2004 Toyota Prius Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 2%of 610 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 127,632miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the steering of the 2004 Toyota Prius, 2% of the 610 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 127,632 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
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.
“I was driving approx. 15 MPH on a street on 5/14/20 and was making a soft turn and heard a 'click' noise. Immediately after my steering wheel began to spin freely while totally disengaged from the front wheels causing total inability to control direction of vehicle travel. This caused a minor collision with rock /debris which caused minor front bumper damage. I then had vehicle towed to nearest mechanic who determined that the main bolt at the intermediate steering shaft and steering rack was disconnected. …”
NHTSA complaint #11325172, filed 2020-05, 135,265 miles“My daughter borrowed my Prius for a drive from layton, utah to seattle. Within an hour of leaving my home in layton, utah she called concerned about a vibration in the front end of my Prius as she approached 80mph. When she returned to utah, I had the tires checked, rebalanced, and the front end realigned. Soon after that, my husband and I left for the tahoe area. We experienced a vibration whenever we eased the steering from either a left or right pressure to neutral. Then at low speed going over a rough road with potholes, it sounded as if the steering column was going to fall apart. …”
NHTSA complaint #10660398, filed 2014-11, 113,700 miles“Contacts stated water pump and alternator stopped working twice on I'-5 towed to Toyota tacoma where they flushed fuel billed $500 car broke down on way home towed back to Toyota told charge would be 2500 to fix .. …”
NHTSA complaint #11098144, filed 2018-05, 217,029 miles“During normal service at dealer service advisor indicated that steering yoke sub assemble and shaft assembly needed to be replaced because of binding. Dealer indicated that they had done the steering recall NHTSA campaign number: 06v188000 in 2006 on this car. Is the current issue (which we had repaired at a cost of almost $1000) associated/or as a result of the prior recall?”
NHTSA complaint #10418710, filed 2011-08, 101,254 miles“For the last couple of years there is a clunking sound from the steering column when turning the steering wheel from side to side, either stationary or when moving.”
NHTSA complaint #11099507, filed 2018-06, 120,000 milesRelated recalls
- 12V537000Nov 14, 2012Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2009 Prius vehicles manufactured August 5, 2003, through March 30, 2009. The affected vehicles have a steering…Covers: Toyota Prius 2004–2009
- 06V188000May 31, 2006The 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…Covers: Toyota Prius 2004–2006
Related service bulletins
- 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…
- 10168537Oct 21, 2019TT: Some customers may encounter Bluetooth® connectivity concerns such as: ? Difficulty to pair the phone. ? Intermittent Bluetooth® failure to connect to the vehicle when first…
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 5% |
| 2017 | 7 | 8% |
| 2016 | 2 | 1% |
| 2015 | 3 | 2% |
| 2014 | 8 | 4% |
| 2013 | 8 | 2% |
| 2012 | 13 | 3% |
| 2011 | 7 | 1% |
| 2010 | 30 | 1% |
| 2009 | 13 | 3% |
| 2008 | 18 | 1% |
| 2007 | 34 | 2% |
| 2006 | 22 | 2% |
| 2005 | 39 | 4% |
| 2004 | 10 | 2% |
| 2003 | 39 | 39% |
| 2002 | 80 | 48% |
| 2001 | 45 | 27% |
Other parts of the 2004 Toyota Prius
184 complaintsElectrical system
177 complaintsEngine cooling
89 complaintsBrakes
76 complaintsVehicle speed control
52 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
34 complaintsAir bags
18 complaintsOther or unknown
18 complaintsFuel system
13 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 30, 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