2008 Toyota Prius problems

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The Toyota Prius (/ˈpriːəs/ PREE-əss) (Japanese: トヨタ・プリウス, Hepburn: Toyota Puriusu) is a compact/small family liftback (supermini/subcompact sedan until 2003) produced by Toyota. The Prius has a hybrid drivetrain, combined with an internal combustion engine and an electric motor. Initially offered as a four-door sedan, it has been produced only as a five-door liftback since 2003.

The Prius was developed by Toyota to be the "car for the 21st century"; it was the first mass-produced hybrid vehicle, first going on sale in Japan in 1997 at all four Toyota Japan dealership chains, and subsequently introduced worldwide in 2000.

In 2011, Toyota expanded the Prius family to include the Prius v, an MPV, and the Prius c, a subcompact hatchback. The production version of the Prius plug-in hybrid was released in 2012. The second generation of the plug-in variant, the Prius Prime, was released in the U.S. in November 2016. The Prius family totaled global cumulative sales of 6.1 million units in January 2017, representing 61% of the 10 million hybrids sold worldwide by Toyota since 1997. Toyota sells the Prius in over 90 markets, with Japan and the United States being its largest markets.

2008 Toyota Prius

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Common 2008 Toyota Prius problems

The Toyota Prius 2008 is known for its reliability, but like any vehicle, it has common problems that owners have reported. Here are some of the most frequently mentioned issues:

  • EV Battery Issues: The EV battery in the 2008 Toyota Prius is designed to last the life of the vehicle, but some owners have reported issues with battery failure. In some cases, this issue may be covered under warranty, but it can also be a significant expense to replace.
  • In-Car Electronics: Some owners of the 2008 Toyota Prius have reported issues with in-car electronics, including the backup camera becoming blurry or failing entirely. This issue can be a significant safety concern and may require replacement of the camera or other electronic components.
  • Paint and Trim Issues: Some owners of the 2008 Toyota Prius have reported issues with paint and trim, including peeling or fading paint and damaged trim pieces. These issues can be cosmetic or functional and may require replacement or repair.
  • Climate System Issues: Some owners of the 2008 Toyota Prius have reported issues with the climate system, including problems with the air conditioning or heating systems. These issues can be caused by a variety of factors, including worn-out components or leaks in the system.
  • Electrical Accessories Issues: Some owners of the 2008 Toyota Prius have reported issues with electrical accessories, including problems with the power windows, power locks, or other electrical components. These issues can be caused by worn-out components or electrical faults and may require replacement or repair.
  • Body Hardware Issues: Some owners of the 2008 Toyota Prius have reported issues with body hardware, including problems with the hinges, latches, or other hardware components. These issues can be caused by wear and tear or damage and may require replacement or repair.
  • Brakes Issues: Some owners of the 2008 Toyota Prius have reported issues with the brakes, including problems with the brake pads, rotors, or other components. These issues can be caused by wear and tear or damage and may require replacement or repair.

In summary, the 2008 Toyota Prius is a reliable vehicle, but like any car, it can have common problems. Some of the most frequently reported issues include inverter coolant pump failure, powertrain issues, fuel gauge inaccuracies, coolant control valve failure, inverter water pump failure, exhaust issues, EV battery issues, in-car electronics issues, paint and trim issues, climate system issues, electrical accessories issues, body hardware issues, and brakes issues. If you own a 2008 Toyota Prius or are considering purchasing one, it's essential to be aware of these common problems and address them promptly to ensure the longevity and reliability of your vehicle.

2008 Toyota Prius engine

How many miles will a 2008 Prius last?

With regular maintenance, a Toyota Prius owner can expect to get between 200,000 and 250,000 miles out of their Prius, with some owners topping the 300,000-mile mark and going strong. As the first mass-produced hybrid vehicle, the Prius has an established history of reliable service for more than two decades.

Is 2008 a good year for Toyota Prius?

