In december 2010, 2005 Toyota prius was taken to dealer for pedal modification as part of the floor mat accelerator pedal entrapment recall. The dealer did not explain that pedal was actually being shortened by cutting off 1/4 inch at the bottom. After the recall modification was completed, accelerator pedal became stuck on after-market floor mat that had been in place in the vehicle since…
2005 Toyota Prius cruise control problems
critical 73 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $600 · see cruise control across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
73
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$600
27crashes
1fire
12injuries
1fatality
What stands out
Owners have filed 73 cruise control complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
No new NHTSA cruise control complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 15 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2005 Prius carries significant safety risks tied to sudden acceleration and brake failures that dealers and Toyota have struggled to diagnose or resolve. Multiple owners report unintended acceleration surges when braking—particularly over potholes or during parking—combined with complaints of unresponsive brakes; many incidents went unfixed despite collision damage, suggesting electronic throttle or hybrid braking system vulnerabilities that survive Toyota's recalls and dealer resets.
Owners describe three distinct acceleration patterns on the 2005 Prius that don't fit the floor-mat narrative Toyota pushed: sudden lunges forward *while depressing the brake pedal* (especially in parking lots and at low speed), brief surges *every time* the car hits a pothole on rough roads, and full-throttle acceleration that resumes after the driver releases the pedal and sometimes won't stop despite maximum braking. A pattern emerges: these events cluster around transitions—braking into turns, reversing, starting the car—and correlate with bumpy pavement, suggesting electronic throttle control or hybrid braking system glitches rather than physical pedal entrapment.
Brake failures are a parallel problem. Several owners report the brake pedal suddenly "softening" or becoming unresponsive, particularly in stop-and-go city driving. One owner described intermittent "floaty" brake feel over years; the brakes eventually failed catastrophically, resulting in a rear-end collision. Dealer inspections consistently found nothing wrong—no computerized brake diagnostics were performed, despite owner insistence that the problem is electronic.
Dealer responses were dismissive. Techs claimed they couldn't reproduce issues, blamed floor mats (even when mats had been removed weeks prior), or told owners the car was "safe to drive" without evidence. The 2010 floor-mat recall (Campaign 09V388000) made things worse for at least one owner: the dealership shortened the accelerator pedal by 1/4 inch, which then became trapped on an aftermarket floor mat that had fit fine before. Manufacturer contact lines had long waiting lists. Across 73 complaints, no root cause was ever identified or fixed.
Same Toyota Prius cruise control reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2007 · 2008
Failure modes owners describe
Unintended acceleration when braking
Vehicle suddenly accelerates when driver applies brakes, often at low speeds (parking, approaching intersections, slowing for turns). Occurs both in forward and reverse. Brakes may feel unresponsive or fail entirely during the surge.
When: Parking (low speed ~5-25 mph), approaching stop signs/intersections, reversing. Some owners report it happens within 2-8 months of ownership.
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden forward lunge while brake pedal depressed; Brake pedal unresponsiveness during acceleration event; Vehicle continues to accelerate despite brake application; Crashes into parked cars, walls, fixed objects; Traction control light activates during surge
Codes mentioned: Electronic throttle control malfunction (implied by owners), Computer system failure (suspected by owners)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers unable to reproduce problem; no mechanical cause found. Some owners report dealer reset of electronic components resolved issue temporarily. Pedal modification during floor mat recall (1/4 inch cut) caused pedal to stick on aftermarket mats in at least one case.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 09V388000 (floor mat/accelerator pedal entrapment recall). Dealers dismissed complaints and claimed floor mats as cause. Manufacturer stated vehicles not included in recalls could not be serviced. Some dealers performed diagnostic resets of electronic components.
Sudden unintended acceleration away from complete stop
Vehicle accelerates abruptly after driver releases brake to accelerate normally, or vehicle lunges forward immediately after starting while foot on brake. Occurs most often during parking, pulling into traffic, or right after engine start.
When: After starting car (foot on brake), pulling into parking spaces, entering traffic after stop light, reversing to straighten parked vehicle. Mileage ranges 5K to 120K miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle lunges forward without driver input to accelerator; Occurs with foot off accelerator and on brake; Multiple impacts during single incident (e.g., hit car, then hit another car); Emergency brake applied to regain control; Vehicle continues accelerating despite braking attempts; Personal injury to occupants
Codes mentioned: Electronic throttle control malfunction (owner assertion), Computer error causing surge forward (owner suspicion)
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicles towed to dealerships; many not inspected. When inspected, dealers found 'nothing wrong.' No root cause identified in service records. One owner reports dealer claimed computer caused unintended acceleration but no repair performed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 09V388000 referenced. Dealers declined to perform repairs if problem could not be reproduced. Manufacturer contact via 800 line unsuccessful for some owners; long waiting lists reported. Some dealers stated vehicle not on recall list and no repairs possible.
Acceleration surge when hitting potholes or road defects while braking
When braking on rough or uneven pavement (potholes, bumps, depressions), vehicle suddenly accelerates briefly (~0.5–1 second) as if brakes lost effectiveness. Happens repeatedly on same road sections. Traction control light often illuminates.
