Toyota Prius 2004–2009
2nd generation (XW20)
NHTSA data through 13 August 20268,714 complaints, 7,289 with mileageMethod
- Reports with mileage
- 7,289
- Median of reported failures
- 55,000 mi
- Most-reported system
- Exterior lighting (37.2%)
- Recalls
- 5
Before-you-buy checklist ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
On this generation, failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 30,000 and 98,000 miles.
Figure 1 · Toyota Prius 2004–2009 · 7,289 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
Complaints per 5,000-mile bin, 0 to 200,000 miles, equal bins on a linear scale. Tallest bar = 504 complaints.
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 251 complaints (3.4%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 9,025
- 25%
- 30,000
- Median
- 55,000
- 75%
- 98,000
- 90%
- 149,706
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–5,000 | 504 | 6.9% |
| 5,000–10,000 | 250 | 3.4% |
| 10,000–15,000 | 246 | 3.4% |
| 15,000–20,000 | 200 | 2.7% |
| 20,000–25,000 | 248 | 3.4% |
| 25,000–30,000 | 258 | 3.5% |
| 30,000–35,000 | 365 | 5.0% |
| 35,000–40,000 | 390 | 5.4% |
| 40,000–45,000 | 454 | 6.2% |
| 45,000–50,000 | 331 | 4.5% |
| 50,000–55,000 | 347 | 4.8% |
| 55,000–60,000 | 304 | 4.2% |
| 60,000–65,000 | 294 | 4.0% |
| 65,000–70,000 | 221 | 3.0% |
| 70,000–75,000 | 203 | 2.8% |
| 75,000–80,000 | 199 | 2.7% |
| 80,000–85,000 | 210 | 2.9% |
| 85,000–90,000 | 176 | 2.4% |
| 90,000–95,000 | 163 | 2.2% |
| 95,000–100,000 | 133 | 1.8% |
| 100,000–105,000 | 203 | 2.8% |
| 105,000–110,000 | 105 | 1.4% |
| 110,000–115,000 | 116 | 1.6% |
| 115,000–120,000 | 97 | 1.3% |
| 120,000–125,000 | 122 | 1.7% |
| 125,000–130,000 | 77 | 1.1% |
| 130,000–135,000 | 98 | 1.3% |
| 135,000–140,000 | 93 | 1.3% |
| 140,000–145,000 | 84 | 1.2% |
| 145,000–150,000 | 79 | 1.1% |
| 150,000–155,000 | 87 | 1.2% |
| 155,000–160,000 | 42 | 0.6% |
| 160,000–165,000 | 86 | 1.2% |
| 165,000–170,000 | 36 | 0.5% |
| 170,000–175,000 | 57 | 0.8% |
| 175,000–180,000 | 36 | 0.5% |
| 180,000–185,000 | 39 | 0.5% |
| 185,000–190,000 | 33 | 0.5% |
| 190,000–195,000 | 27 | 0.4% |
| 195,000–200,000 | 25 | 0.3% |
| 200,000+ | 251 | 3.4% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain. Complaint counts reflect what owners reported and are not a measure of failure rate per vehicle sold.
What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.
Owners filed 8,714 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004–2009 Toyota Prius, and 7,289 of them record the mileage at which the failure happened. That is enough to show not just what fails, but when.
Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 30,000 and 98,000 miles. The median is 55,000 miles.
The most-reported areas are the exterior lighting (37.2% of complaints, typically around 55,000 miles), the electrical system (12.2% of complaints, typically around 72,000 miles), the hydraulic brake circuit (8.0% of complaints, typically around 23,000 miles).
5 recall campaigns cover this generation.
If you arrived asking “is it reliable?” — this page answers the version of that question the data can support: which problems owners reported, and at what mileage.
How many miles does a 2004–2009 Toyota Prius last?
Half of the failure reports on the 2004–2009 Toyota Prius were filed by 55,000 miles and 90% by 150,000 miles — figures drawn from 7,289 NHTSA complaints that record an odometer reading, so they time reported failures, not the cars whose owners never filed one.