Like most hybrids, the 2008 Toyota Prius is best suited to drivers whose travels rarely take them farther than the city limits. Around town and in stop-and-go traffic, the Prius' electric motors and regenerative braking are optimized to provide superior fuel economy and optimal power delivery.

What is the most common problem of Toyota Prius?

A list of some of the most common issues Prius owners have to deal with.

  • Bluetooth Echos During Calls. ...
  • Musty and Moldy A/C. ...
  • Unintended Acceleration. ...
  • Rodents Chew Soy-Coated Wires. ...
  • Prius Headlight Problems. ...
  • Prius Brake Defects. ...
  • Toyota Excessive Oil Consumption.

Are there any recalls on 2008 Prius?

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.

Is 2008 a good year for Toyota Prius?

The 2008 Prius lasts over 250,000 miles with only some headlight and oil issues. At $5,490 – 9,180, it's expensive, but worth the money for a dependable hybrid. Information technology is good, the cabin has a lot of room and fuel economy is excellent.

What is the most common problem of Toyota Prius?

A list of some of the most common issues Prius owners have to deal with.

  • Bluetooth Echos During Calls. ...
  • Musty and Moldy A/C. ...
  • Unintended Acceleration. ...
  • Rodents Chew Soy-Coated Wires. ...
  • Prius Headlight Problems. ...
  • Prius Brake Defects. ...
  • Toyota Excessive Oil Consumption.

How is the economy of Toyota Prius 2008?

Find and Compare Cars

2008 Toyota Prius
EPA MPGRegular Gasoline 46 combined city/highway MPG 48 city 45 highway 2.2 gals/100 miles
Unofficial MPG Estimates Shared by Vehicle OwnersView Estimates How can I share my MPG?
Vehicle Specification Data
EPA Size ClassMidsize Cars

How long should a 2008 Prius last?

With proper care and maintenance from the driver, you can expect Priuses to last 250,000-300,000 miles. They are exceptional, reliable vehicles that can last much longer than other similar vehicles.

2008 Toyota Prius car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Toyota Prius problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

  • Exterior lighting problems
  • Service brakes problems
  • Electrical system problems
  • Hydraulic problems
  • Vehicle speed control problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 2008 Toyota Prius vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

Latest 25 complaints 2008 Toyota Prius

The NHTSA has received 1477 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2008 Toyota Prius. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 2008 Toyota Prius vehicles.

2024-10-15

SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-10-04
  • VIN: JTDKB20U683
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES
  • Summary: Loud grinding noise coming from engine compartment accompanied by a loud shrill alert. When attempting to pull over to a safe place, I put my foot on the brake pedal, but immediately became distressed because it felt like I had no brakes at all. After applying extreme pressure to the brake pedal, the car did begin to slow down, albeit very slowly. I had 2 passengers in the car (ages [XXX] and [XXX] ) and I felt their lives were in jeopardy. Upon researching, I found that Toyota has known about this ABS problem for quite awhile (at one point, they even extended the warranty on the faulty parts). With the gravity of losing the ability to brake while driving, reasonable people would conclude that a recall is in order. It does not matter if it is voluntary by Toyota or mandatory by the appropriate government entities. I, literally, feared for my life and the lives of my passengers. I am grateful it didn't happen while traveling at highway speeds because the outcome could have been much much worse. I sincerely hope that my government who is in charge of protecting it's citizens against known automobile dangers, will take the necessary steps to initiate a recall for all Toyota vehicles that have this serious ABS problem. My fear is that those decisions are made by algorithms and actuarial data rather than by reasonable common sense. I certainly hope there isn't an arbitrary number of deaths before a recall is made. What if one of your family died as a result of purposeful inaction. The diagnostic codes for my Toyota are C1256 and C1391. These both point to serious problems with the ABS system ( actuator, accumulater etc.). Please consider investigating this common and life threatening problem. Thank you INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
2024-10-08

SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-10-08
  • VIN: JTDKB20U083
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES
  • Summary: Brake actuator failing just like everybody else
2024-09-12

SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-09-12
  • VIN: JTDKB20U683
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES
  • Summary: I have a 2008 Toyota Prius (172k miles). From the sounds coming from the ABS Brake actuator and soft breaks, it is clear from my research online that I will soon have a failing ABS brake actuator. I have the code C1256 thrown which is ABS "Accumulator Low Pressure" Read more: [XXX] I do not feel safe driving it as it is clear one day the brakes will suddenly go out on it. This needs repaired. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
2024-07-26

SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-05-31
  • VIN: JTDKB20U287
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES
  • Summary: Brake failure while driving. No warnings prior to failure. ABS Module 4450047141
2024-07-23

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-07-19
  • VIN: JTDKB20U387
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
  • Summary: About 3 years ago we started getting the red triangle of death with 2 amber lights on display the vsc and the round circle with the exclamation point in the center. This could happen in 500 miles or it could happen tomorrow. When this happens I loose all exceleration and air conditioning and a orange car emblem with an exclamation point in it on the display screen. Once safely off road press power button off and back on and everything is back to normal except red triangle and car on display screen car is then drivable again. Using a code reader to check codes no codes appear but still have red triangle. Leaving car set for a period of time and restarting car and red triangle is extinguished. Have to drive in right lane on freeway in case it wants to quit. The most recent time was last week had driven it about 80 miles with a stop about halfway for 1 hour and stopped for a movie came back got in car started it and within 1000 feet got the red triangle, was in left turning lane with red light, shut off and restarted and was able to drive again as in all other times, took it to a neighbor who had a code reader(about 9PM) and no codes found, he reset it and red triangle extinguished. This type of happening is very unnerving to say the least, dont know when or where it will lay down with us. Don't know if anyone else has had similar issues with their Prius ours has 213,000+ miles on it. Original hybrid battery it was checked in 2015 and some cells replaced by a shop certified to replace cells in this battery. Thank you.
2024-07-09

POWER TRAIN PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-07-07
  • VIN: JTDKB20U887
  • Components: POWER TRAIN
  • Summary: In temperatures above 95 degrees the vehicle shifts into neutral while driving, and you need to physically hold the shift lever in Drive or Reverse to keep it out of neutral. It won't go into park at all unless you restart. This could cause a fatal accident while driving, particularly on the freeway. It has not yet been confirmed since it only happens at very high temperatures, which is rare where I live (Seattle). There has been quite a lot of discussion on Reddit and other internet sites about this problem with Priuses, particularly the 2008 model. I have an appointment with my mechanic to replace the shift lever assembly, which appears to be the most commonly referenced fix. There are no warning lights, other messages, or symptoms before or while this is happening. The problem resolves when the air temperature goes back down.
2024-07-08

SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-07-08
  • VIN: JTDKB20UX83
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES
  • Summary: Brake ABS and front brakes have completely failed because a software error where the and cannot be calibrated and terminates during calibration. The car only has rear brakes which frequently lock of and cause a safety issue. Front brakes completely disabled due to a software calibration issue
2024-06-27

STEERING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-06-27
  • VIN: JTDKB20U087
  • Components: STEERING
  • Summary: - Steering column components are loose. They make the steering unpredictable. The vehicle moves dangerously from side to side when driving over 65 mph. "U-joint" inside the cabin is the component with play. - Previous recall "12V537000" could be related. My vehicle was not called during that campaign but meets the characteristics. - No dealer has confirmed. - No insurance has inspected. - No warning lamps on. Problem started appearing 2 years ago. Replaced all the steering components with OEM replacements but there is no replacement for steering column components to address the issue on my own.
2024-06-10

