ToyotaPrius2004Overview/toyota/prius/2004/base/

2004 Toyota Prius

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2004 Prius.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (variable gear ratios)

The 2004 Toyota Prius is a passenger car equipped with an automatic transmission featuring variable gear ratios, a powertrain specification that underpins its EPA-rated fuel economy of 48 city, 45 highway, and 46 combined mpg while utilizing a modest 3.9 quarts of 5W-30 API engine oil. Within the model's broader complaint history spanning 2000 to 2026, this year registers 610 total owner complaints alongside 6 recalls—a middle-ground figure that falls well below the problematic 2010 peak of 2,819 complaints but substantially higher than the 2000 low of just 4. For researchers, this positions the 2004 model as a moderately troubled but not disastrous chapter in the Prius lineage, with exterior lighting emerging as its most prominent area of concern.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920182004

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity3.9 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque76 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy48/45/46 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI S34B20R · 270 CCA battery, OE oil filter 90915YZZN1. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI S34B20R · 270 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnHOTOEM · verified
Tire sizeP185-65R15OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter90915YZZN1
Engine air filter1780121040
Spark plug9008091184
Battery2880037092 alt 2880021182
Front wiper blades8522247020 alt 8521247021
Serpentine belt9091602570
Thermostat9091603093 alt 1632562010
Cabin air filter871394701083

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (variable gear ratios)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length175.6 in
Overall width68.1 in
Overall height58.3 in
Wheelbase106.3 in
Curb weight2767 lb
Track (front / rear)58.3 / 57.5 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)60/40

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined48 / 45 / 46 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Prius of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

9.8–12.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 9.80 sec — 2004 Hatchback
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2004Hatchback 1.5L I-4 + Elec9.80 sec17.04 sec110 hpFWD
2004Hatchback 1.5L I-4 + Elec10.10 sec17.70 sec110 hpFWD
2004Hatchback 1.5L I-4 + Elec10.20 sec17.50 sec110 hpFWD
2004Hatchback 1.5L I-4 + Elec10.20 sec17.70 sec110 hpFWD
2004Hatchback 1.5L I-4 + Elec11.30 sec18.30 sec110 hpFWD
2004Hatchback 1.5L I-4 + Elec12.50 sec18.90 sec110 hpFWD
2006Hatchback 1.5L I-4 + Elec10.50 sec17.80 sec110 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 3.9 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil. Torque lug nuts to 76 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 18.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity3.9 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts95 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts76 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub159 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub159 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)1000 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerDenso
Spark Plug Gap0.039-0.0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque13.0 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing7-15 degrees

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.25-1.38 lbs
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity4.50 oz
Oil GroupPAG
Standard BCI Group NumberS34B20R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance270 cca

Service checks

RPM44.0-50.0 rpm
Residual Pressure21 psi
Injector Primary Resistance13.4-14.2 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Injector Primary Resistance12-16 na ohms
Engine Compression77-106 psi
Engine Oil Pressure4.2 psi @ Idle, 22-80 psi @ 2500 rpm psi

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket25 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle81 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.039; Rear: 0.039 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Drum Nominal Diameter7.874 in
Drum Maximum Machining7.913 in
Drum Discard at-or-over7.914
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 5,000 mi; spark plugs at 120,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 5,000 miBrake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Driveshaft Flange Yoke (torque) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level)
Every 30,000 miAir Conditioning Condenser (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel Tank (inspect)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Hybrid Inverter (drain, flush & refill coolant)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash)
At 100,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Hybrid Inverter (drain, flush & refill coolant)
Every 100,000 miTransmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
At 120,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2004 Toyota Prius marks a sharp escalation from 2003, with complaints jumping from 111 to 610, recalls rising from 1 to 6, and investigations tripling from 1 to 3, while 2005 continued the climb to 1,051 complaints and recalls held at 6. From this inflection, complaints follow a steep multi-year trajectory that reaches 2,003 by 2007 while recalls remain elevated through 2006, meaning 2004 sits at the front of a sustained high-activity arc rather than at its crest. The 2004 filings cluster most heavily in Exterior Lighting with 156 complaints, Electrical System with 111, and Engine & Engine Cooling with 72, though the provided data does not specify underlying causes. With regulatory activity already matching the elevated levels maintained through 2006 but absolute complaint volume remaining below the later crest, 2004 is a middling prospect as a used purchase: preferable to the 2005–2007 peak years yet notably riskier than the 2003 baseline shown in the record.

6
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
226
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
3
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
610
Owner complaints
38 involved a crash · 2 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 610 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Exterior Lighting156
Electrical System111
Engine & Engine Cooling72
Service Brakes, Hydraulic30
Vehicle Speed Control25
Power Train23
Electrical System,Exterior Lighting19
Service Brakes18

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 6 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

12V537000SteeringReported 14/11/2012

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… 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…

12V536000Engine And Engine CoolingReported 14/11/2012

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… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 226 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
T-SB-0119-15 Rev22026-02-13EngineOBSOLETE NOTICE February 13, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0009-26.
T-SB-0009-262026-02-13EngineThis bulletin includes basic procedures for performing a rescue charge on Ni-MH high…
T-SB-0035-24 Rev22024-12-06StructureAcid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to…
T-SB-0038-24 Rev22024-12-06StructureTo prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film…
T-SB-0039-24 Rev22024-12-06StructureThe condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Prius. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2004 Prius take?

3.9 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2004 Prius have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Prius get?

EPA figures are 48 city / 45 highway / 46 combined mpg.