2005 Toyota Prius Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2005 Toyota Prius carries a complaint index of 75 and ranks 6th worst out of 21 model years, earning an Avoid verdict. NHTSA lists 1,051 complaints, 6 recalls, and 102 crash reports, with electrical system issues making up 46% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 75/100
- #6 of 21 Prius years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 1,051
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 6
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 102
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 4
- Injuries
- 66
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 46
- 48 city / 45 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 66 / 1
Top 2005 Toyota Prius problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System480 (46%)
- Brakes292 (28%)
- Engine186 (18%)
- Other45 (4%)
- Airbags44 (4%)
- Transmission & Powertrain41 (4%)
- Steering39 (4%)
- Fuel System31 (3%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires17 (2%)
- Structure & Body15 (1%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report sudden unintended acceleration where the car surged to high speed even with feet off the pedals or brakes applied.
- Owners describe the brakes failing to slow or stop the car during low-speed maneuvers, leading to collisions.
- Side and frontal airbags reportedly failed to deploy during crashes, including one tied to recall 06V096000.
- Steering complaints include a cracked tie rod and a steering wheel that suddenly jerked to the right without any impact.
- One owner reported an engine-related fire after an unintended acceleration event ended in a crash and vehicle destruction.
2005 Toyota Prius recalls
6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 12V537000Nov 14, 2012Steering669,705 vehicles
Steering:gear box:shaft sector
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2009 Prius vehicles manufactured August 5, 2003, through March 30, 2009. The affected vehicles have a steering intermediate extension shaft assembly built with metal splines that complete the connection from the steering wheel to the steering gear. These splines may have been manufactured with an insufficient hardness.
Risk: Over time, the splines may wear and eventually fail resulting in a loss of steering ability, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the extension shaft and replace it if it is one with insufficient hardness, free of charge. The recall began during December 2012. Owners may contact their Toyota dealer or the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.
- NHTSA 12V536000Nov 14, 2012Fuel System350,662 vehicles
Hybrid propulsion system: inverter
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2009 Prius vehicles manufactured August 6, 2003, through March 30, 2009 and FCHV-adv vehicles manufactured December 12, 2008, through September 13, 2011. During manufacturing, a scratch may have occurred inside of the electrically driven water pump at the coil wire. The coil wire may corrode at the scratched portion.
Risk: The corroded coil wire may break and the water pump could stop. The corroded coil wire could cause a short circuit between coil wires and a possible open fuse, creating a stall-like condition of the hybrid system while the vehicle is being driven. This may increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify its owners, and dealers will replace the electric water pump, free of charge. The recall began on January 17, 2013. Owners may contact their Toyota dealer or the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.
- NHTSA 10V036000Feb 3, 2010Other153,418 vehicles
Equipment:other:labels
Southeast toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 passenger vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "tire selection and rims." these vehicles were sold without the requisite load carrying capacity modification labels.
Risk: A driver may overload a vehicle which may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will mail to consumers the corrected label or the customer will have the option for dealers to install the label free of charge. The safety recall began on may 27, 2010. Owners may contact southeast toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
2005 Toyota Prius fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 48 MPG
- Highway
- 45 MPG
- Combined
- 46 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $1,400
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2005 compared with other Prius years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2005 Toyota Prius reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2005 Prius ranks 6th worst among 21 model years with a complaint index of 75 and an Avoid verdict relative to other Prius years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 Toyota Prius?
- Electrical system issues account for 46% of complaints, followed by brakes at 28% and engine problems at 18%, according to NHTSA data.
- Does the 2005 Toyota Prius have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2005 Prius, covering steering, fuel system, engine accelerator pedals, and airbag inflators, with none classified as do-not-drive.
- What year Toyota Prius should I avoid?
- Among Prius years, 2007 and 2010 have the highest complaint indexes at 95 and 100, while 2005 also carries an Avoid verdict with an index of 75.
- How many complaints does the 2005 Prius have on file?
- NHTSA records 1,051 complaints for the 2005 Prius, including 102 crash reports, 4 fire reports, 66 injuries, and 1 death.