2004 Toyota Prius electrical problems

Filed Jul 21, 2025 · Electrical · MI

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 unable to be driven safely at this point. I have reached out to Toyota and they verify that it was an issue with this year range but because I have owned it too long they don't do anything about it

Filed Nov 12, 2022 · Electrical · VT

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; only drive. I could always get the car back into Park. This is an extremely unsafe driving condition because it happens without warning and the fix is not obvious. Once the driver is aware of the fix, it forces them into an unsafe driving condition: driving with one hand on the parking selector. Once cooler weather came, the issue went away. It didn't happen on all hot days and was intermittent. I replaced the drive selector in 2022 and have only had the issue come up one other time since replacing this part.

Filed Apr 14, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · 83,200 miles · CA

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 illuminated before the vehicle stalled. Additionally, the instrument panel went black. The contact stated that she attempted to restart the vehicle but the vehicle would not restart. The contact had the vehicle towed to her residence and later towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was diagnosed and it was determined that a wiring cable connector had melted onto the battery and affected the engine. Additionally, the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 83,200.

Filed Nov 8, 2020 · Electrical, Lights · 160,000 miles · ID

All the instrument cluster lights continue to go out on my 04 prius. I don't know how much fuel I have this could be a safety issue. I don't know how fast I'm going this could definitely be a safety issue. And zero warning lights come on this is definitely a safety issue. By looking on the internet I can tell thousands of priuses have this exact same issue with the instrument panel cluster going out. This should definitely be a recall.

Filed Apr 13, 2020 · Electrical · 250,000 miles · OH

Headlights occasionally go out at random while driving. Began with driver side, very intermittent, became more frequent, now also includes passenger side. Both have gone out at the same time while driving at night twice. Turning all lights off briefly and back on will re-illuminate the headlights. Problem first occurred several months ago and has gotten progressively more frequent. Now, once light(s) goes out during a drive, it will continue to do so repeatedly every few minutes. Very dangerous.

Filed Dec 17, 2019 · Electrical · 130,000 miles · FL

Combination meter is black 90% of the time. Restarting engine or disconnecting battery only works on occasion. Have safety concerns.

Filed Apr 22, 2019 · Acceleration, Electrical · 115,000 miles · CO

I am the owner of a 2004 prius. After buying my car used 2 years ago I noticed that once in awhile the display, including fuel consumption, speedometer, odometer, and more, would not light up and that the car would not turn off easily several times I have been in situations where I have little gas an am unable to see my gas gauge or know how fat iam going on the highway. I understand that this was once covered by toyota under the warranty extension but is not considered a safety concern. The warranty extension is expired. In what universe are a functioning fuel gauge and speedometer not considered a safety concern? I am also concerned that this will deteriorate further and cause an accident.

Filed Apr 1, 2019 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 5 miles · CA

(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 beside the check engine light. We lost the speedometer, all gauges and all the electrical and electronics which normally helps to guide our driving.we had to take the car to the toyota dealer the following morning which took seven days to replace the combo meter. I later found out that this issue is not knew and there was a letter issued by toyota titled (2004 to certain 2009 model year prius vehicles combination meter warranty enhancement notice). The letter stated that they had problems with some of these prius year models and that if the owner did not experience this condition to file the letter in their vehicle's owner's warranty information booklet. Here is my request: this should not be a warranty issue but should have been a safety recall as depending of the number of miles the vehicle is driven, this issue seems to sooner or later occur. I repaired my vehicle and paid for all the repairs, all I need now is for the federal safety agency to look into this problem, investigate it and have toyota send a recall letter rather than an extended warranty. This way I can receive a reimbursement for the repairs. Here is a link to the letter and all consumers complaints: https://www.toyoheadquarters.com/threads/2004-2009-toyota-prius-combination-meter-warranty-extension-ztv.174/ I believe for the safety of all prius drivers in the USA, this should be changed to a recall since many of these model and year prius vehicles are still on the road and will reach a certain mileage to make to combination meter fail.

Filed Feb 27, 2019 · Electrical · 135,838 miles · CT

Takata recall vehicle needs to have brake actuator. Bg brake fluid service.

Filed Sep 28, 2018 · Electrical, Lights · 150 miles · FL

My car head lights are turning off, at first it was one not turning on and then it was the other one, now they take turns. It is a safety issue which almost had make me crash more than 2 times. To the point that I am unable to use the car during the night. This happens if the car is parked or running.