2004 Toyota Prius: engine stalls while driving

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 Dec 8, 2015 · Lights · 100,000 miles · OH

Driver side headlight intermittently turns off while driving. Driver is not aware headlight is not working until police pulls him over or after returning to garage at home, he can see from headlight glare on the wall that one light is out. Usually turning the light off, and then back on corrects the problem, however you cant be driving down the highway flashing your lights every once in a while to make sure they are on. It is just a dangerous situation. The internet shows this is a common problem and its frustrating that toyota has not acknowledged or provided a fix.

Filed Jun 22, 2012 · Electrical, Lights · 171,740 miles · OH

Random failure of lights, began with driver?s side and continues to occur randomly with greater frequency. Passenger side also turns off randomly, though with less frequency. Many occasions, I have had both lights turn off while driving.

Filed Feb 27, 2010 · Engine · 87,000 miles · TX

On 23 jan 2010, while driving I-85n in the south carolina mountains the car stalled at 70mph. An audible alert sounded, the car jerked and three warning lights went off. I coasted the car to the shoulder and shut the car down. I restarted the car -- the warning lights cleared -- and continued driving. About 30 minutes later, still in the mountains, the same things occurred (stall while driving 70mph on the interstate.) when I restarted the car a yellow "!" warning remained on. I continued the trip to virginia with no further problems. The warning light went out. On 5 feb 2010, while driving on I-95s in the south carolina mountains the car stalled, warning lights and audible alarm sounded. Upon restart the "!" stayed on. This happened two more times; once on I-95 and once on I-20. The last two times the red triangle warning light stayed on also. On 6 feb 2010, I took the car to toyota center in columbia sc. The service manager told me the water pump needed to be replaced ($384) because air got into the system. I asked if that was why I could hear "sloshing" from the engine when driving; he said yes. I explained that I was confused since the coolant recovery tank never went below the low line. His response was that air in the system was a known problem for the prius and that I should keep the coolant level higher than marked. Also that driving in the south carolina mountains -- both the heat of the engine and the angle of ascent and descent -- is probably what triggered the problem. Prior to both trips, the car was checked by a mechanic. Fluid levels were clear and adequate. I am now in the flatlands of texas, and I can once again hear the sloshing sound coming from my engine. Beyond the expense I am concerned that the engine is completely stalling. If this were to occur in rush hour in a crowded city I'm not sure the car would be safely navigable to the shoulder.

Filed Feb 3, 2010 · Brakes · 95,000 miles · MD

Driving approx 35 MPH. Applied brakes lightly to slow before a sharp right turn. Brakes "froze" and required extreme pressure to slow and then stop the car before reaching an intersection approx. 100 feet beyond the curve. The car stalled and lost power during this maneuver, which was accompanied by very strong smell of burning rubber and multiple warning lights. Upon restarting the car, it felt as if the brakes had seized such that it was difficult to proceed through the intersection to a safe place to pull over. I then turned the car off and on repeatedly until the warning lights extinguished and normal operation resumed. My local shop (not a toyota dealer) said there was a code for communication failure with the brake system but no indication of damage to the brakes or wheels. This was the first instance for this problem, which has not occurred subsequently.

Filed Dec 7, 2009 · Electrical, Fuel system · 31,999 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 toyota prius. While driving between 40-45 MPH the gasoline motor would fail, and then cause the vehicle to stall without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer twice. The battery was replaced first, and then the fuel system was flushed. The second repair corrected the problem, but the problem of the vehicle locking in park was not addressed. The current mileage was 32,100. The failure mileage was 31,999. Updated 01/12/10 *bf all of the alarm lights on the dashboard had illuminated when accelerating. When the consumer stopped the vehicle and switched to park, he was unable to shift the vehicle into neutral. After about 15 minutes, the consumer was able to shift to neutral. The instrumental panel did not display a clear explanation that the internal combustion engine was not starting and that the vehicle was running on the battery only. Updated 01/15/10.

Filed Jul 8, 2009 · Lights · 126,000 miles · TX

Either of the headlights will randomly turn off while driving. When I quickly turn off the headlights and turn them back on, they work again for a while. The problem seems random and intermittent. It happens to both the driver's side and the passenger's side headlight.

