2004 Toyota Prius Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 89about this part
- Share
- 15%of 610 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 12,982miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 89 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2004 Toyota Prius, 15% of the 610 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 12,982 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“1) my wife was driving our 2004 Toyota Prius and the car had a warning light turn on on display, went to limp mode (slow) and suddenly stopped after 1/2 mile. 2) car could not be controlled, no power. 3) Toyota towed car to shop and replaced ecu controller in area of fuel tank, ecu relay and entire fuel tank assembly. Problem has not happened again.”
NHTSA complaint #10129051, filed 2005-07, 20,000 miles“My 2004 Prius died with little warning while I was driving about 40 MPH on a busy street. I coasted to a stop with cars flying by me. Very dangerous. Car was towed to the dealer, who explained there was a software problem and they reprogrammed the car's computer. This is an extremely dangerous problem! I'm afraid to drive this car.”
NHTSA complaint #10126803, filed 2005-06, 10,500 miles“I pulled out of a parking space into traffic and the car immediately stalled. I couldn't turn it off, and I couldn't get it into drive. Park and neutral were the only options. Traffic was coming at me from both directions and there was nothing I could do, but put on the 4 way flashers.using my cell phone I called the local dealership and they advised me to have the car towed. I called the tow company.”
NHTSA complaint #10124243, filed 2005-06, 38,401 miles“Pe05029 2 times the car engine stopped for no reason at all. Dashboard lit up entirely. Both times the car restarted. Each time, fewer lights came on. Brought car in 2x- 1st time, did nothing. 2nd time, supposedly upgraded program. When 1st heard about your investigation, contacted Toyota to see if we were part of the 33-- we believe it is being under-reported. Contact name: diane romanchick and paul embree.”
NHTSA complaint #10124409, filed 2005-06, 2,000 miles“I was driving on the highway at between 40-55 when the engine stalled. I tried to restart it, but it would not start. The car had to be towed. There is a one-week wait on its repair. This happened approx. 240 miles from home. This is the second time this has happened. Prius 2004.”
NHTSA complaint #10137116, filed 2005-09, 12,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10253223Mar 4, 2024This is to advise of various price adjustments that will affect Toyota Genuine Motor Oil and Long Life Coolant, effective March 1, 2024. These products are ordered through the…
- 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…
- 10132091Oct 8, 2013Some 2004 ? 2009 model year Prius vehicles may exhibit a MIL ?ON? condition with Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P0A80 or P0A7F stored due to dust or debris build-up in the HV…
- 10132204Aug 12, 2013For vehicles that are used under certain severe operating conditions, the HV Battery Cooling Fan may experience an excessive buildup of dust, lint, or other debris that can…
- 10042966Dec 1, 2011Toyota: see document search button for owner letter. Information regarding water pump replacement, on some electric hybrid vehicles, which causes slowness of the pump actuation.
- 10034284Feb 4, 2010Toyota: techstream ecu flash reprogramming procedure. Flash reprogramming allows the ecu software to be updated without replacing the ecu. Flash calibration updates for specific…
- 10025867Jun 6, 2008Toyota: engine control: some customers may report a m.I.l. On condition that occurs after operating the vehicle for extended times in ready on mode with the transaxle in the park…
- 10021710Jul 7, 2006Malfunction indicator lamp on with dtc p0aa6 or p3009, information codes 526 and 613.
- 10018851Dec 16, 2005M.I.l. On dtc p0300, p0301, p0302, p0303, or p0304.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 4% |
| 2019 | 1 | 3% |
| 2018 | 3 | 8% |
| 2017 | 1 | 1% |
| 2016 | 1 | 1% |
| 2012 | 1 | 0% |
| 2011 | 5 | 1% |
| 2010 | 33 | 1% |
| 2009 | 7 | 1% |
| 2008 | 16 | 1% |
| 2007 | 17 | 1% |
| 2006 | 20 | 1% |
| 2005 | 64 | 6% |
| 2004 | 89 | 15% |
| 2003 | 11 | 11% |
| 2002 | 11 | 7% |
| 2001 | 18 | 11% |
Other parts of the 2004 Toyota Prius
184 complaintsElectrical system
177 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 27, 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