2005 Toyota Prius electrical problems

Filed Nov 10, 2025 · Electrical, Lights · 143,500 miles · DE

The contact owns a 2005 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the left turn signal was activated, however, the left turn signal failed to function as intended. In addition, the contact stated that the four-way flashers failed to function as intended. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a computer failure. The contact was informed that an unknown part needed to be replaced, or an unknown software update was needed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact referenced an unknown recall with a similar failure description; however, the VIN was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 143,500.

Filed Jun 26, 2024 · Brakes, Electrical · 299,999 miles · MN

The contact owns a 2005 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brakes seized. In addition, the contact heard a squealing sound and the ABS warning light illuminated. The contact used the parking brake to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact stated that the odometer was inoperable and failed to display the correct mileage. The contact stated that the odometer was stuck on 299,999.

Filed Oct 2, 2023 · Airbags, Electrical · NY

I had lost functionality for some buttons on the steering wheel that didn't directly impact safety. On replacing the clockspring mechanism inside the whweel I decided to inspect the old unit. Four of the lines in the flex cable are impacted by corrosion, three have already failed. The fourth line is one of the airbag's electrical lines. I'm filing an issue report because the airbag would be next impacted by this failure and I believe there's a fair chance the corroded line could fail during the vehicle's attempt to fire the airbag on the wheel.

Filed May 14, 2023 · Electrical · CA

The red triangle keeps coming on with engine repair light when ever I'm driving from Los Angeles. My mechanic said that there's a recall from 2004 for the water pump. Please advise. Thank you, [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

Filed Mar 27, 2022 · Brakes, Electrical · NC

When driving the vehicle multiple lights came on (ABS, VSC, & brake)! Brakes became hard to push at times and didn’t feel normal. Took it to shop and had both ABS speed sensors replaced. Warning lights went away and brakes were normal again. After a day, the lights came back on and a constant alarm started sounding! The brake system failed and the vehicle was super hard to stop! Came very close to having a major accident on the interstate when this happened!!! It took pumping of the brakes and full force on the pedal to bring it to a stop!! Went back to the shop and was told that the ABS control module/actuator went bad and needs to be replaced. Was also told that this system is a known problem in Toyota Prius’s for a long time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Filed Mar 16, 2022 · Electrical · 25,000 miles · GA

The contact owns a 2005 Toyota Prius. The contact stated when the vehicle was started, the instrument panel was inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer however, the mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted or informed of the failure. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 25,000.

Filed Nov 5, 2021 · Electrical · 129,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2005 Toyota Prius. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the instrument panel failed to light up or show any electrical functions. The contact restarted the vehicle however, the failure persisted. The contact was concerned with not knowing the speed, mileage, fuel level, or engine performance while driving. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 129,000.

Filed Nov 16, 2019 · Electrical, Fuel system · 100,000 miles · TX

My vehicle will not go but about 30 or 40 maybe 50 on highway after very slow exelaration I'm almost killed every time I get on the highway highway and reg streets to excearate it very very slow to start then I have to pull over and kill it start over not using het or air now it just won't start have not had it checked can't afford it

Filed Sep 26, 2019 · Brakes, Electrical · 220,000 miles · GA

The dashboard lighting system quit turning on in july 2019. I could not tell how fast or how slow I was driving. The anti lock brake system light turned on while the car was running on sep 23 2019 and the brakes failed to operate while on the road outside my house

Filed Aug 7, 2019 · Electrical · 200,000 miles · MI

The instrument panel display stopped working in my 2005 prius. You press the button to start the car and the car starts but nothing displays. You cannot see your fuel gauge, so I ran out of gas and almost was hit by a vehicle while walking down the side of the highway. You cannot see your speedometer so you don't know how fast you are going which makes it impossible to follow speed limits. It is a serious safety issue and toyota knew about the problem and even issued a warranty extension ztv to cover it, but they did not inform me about the extension in 2013/14. Now that extension has expired and they will not repair my car. My technician at automotive perfection diagnosed the problem, but toyota would not accept his diagnosis and spartan toyota charged me $132.45 to make the same diagnosis. They then told me a new meter would cost me $696.06 installed and refused to fix the vehicle even though toyota has known about this problem since at least 2012.