Filed Apr 8, 2009 · Electrical · 46,000 miles · OH · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 toyota prius. While driving between 65-70 MPH, the vehicle suddenly stalled and shut off completely. The electronics of the vehicle were still operating, but the vehicle itself could not be restarted. The vehicle then shifted itself into park. The hazard lights in the vehicle began running off the auxiliary battery, which is a low power battery. In addition, the hazard lights turned off. The contact called toyota, but they were unable to assist. The vehicle was towed to a dealer. The battery was jumped and the vehicle was restarted. A diagnostic was performed and the vehicle ran normally for six weeks before the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer again and they stated that there was smoke coming from the fuse box, which meant a fuse was blown. After replacing the fuse box, the vehicle performed normally. The technicians were unable to find any other failures with the vehicle; however, the contact does not want to drive it due to fear of the failure recurring. The vehicle has been repaired, but is still at the dealer. The failure mileage was 46,000 and current mileage was 47,500.

Filed Mar 31, 2009 · Lights · 155,000 miles · AL

Contacted toyota in february 2009 with the following complaint/description: recently my driver side headlight had been blinking off intermittently while driving. I then would have to turn the lights off and back on to get the light to come back on. Last night (feb. 15th, 2009), I was taking my daughter back to college and both headlights unexpectedly turned off while driving on a very dark stretch of highway. Needless to say, this was very unnerving. I tried to quickly turn off lights and then back on. They came back on on after a few tries, but then they did the same thing to me on my return back to home. This was a 6 hour round trip on a sunday. I did not have any recourse but to try to make it home. I feel this is an extreme safety issue and took it to the dealership monday. The dealership ran some tests and said it was the hid bulbs and not the computer ($375/bulb!!!!!). I then visited a prius chat site that another customer told me about as we were waiting for our vehicles. Apparently this problem is very widespread. I am now forced to only be able to drive my prius during the day because I never expected a $900 price tag to change out the bulbs on the headlights, and I am unable to pay that cost right now. Also, I live off of hwy 78 in saint clair county which is a very curvy, hilly rural road with very little light. If the lights had spontaneously blinked off on me on this road when either I or one of my teenagers were driving the vehicle, it could have had a far different result. Will it take a death or injury to initiate a recall on the headlights? To replace bulbs on 2004 prius, you must remove the front bumper and have a special tool to remove back of headlight assembly.

Filed Apr 10, 2008 · Engine · 34,000 miles · CA

2004 prius stalled while driving. Towed to dealer who found no problem.

Filed Feb 26, 2008 · Engine · 6,500 miles · LA

2004 toyota prius stalling. After speaking w/ the toyota consumer helpline, I've learned that the could put a program in the computer that gives you enough time to pull to the side of the road before you stall. I responded that there isn't always a shoulder to pullover to. I started getting warning lights at 6,500 mi. I now have 36,880 mi. In the beginning, the lights were just a joke or a nuisance when I had to bring it in to the dealer. On nov 11, I stalled along w/ warning lights. You can pull over and shut it off,wait a minute, restart and drive home with warning lights, but they go out when you start up to go to dealer. I brought it to them anyway, but after they looked at the codes I was told it was soft codes and that there was nothing that they could do further. In dec, I got the warning lights, but no stall. I drove to work and back and the lights went out when I started up to go to dealer . Feb 25 6:30 pm in the merge lane of the I-10,where there isn't a shoulder and cars are coming 40 to 50 MPH into the lane to exit. How I didn't get rear-ended, I can't explain. Turned key off, restarted and drove home. Lights went out when it came time to drive to dealer sunday night for them to check out mon am. I'm trying a new dealer thursday and I have contacted toyota consumer line for assistance. I not sure how far anyone can fix this issue. The service dept has updated the computer and has given me a new computer, but they don't have an answer when I inform them that this is getting dangerous, now.

Filed Jan 26, 2007 · Engine · CA

Prius stalled when pulling into traffic from a stop light. All lights on the dash board were illuminated including the check engine light. Only electric drive systems was operational. I immediately pulled into a parking lot and turned the car off. Upon restart, only the check engine light was on. Was able to drive to the dealership 2 miles away. Stored error code p0a7a was identified - bulletin eg029-05. "false m.I.l. "on" condition. An updated control ecu was installed, covered by warranty.