2004 Toyota Prius Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 184about this part
- Share
- 30%of 610 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 105,320miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 184 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2004 Toyota Prius, 30% of the 610 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 105,320 miles. 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.
“The left headlight has been going off while driving. I've got the 'safety' package #7 with special hid headlights. When I turn the lights off and on again, it comes back on for awhile. Two nights ago both headlights went out while driving. Very scary! I was on an on ramp and couldn't see at all. They both came back on after I turned the switch off and then on.”
NHTSA complaint #10865197, filed 2016-05, 135,000 miles“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“Driver's side headlight was intermittent. I could jiggle the switch and it would come on. This occurred stationary and moving. I have replace the hid bulb twice with sylvania d2r. The headlight does not work now. Dealer will charge over $500 for headlight and ballast repairs--highway robbery. This problem started august 2014.”
NHTSA complaint #10874978, filed 2016-06, 155,000 miles“Our 2004 Prius has intermittent problems with headlights and tail lights failing. One of both headlights will all of a sudden go out. Turning them off and on usually causes them to come back on. My son was driving on a curvy, dark forested road when both lights went out. Could not see a thing. This is an extremely dangerous situation. We have also replaced tail light bulbs. They work, then fail again quickly.”
NHTSA complaint #11082252, filed 2018-03, 260,000 milesRelated recalls
- 04V558000Nov 22, 2004Certain passenger vehicles may be equipped with an improperly designed brake light switch. A silicon oxide build-up occurs on the contacts inside the brake…Covers: Toyota Prius 2004, Lexus RX330 2004
Related service bulletins
- 10024891May 12, 2008Hid headlight system - diagnostic tips. *nj updated 6/17/08.
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 33% |
| 2025 | 1 | 6% |
| 2024 | 4 | 15% |
| 2018 | 5 | 14% |
| 2017 | 2 | 2% |
| 2016 | 3 | 2% |
| 2015 | 7 | 4% |
| 2014 | 6 | 3% |
| 2013 | 12 | 3% |
| 2012 | 36 | 8% |
| 2011 | 48 | 9% |
| 2010 | 149 | 5% |
| 2009 | 111 | 22% |
| 2008 | 579 | 39% |
| 2007 | 1,060 | 53% |
| 2006 | 941 | 65% |
| 2005 | 346 | 33% |
| 2004 | 184 | 30% |
| 2003 | 1 | 1% |
| 2002 | 3 | 2% |
| 2001 | 2 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2004 Toyota Prius
177 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 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