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Model Year Problem Record

Toyota Prius 2005 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 2005 Toyota Prius: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

1,050Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
6Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
7Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
138Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Lighting348 complaints

348 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Brakes285 complaints

285 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Electrical System179 complaints

179 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control109 complaints

109 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 09V388000.

Engine80 complaints

80 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Air Bags45 complaints

45 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 06V096000.

Power Train42 complaints

42 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering40 complaints

40 complaints; 2 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 06V188000, 12V537000.

Driver Assistance and Stability Systems39 complaints

39 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other37 complaints

37 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System28 complaints

28 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility15 complaints

15 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure11 complaints

11 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires10 complaints

10 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment8 complaints

8 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 10V036000.

Seat Belts7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Hybrid and Electric Propulsion3 complaints

3 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 12V536000.

Latches, Locks and Linkages3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

06V096000Reported April 3, 2006 - 133 vehicles potentially affected

Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on April 3, 2006. The campaign covers an estimated 133 vehicles across all affected models.

06V188000Reported May 31, 2006 - 170,856 vehicles potentially affected

Steering. Recall covering the steering system, reported to NHTSA on May 31, 2006. The campaign covers an estimated 170,856 vehicles across all affected models.

09V388000Reported October 5, 2009 - 4,445,056 vehicles potentially affected

Vehicle Speed Control. Recall covering the vehicle speed control system, reported to NHTSA on October 5, 2009. The campaign covers an estimated 4,445,056 vehicles across all affected models.

10V036000Reported February 3, 2010 - 153,418 vehicles potentially affected

Equipment. Recall covering the equipment system, reported to NHTSA on February 3, 2010. The campaign covers an estimated 153,418 vehicles across all affected models.

12V536000Reported November 14, 2012 - 350,662 vehicles potentially affected

Hybrid and Electric Propulsion. Recall covering the hybrid and electric propulsion system, reported to NHTSA on November 14, 2012. The campaign covers an estimated 350,662 vehicles across all affected models.

12V537000Reported November 14, 2012 - 669,705 vehicles potentially affected

Steering. Recall covering the steering system, reported to NHTSA on November 14, 2012. The campaign covers an estimated 669,705 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

DP13001Opened February 21, 2013 - Closed April 8, 2020

Intermediate Steering Shaft Separation. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

DP13001Opened February 21, 2013 - Closed April 8, 2020

Intermediate Steering Shaft Separation. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

DP13001Opened February 21, 2013 - Closed April 8, 2020

Intermediate Steering Shaft Separation. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

DP22005Opened January 27, 2023 - Closed August 7, 2023

Pedestrian alert sounds. Resulted in recall campaign 22V063000.

PE05029Opened May 31, 2005 - Closed October 12, 2005

ENGINE STALLING. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE05029Opened May 31, 2005 - Closed October 12, 2005

ENGINE STALLING. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE05029Opened May 31, 2005 - Closed October 12, 2005

ENGINE STALLING. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

200572
200643
200720
200850
200980
2010322
201172
201248
201373
201459
201552
201633
201731
201839
201926
20205
20217
20223
20235
20244
20254
20262
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.