2005 Toyota Prius Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 41about this part
- Share
- 4%of 1,051 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 76,063miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 41 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2005 Toyota Prius, 4% of the 1,051 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 76,063 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“When I attempted to shift into drive or reverse, the car would revert back to neutral unless I held down the gear shift in position. This happened when I had the car in motion on city streets. Parking (using the button on the Prius) was also difficult, and I had to try multiple times to put the car in park as it continually wanted to go back to neutral.”
NHTSA complaint #11170267, filed 2019-01, 130,000 miles“I purchased my Prius used in june 2014 this was my first winter with it obviously. Any time it about 10 below zero in mn this winter I had to hold my car in drive or reverse, sometimes as long as 5 miles+.”
NHTSA complaint #10703810, filed 2015-04, 177,000 miles“I have been driving my 2005 Prius for 5 years and have experienced the following nearly 20 times, when braking, if a pothole or bump in the road is hit, the car seemingly jerks forward/accelerates for a split second. And the vsc light on the dash will go on for a short time.”
NHTSA complaint #10304299, filed 2010-02, 30,000 miles“My 2005 Prius shows the following message caution: the transmission p lock mechanism is abnormal. Park your car at a flat place, and apply parking brake completely . If I turn off the power and turn it on everything is ok. Dealer wants 57 usd to tell me what is wrong.”
NHTSA complaint #10310144, filed 2010-02, 41,727 miles“Purchased 2005 Toyota Prius - VIN # jtd kb2 ou1 530 793 29 on july 20, 2005 -registered it to my wife krista gottlieb. On july 22, 2005 when this car had about 80 miles on it, I was driving it on the highway in traffic at about 50 MPH - when suddenly I lost complete power. By that, I mean that the accelerator pedal was completely unresponsive. …”
NHTSA complaint #10140213, filed 2005-10, 80 milesRelated service bulletins
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- 10133836Feb 20, 2013This bulletin contains general vehicle pulling diagnosis and repair procedures along with specific information to help correct pulling complaints.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 13% |
| 2024 | 1 | 4% |
| 2023 | 3 | 14% |
| 2022 | 1 | 4% |
| 2020 | 1 | 7% |
| 2019 | 2 | 7% |
| 2018 | 2 | 5% |
| 2017 | 4 | 4% |
| 2016 | 15 | 10% |
| 2015 | 13 | 8% |
| 2014 | 6 | 3% |
| 2013 | 14 | 3% |
| 2012 | 21 | 5% |
| 2011 | 18 | 3% |
| 2010 | 79 | 3% |
| 2009 | 22 | 4% |
| 2008 | 54 | 4% |
| 2007 | 41 | 2% |
| 2006 | 22 | 2% |
| 2005 | 41 | 4% |
| 2004 | 34 | 6% |
| 2003 | 5 | 5% |
| 2002 | 9 | 5% |
| 2001 | 5 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2005 Toyota Prius
346 complaintsBrakes
282 complaintsElectrical system
178 complaintsVehicle speed control
109 complaintsEngine cooling
64 complaintsOther or unknown
56 complaintsAir bags
44 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