2004 Toyota Prius Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 177about this part
- Share
- 29%of 610 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 30,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 177 complaints about the electrical system of the 2004 Toyota Prius, 29% of the 610 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 30,000 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My car head lights are turning off, at first it was one not turning on and then it was the other one, now they take turns. It is a safety issue which almost had make me crash more than 2 times. To the point that I am unable to use the car during the night. This happens if the car is parked or running.”
NHTSA complaint #11132191, filed 2018-09, 150 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11373705, filed 2020-11, 160,000 miles“My 2004 Prius's check engine light turns on randomly wnd often and I lose full power of the car. The battery is fully charged. The car stopped 4 times today - lost all power and the brake would not stop the car.”
NHTSA complaint #11023778, filed 2017-09, 104,000 miles“I am the owner of a 2004 Prius. After buying my car used 2 years ago I noticed that once in awhile the display, including fuel consumption, speedometer, odometer, and more, would not light up and that the car would not turn off easily several times I have been in situations where I have little gas an am unable to see my gas gauge or know how fat iam going on the highway. I understand that this was once covered by Toyota under the warranty extension but is not considered a safety concern. The warranty extension is expired. …”
NHTSA complaint #11202903, filed 2019-04, 115,000 miles“I was quoted $466 just for the price of my bulb for the headlight of my Toyota Prius. For a non luxury car it so expensive that a lot of people will choose to make due with their flickering one. It is outrageous that Toyota did not give a more affordable choice. It is going to be more dangerous out there.”
NHTSA complaint #10245227, filed 2008-10, 77,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10238157May 30, 2023TSB: The Immobilizer and Smart Key Reset is a feature that allows the registration of new keys when all master keys are lost. Once the system is reset, all previously registered…
- 10213902May 31, 2022TSB: This bulletin includes basic procedures for performing a rescue charge on Ni-MH high voltage (HV) batteries. This bulletin should be used in conjunction with the applicable…
- 10182983Oct 12, 2020TT: Some customers may encounter Bluetooth® connectivity concerns such as: ?Difficulty to pair the phone. ?Intermittent Bluetooth® failure to connect to the vehicle when first…
- 10179764Aug 11, 2020TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE August 11, 2020: This bulletin is no longer applicable and is now obsolete.
- 10179720Aug 11, 2020TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE August 11, 2020: This bulletin is no longer applicable and is now obsolete.
- 10179703Aug 8, 2020TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE August 08, 2020: This bulletin is no longer applicable and is now obsolete.
- 10179698Aug 5, 2020TSB: Some 2003 ? 2020 model year Prius, Prius C, Prius V; 2006 ? 2019 model year Highlander Hybrid Vehicle; 2007 ? 2020 Camry Hybrid Vehicle; 2013 ? 2020 model year Avalon Hybrid…
- 10179602Aug 5, 2020TSB: Some 2003 ? 2020 model year Prius, Prius C, Prius V; 2006 ? 2019 model year Highlander Hybrid Vehicle; 2007 ? 2020 Camry Hybrid Vehicle; 2013 ? 2020 model year Avalon Hybrid…
- 10177773Jun 18, 2020TSB: Some 2004 ? 2020 model year Hybrid vehicles may exhibit an excessive buildup of dust, lint, or debris in the HV battery intake filter or cooling fan. The condition could…
- 10176284May 1, 2020TT: This bulletin includes basic procedures for performing a rescue charge on Ni-MH high voltage (HV) batteries. This bulletin should be used in conjunction with the applicable…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 33% |
| 2025 | 6 | 38% |
| 2024 | 4 | 15% |
| 2023 | 5 | 24% |
| 2022 | 6 | 25% |
| 2021 | 1 | 17% |
| 2020 | 2 | 14% |
| 2019 | 4 | 13% |
| 2018 | 2 | 5% |
| 2017 | 11 | 12% |
| 2016 | 20 | 13% |
| 2015 | 27 | 16% |
| 2014 | 33 | 16% |
| 2013 | 52 | 13% |
| 2012 | 52 | 12% |
| 2011 | 68 | 13% |
| 2010 | 192 | 7% |
| 2009 | 60 | 12% |
| 2008 | 235 | 16% |
| 2007 | 248 | 12% |
| 2006 | 152 | 11% |
| 2005 | 178 | 17% |
| 2004 | 177 | 29% |
| 2003 | 13 | 13% |
| 2002 | 18 | 11% |
| 2001 | 27 | 16% |
Other parts of the 2004 Toyota Prius
184 complaintsEngine cooling
89 complaintsBrakes
76 complaintsVehicle speed control
52 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
34 complaintsAir bags
18 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 29, 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