2004 Toyota Prius Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 52about this part
- Share
- 9%of 610 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 59,384miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 52 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 2004 Toyota Prius, 9% of the 610 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 59,384 miles. 10 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 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.
“I was entering a major highway from a parking lot when the engine suddenly accelerated at full speed. Visibility was good. There was a small pothole so I did touch the accelerator. Next I was in the middle of the highway & hit by a car going 65mph. I do not think I hit the accelerator rather than the brake although that was the only explanation at the time.”
NHTSA complaint #10319926, filed 2010-03, 37,294 miles“I am the owner of a 2004 Prius. After buying my car used 2 years ago I noticed that once in awhile the display, including fuel consumption, speedometer, odometer, and more, would not light up and that the car would not turn off easily several times I have been in situations where I have little gas an am unable to see my gas gauge or know how fat iam going on the highway. I understand that this was once covered by Toyota under the warranty extension but is not considered a safety concern. The warranty extension is expired. …”
NHTSA complaint #11202903, filed 2019-04, 115,000 miles“I was turning my 2004 Prius into a parking garage at between 2-5 miles an hour, applied the brakes as I was going in over a small lip/bump in the pavement, and the car accelerated on it's own. I was lucky enough to swerve and reapply the brakes in time to avoid hitting an oncoming exiting car. It was very scary and I almost hit the other driver. I have never had this happen before. …”
NHTSA complaint #10320065, filed 2010-03, 135,000 miles“This occurred to me yesterday while traveling 60 MPH in 94 f heat on I-76 e just before the 676 / 76 split. I was traveling in the far left lane when the car suddenly lost power. Looking at the dash I noticed the shifter had moved itself into n (neutral), it would not move back into drive. I applied my hazard lights and began forced my way rightward across three lanes to the shoulder, speed rapidly decreasing and seemingly more sluggishly than a normal coast. I think the emergency brake was automatically being applied or I was fighting a braking system. …”
NHTSA complaint #11111093, filed 2018-07, 184,000 miles“While heading up my driveway in my 2004 Prius, the car began to accelerate, I threw it into reverse and turned back toward my garage where it crashed thru the wall.”
NHTSA complaint #10346197, filed 2010-07, 63,000 milesRelated recalls
- 09V388000Oct 5, 2009Toyota 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…Covers: Toyota Prius 2004–2009, Tacoma 2005–2010, Avalon 2005–2010 +5 more
Related service bulletins
- 10244113Aug 17, 2023TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most…
- 10045140Jun 13, 2012Toyota: accelerator pedal sensor assembly information regarding the inspection, removal, and installation, if lubrication or oil, is applied.
Vehicle speed control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 6% |
| 2024 | 2 | 7% |
| 2022 | 1 | 4% |
| 2021 | 1 | 17% |
| 2020 | 1 | 7% |
| 2019 | 4 | 13% |
| 2018 | 4 | 11% |
| 2017 | 13 | 14% |
| 2016 | 14 | 9% |
| 2015 | 7 | 4% |
| 2014 | 14 | 7% |
| 2013 | 22 | 5% |
| 2012 | 13 | 3% |
| 2011 | 28 | 5% |
| 2010 | 287 | 10% |
| 2009 | 71 | 14% |
| 2008 | 156 | 10% |
| 2007 | 124 | 6% |
| 2006 | 84 | 6% |
| 2005 | 109 | 10% |
| 2004 | 52 | 9% |
| 2003 | 5 | 5% |
| 2002 | 12 | 7% |
| 2001 | 25 | 15% |
Other parts of the 2004 Toyota Prius
184 complaintsElectrical system
177 complaintsEngine cooling
89 complaintsBrakes
76 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