The Lemon Index
2003
20052nd generation
Avoid · most complaints: electrical
225 owner complaints, first 3 years 46 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2004 Chevrolet Cavalier 492004 Mazda3 882004 Volkswagen Jetta 117
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2004 Toyota Prius
- Headlights162 complaintsmostly at 81,000–138,000 miles (131,000–222,000 km)
- Engine stalling86 complaintsmostly at 6,000–40,000 miles (9,700–64,000 km)
- Hybrid battery / inverter15 complaintsmostly at 17,000–126,000 miles (27,000–203,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 610 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2004 Toyota Prius (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 6,400 and 23,000 miles (10,000–37,000 km) (the middle half of the 171 complaints, of all 225 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 12V537000 (steering), 12V536000 (engine) and 09V388000 (speed control) done? It has 6 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Toyota sent dealers 226 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Accelerator pedal sensor assembly information regarding the inspection, removal, and…”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Toyota's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 225 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 6K to 23K miles (10K to 37K km) on the car (171 of all 225 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Dt: vehicle stalled intermittently and lost power.
2004 Toyota Prius owner · NHTSA complaint 10127845
More owner reports
Dt: consumer has two 2004 Toyota Prius and both had engine failures while going between 30 and 40 mph. Incident on may 28, 2005 and may 4, 2005 approximately.
NHTSA complaint 10124091
Master indicator light illuninated, internal combustion engine failed to restart.
NHTSA complaint 10121242
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 16.5M views · 2004–2009 Toyota Prius
What owners say one repair costs on YouTube
- Batteryone repair, as owners say it$2,000most $800–$5,000 · 6 videos▶ Hear it
Most-watched topics
- Infotainment, battery & electrical2.2M views
Toyota Prius Key Remote Battery Replacement 2004 - 2009 - DIYKey Fob Rob · 725K views · 16 videos - Gauges, lights & wiring1.1M views
Fastest Fix For 2nd Gen Prius No Dash Lights ProblemAmazing Unboxing And Reviews · 441K views · 7 videos - Brakes & ABS846K views
2004-2009 Prius ABS Actuator ReplacementMr.Electric · 296K views · 9 videos - Oil changes & service456K views
Toyota Prius Secret service menu 2004-2009 Check codes!Auto Quest · 124K views · 7 videos
Show 4 more
- Heat, A/C & blend door441K views
Toyota Prius A/C Charging. How to charge Air conditioner on Toyota Prius 2004 - 2009World Mechanics · 268K views · 6 videos - Cooling system415K views
How to Replace Inverter Water Pump 2004-2009 Toyota PriusTRQ · 117K views · 6 videos - Steering & suspension238K views
How to Replace Prius Rear Struts/Shocks - Gen 2 (2004-09)More Pi · 78K views · 5 videos - Transmission & shifter209K views
Toyota Prius '07 P Lock Transmission 07 Prius quick fixMaverick Channel · 145K views · 3 videos
Before you buy, watch
Top 5 Problems Toyota Prius Hybrid 2nd Generation 2004-20091A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 140K views
2nd Gen Prius: The BIG Problems You NEED To Know About (And NO ONE Talks About Them)Drew's Garage · 124K views
Easy Free fix // touch screen not working on Toyota Prius// 2nd Gen Prius Common problemsDiMasha · 82K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2004 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Problems Toyota told dealers about
Toyota sent dealers 226 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Accelerator pedal sensor assembly information regarding the inspection, removal, and…
- Instrument panel illuminates with malfunction of abs/vsc, mil on and brake warning lights,…
- Hv batteries have liquid filled cell modules, to prevent leakage from cells, it is very important
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 6
- Steering · recall issued 2012
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.
- Engine · recall issued 2012
During manufacturing, a scratch may have occurred inside of the electrically driven water pump at the coil wire.
- Speed control · recall issued 2009
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 PASSENGER VEHICLES.
Show all 6 recalls
- Steering · recall issued 2006
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.
- Airbags · recall issued 2006
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 AMOUN…
- Lights · recall issued 2004
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH AN IMPROPERLY DESIGNED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- ClosedPedestrian alert sounds2023
- ClosedIntermediate steering shaft separation2013–2020
- ClosedEngine stalling2005
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★☆ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $1,400 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 1.5L 4-cyl.
Every Toyota Prius year. 2004 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 24 Toyota Prius years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2004 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/toyota-prius/?y=2004" title="Toyota Prius reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="767" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/toyota-prius/2004/">Lemon Index</a> (2004 Toyota Prius reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2004 Toyota Prius reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew about 5 times the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 490; 100 is average, lower is better). The Toyota Prius year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2021.
What are the most common 2004 Toyota Prius problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (47%), engine (36%) and transmission & drivetrain (6%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2004 Toyota Prius have?
6 safety recalls (latest: engine). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2004 Toyota Prius get?
46 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2004 Toyota Prius problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 6,400 and 23,000 miles (10,000–37,000 km) (the middle half of the 171 complaints, of all 225 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2004 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2004 Toyota Prius have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 6% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2004 Toyota Prius cost in fuel a year?
About $1,400 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2004 Toyota Prius have?
1.5L 4-cyl.
What Toyota Prius year is better than the 2004?
No year within 3 model years of it drew fewer complaints. Across every year, 2021 drew the fewest (less than a sixth as many complaints as the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works