2005 Toyota Prius Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 44about this part
- Share
- 4%of 1,051 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 65,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 44 complaints about the air bags of the 2005 Toyota Prius, 4% of the 1,051 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 65,000 miles. 29 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.
“Takara recall - currently have an airbag light onon my instrument cluster. Brake actuator recall - the 'brake' light, vsc, ABS, and brake symbol lights are all on indicating an issue with the brake actuator. I did receive a recall notice about this issue in the past, but the recall said if I wasn't experiencing any issues to ignore the recall. That recall expired on december 31, 2017. As this affects the safe operation of the car, I feel this should be addressed by Toyota as well as the air bag issue.”
NHTSA complaint #11161787, filed 2018-12, 280,000 miles“I'm concerned because my vehicle's airbags did not deploy during a crash wherein I collided with a car turning left in front of me at approximately 35-40 MPH. The front end crumpled and my driver and passenger doors do not fully open due to the damage to the frame of the car. The car is currently being inspected with regard to determination of a likely total loss. While I understand airbags don't always deploy, I felt that this might be a case where they should have deployed.”
NHTSA complaint #10789419, filed 2015-11, 177,482 miles“The airbag indicator light on the dashboard of my Prius came on and would not go off. On 3/14/2015, I took the Prius to a dealership for a diagnostic check. I was told by the technician that both the drivers and passenger side squib airbag harness would need replacement at a cost of $4,373.07. There was no accident or any outside force to cause the problem. It appeared out of the blue when I started the car on the morning of 3/11/2015. The car is otherwise in near perfect condition.”
NHTSA complaint #10694473, filed 2015-03, 93,674 miles“On 3/1/08 I was involved in an auto accident whereby I broadsided a public bus at an approximate angle of 45 degrees. The whole front of the car from the center to the driver's side was completely smashed and neither the driver's side airbag or passenger's side air bag deployed. As a result I, the driver, incurred whip lash injuries and the front passenger hit the front windshield and cracked it as the seatbelt on that side did not work either. …”
NHTSA complaint #10227624, filed 2008-05, 47,500 miles“My daughter was driving our 2005 Prius at about 30 miles an hour at approximately 3pm when she saw a truck stop approximately 300 feet ahead of her. She applied the brakes but the Prius did not stop and collided with the truck causing a total loss of the Prius. The road surface was wet from snow and the temperature was approximately 34 degrees. Although the car was heavily damaged the air bags did not deploy. This crash could have resulted from a brake problem or unintended acceleration.”
NHTSA complaint #10304443, filed 2010-02, 61,000 milesRelated recalls
- 06V096000Apr 3, 2006On 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…Covers: Toyota Prius 2004–2006, Lexus LS 2004–2006, Scion TC 2005–2006 +6 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…
- 10227898Nov 23, 2022TSB: Some 2005 ? 2022 model year Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty smell is present. Follow the procedures in this…
- 10190460Mar 17, 2021Toyota Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements
- 10132410Jul 20, 2017TSB: REVISION NOTICE July 20, 2017 Rev1: Applicability has been updated to exclude 2007 ? 2017 model year Avanza vehicles. Some hazardous material treatment and handling…
- 10131961Jan 14, 2014Toyota vehicles are equipped with Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS), including various airbags and in some models, seat belt pre-tensioners, to help reduce the risk of injury…
- 10132055Nov 4, 2013Beginning in 1998, Toyota introduced side airbags as optional equipment. Toyota does NOT recommend replacement of original seat covers with non-Toyota leather or other seat cover…
- 10133915Jan 3, 2013Toyota vehicles are equipped with SRS, including various airbags and in some models, seat belt pre-tensioners, to help reduce the risk of injury in a collision. If a customer…
- 10042555Sep 6, 2011Toyota: information provided for replacing the seat covers for vehicles equipped with side airbags.
- 10039067May 23, 2011Toyota: 2004-2009 prius. The airbag light is on with two possible trouble codes stored. There is a problem with a wire harness.
- 10019699Mar 28, 2006Special service campaign (ssc) - 60b (safety recall) (supplemental restraint system (srs) airbag replacement). Due to improper assembly of the airbag inflator, which is…
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 17% |
| 2024 | 3 | 11% |
| 2022 | 3 | 13% |
| 2020 | 1 | 7% |
| 2019 | 4 | 13% |
| 2018 | 3 | 8% |
| 2017 | 3 | 3% |
| 2016 | 7 | 5% |
| 2015 | 6 | 4% |
| 2014 | 14 | 7% |
| 2013 | 18 | 4% |
| 2012 | 28 | 7% |
| 2011 | 46 | 9% |
| 2010 | 84 | 3% |
| 2009 | 17 | 3% |
| 2008 | 41 | 3% |
| 2007 | 50 | 3% |
| 2006 | 30 | 2% |
| 2005 | 44 | 4% |
| 2004 | 18 | 3% |
| 2003 | 1 | 1% |
| 2002 | 3 | 2% |
| 2001 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2005 Toyota Prius
346 complaintsBrakes
282 complaintsElectrical system
178 complaintsVehicle speed control
109 complaintsEngine cooling
64 complaintsOther or unknown
56 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
41 complaintsSteering
39 complaintsFuel system
28 complaintsElectronic stability control
20 complaintsEngine
15 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
15 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 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