2004 Toyota Prius Power Train Problems
- 18
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
Among these 18 stored complaint records:
- 2 indicate a crash
- 2 indicate injury
- 0 indicate fire
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 100–150k mi | 4 |
| 60–100k mi | 3 |
| 1–30k mi | 2 |
| 30–60k mi | 2 |
| 150–400k mi | 1 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Power Train
Shifter sticking in drive position as opposed to returning to its home position. When this shifter sticks, the park button becomes disabled and vehicle remains in drive even though park button is engaged
ODI 11144776
Power Train
The basic problem: the gear shift selector sticks in drive or "b" (engine braking mode). If the driver stops the vehicle, with the brake depressed, and then presses the park button to put the vehicle in park, the vehicle remains in drive mode. The vehicle will move as soon as the driver lifts their foot from the brake pedal, even though the driver believes they have engaged the park mode. The driver has to place the…
ODI 10552652
Power Train
Car shifts to neutral upon shifting to drive or reverse when starting car (o mph) car shifts back to neutral when driving (25 mph) prob. Seems related to cold ambient temperature. *tr
ODI 10486095
Power Train
A combination of 2 issues. For several months the gear shift selector has been sticking in the d position instead of automatically returning to the n position as it should. It is documented by other prius owners that the dust cover inside the shifter can begin to warp over time causing this sticking. Http://priuschat.com/threads/gear-shifter-sticks.38199/ i thought this was just a nuisance issue until last month and…
ODI 10485076
Power Train
The dash gear selector (common to 2004 - 2009 g2 prius) began clicking when i changed gears (r-d-n) i researched the subject and learned that this can lead to the shifter locking in d or r, a hazardous condition. I also learned that some diy owners have discovered a warped dust plate in the shifter component. It causes this problem. Their solution is to remove the plate, trim it, and reassemble the part. Link 1…
ODI 10475045
Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 toyota prius. The contact stated that the gear shifter could not be shifted into park. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the shifter assembly needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000 and the current mileage was 150,000. *tr
ODI 10501996
Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 toyota prius. The contact stated that the gear shifted from drive into neutral several times independently. The contact had to hold the gear for it to remain in drive. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who performed a diagnostic. The failure was located at the gear shifter. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but denied assistance with the…
ODI 10437999
Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 toyota prius. The contact stated the vehicle would shift from drive to neutral when accelerating. There was no warning prior to the failure. The vehicle was not inspected to determine the cause of failure. The failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage was 80,000. The vin was not available.
ODI 10437955
Power Train
Automatic transmission control problems. The transmission control lever became worn. Sometimes the vehicle began to the roll with this defect. The internal spring that moves the transmission lever back to the previous position became worn and now it doesn't return to it's normal position when putting it in reverse or drive. The shifter lever was sticking in drive or reverse. *tr
ODI 10432631
Power Train
Vehicle slips into neutral and/or will not revert back to drive or reverse. The problem is most prevalent when weather gets extremely hot (99 degrees +). The only way i was able to get moving was to physically hold my shifter in drive position; the second i let it go, the vehicle automatically reverted back to neutral. I had my vehicle over to a local toyota dealership about this issue. The technician at that time…
ODI 10680271
Electrical System · Power Train · Vehicle Speed Control
2004 toyota prius. Consumer asserts that vehicle accident was caused by a computer malfunction *tgw the consumer stated prior to the accident, on one occasion, the vehicle bolted and jerked slightly as she stopped the vehicle. When she attempted to take off, the vehicle responded sluggishly and then accelerated quickly. The day of the accident, as the consumer approached the stop sign, the vehicle started bucking…
Crash reported
ODI 10360891
Power Train · Vehicle Speed Control
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 toyota prius. While driving in clear, normal road conditions at speeds of 50 mph, the contact attempted to accelerate into the flow of traffic. She then applied the brake pedal, however the vehicle did not decrease in speed. The brakes would not engage and the rear of the vehicle spun out of control or fish tailed. The contact could not maintain control of the vehicle and crashed into a…
Crash reported · 1 injury
ODI 10318073
Power Train · Vehicle Speed Control
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. *tr
1 injury
ODI 10319926
Power Train
2004 toyota prius-while driving various warning lights came on including go to a dealer immediately which i did. Propulsion power almost vanished in one mile of driving. Dealer fixed the problem at no charge saying they "reprogram engine ecu"
ODI 10125010
Power Train
My daughter was driving my 2004 prius on i35w at 55 mph when several red warning lights came on and the car chimed. We were able to exit the interstate and left the car running while we consulted the owner's manual, then called the dealer. We started to drive to the dealership, but the car's power diminished noticeably at each red light or stop sign. It finally stalled about one mile from the parking lot where we…
ODI 10121137
Electrical System · Power Train
I have had 3 'stalls' of my 2004 prius which i drive 150 miles a day and it has 48k miles on it. All of the engine stalls have been at low speed (under 20 mph) and have been preceeded by a red warning triangle light and the screen displaying something like 'critical problem'. On one incident i was in heavy traffic and managed to use the electric motor to get me to the side of the highway before the engine/motor…
ODI 10123868
Power Train · Steering
Consumer complaint concerning 2004 prius transmission. *ts the consumer had problems starting in low gear on a hill. The consumer received a notice regarding the intermediate shaft, however when he arrived at the dealership, he was told there were no parts available. The dealer eventually replaced the steering shaft. *jb
ODI 10168027
Instrument Cluster/Panel · Power Train
2004 toyota prius hesitates when trying to accelerate. Instrumental panel light and slip indicator came on, then vehicle resumes full power. *kb ***nar*** *jb
ODI 10166885