Sell your 2005 Toyota Prius for cash

The 2005 Toyota Prius is a midsize car that came with a 1.5L 4-cyl engine. At 21 years old, many are reaching the point where repairs cost more than the car is worth. Running or not, we'll make you an offer and tow it away for free.

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2005 Toyota Prius at a glance

Body styleMidsize Cars
Engines1.5L 4-cyl
TransmissionsAutomatic (variable gear ratios)
DriveFront-Wheel Drive
FuelRegular Gasoline
Fuel economy48 city / 45 highway / 46 combined MPG
EPA annual fuel cost$1,450 a year (EPA estimate at current fuel prices, 15,000 miles)
Tailpipe CO₂193 grams per mile
Versions tested by EPA1 configuration
Age21 years

Specs, fuel cost and emissions from the EPA's fueleconomy.gov data. Your car's exact equipment may differ.

What affects its junk value

  • Age: at 21 years old, most of a 2005 Prius's value comes from reusable parts and scrap metal, not resale.
  • Weight: as a midsize car, it weighs less than a truck or SUV, so its value leans more on parts than on scrap weight. See how scrap prices by weight work.
  • Catalytic converter: like all gas and diesel cars, it has a catalytic converter containing precious metals, one of the most valuable parts on a junk car. An offer assumes it's still in place. More on catalytic converters.
  • Hybrid battery: hybrid versions also carry a high-voltage battery pack, which recyclers and rebuilders pay for.
  • Recalls: NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2005 Prius. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking it.
  • Known problems: owners reported the most issues with the exterior lighting, typically around 101,000 miles. If that's what failed on yours, it can still be sold as-is.

How junk car offers are calculated

2005 Toyota Prius recalls

NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls covering the 2005 Toyota Prius. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking the car, but check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which apply to yours.

Hybrid Propulsion SystemNov 2012 · NHTSA campaign 12V536000

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…

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

SteeringNov 2012 · NHTSA campaign 12V537000

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…

Risk: Over time, the splines may wear and eventually fail resulting in a loss of steering ability, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

EquipmentFeb 2010 · NHTSA campaign 10V036000

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.

Vehicle Speed ControlOct 2009 · NHTSA campaign 09V388000

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2010 passenger vehicles. The accelerator pedal can get stuck in the wide open position due to its being trapped by an unsecured or incompatible driver's floor mat.

Risk: A stuck open accelerator pedal may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death.

SteeringMay 2006 · NHTSA campaign 06V188000

The intermediate shaft and sliding yoke in the electric power steering system can crack when large forces are applied and the connection may separate or the sleeve may fracture.

Risk: This could result in a loss of steering control of the vehicle.

Air BagsApr 2006 · NHTSA campaign 06V096000

On certain vehicles, due to improper assembly of the air bag inflator, which is used in the side air bag, the curtain shield air bag, and the knee air bag assembly, some inflators were produced with an insufficient amount of the heating agents necessary for proper air bag deployment. In this condition, the expansion force of the gas…

Risk: This may increase the risk of injury to the occupant in the involved seating position in the event of a crash.

Common 2005 Prius problems

Owners have filed 1,051 complaints about the 2005 Toyota Prius with NHTSA. 102 reports involved a crash and 4 reports involved a fire. Owners reported 66 injuries.

Complaints are reports from owners and aren't verified by NHTSA. One complaint can list several components. Mileage is the median odometer reading owners reported for that component.

Most-reported components

  • Exterior Lighting316
  • Electrical System161
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic98
  • Vehicle Speed Control98
  • Service Brakes82
  • Service Brakes, Electric68

Typical mileage when problems were reported

  • Exterior Lighting101,000 mi
  • Electrical System100,000 mi
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic51,000 mi
  • Vehicle Speed Control55,000 mi
  • Service Brakes137,000 mi
  • Service Brakes, Electric48,000 mi

2005 Toyota Prius service bulletins

Manufacturers have filed 222 technical service bulletins and communications with NHTSA covering the 2005 Toyota Prius. These are repair instructions for known issues, not recalls.

Most common bulletin topics

  • Structure25
  • Equipment22
  • Electrical System19
  • Electrical System18
  • Equipment18
  • Equipment14

Recent bulletins

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsFeb 2026 · T-SB-0119-15 Rev2

    OBSOLETE NOTICE February 13, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0009-26.

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsFeb 2026 · T-SB-0009-26

    This bulletin includes basic procedures for performing a rescue charge on Ni-MH high voltage (HV) batteries. This bulletin should be used in conjunction with the applicab

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsJan 2026 · T-SB-0055-24 Rev2

    Some 2005 - 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to r

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsDec 2024 · T-SB-0035-24 Rev2

    Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. If these acidic compounds settle o

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA opened 3 defect investigations covering the 2005 Toyota Prius.

Electrical SystemDP22005 · opened Jan 2023, closed Aug 2023Led to recall 22V063000

Pedestrian alert sounds

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pe

SteeringDP13001 · opened Feb 2013, closed Apr 2020

Intermediate Steering Shaft Separation

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a January 2013 defect petition requesting that it open an investigation on Model Year (MY) 2004-2009 Toyota Prius vehicles to address a possible manufacturing safety defect related to the steering column intermediate shaft.During the defect petition evaluation, ODI: 1.

Engine and Engine CoolingPE05029 · opened May 2005, closed Oct 2005

Engine stalling

Odi opened pe05-029 based on 33 reports of alleged gasoline engine stalling on the subject vehicles.the subject vehicles are gasoline/ electric hybrid vehicles that can be operated in gasoline or electric modes, or a combination of both depending on the power demand.all reports allege that the gasoline engine shut down

Other Toyota Prius years

‹ Sell a 2004 Prius · Sell a 2006 Prius › · All Toyota Prius years

Other 2005 Toyota models

Selling a 2005 Prius: questions

How much is a 2005 Toyota Prius worth for junk?

It depends on its condition, whether major parts like the engine, transmission and catalytic converter are still there, and current scrap and parts prices where you live. Its parts make up much of its value. Enter your ZIP code above for a free offer on your specific car.

Can I junk a 2005 Prius that doesn't run?

Yes. We buy 2005 Priuss that don't start, were in an accident, failed inspection or have a blown engine or transmission. Towing is always free.

Can I sell a 2005 Prius with open recalls?

Yes. Open recalls don't prevent a junk sale. NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2005 Toyota Prius; you can check whether any are still open on yours with the VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What paperwork do I need to sell my 2005 Prius?

Usually the title and a photo ID. Rules differ by state, including what to do with your plates and whether to file a notice of sale. Check our state-by-state car title guides for the official forms.

Before you sell

Sources

Data retrieved October 2026.

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