Table 1 shows one common unknown or other related problems of the 2004 Toyota Prius.
| Problem Category | Number of Problems |
|---|---|
| Unknown Or Other problems |
The multi function display registered the error code: check connection of air conditioner. A diagnostic test at pappas Toyota on 12/2/11 showed a defective mfd. A new replacement would cost $4300. A refurbished one was to be located but a call was not received as to this having happened. Toyota was aware of this possibility at least by 1/10/2005 when a service bulletin was issued. Since the defect in the part was known to Toyota and involves a safety issue a request for warranty replacement was made. This request was denied. On 12/23/11, after having been told a week would be needed to find the part, I e-mailed pappas and asked that one be located. I made an appt. At that time to have it installed on 1/3/12. I had not received any information by 1/2/12 so I called again and learned the part was to be ordered on 1/2/12 as Toyota was closed for the holiday period. The mfd activates the front and rear defrosters. This is critical as the inability to do so is a safety issue in missouri with snow and ice being a possibility. On 1/4/12 a message was received from the dealership, the essence of which was: those displays are on back order status at this time; the mfd holds the memory for the mileage odometer so when it is ordered the vehicle can not be driven so that the actual odometer mileage remains the same; and until I hear from you I have placed your order on hold; there are currently two orders ahead of yours and they will be filled first; they are not able to give us a timetable when they will be released; and once they are available it will take approximately 7-10 business days to receive. Toyota is not making the necessary part available; expecting the consumer to be deprived of use of the Prius for an undetermined period of time; and of bearing the cost of the defective part.
The dashboard computer in my 2004 Prius malfunctions. The energy monitor does not show any of the arrows or current gas mileage. I can't access any of the menus: climate, audio, etc. This means that I can not turn on the defrost heat in the morning when the windshield is frozen. Sometimes the telepohone menu is inaccessible. The stereo skips and turns itself off. Within a few mintues of turning on the car, the computer will right itself and start working. But sometimes the computer will spontaneously malfunction in the middle of driving the car. There is no way to tell what causes the malfunctions and there's no way to know when it will happen.
While driving slowly in traffic, after a particularly rough transmission shift, the large red exclamation mark warning inside a triangle lit up on the dashboard, along with the yellow "check engine" and "vsc" (vehicle stability control) warnings. The car was pulled over to a safe location and stopped. The engine was turned off and on a few times and the warnings continued. On the fourth or fifth turn-on, the problem cleared itself and has not recurred. This is the second electronic glitch that has occurred on this vehicle while driving. The first was reported as odi id number 10407518. Both times, the problems, which had different symptoms, corrected themselves after turning the engine off and on a few times. Since the dealer was unable to duplicate the problem in the first case, the dealer has not yet been informed in this case. It has been exceedingly fortunate that both of these electronic glitches, neither of which were related to floormats by the way, were not of the sudden-unwanted-acceleration variety. The randomness of both the timing and the symptoms of these electronic glitches suggest that sudden unwanted acceleration could easily have been the result.
Toyota Prius 2004 generation 2, speedometer intermittent display problems. The dashboard lights go off and on very frequently for no reason. No display of speed and fuel gauge and also the odometer.
While drivimg under cruise control at approximately 70 mph, a continuous loud beep occurred, accompanied with the following warnings on the dashboard: red "brake" warning and yellow "((!))", "abs" (antilock brake system), and "vsc" (vehicle stability control) warnings. Attempting to pull over and stop, the brakes had no power assistance but, fortunately, could be operated under heavy foot pressure. After pulling over and stopping and restarting the engine, all the warnings and the beep were still there while the car was driven to a safer location at a gas station. Braking was still entirely under foot pressure only. As this was in canada, driver turned off the engine while trying to decide the next course of action. After a few minutes, the engine was again started in order to move the car slightly in the parking lot (to get away from a puddle) and all systems, including brake power assistance, were now operating normally with all the warnings off. The problem has not recurred. The car was taken to the dealer about two weeks later and the diagnostic report states, "could not duplicate customer's complaint". Thus, no repair was done nor further action was taken by the dealer.
I was driving on the freeway at about 63 miles per hour, I had been driving for about 20 minutes when my engine cut out, all the lights on my dash turned on including the check engine and red triangle warning light. I drifted to the shoulder and powered the car off. I tried to start it 2 more times, both times the engine did not start and the red triangle and the check engine lights came on again. I waited longer and tried to power up the engine again, it started with the check engine light on. I took it to the dealership 3 days later (they could not see me sooner), ran the codes and it only came up with the code poaof, which means that the engine did not start. They had no explanation of what happened and did not seem to share my concern that this could happen again. The did recall work for me and sent me home.