When: Occurring at same road locations with potholes/bumps, most often at intersections where owner slows. Reported from early ownership (first winter) through high mileage (65K+). Events last 0.5–1 second but very frequent (10–20+ times reported by some owners).
Symptoms owners cite: Brief sudden acceleration while foot on brake; Traction control / VSC light flashes on; Feeling car will not stop in time; Can be stopped by pressing brake harder; Occurs every time same pothole/bump is hit; Happens on dry roads, not weather-related
Codes mentioned: Traction control system malfunction (suspected), Brake-throttle interaction fault (owner speculation)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers unable to reproduce or diagnose. No repairs attempted or completed. Owners report floor mats not involved; problem predates floor mat recall.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No response to owner complaints. Vehicle not on recall list according to dealers. Dealers dismissed complaints stating 'nothing on recall list.'
Accelerator pedal sticking or stuck to floor
Accelerator pedal does not return to idle or becomes physically stuck in depressed position. Occurs during acceleration maneuvers (passing, entering highway). Pedal may be stuck after recall modification when aftermarket floor mats present.
When: While accelerating to pass, entering highway at high throttle input, and in one case immediately after floor mat recall pedal shortening was performed (Dec 2010).
Symptoms owners cite: Engine revs to full throttle; Pedal physically stuck down; Continued acceleration after driver releases pedal; Engine speed 75–84 mph reached before control regained; Odor of electrical motor smell present; Kicking pedal upward stopped acceleration
Codes mentioned: Electronic throttle control stuck position, Pedal mechanical binding (post-recall)
Repairs/costs cited: No floor mats present in some incidents. One owner removed floor mats weeks before incident. After 2010 recall pedal modification, aftermarket floor mat caused pedal entrapment (1/4 inch cut shortened pedal too much). Owner put foot under pedal and lifted to stop acceleration.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 09V388000 performed on some vehicles but did not resolve issue in all cases. Recall modification (pedal shortening) actually caused pedal sticking in at least one case with aftermarket mat.
Brake system failure or brake pedal softening
Brake pedal loses responsiveness ('softens') or fails entirely to slow/stop vehicle during normal braking attempt. Pedal may travel to floor without effect. Occurs at low speeds during city driving or when brakes should engage predictably.
When: City driving at 20–25 mph, immediately after car starts, while coasting to gentle stop. Incidents span early ownership through high mileage (28K–120K miles).
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal softens or becomes unresponsive; Vehicle coasts with no braking action despite pedal pressure; Brake pedal travels to floor without stopping vehicle; Intermittent 'floaty' feeling when depressing brake in stop-and-go traffic; Panic braking ineffective; Collision with vehicle ahead or object unavoidable
Codes mentioned: Hybrid braking system malfunction (suspected), Regenerative brake failure (owner suspicion)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer inspection found brake pads, shoes, and fluid fine. No computer braking system analysis performed. Dealer stated problem could not be duplicated and no mechanical cause found. No repairs recommended or attempted.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall issued. Dealers stated vehicle safe to drive without supporting evidence. Dealership dismissed previous owner complaints of 'floaty' brake feeling as normal operation.
Engine rev-up in Park or at startup
Engine suddenly revs to full speed immediately after starting car or while vehicle is in Park, without driver pressing accelerator. Vehicle may lunge forward if transmission engages or parking brake insufficient.
When: Upon engine start (within seconds of turning on ignition), or while parked. Occurred 3–4 times over three years of ownership in one case.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine revs to full throttle at startup; No accelerator pedal input by driver; Vehicle lunges forward in Park; Transmission holds vehicle back (lunges caught by Park gear); Engine surge without driver action; Dented trash can and driver fear reported
Codes mentioned: Electronic throttle control cold-start fault, Idle control malfunction
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs attempted. Dealer service representative claimed 'never heard of such a thing' and suggested driver was pressing throttle (implying driver error).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer action. Dealers declined to investigate or repair.
Reduced power or speed limiter activation
Vehicle suddenly limits speed to 20–30 mph maximum and will not accelerate beyond that point, even on highway. Occurs once during trip; vehicle recovers after towing and diagnostic reset.
When: Once reported at 45 mph dropping to 30 mph sustained on highway (Route 28, Manassas to Centerville, June 30, 2009). Vehicle then limited to local driving only.
Symptoms owners cite: Speed drops from highway to 20–30 mph maximum; Cannot accelerate past imposed limit; Forces driver to pull over and call tow truck; Occurs only once but owner fearful of repeat
Codes mentioned: Computer system failure (owner suspicion), Electronic throttle control malfunction
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer could not duplicate or diagnose problem. Vehicle returned without repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented.
Synthesized from 73 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Had cruise control trouble with your 2005 Toyota Prius?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the cruise control problem on the 2005 Toyota Prius?
It's a serious issue. 73 complaints have been filed, including 27 reports involving a crash and 1 fatality(ies). We've classified it as critical based on NHTSA's reported outcomes.
At what mileage does the cruise control typically fail?
Across the 52 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most cruise control failures cluster between 18,360 and 65,000 miles, with the median around 37,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 18,360; a quarter make it past 65,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $600 for cruise control repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to cruise control?
No active recalls currently cover cruise control issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2005/Toyota/Prius.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.