Worst 2008 Toyota Prius Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Headlight/Taillight Failures
Electrical Faults
Hydraulic Brakes
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2008 Toyota Prius.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 553 | 1 | — | 70,299 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 228 | 8 | 2 | 100,022 mi | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 157 | 32 | 1 | 23,695 mi | |
| Brakes | 145 | 18 | — | 127,485 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 142 | 48 | 1 | 42,097 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Electric | 77 | 14 | — | 22,606 mi | |
| Engine Problems | 48 | 3 | 1 | 103,961 mi | |
| Electronic Stability Control | 43 | 3 | — | 66,159 mi | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 41 | 3 | — | 85,817 mi | |
| Body Structure | 41 | 8 | 2 | 100,903 mi | |
| Traction Control System | 40 | 4 | — | 26,106 mi | |
| Airbags | 32 | 27 | — | 94,656 mi | |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 29 | — | — | 40,070 mi | |
| Fuel System | 27 | 5 | — | 103,478 mi | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 22 | 2 | — | 32,069 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 18 | 3 | — | 69,850 mi | |
| Structural Problems | 18 | 1 | — | 64,759 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module | 14 | — | — | 13,956 mi | |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal | 13 | 7 | 1 | 34,800 mi | |
| Engine & Cooling | 12 | 2 | 1 | 21,425 mi | |
| Latches / Locks | 12 | — | — | 46,980 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 12 | 2 | — | 39,178 mi | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 8 | 3 | — | 137,426 mi | |
| Tire Defects | 8 | — | — | 36,254 mi | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 7 | 6 | — | 22,800 mi | |
| Visibility | 7 | — | — | 42,606 mi | |
| Wipers & Visibility | 7 | — | — | 94,340 mi | |
| Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate | 6 | — | — | 47,817 mi | |
| Wheel Issues | 6 | 3 | — | 71,894 mi |
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2008 Toyota Prius. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Recalls for 2008 Toyota Prius
3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~1,173,785 vehicles.
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.
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.
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.
Other Toyota Prius Years
2008 Toyota Prius — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2008 Toyota Prius reliable?
What are common problems with the 2008 Toyota Prius?
At what mileage do problems start on the 2008 Toyota Prius?
How safe is the 2008 Toyota Prius?
Does the 2008 Toyota Prius have any recalls?
Should I buy a 2008 Toyota Prius?
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Toyota Prius reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2008 Toyota Prius
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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