AIR BAGS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2008-02-13
  • Number Of Deaths: 2
  • Crash: 1
  • VIN: JTDKB20U687
  • Components: AIR BAGS
  • Summary: The contact owned a 2008 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while his mother was driving approximately 37 MPH, a second vehicle crashed into the rear passenger side causing the vehicle to go airborne and crash. During the crash, the front driver's side and front driver's side curtain air bags did not deploy. The driver's chest impacted the steering wheel causing her heart to sustain severe pressure and her ribs to collapse. Also, the front seat passenger was ejected from the vehicle through the windshield. Both occupants sustained fatal injuries due to the crash. The front passenger was not wearing a seat belt during the crash. A police report was taken at the scene. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to an impound lot. The vehicle was then towed by Toyota who confirmed there was an air bag failure. The vehicle was resold after being salvaged. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 6,500.
2024-05-21

SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-05-01
  • VIN: JTDKB20U283
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES
  • Summary: My abs actuator has failed at 104k miles
2024-05-19

SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-05-02
  • VIN: JTDKB20U583
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES
  • Summary: The ABS Actuator failed. It can be inspected. This is dangerous as this has the possibility of causing a brake failure. A retired mechanic plugged in his scan tool and determined that the ABS actuator is leaking. In addition, I can tell audibly that this is the case because the car's pump is starting up every 10-15 seconds trying to fill the air reservoir but is unable to due to the leak. Neither the vehicle nor the component has been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or others. The brake and ABS lights are lit up on the dashboard. The car's pump is starting up every 10-15 seconds trying to fill the air reservoir but is unable to due to the leak.
2024-03-16

SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-03-15
  • Crash: 1
  • VIN: JTDKB20U083
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES
  • Summary: Brake Actuator Failure
2024-03-14

SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-03-13
  • VIN: JTDKB20U083
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES
  • Summary: The electronic brake actuator failed while driving causing the loss of brakes. Didn't cause accident but still very dangerous situation. Mechanic pulled odb code c1256 from vehicle and says not to drive until it is repaired.
2024-02-26

AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS,SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2023-06-06
  • Number Of Injuries: 1
  • Crash: 1
  • VIN: JTDKB20U883
  • Components: AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS,SERVICE BRAKES
  • Summary: The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while driving approximately 15 MPH, the brakes failed when pressed causing the vehicle to crash into the rear end of a second vehicle. During the crash, the air bags did not deploy and the rear driver-side seat belt had sprung outward, although no rear seat passenger was present. The second vehicle's rear driver's side passenger was later treated for an undisclosed injury. A police report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed away. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 240,000.
2024-01-22

UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-01-22
  • VIN: JTDKB20U883
  • Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
  • Summary: The combination meter is faulty and this makes the dash not show. You don’t know how fast you’re going, how much gas you have, it’s very unsafe and the warranty is supposed to be for 9 years but they will not allow that for everyone even if you have the same problem as someone who was allowed the warranty.
2024-01-21

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,ENGINE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2023-12-30
  • VIN: JTDKB20U583
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,ENGINE
  • Summary: Hello. My 2008 Toyota Prius had a malfunction with the "combination meter" which caused the vehicle dashboard to turn off completely, and we could not turn off the engine at times when stopped and parked. The dealer fixed the problem at a cost of $1580, and both the dealer and Toyota corporate through their brand engagement advocate acknowledged a long term problem with the combination meter. They had extended the warranty coverage for owners for this specific problem for about 10 years but not for owners like me with a vehicle 15 years old. I believe Toyota should cover and reimburse owners for this problem, which is potentially dangerous, no matter the age of the vehicle, especially for long term, loyal owners. There are many of these vehicles still on the road. Thank you. [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
2023-11-08

SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2023-11-04
  • VIN: JTDKB20U683
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES
  • Summary: I was shocked to find out that Toyota appears to be falsifying data in order to get out of paying to repair safety problems with their cars. Hiding safety issues may have already led to injuries and death. We bought a 2008 Toyota Prius in 2014. The title with Virginia DMV is dated 08/01/14. On November 4, 2023, after several indicator lights showed up, I found out from my garage that the car's anti-lock braking system was defective and not working. However, according to the garage manager, Toyota had acknowledged a defect with their anti-lock braking system. There had been a recall some years ago for this part on the 2008 Prius, but it was no longer in effect. On November 6, 2023, Brittany at Toyota told me the same thing. Toyota acknowledged in 2016 that there was a problem with the anti-lock braking system with this model of car, and that it would be replaced for free by Toyota. This was a "customer support program" rather than a recall. However, according to Brittany, the notice of this "customer support program" was not mailed to us. It was mailed to the previous owner, who owned it before 2014. We never received it. Of course, the dates do not work. We bought the car in 2014, and the notice went out in 2016. There was no reason to send the notice to someone who didn't own the car. Brittany, pretty innocently, had revealed that Toyota is falsifying records. She said that Toyota is using state DMV records to find car owners and send notices of faulty and dangerous parts. However, this is obviously not true. Virginia DMV issued our title to the car on 08/01/14, well before the recall. The only way I can see this happening is if Toyota is falsifying records so that they have to pay to fix far fewer cars. This practice could easily lead to injury and death. There would appear to be a notification mailing, with a postage bill to prove it, but it could have been at least partly fabricated by using past owners instead of current owners. If Toyota had not falsi
2023-10-05

SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2023-09-20
  • VIN: JTDKB20U083
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES
  • Summary: Yes it is available for inspection upon request. My brakes failed going down the road due to a flaw in brake actuator design that had a previous recall. My safety was put at risk as the brakes failed while I was traveling down the road. The problem has not gone away and can be easily reproduced. There are various warning lamps and the car is unable to be driven. Requests for Toyota to repair the vehicle have been fruitless. This is a KNOWN issue on this year and model.
2023-09-27

SERVICE BRAKES,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2023-08-31
  • VIN: JTDKB20U183
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
  • Summary: The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Prius. The contact stated while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the messages for the parking brake, tire pressure monitoring system, ABS, and VSC illuminated while driving. The vehicle was later driven to the local dealer who diagnosed that the brake actuator and brake pump were faulty and needed to be replaced. The failure was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The contact was informed of the Manufacturer's Extended Warranty Coverage for the failure however, the warranty had expired. The failure mileage was 129,674.
2023-08-23

POWER TRAIN PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2023-08-04
  • VIN: JTDKB20U387
  • Components: POWER TRAIN
  • Summary: The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Prius. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, she heard a beeping sound, and the instrument cluster flashed the parking brake and a triangle symbol with an exclamation point was illuminated. The contact stated that the "Failure with Transmission - Pull Over and Shift to Park(P)” message was displayed. The contact stated that the shift indicator on the instrument cluster showed that the vehicle was shifted into park(P). The contact stated that the vehicle made an abnormal grinding sound and started losing motive power. The contact stated that the engine was still running however, the vehicle lost power steering and braking functionality. The contact stated that when she depressed the accelerator pedal the vehicle failed to respond. The contact pulled off the roadway and turned off and restarted the vehicle and the vehicle regained normal functionality; however, after driving for ten miles, the failure recurred. The contact drove the vehicle back to the residence and turned off and restarted the vehicle several times. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
2023-08-15

UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2023-08-15
  • VIN: JTDKB20UX87
  • Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
  • Summary: While driving, the gear lever doesn’t stay in drive or reverse and pops back into neutral. It’s not engaging in drive or reverse.
2023-06-02

EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2023-06-01
  • VIN: JTDKB20U883
  • Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
  • Summary: On June 1st yesterday this issue happened again but it was the taillights. The uploaded document is from the most recent repair shop bill for the front headlight (under warranty since it stopped working so close to the previous repair) Intermittently without cause the front right head light goes out (seems like every 3-6 months). And every 12-18 months the tail lights go out (the brake lights still work). The mechanics can't tel if it's a circuit board issue (possible lack of cooling/fan), loos connections and or just poor design. No matter what it is dangerous as I I unexpectedly had to drive on hwys in the dark not knowing my lights all of a sudden aren't working. Thank you very much.
2023-02-17