251 reports (3.4%) came in past 200,000 miles — each one proof a Prius reached that mileage, not that it died there.
Before you buy a 2004–2009 Prius: the 3-minute check
Generated from 7,289 mileage-tagged complaints, 5 recall campaigns, 5 documented problem areas. Print this page — the checklist survives print.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 5 campaigns cover this generation; an open recall is a free repair you can make the seller's problem.
- Check inverter / intelligent power module on 2004–2009 cars. Inverter IGBT and IPM failure causing sudden loss of hybrid power and the 'red triangle of death' warning, sometimes at speed. Toyota issued inverter software recalls and extended warranty coverage on the inverter…
- Check instrument cluster on 2004–2009 cars. Combination meter self-illumination failure leaving the speedometer and fuel display blank; subject of a Toyota warranty enhancement program.
- Check steering on 2004–2009 cars. Steering intermediate extension shaft can crack and separate, causing loss of steering control; NHTSA recall.
- Complaint reports are not spread evenly across model years here — see the by-model-year table below before you settle on a year.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car. Aggregate data describes the population; the example in front of you has its own history.
For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 30,000 and 98,000 miles, with a median of 55,000. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.
On inspection, the exterior lighting and the electrical system are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The exterior lighting in particular shows a median failure mileage of 55,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
What fails, and when
Figure 2 · Toyota Prius 2004–2009
When each system fails
Bar spans the middle half of reports; the notch inside each bar is the median. Miles at failure on a proportional scale — equal distances are equal ratios, not equal miles.
- Hydraulic brake circuit693 reports23,0006,500–50,000Hydraulic brake circuit: 693 reports, median 23,000 miles, middle half 6,500 to 50,000 miles.
- Electronic brake control306 reports25,0005,000–50,000Electronic brake control: 306 reports, median 25,000 miles, middle half 5,000 to 50,000 miles.
- Throttle and speed control596 reports34,00013,000–64,000Throttle and speed control: 596 reports, median 34,000 miles, middle half 13,000 to 64,000 miles.
- Exterior lighting3,242 reports55,00039,000–88,000Exterior lighting: 3,242 reports, median 55,000 miles, middle half 39,000 to 88,000 miles.
- Body structure302 reports70,00045,000–98,000Body structure: 302 reports, median 70,000 miles, middle half 45,000 to 98,000 miles.
- Electrical system1,059 reports72,00035,000–127,000Electrical system: 1,059 reports, median 72,000 miles, middle half 35,000 to 127,000 miles.
- Brakes511 reports132,00092,000–170,000Brakes: 511 reports, median 132,000 miles, middle half 92,000 to 170,000 miles.
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it in “Where your car sits”
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first. The first 12,000 miles are shaded: that is the boundary this site uses between a manufacturing defect and ordinary wear, not a property of the world.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exterior lighting | 3,242 | 37.2% | 55,000 | 39,000–88,000 |
| Electrical system | 1,059 | 12.2% | 72,000 | 35,000–127,000 |
| Hydraulic brake circuit | 693 | 8.0% | 23,000 | 6,500–50,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 596 | 6.8% | 34,000 | 13,000–64,000 |
| Brakes | 511 | 5.9% | 132,000 | 92,000–170,000 |
| Electronic brake control | 306 | 3.5% | 25,000 | 5,000–50,000 |
| Body structure | 302 | 3.5% | 70,000 | 45,000–98,000 |
| Engine and its cooling system | 221 | 2.5% | 17,000 | 7,000–50,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 219 | 2.5% | 62,000 | 20,000–109,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 214 | 2.5% | 90,000 | 35,000–135,000 |
Where your car sits
Failure reports by the odometer reading they were filed at. Pick the anchor nearest your car — or type the exact mileage: your marker lands on this curve and on the timing chart above.
Figure 3 · Toyota Prius 2004–2009 · 7,289 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Share of mileage-tagged reports filed at or below each odometer reading. Steps rise only at bin edges, by exact counted shares.
- 60,000 mi — 53% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 71% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 83% of reports below
- Median — the staircase crosses the 50% line here
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it below
The staircase tops out at 97%: the remaining 3.4% of reports (251) came above 200,000 miles.
