Owner-reported complaints naming the airbag system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2004 Toyota Prius submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 18 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed
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). *TR
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.
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.
HEAD ON COLLISION INTO A HIGHWAY BARRIER. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY.
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. *TR
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. *TR
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.
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.
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 NHTSA MIGHT PERFORM A MORE OBJECTIVE INVESTIGATION INTO THE HISTORY AND PERFORMANCE EFFICACY OF PRIUS AIRBAGS. THANK YOU. *TR
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.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A VEHICLE AS SHE ATTEMPTED TO SLOW DOWN. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE CONTACT WAS INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 74,000.
DRIVER'S FRONT SEAT FRAME FAILED UPON REAR IMPACT. CAR WAS STOPPED, IMPACT WAS AT APPROXIMATELY 25MPH. THE SEAT BACK PORTION WAS TWISTED TOWARDS THE DRIVER'S DOOR WHILE THE SEAT BOTTOM PORTION REMAINED FACING FORWARD. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. CAR WAS TOTALED. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT'S COMPUTER SYSTEM FAILED AND HE CRASHED INTO A TREE. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT CUT HIS FOREHEAD AND SUSTAINED NECK AND BACK INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT IS AVAILABLE. THE PURCHASE DATE AND SPEED WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 62,000.
2004 TOYOTA PRIUS HAVING PROBLEMS STARTING.**CC THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER SEVERAL TRIES, THE VEHICLE STARTED, HOWEVER WHEN HE SHIFTED INTO THE DRIVE, THE ENGINE RACED AND THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD RAPIDLY, EVEN THOUGH THE ACCELERATOR HAD NOT BEEN APPLIED. THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY USING THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED FORWARD ABOUT 25 FEET AND CRASHED INTO A GARAGE. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED MINOR SCRATCHES TO HIS KNEE. THE CONSUMER ALSO NOTED THAT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *JB
2004 TOYOTA PRIUS AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT. *KB THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS T-BONED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE WHICH WAS TRAVELING AT APPROX. 40 MPH. THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AT THE SCENE. *NM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH CROSSING AN INTERSECTION THE CONTACT WAS T-BONED AND THEN HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED VARIOUS INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT FILED AT THE SCENE. UPDATED 06/23/06. *JB ALSO SEE ODINO 10164732.
WHILE TRAVELING 25 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE PROCEEDED TO STRIKE ANOTHER VEHICLE . UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. ALSO, DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT TIGHTENED SO MUCH THAT CONSUMER COULD NOT BREATH. AFTER FINALLY RELEASING THE SEAT BELT CONSUMER COULD BREATH.*AK
THE SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS BROADSIDED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. *SC *JB
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
Data on this page last refreshed .