Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2005 Toyota Prius owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Toyota Prius. After the vehicle was shifted into the park position, the contact exited the vehicle as it began to roll away. The vehicle struck the contact. The instrument panel failed to illuminate. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries reported. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was not diagnosed or repaired. In addition, the contact attempted to turn the ignition to the off position, but the key failed to eject from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 174,000.
Car would not stay in drive. When I put the car into drive, it would immediately revert to neutral. The car might only advance a couple of feet and then it would pop back into neutral. Sometimes it would immediately pop back, never really staying in drive. Holding the sifter in drive would allow the car to drive. After the car would pop back into the neutral position, the car could not put it into park as well. I could reverse. Only after putting it in reverse, would the car go into park. The car seemed to have resolved itself when next checked, near an hour later. Weather was very cold, in the single digits, now it is 15.6 f and the car seems OK.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Toyota Prius. While driving various speeds, the gear shifter failed to change from drive into neutral. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. In addition, the vehicle was previously serviced per an unknown recall in which the inverter water pump was replaced; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the repair was a one time remedy. The approximate failure mileage was 97,000.
My daughter was driving our 2005 Prius at about 30 miles an hour at approximately 3 pm when she saw a truck stop approximately 300 feet ahead of her. She applied the brakes but the Prius did not stop and collided with the truck causing a total loss of the Prius. The road surface was wet from snow and the temperature was approximately 34 degrees. Although the car was heavily damaged the air bags did not deploy. This crash could have resulted from a brake problem or unintended acceleration.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Toyota Prius. After parking the vehicle, it rolled down-hill. She attempted to re-enter the vehicle to stop it, but was unsuccessful. Consequently, the vehicle crashed into a pole. She went to the hospital for knee injuries and lacerations. The manufacturer was notified, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 55,810. Updated 1/5/10 updated 01/06/10
Prius will not stay in gear, keeps popping back into neutral. First happened when stationary --- press power button, "ready" on the dash, go to shift into drive or reverse and it pops back into neutral. This occurred when the vehicle was in motion on a city street. Finally got it to work (no idea why?) then when driving, again, it popped into neutral from drive. Very dangerous!!!
When I attempted to shift into drive or reverse, the car would revert back to neutral unless I held down the gear shift in position. This happened when I had the car in motion on city streets. Parking (using the button on the Prius) was also difficult, and I had to try multiple times to put the car in park as it continually wanted to go back to neutral.
I purchased my Prius used in June 2014 this was my first winter with it obviously. Any time it about 10 below zero in mn this winter I had to hold my car in drive or reverse, sometimes as long as 5 miles+.
Eingen faliur acording to dealership Toyota of Anthioc the veicle is on there lot for now but there diagnostic was engine faliure
We were traveling along a familiar country road on a warm sunny day. When we arrived at a rural store there was only one other customer there. I slowly eased into the designated parking area which was situated about 17 inches above the lawn below. I was probably traveling less than one mile an hour. When I braked, the car accelerated and propelled itself over the blocks and railroad ties that are found in front of parking spaces, and we literally flew about 7 feet out and down onto the grass stopping just a few feet from a tree and a fence. While in the air, all I had time to do was put my foot down hard on the brake because there was not enough time to turn off the engine during the 5 seconds this was happening. …
Transmission complaints in other Prius years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2005 Toyota Prius?
NHTSA has 41 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2005 Toyota Prius, 4% of the model year's 1,051 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Toyota Prius transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2005 Toyota Prius, though it has 6 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2005 Toyota Prius transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 76,000 miles, and 24% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.