Nothing is smoothed or interpolated. Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
At 60,000 miles
53% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
Reported earlier than this mileage — ask for repair records
- Hydraulic brake circuit — median 23,000 mi
- Electronic brake control — median 25,000 mi
In the reporting window
- Exterior lighting — middle half 39,000–88,000 mi
- Electrical system — middle half 35,000–127,000 mi
- Throttle and speed control — middle half 13,000–64,000 mi
- Body structure — middle half 45,000–98,000 mi
Mostly reported later
- Brakes — middle half 92,000–170,000 mi
At 90,000 miles
71% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
Reported earlier than this mileage — ask for repair records
- Exterior lighting — median 55,000 mi
- Hydraulic brake circuit — median 23,000 mi
- Throttle and speed control — median 34,000 mi
- Electronic brake control — median 25,000 mi
In the reporting window
- Electrical system — middle half 35,000–127,000 mi
- Body structure — middle half 45,000–98,000 mi
Mostly reported later
- Brakes — middle half 92,000–170,000 mi
At 120,000 miles
83% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
Reported earlier than this mileage — ask for repair records
- Exterior lighting — median 55,000 mi
- Hydraulic brake circuit — median 23,000 mi
- Throttle and speed control — median 34,000 mi
- Electronic brake control — median 25,000 mi
- Body structure — median 70,000 mi
In the reporting window
- Electrical system — middle half 35,000–127,000 mi
- Brakes — middle half 92,000–170,000 mi
Which systems, and when
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 55,000 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
The exterior lighting accounts for 37.2% of complaints (3,242 reports, 2,900 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 55,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 39,000 and 88,000 miles.
A single system taking 37.2% of all complaints is a concentration worth noting. It means that for this generation, most of what owners reported came back to one area of the car rather than being distributed across many small faults.
The electrical system accounts for 12.2% of complaints (1,059 reports, 887 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 72,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 35,000 and 127,000 miles.
The hydraulic brake circuit accounts for 8.0% of complaints (693 reports, 560 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails early — a median of 23,000 miles, well before the vehicle's overall median. Failures clustered this far below the rest of the car usually point to a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear, because wear does not selectively target one system on low-mileage examples. The middle half of these reports falls between 6,500 and 50,000 miles.
Throttle and speed control accounts for 6.8% of complaints (596 reports, 482 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails early — a median of 34,000 miles, well before the vehicle's overall median. Failures clustered this far below the rest of the car usually point to a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear, because wear does not selectively target one system on low-mileage examples. The middle half of these reports falls between 13,000 and 64,000 miles.
The brakes account for 5.9% of complaints (511 reports, 391 of them with a mileage figure), and they fail late — a median of 132,000 miles, considerably beyond the vehicle's overall median. That pattern is consistent with normal service life rather than a defect, though it matters for anyone buying an example already near that mileage. The middle half of these reports falls between 92,000 and 170,000 miles.
The electronic brake control accounts for 3.5% of complaints (306 reports, 251 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails early — a median of 25,000 miles, well before the vehicle's overall median. Failures clustered this far below the rest of the car usually point to a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear, because wear does not selectively target one system on low-mileage examples. The middle half of these reports falls between 5,000 and 50,000 miles.
Differences between model years
Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2007 model year drew the most — 2,451 complaints — while 2009 drew the fewest at 644. The median year sits at 1,494.
Recalls and what they cover
NHTSA records 5 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
The campaigns cluster around equipment (2), seats (1), the hybrid propulsion system (1). Repeated recalls against the same area of the car generally mean the first remedy did not fully resolve the underlying problem.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Reported severity
What owners reported alongside the failure itself, out of 8,714 complaints against this generation:
- Crashes
- 788 (9.0%)
- Fires
- 42
- Injury reports
- 328
- Fatality reports
- 12
These flags are self-reported by complainants and unverified by NHTSA; one report can carry several flags, so the counts overlap and do not sum to a total. They are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. No chart is drawn here on purpose: overlapping counts spanning very different magnitudes cannot be honestly encoded as lengths.
