2008 Toyota Prius

■ Significantly worse — known issue year

2008 Toyota Prius
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

2008: 1497 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
2000	4
2001	165
2002	167
2003	99
2004	610
2005	1051
2006	1439
2007	2003
2008	1497
2009	502
2010	2819
2011	515
2012	419
2013	398
2014	202
2015	159
2016	154
2017	91
2018	35
2019	28
2020	14
2021	6
2022	23
2023	18
2024	22
2025	15
2026	5

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 37%

37% of complaints: exterior lighting — 553 distinct reports on file.

CRASH

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 15%

15% of complaints: electrical system — 228 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

I WAS IN AN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT IN FEB OF 2015 I HOT ANOTHER VEHICLE GOING APPROXIMATELY 15MPH NO AIR BAGS WERE DEPLOYED AND THE POLICE OFFICER AND BODY SHOP BOTH WERE SURPRISED NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180317

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 10%

10% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 157 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT REAR ENDED THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. NO PASSENGERS WERE INJURED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20081002

SERVICE BRAKES 10%

10% of complaints: service brakes — 145 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20240226

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 9%

9% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 142 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATH

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2008 — complaint volume: 1497

R 20091231 — vehicle speed control

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 FL

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. THES

Campaign 09V388000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20100527 — equipment

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."

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 S

Campaign 10V036000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20121220 — steering

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

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 cont

Campaign 12V537000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20130117 — engine and engine cooling, hybrid propulsion system

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. D

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 E

Campaign 12V536000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20130221 — DP (closed 20200408)

Intermediate Steering Shaft Separation

I 20230127 — DP (closed 20230807)

Pedestrian alert sounds

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2008 Toyota Prius — pre-purchase inspection

Test/inspect for exterior lighting issues (553 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for electrical system issues (228 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (157 reports on file for this year).
Verify recall 09V388000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
Verify recall 10V036000 (equipment) has been completed.
Verify recall 12V537000 (steering) has been completed.
Verify recall 12V536000 (engine and engine cooling, hybrid propulsion system) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2018 ▲ 2017 ▲ 2003

WORST YEARS

■ 2010 ■ 2007 ■ 2006

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2008 Toyota Prius reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2008 Toyota Prius is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Toyota Prius?

The most-reported component is exterior lighting, accounting for 37% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2008 Toyota Prius have?

4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.