2004 Toyota Prius. Consumer writes regarding recall accelerator pedal interference the consumer stated he has received two recall letters. He stated he is pleased with his vehicle and is skeptical about letting the dealer work on his vehicle.
Hid headlights go off intermittently while driving. Headlights can be reset by turning healight switch to off and back on again. A search of the NHTSA and other websites demonstrate that this same problem is widespread for several year models of Prius autos. The dealer estimates to replace the headlight bulbs is about $1000 per headlight, making this a serious problem because people will seek lower cost remedies which are not safe. Toyota thus far has not officially recognized or attempted to address this issue. Since a total loss of lighting can occur at anytime with serious consequences, a recall should be performed to correct this issue before fatalities occur.
The black plastic material inside the car is getting white splotches on it. If you even put your arm against it or your hand little blotches appear that do not come off. This is occurring on the dash and on the sides of the car.
I was accelerating into a yield situation where I had room to merge from an offramp and the gas motor didn't kick in. The check-engine light flashed, the car vibrated, and it moved only as if the electric motor was going for a few seconds and then, as I was flooring it, the car jarted out into the intersection where now there wasn't room and I became involved in an accident.
I was driving about 45 mph and felt the power die and saw the dashboard warning lights come on. I had to stop at a light and the car accelerated but felt like it was coasting. I was very close to home and made it about 500 feet from my driveway when the car stopped. I could not turn off the engine, the lights nor would the car go into drive or reverse. Since I was in the middle of the road, after about 15 minutes I put the car into neutral and rolled down the hill closer to the curb. After I got to the side of the road, I once again tried to start the car and this time it started easily. It was towed to the dealer who had never heard of this problem nor dealt with it. They called the next day to say the computer said it needed to be reprogramed and that the car was fixed. They had no idea why this happened but now that the program was reset, "it should not happen again. " I love this car however, I am getting 40-42mpg where others I have spoken with are into the 50 mpg range, and now I am concerned about it stalling out. The car has about 13,000 miles.
Power loss on highway, engine light came on. Pulled over to side. Restarted but the engine light stayted on.
My 2004 Toyota Prius lost powe, eventually running on battery alone until power was completely lost. Contacted my dealer tristate Toyota in dudley. By contacting Toyota roadside assistance, I was towed to dealer. Service mgr. Immediately applied the reprogramming of my computer as covered in TSB issued around 10/04. Car seems to be back to normal, but this was very disconcerting. Reviewed the situation with service mgr. On 5/31, pointing out that this was a serious condition which should call for a recall ao all 2004 & early 2005 models. Thank god I was close to my dealer rather than out in the boondocks somewhere. I have an uneasiness about this fix. Can Toyota assure me that it will not reoccur. Remember this TSB was issued in 10/2004 but I was never warned to return to the dealership for corrective steps to be taken. Additional complaint - fuel guage inaccurate. When warning blinker comes on I can only add at most 7. 5 gallons, in the car whose tank capacity is 11. 9 gals. They tried a fix on this - but it was completely inneffective. Other than these two items I am elated with the car. I just hope they will do the right thing here.
I was driving my 2004 Toyota Prius (14250 miles) on a freeway and all of a sudden all the warning lights came on (red exclamation mark in a triangle , engine failure with exclamation mark, another exclamation mark in a cirlce and some other scary signs). I immediately pulled over on the shoulder of the highway, and stopped the car. I checked the owner's manual to make sense out of those signs and it said "do not drive and contact your Toyota dealer immediately", so I did. The car was towed to the Toyota dealer and the dealer had it for a day. The dealer had it checked and told me that the software needed to be upgraded. He told me that Toyota was aware of the problem and the upgrade was already out. I think it is a very serious problem. Now I was searching on the internet for more information on this Prius software problem, I found that there are many incidents of this type where all of a sudden the software crashes.
I had just dropped my son off at school when all of the warning lights on the dash and multi display of my 2004 Toyota Prius illuminated. As soon as I pulled the car out of the school driveway and onto the highway (speed limit 45 mph), I realized that I had no acceleration. I managed to pull the car onto a side street before it shut down completely. Police had to divert traffic while awaiting the tow truck. At the dealership, the car started up again. The dealer couldn't determine the problem, and tried reprogramming the car. Since Toyota doesn't seem to know what caused the shutdown, I am concerned that this will happen again, and that there will be an accident next time.
I have a 2004 Prius. (your sustem does not show a Prius, so I checked the Toyota matrix box, since the system made me check some model box. )the Toyota navigation system is defective--it directs turns onto non-exitent roads. People will die when they follow the system's directions and drive off road and crash. Letters to Toyota have gone unanswered. By telephone Toyota advises that this is not their problem.