Documented problems
Inverter / Intelligent Power Module 2004–2009
Inverter IGBT and IPM failure causing sudden loss of hybrid power and the 'red triangle of death' warning, sometimes at speed. Toyota issued inverter software recalls and extended warranty coverage on the inverter assembly.
Instrument Cluster 2004–2009
Combination meter self-illumination failure leaving the speedometer and fuel display blank; subject of a Toyota warranty enhancement program.
Steering 2004–2009
Steering intermediate extension shaft can crack and separate, causing loss of steering control; NHTSA recall.
Hybrid Battery Cooling 2004–2009
Traction battery cooling fan and duct clogging with debris causes the pack to overheat and accelerates cell degradation - a maintenance-driven failure specific to this packaging.
Water Pump 2004–2009
Electric engine coolant pump failure causing overheating warnings; a recurring high-mileage failure item.
By model year
| Year | Complaints | With mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 737 | 600 |
| 2005 | 1,298 | 1,080 |
| 2006 | 1,690 | 1,455 |
| 2007 | 2,451 | 2,075 |
| 2008 | 1,894 | 1,571 |
| 2009 | 644 | 508 |
Recalls (5) — is your car included?
Mar 2013 · 2009 · SeatsIf the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may…
The defect. Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger se
What can happen. If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.
The free fix. Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
Jan 2013 · 2004–2009 · Hybrid Propulsion SystemThe corroded coil wire may break and the water pump could stop.
The defect. 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.
What can happen. 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 free 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.
Dec 2012 · 2004–2009 · SteeringOver time, the splines may wear and eventually fail resulting in a loss of steering ability, increasing the…
The defect. 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.
What can happen. Over time, the splines may wear and eventually fail resulting in a loss of steering ability, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
The free 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.
May 2010 · 2005–2009 · EquipmentA driver may overload a vehicle which may increase the risk of a crash.
The defect. Southeast Toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 passenger vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "Tire selection and rims." These vehicles were sold without the requisite load carrying capacity modification labels.
What can happen. A driver may overload a vehicle which may increase the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will mail to consumers the corrected label or the customer will have the option for dealers to install the label free of charge. The safety recall began on may 27, 2010. Owners may contact southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
May 2010 · 2009 · EquipmentThis does not meet the standard requirements.
The defect. Gulf states Toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "Tire selection and rims." These vehicles were sold between september 1, 2005 and june 2, 2008 without the requisite load carrying capacity modification labels.
What can happen. This does not meet the standard requirements.
The free fix. Dealers will mail to consumers the corrected label or the customer will have the option for dealers to install the label free of charge. Dealers will also correct the owner's manual. The safety recall began on may 27, 2010. Owners may contact gulf states Toyota at 713-580-3300.
What owners reported
This is not the first time that i have had this problem, but i just learned this is the venue to state my complaints(i have another complaint on this board. I bought this car to save gas,money and the environment,but now this car is doing none of these for me in stop and go traffic. While i'm stuck in traffic in…
2004 · 3 miles · Electrical system
(Combination meter problem) while driving at night on the freeway the entire instrument panel (dash board) started blinking on and off. For our safety, we decided to slow down and exit the freeway and stop in a safe area. We turned the ignition off, then started the car, with nothing appearing on the instrument panel…
2004 · 5 miles · Electronic stability control (esc)
Omg, omg its so fresh in my mind!. I was terrified. My daughter(oldest) was in a terrible car accident and was taken to the hospital(mary washington in va.) I was at work and got the horrific call about 1745hrs (rush hour). I jumped in my car(2004-Prius) i i can't tell you how i felt. As i entered the hov lanes from…
2004 · 17 miles · Electrical system
While driving at night, my headlights will turn off randomly. Sometimes, it is just one but often it is both. If i turn the headlights switch to off and back to on, sometimes one or both lights will turn back on. More recently, this trick hasn't been working as well and i have to drive just using my fog lights. It…
2004 · 45 miles · Exterior lighting
Built from 7,289 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-08-18 · open data · reproduce this page