Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.
2004 Toyota Prius recalls
Hybrid propulsion system: inverter · Engine and engine cooling
NHTSA campaign 12V536000 · reported November 14, 2012 · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing · 350,662 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- 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.
- The fix
- 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 sector · Steering
NHTSA campaign 12V537000 · reported November 14, 2012 · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing · 669,705 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- Over time, the splines may wear and eventually fail resulting in a loss of steering ability, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
- The fix
- 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 pedal
NHTSA campaign 09V388000 · reported October 5, 2009 · TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC. · 4,445,056 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- 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.
- The fix
- 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 will become available beginning in april 2010 and dealers will replace any modified pedal with the new pedal if desired. Also, dealers will replace any genuine toyota or lexus all-weather floor mats with redesigned all-weather mats, or repurchase the previous mats from owners who do not want the new ones. Additionally, software modifications will be installed on camry, avalon and lexus es 350, is 350 and is 250 models that will ensure that the brake overrides the accelerator in the event both brake and accelerator pedals are applied. Toyota will begin mailing letters to owners on december 31, 2009. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331, lexus at 1-800-255-3987.
Steering: electric power assist system
NHTSA campaign 06V188000 · reported May 31, 2006 · TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC. · 170,856 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- This could result in a loss of steering control of the vehicle.
- The fix
- 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 bags
NHTSA campaign 06V096000 · reported April 3, 2006 · TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC. · 133 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- 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 activated during a crash.
- The risk
- This may increase the risk of injury to the occupant in the involved seating position in the event of a crash.
- The fix
- 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, switch
NHTSA campaign 04V558000 · reported November 22, 2004 · TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC. · 183,090 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- If the switch is inoperable, the brake lights will not illuminate and can increase the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- Dealers will replace the brake light switch. The recall began during december 2004. Owners should contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
What owners report
Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.
Sep 24, 2025 · Service brakes
Codes C1256 and C1391 ACC low pressure and abnormal leak of ACC press
Jul 21, 2025 · Electrical system
The odometer on my 2004 Prius stops at 299,999. This is a known problem in the 04-05 models that was corrected in 2006. Leaves me unable to track miles for maintenance and other uses. This also has the problem with the entire digital dash going dark which means no speedometer or gas gauge. Making the vehicle almost…
Nov 12, 2022 · Electrical system
During a hot period of summer, my drive selector decided to not stay in the drive position unless I held it there. I could make the initial selection of drive and then stop on the gas, but it would not stay unless I physically held the lever down in the drive position. I never had an issue with the reverse position…
Jun 10, 2022 · Forward collision avoidance · 154,079 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Prius. The contact stated while driving 51 MPH, the vehicle experienced phantom braking and a loss of power steering assist with the engine overheating message displayed. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of…
Apr 14, 2022 · Engine · 83,200 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Prius. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle lost power steering functionality but the contact was able to safely pull off of the road. The contact stated that the check engine warning light and other unknown warning lights were…
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received September 24, 2025.