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2023-02-17
  • VIN: JTDKB20U187
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: The vehicle we own is no longer covered by an extended warranty offered to Toyota owners of 2004-2009 Prius. The warranty covered the replacement of the digital combination meter which, when failing, no longer displays anything on the dashboard. The situation is dangerous because you lose the ability to monitor fuel tank capacity, speed, warning lights, reverse lights and backup camera. To get around this malfunction requires that the back storage panels be removed and 12-volt battery be disconnected and reconnected. However, the fix is short term since the problem resets itself once the car is turned off. Even when the display is working, we have just discovered that the fuel gauge is inaccurate, causing a serious overflow of fuel due to the display showing 1 bar, when the tank was actually 50% full. Toyota, fully aware of this problem offered a "warranty enhancement" that offered replacement coverage up to September 30, 2013. It only covered customers whose care was demonstrating the problem, excluding any cars that were not showing signs of malfunction. We have a 2008 model, purchased from a Toyota dealership in 2011, that up until around 2-years ago showed no signs of malfunctioning. Therefore, the warranty did not apply. We now, however, are experiencing the malfunction on a daily basis and our vehicle is unsafe, and inconvenient to drive. I called Toyota regarding this and they will not offer any further coverage beyond the September 30, 2013 date. The repair for this malfunction is a minimum $1000, which rightfully should be covered by Toyota due to the potential safety issues surrounding this problem. We would like Toyota to acknowledge customers such as ourselves where the malfunction did not appear until later during our ownership of a 2008 Prius, and pay or reimburse for the repair.
2022-12-20

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2022-12-19
  • VIN: JTDKB20U883
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
  • Summary: I am currently having this issue with Combination Meter, which means the Prius dash board will not show any speed, fuel, P, R, D label and many more important information is not shown on display. I had complained to Toyota, CASE[XXX] on 19Dec2022, I have spoken to Danial N and manager Alex S from Toyota. They both have denied solving this issue from Toyota as the Warranty Extension ZTV has expired. Even I had provided them proof that Toyota knew about this problem, please see [XXX] from Toyota regarding this. My Prius has 258000 miles, and it is 2008, It is high mileage as per their documents this will accrue in high mileage Prius with cold weather. I live in NJ, and it is getting cold and my car as high miles. Toyota refuse to take care of the problem and I as a consumer will have to pay over $1200 to get it fix as this is only done at Toyota dealership. Currently I am thinking of getting it fix at Paul Miller Toyota of West Caldwell, 1155 Bloomfield Ave, West Caldwell, NJ 07006, 973-287-4050. What's sad is Toyota used to rank at the top of best customer service. I'm guessing most of the problems are just after the 9 years, calculated to guarantee fixing the problem to as few people as possible. THERE'S NO EXTENSION AND TOYOTA WON'T HELP. I TRIED AND WAS TOLD ALL DEALS EXPIRED AND TO HELP ONE WOULD MEAN THEY'D HAVE TO HELP ALL. WE'RE ON OUR OWN. Hoping that Toyota has released a solution to the dangerous and consumer related problem related to the failing Combination Meter. The previous ext. Warranty was only good for 9 years from date of first use which did not help many drivers. Super negligent and ripe situation for class action lawsuits not to mention many potentially fatal accidents on the roads. Toyota has denied fixing this problem even Toyota knows this is on going problem. As a government official please try to help me resolve this issue as this is a major concern for many millions of drivers which Toyota need to resolve this. Please INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
2022-08-20

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2022-08-17
  • VIN: Jtdkb20u287
  • Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES
  • Summary: The inverter water pump failed while I was driving 50mph, it caused the car to stop working and the brakes malfunctioned as well. When I tried to hit the brakes I had to hit them a lot harder and it still acted like it wasn’t going to stop. I was lucky enough that the light up ahead was still green and the cars in front of me started going forward.

2008 Toyota Prius recalls

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 4 recalls for different components of the 2008 Toyota Prius.

2012-11-14
  • Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
  • Components: STEERING
  • Summary: 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 with an insufficient hardness.
  • Consequence: Over time, the splines may wear and eventually fail resulting in a loss of steering ability, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
  • 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 2012. Owners may contact their Toyota dealer or the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.
2012-11-14
  • Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
  • Summary: 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 corrode at the scratched portion.
  • Consequence: 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 driven. This may increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
  • 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 the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.
2010-02-03
  • Manufacturer: SOUTHEAST TOYOTA DISTRIBUTORS, LLC
  • Components: EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
  • Summary: 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.
  • Consequence: A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
  • Remedy: DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.
2009-10-05
  • Manufacturer: TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.
  • Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
  • Summary: 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.
  • Consequence: 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.
  • Remedy: TOYOTA FILED AN AMENDED DEFECT REPORT ON NOVEMBER 25, 2009, STATING THAT DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND, ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, ALTER THE SHAPE OF THE FLOOR SURFACE UNDER THE PEDAL. THESE CHANGES ADDRESS THE RISK OF PEDAL ENTRAPMENT DUE TO INTERFERENCE WITH THE FLOOR MAT. REDESIGNED ACCELERATOR PEDALS WILL BECOME AVAILABLE BEGINNING IN APRIL 2010 AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY MODIFIED PEDAL WITH THE NEW PEDAL IF DESIRED. ALSO, DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY GENUINE TOYOTA OR LEXUS ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MATS WITH REDESIGNED ALL-WEATHER MATS, OR REPURCHASE THE PREVIOUS MATS FROM OWNERS WHO DO NOT WANT THE NEW ONES. ADDITIONALLY, SOFTWARE MODIFICATIONS WILL BE INSTALLED ON CAMRY, AVALON AND LEXUS ES 350, IS 350 AND IS 250 MODELS THAT WILL ENSURE THAT THE BRAKE OVERRIDES THE ACCELERATOR IN THE EVENT BOTH BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS ARE APPLIED. TOYOTA WILL BEGIN MAILING LETTERS TO OWNERS ON DECEMBER 31, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331, LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.

Negative 2008 Toyota Prius car reviews

  1. Reese Mills 2024-04-22

    I hope this message finds you well. I wanted to share my experience with the Goodyear Integrity tires. In my personal experience and according to my research at Tire Rack, these tires do not perform well under wet and light snow conditions. As a result, I have decided to switch to Michelin Primacy MXV4s to increase my safety while driving in all conditions here in eastern KS. Additionally, I wanted to bring to your attention that the Bluetooth functions on the NAV system screen of my navigation system suddenly stopped working. I can no longer see the telephone icon. Could you please advise on how to resolve this issue?

  2. Eriberto Lindgren 2024-03-29

    I commute 100 miles a day, so my main motivation for purchasing the Prius was its fuel economy. There's no doubt that the Prius delivers great mileage, as I average 48 MPG or better. I was able to trade-in my F-250 Diesel Pick Up truck for this car just prior to the big fuel crisis, which saved me about $500.00 per month in fuel costs based on what I was paying for diesel. Although I'm not crazy about the style (it looks like a bug), it has plenty of headroom and can carry more than expected in the hatchback with the seats folded down. The power is so-so, as it is very slow to start off, but it will kick in and move fairly quickly once you're rolling. Overall, the Prius is all about fuel efficiency. I have to admit, though, that it can be a little emasculating.

Positive 2008 Toyota Prius car reviews

  1. Angelo Goodwin 2025-01-09

    Gas mileage may decrease by about 10 mpg in the winter, but overall, this car is fantastic. It performs exceptionally well in the snow, and the interior is spacious and comfortable. I sold it in 2016, and the new owner absolutely loves it.

  2. Arnoldo Hegmann 2024-11-21

    My wife wanted a Prius, so we decided to give it a try. I drive it on weekends and have even taken it on a few road trips. We've always been Honda people, but when we bought the Prius, we gave our 03 Civic Hybrid to one of our kids. The steering feel is typical Toyota, which is softer than the Hondas we're used to, but other than that, it's a great car. It's unbelievably spacious, has an excellent sound system, runs very well at highway speeds, and gets fantastic gas mileage. I check the mpg manually with regularity, and while the gauge mpg readout can be off by as much as 5% high or low, it's still pretty accurate. In the summer, I've gotten as much as 53 mpg on the highway, and typically get 41-43 mpg in mixed driving. In the winter, it's a bit lower, but still very good. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another one.

  3. Alford Marvin 2024-10-09

    I am thrilled to be a first-time Toyota owner and pleasantly surprised by the exceptional quality of my new car. Even though my previous car only got 28 mpg, I am confident that even if I get bad mileage on my Prius, it will still outperform my previous car. I am extremely impressed with the mileage I am getting, with over 51 mpg on my first tank and the computer indicating over 50 mpg on my second tank. Additionally, there is plenty of legroom in the car, as my 6-foot-tall son sits comfortably in the back seat without any complaints.

  4. Arlo Lehner 2024-10-08

    Choose comfortable leather seats

  5. Melany Nader 2024-10-06

    I must admit that I was worried about how a Prius would handle the extreme Chicago winters when I traded in my Jeep. However, I was pleasantly surprised that I never once missed work due to snow. The interior is spacious and thoughtfully designed. Although it may not be the fastest car on the road, it has ample power to navigate any traffic condition with ease. I am so satisfied with my Prius that I will definitely consider buying another for my next car.

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Additional sources

More sources of information about 2008 Toyota Prius problems:

2008 Toyota Prius Review, Problems, Reliability, Value, Life ...
2008 Toyota Prius Review, Problems, Reliability, Value, Life ...
https://www.vehiclehistory.com/report/toyota/prius/2008

May 18, 2022 ... The 2008 Prius lasts over 250,000 miles with only some headlight and oil issues. At $5,490 – 9,180, it's expensive, but worth the money for a ...

What problems can I expect from my 2008 Prius w/130k miles? : r/prius
What problems can I expect from my 2008 Prius w/130k miles? : r/prius
https://www.reddit.com/r/prius/comments/14fp2nn/what_problems_can_i_expect_from_my_2008_prius/

Jun 22, 2023 ... Other than replacing the hybrid battery is there any other large expenses that typically come up at this age? And how much is a new hybrid ...

Calling truths here about 2008 lifetime | PriusChat
Calling truths here about 2008 lifetime | PriusChat
https://priuschat.com/threads/calling-truths-here-about-2008-lifetime.182810/

If you have a touring model, you might want to keep an eye out for high-intensity discharge (HID) headlight issues. Those are some of the most ...

2008 Toyota Prius Problems and Complaints - 9 Issues
2008 Toyota Prius Problems and Complaints - 9 Issues
https://repairpal.com/2008-toyota-prius/problems

Problem with your 2008 Toyota Prius? Our list of 9 known complaints reported by owners can help you fix your 2008 Toyota Prius.

Common Problems with the Prius | PriusChat
Common Problems with the Prius | PriusChat
https://priuschat.com/threads/common-problems-with-the-prius.9215/

Common problems include: 1) Everyone wants you to drive to lunch. 2) You have to tell everyone individually that no, you do not have to plug ...

Other years of Toyota Prius

toyota prius 2009 photo
Prius 2009
Toyota

491

6

23

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toyota prius 2010 photo
Prius 2010
Toyota

2759

10

22

  • 5
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  • 3
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  • 1
toyota prius 2011 photo
Prius 2011
Toyota

477

6

28

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
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  • 1
toyota prius 2012 photo
Prius 2012
Toyota

612

6

23

  • 5
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toyota prius 2013 photo
Prius 2013
Toyota

288

3

25

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  • 3
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  • 1
toyota prius 2014 photo
Prius 2014
Toyota

178

3

27

  • 5
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  • 2
  • 1

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