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2004 Toyota Prius airbags problems

18 complaints (3% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 74,000. 16 crashes reported.

owner complaints
18
of this car's complaints
3%
typical mileage
74,000
crashes
16
recalls
1

Which part fails

  • Frontal
    2

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Toyota Prius airbags problems in other years

200120052010201520202026

Specific symptoms reported on the 2004 Toyota Prius airbags

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

No deployment 16

Related recalls

Air bagsReported April 3, 2006 · 133 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
This may increase the risk of injury to the occupant in the involved seating position in the event of a crash.
Remedy
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.

Recall number 06V096000 · Recall details

What 2004 Toyota Prius owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Mar 14, 2018 · Airbags · CA

I received a notice from tk holdings stating I should contact a dealer for repairs if my car was under recall. I was under the impression that all air bags were affected. Please let me know when I could expect a notice. My 2004 prius was manufactured in japan. Vin [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Dec 4, 2015 · Airbags · 240,000 miles · KY · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owned a 2004 toyota prius. The contact stated that while the driver was making a right turn and an oncoming vehicle crashed into the driver side of the vehicle. The contact mentioned that the resulting force caused the vehicle to spin and crash into an idle train. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The driver sustained injuries that required medical attention. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 240,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Nov 17, 2015 · Airbags · 72,000 miles · CT · crash

I own a 2004 toyota prius which I have been driving for about couple years and recently couple days ago I had a major accident (see attachment for more details) which damaged most of my car. The accident was very severe and during which none of the air bags activated. The air bags should have been activated in this type of accident, recently my car had been to a general inspection at a toyota dealer and there was no issues recorded of this sort.

Filed Oct 8, 2015 · Airbags · 58,000 miles · CT · crash · 1 injury

Head on collision into a highway barrier. The air bag did not deploy.

Filed May 5, 2014 · Airbags · VA · crash · 1 injury

I was in an automobile accident recently on april 11, 2014 involving a deer and unfortunately flipped and totaled my 2004 toyota prius. As I was driving down a road shortly after midnight, a deer jumped out in front of the vehicle and initial instinct was to hit the brakes and swerve. When I did so, the tires caught loose gravel in the road and sent my vehicle sliding sideways, my initial reaction was to regain control so I attempted to turn the wheel, which caused the vehicle to hit an embankment and flip landing nose down in the ground. The vehicle was traveling 40-45 MPH and the front end was ripped off of the vehicle and the sensor bars for the airbags were broken and the shock trigger was also set off but the airbags did not deploy. The seat belt was buckled and intact causing a harsh burn and gash in my neck as well as several bruises to prove as such. During the rollover, the top of the vehicle did not hit the ground. In the process of the accident, my right humerus right above the elbow was completely shattered and I had to undergo a four hour surgery to have plates and screws put on my bone and 62 staples to hold together the long incision from the operation. Now having to endure physical therapy 3 times a week for months as I have lost most mobility in that arm and nerve damage.

Filed Apr 22, 2014 · Airbags · 73,000 miles · CA · crash · 2 injuries

I was driving downhill, came around a blind curve and cars were backed up really high on the street. I rear-ended the car that was at a dead stop in front of me as I turned the corner. My car crunched like an accordion and is considered a total loss. I have severe whiplash as well as alot of other bodily pain. My airbags did not deploy. Everyone who sees my car is shocked that they did not deploy. I would like to know why and would like toyota to take responsibility for what I consider a faulty part.

Filed May 31, 2012 · Airbags, Seat belts · 134,000 miles · OR · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 toyota prius. The contact was driving 20 MPH and crashed into the rear of another vehicle. The contact stated that the seat belt did not properly restrain, causing her chest to be thrown into the steering wheel. In addition, the air bags did not deploy. The police were contacted and a police report was filed. The vehicle was ruled as destroyed by the contact's insurance company. The manufacturer was notified of the incident who assigned her a case manager who would return her call in the near future. The failure mileage was 134,000.

Filed May 30, 2012 · Airbags · 122,543 miles · CA · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the owns a 2004 toyota prius. The contact was sitting at a traffic stop when another vehicle crashed into the rear of the contact's vehicle, causing the contact's vehicle to crash into a third vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. The contact was reported injured and the vehicle was destroyed.the manufacturer was notified of the incident and informed the contact that the crash did not meet the requirements for the airbag to deploy. The failure mileage was 122,543.

Filed Dec 9, 2011 · Airbags · 193,000 miles · CT · crash · 2 injuries

2004 toyota prius frontal impact crash into rear of vehicle 2, 2002 honda crv, on tuesday november 22, 2011, 4:33pm est. Bumper impact at approx speed 25mph in clear conditions totaled subject vehicle including complete folding of hood, displacement of structural bumper, fan assemblies, radiator & condenser assemblies into engine with structural bumper pushed back 24" at center and 18" to left & right sides. Insurance adjuster stated that bending occurred at front of vehicle frame. Front fenders crumpled and obstructed front driver and passenger doors, entrapping occupants, both seat-belted into front seats. Despite displacement front structural bumper assembly, body and front mechanicals, airbags did not deploy. Subject automobile was higher-mileage vehicle with 193,000 miles but immaculately maintained, reliable, mechanically excellent, displaying no system warning lights and having newer michelin radial tires with 25% wear. Owner has full set of photographs. Exterior & interior, attesting clean condition of car and full set of vehicle maintenance records. Crash resulted in moderate injury to occupants, mainly bruising, contusions, back & neck pain. Both were admitted to hospital er and discharged same day. Follow up medical care ongoing. Concerned about airbag-non-deployment. Believing this to be a failure of the car's supplemental restraint system. My daughter and wife's injuries are not crippling or disfiguring but in similar crashes, would others fair as well? Incident and concerns registered with toyota corporate, which asserted that airbags functioned (?) as designed. Not surprised that their first priority would be protecting their corporated hind quarters but believe that the federal safety agency might perform a more objective investigation into the history and performance efficacy of prius airbags. Thank you.

Filed Jun 21, 2011 · Airbags · 168,000 miles · CA · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 toyota prius. While driving 35 MPH, the vehicle started to slide backward as a result from a possible blow out in the front drivers side tire. The contact depressed the brakes and the vehicle spun out of control, causing the vehicle to cross over a five lane highway. The contact then crashed into a freeway sign post on the driver side door. The vehicle continued to slide backward and crashed into a tree head-on yet the airbags did not deploy. A police report was filed. There were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to the contacts residence but was not inspected for the failure. Neither the dealer nor manufacturer was contacted. The failure and current mileage was 168,000.

Questions about the 2004 Toyota Prius airbags

Does the 2004 Toyota Prius have airbags problems?

Owners have filed 18 complaints about the airbags of the 2004 Toyota Prius, 3% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2004 Toyota Prius airbags problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 74,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2004 Toyota Prius airbags?

Yes, 1 recall: 06V096000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Toyota Prius have bad airbags?

The Toyota Prius model years with the most airbags complaints are 2010 (84 complaints), 2007 (50 complaints) and 2011 (46 complaints).

Other 2004 Toyota Prius problems

Lights 184Electrical 177Engine 98Brakes 76Acceleration 52Transmission 34Driver assistance 13Fuel system 13Steering 10Visibility 10Seat belts 5Tires 3Body 2Locks 2Suspension 2Seats 1Wheels 1

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