toyota Prius 2004–2006, Lexus LS 2004–2006, Scion TC 2005–2006 +6 more
Related service bulletins
- 10244113Aug 17, 2023TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most…
- 10190460Mar 17, 2021Toyota Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements
- 10132410Jul 20, 2017TSB: REVISION NOTICE July 20, 2017 Rev1: Applicability has been updated to exclude 2007 ? 2017 model year Avanza vehicles. Some hazardous material treatment and handling…
- 10131961Jan 14, 2014Toyota vehicles are equipped with Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS), including various airbags and in some models, seat belt pre-tensioners, to help reduce the risk of injury…
- 10132055Nov 4, 2013Beginning in 1998, Toyota introduced side airbags as optional equipment. Toyota does NOT recommend replacement of original seat covers with non-Toyota leather or other seat cover…
- 10133915Jan 3, 2013Toyota vehicles are equipped with SRS, including various airbags and in some models, seat belt pre-tensioners, to help reduce the risk of injury in a collision. If a customer…
- 10051865Jan 3, 2013Toyota: in a collision, to help reduce injuries, with seat belt pre=tensioners and supplemental restraint systems (srs), its possible that the devices may or may not perform as…
- 10042555Sep 6, 2011Toyota: information provided for replacing the seat covers for vehicles equipped with side airbags.
- 10039067May 23, 2011Toyota: 2004-2009 prius. The airbag light is on with two possible trouble codes stored. There is a problem with a wire harness.
- 10019699Mar 28, 2006Special service campaign (ssc) - 60b (safety recall) (supplemental restraint system (srs) airbag replacement). Due to improper assembly of the airbag inflator, which is…
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 17% |
| 2024 | 3 | 11% |
| 2022 | 3 | 13% |
| 2020 | 1 | 7% |
| 2019 | 4 | 13% |
| 2018 | 3 | 8% |
| 2017 | 3 | 3% |
| 2016 | 7 | 5% |
| 2015 | 6 | 4% |
| 2014 | 14 | 7% |
| 2013 | 18 | 4% |
| 2012 | 28 | 7% |
| 2011 | 46 | 9% |
| 2010 | 84 | 3% |
| 2009 | 17 | 3% |
| 2008 | 41 | 3% |
| 2007 | 50 | 3% |
| 2006 | 30 | 2% |
| 2005 | 44 | 4% |
| 2004 | 18 | 3% |
| 2003 | 1 | 1% |
| 2002 | 3 | 2% |
| 2001 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2004 Toyota Prius
184 complaintsElectrical system
177 complaintsEngine cooling
89 complaintsBrakes
76 complaintsVehicle speed control
52 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
34 complaintsOther or unknown
18 complaintsFuel system
13 complaintsSteering
10 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
10 complaintsEngine
9 complaintsElectronic stability control
8 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Toyota Prius
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology