2004 Toyota Prius Recalls
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2004 Toyota Prius. A recall applies only to vehicles built within the affected range, so check your own VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for recalls are free at a franchised dealer.
- Hybrid propulsion system › InverterCovers: Toyota Prius 2004–2009
Reported issue: Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2009 Prius vehicles manufactured August 6, 2003, through March 30, 2009 and FCHV-adv vehicles manufactured December 12, 2008, through September 13, 2011. During manufacturing, a scratch may have occurred inside of the electrically driven water pump at the coil wire. The coil wire may corrode at the scratched portion.
Possible consequence: The corroded coil wire may break and the water pump could stop. The corroded coil wire could cause a short circuit between coil wires and a possible open fuse, creating a stall-like condition of the hybrid system while the vehicle is being driven. This may increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify its owners, and dealers will replace the electric water pump, free of charge. The recall began on January 17, 2013. Owners may contact their Toyota dealer or the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.
- Steering › Gear box › Shaft sectorCovers: Toyota Prius 2004–2009
Reported issue: Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2009 Prius vehicles manufactured August 5, 2003, through March 30, 2009. The affected vehicles have a steering intermediate extension shaft assembly built with metal splines that complete the connection from the steering wheel to the steering gear. These splines may have been manufactured with an insufficient hardness.
Possible consequence: Over time, the splines may wear and eventually fail resulting in a loss of steering ability, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the extension shaft and replace it if it is one with insufficient hardness, free of charge. The recall began during December 2012. Owners may contact their Toyota dealer or the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.
- Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedalCovers: Toyota Prius 2004–2009, Tacoma 2005–2010, Avalon 2005–2010 +5 more
Reported issue: Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2010 passenger vehicles. The accelerator pedal can get stuck in the wide open position due to its being trapped by an unsecured or incompatible driver's floor mat.
Possible consequence: A stuck open accelerator pedal may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death.
Remedy: Toyota filed an amended defect report on november 25, 2009, stating that dealers will modify the accelerator pedal and, on certain vehicles, alter the shape of the floor surface under the pedal. These changes address the risk of pedal entrapment due to interference with the floor mat. Redesigned accelerator pedals…
- Steering › Electric power assist systemCovers: Toyota Prius 2004–2006
Reported issue: The intermediate shaft and sliding yoke in the electric power steering system can crack when large forces are applied and the connection may separate or the sleeve may fracture.
Possible consequence: This could result in a loss of steering control of the vehicle.
Remedy: Toyota will replace the steering intermediate shaft and inspect the sliding yoke and replace it if necessary. The recall began on june 9, 2006. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
- Air bagsCovers: Toyota Prius 2004–2006, Lexus LS 2004–2006, Scion TC 2005–2006 +6 more
Reported issue: On 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 assembly, some inflators were produced with an insufficient amount of the heating agents necessary for proper air bag deployment. In this condition, the expansion force of the gas may be insufficient to properly inflate the air bag when the srs system is…
Possible consequence: This may increase the risk of injury to the occupant in the involved seating position in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the specific srs air bag. The recall began on april 6, 2006. Owners may contact toyota at 1-888-270-9371, scion at 1-866-548-1851, or lexus at 1-800-255-3987.
- Exterior lighting › Brake lights › SwitchCovers: Toyota Prius 2004, Lexus RX330 2004
Reported issue: Certain passenger vehicles may be equipped with an improperly designed brake light switch. A silicon oxide build-up occurs on the contacts inside the brake light switch, which can make it inoperable.
Possible consequence: If the switch is inoperable, the brake lights will not illuminate and can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the brake light switch. The recall began during december 2004. Owners should contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
NHTSA investigations
- DP22005Pedestrian alert soundsClosed · Jan 27, 2023
- DP13001Intermediate Steering Shaft SeparationClosed · Feb 21, 2013
- PE05029Engine stallingClosed · May 31, 2005
← All problems reported for the 2004 Toyota Prius
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.