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Latches, locks and linkagesPart report

2004 Toyota Prius Latches, locks and linkages Problems

Complaints
2about this part
Share
0%of 610 total for the year
Median mileage
75,500miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the latches, locks and linkages of the 2004 Toyota Prius, 0% of the 610 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 75,500 miles.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“The smart key on my 2004 Toyota Prius locked the doors on its own, even while in the car. I unlocked the doors with the smart key, placed my baby in his carseat, buckled him in, placed his diaper bag on the floor in the backseat as always, with the smart key in a pocket of the diaper bag, and as I was closing the back door so that I could get in the driver seat, all of the doors locked on their own. The smart key was in the diaper bag inside the car, as was my baby, and I could not get into the car. I had to call my wife and have her bring the second smart key to unlock the door. …”

NHTSA complaint #10374857, filed 2011-01, 75,500 miles

“In the 2004 Toyota Prius there is a button on both back seats by the headrests that unlatches the seatback. My four year old can easily push down this button with one finger, and my concern is that a child (or others) could unlatch the seat without the driver knowing. Should the car crash or stop suddenly the seat could come down, possibly with a passenger in it. I told the car dealer and a Toyota customer service rep about my concern. I was told the button is not designed that way, but when I contacted a second dealership their 2004 Prius did the same as the car I tested. …”

NHTSA complaint #10110756, filed 2005-02

Latches, locks and linkages: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2025213%
2023314%
201813%
201320%
201110%
2008121%
2007422%
200660%
200530%
200420%

Other parts of the 2004 Toyota Prius

Exterior lighting
184 complaints
Electrical system
177 complaints
Engine cooling
89 complaints
Brakes
76 complaints
Vehicle speed control
52 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
34 complaints
Air bags
18 complaints
Other or unknown
18 complaints
Fuel system
13 complaints
Steering
10 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
10 complaints
Engine
9 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