2008 TOYOTA PRIUS

What owners reported to NHTSA, ranked by how often and how seriously.

This is complaint data, not a random sample.

It only includes owners who chose to file a federal complaint, so it over-represents dramatic and safety-related problems and under-represents minor issues an owner just had fixed without reporting. Read this as what NHTSA complainants report most, not as this vehicle's true failure rate. Full methodology.

Component ranking

  1. #1

    lighting exterior

    407 unsafe, 17 broken, 102 annoyance

    526
    incidents
    Typical range: 38,000–86,000 mi

    Median 57,500 mi, based on 572 reports (10% had no usable mileage)

    • "CAR IN MOTION, RIGHT HEADLIGHT GOES OUT. CITY POLICE PULL ME OVER. I TURN THE LIGHTS OFF THEN BACK ON. THE LIGHT WORKS UNTIL NEXT TIME IT GOES OUT. MY WIFE DRIVING SAME CAR AND POLICE PULL HER OVER FOR LEFT HEADLIGHT OUT. SHE TURNED LIGHTS OFF THEN ON AND TH…"~1,500 mi, complaint #1380049
    • "2008 TOYOTA PRIUS - HID HEADLIGHTS. LIGHTS TURN OFF INDEPENDENTLY AND INTERMITTENTLY. SOMETIMES ONE, SOMETIMES BOTH. RESTARTING VEHICLE WILL RESOLVE PROBLEM TEMPORARILY, BUT THEY USUALLY FAIL AGAIN. I CONTACTED TOYOTA EXPERIENCE HOTLINE. A CASE MANAGER S…"~38,000 mi, complaint #737188
    • "I HAVE HAD INTERMITTENT TROUBLE WITH HEADLIGHTS ON EITHER SIDE OF THE CAR GOING OUT SPONTANEOUSLY WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CORRECT IT BY TURNING THE SWITCH OFF AND THEN BACK ON AGAIN AND THEY COME BACK ON. I HAVE NOW HAD AN INSTANT WHERE BOTH HEADL…"~56,451 mi, complaint #882700
    • "DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT TURNS OFF. IF I TURN LIGHTS OFF, THEN ON AGAIN, THE HEADLIGHT WILL TURN ON."~85,500 mi, complaint #1198417
    • "BOTH HEADLIGHTS GO OUT WITHOUT WARNING, I CAN TURN THE HEADLIGHTS BACK ON BY TURNING SWITCH OFF AND THEN BACK ON. IN DOING RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND THIS IS A COMMON DEFECT WITH THE TOYOTA PRIUS YEARS 2006-2009. WHY ISN'T THIS A RECALL? WHEN GETTING AN ESTIMATE TO…"~1,001,001 mi, complaint #963966
  2. #2

    abs module

    183 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    184
    incidents
    Typical range: 9,000–58,000 mi

    Median 30,000 mi, based on 193 reports (20% had no usable mileage)

    • "2008 TOYOTA PRIUS: DRIVING OVER MANHOLE COVERS OR BUMPS IN THE ROAD, THE CAR FELT LIKE IT ACCELERATED WHEN BRAKING AND THE "SLIPPERY" LIGHT CAME ON THE DASHBOARD. IT HAPPENS WHENEVER I NEED TO BRAKE OVER A MANHOLE OR BUMP OR SLICK SPOT. I WENT TO THE DEALE…"~500 mi, complaint #758266
    • "1. ANY UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE, ICE, OR SLIPPERY ROAD (AFTER A RAIN) 2. THE CAR LURCHES FORWARD WHEN ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE AS A CAR WOULD WITH A STANDARD TRANSMISSION IF BRAKING WITHOUT DOWNSHIFTING 3. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE. TOYOTA SUMMARIZES THE PROBLEM AS SU…"~20,000 mi, complaint #757831
    • "WHEN BRAKING AT 10-15 MPH AND GOING OVER A BUMPY ROAD SURFACE OR POTHOLE, THE VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT FLASHES ON AND OFF FOR 2-3 SECONDS AND I EXPERIENCE WHAT FEELS LIKE A LOSS OF BRAKE POWER DURING THAT TIME. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME I AM SLOWING DOWN…"~36,000 mi, complaint #763950
    • "ABS LIGHTS CAME ON AS I STARTED THE CAR AND WARNING SIGNALS ALSO. THE VEHICLE WAS IN A PARKING LOT AS I WAS PREPARING TO DRIVE WHEN THE SIGNALS CAME ON. HERE THEY ARE: BRAKE, (!) ABS, VSC. "~79,500 mi, complaint #1487237
    • "MY 2008 PRIUS, WHICH I BOUGHT BRAND NEW WITH ONLY 4 MILES ON IT FROM LONGO TOYOTA IN CALIFORNIA, HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING THE FOLLOWING BRAKE ISSUE: EVERYDAY WHILE DRIVING ON PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY NEAR MANHATTAN BEACH, I WILL HIT A POTHOLE WHILE BRAKING, NOTIC…"~300,000 mi, complaint #758404
  3. #3

    brake hydraulics

    139 unsafe, 2 annoyance

    141
    incidents
    Typical range: 18,000–130,000 mi

    Median 44,000 mi, based on 153 reports (18% had no usable mileage)

    • "VEHICLE WAS HIT FROM REAR WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. DESPITE THE BRAKES BEING APPLIED AT THE TIME, THE REAR IMPACT CAUSED THE CAR TO BE PUSHED FORWARD INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF IT AS IF THE BRAKES WERE NOT EVEN IN USE. THERE WAS MINIMAL DAMAGE TO THE B…"~1,200 mi, complaint #758516
    • "2008 PRIUS HYBRID. BRAKES FAILED AT LOW SPEED ON SEPTEMBER 19, RESULTING IN A COLLISION WITH AN ON-COMING CAR. I WAS PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT VERY SLOWLY WHEN I OBSERVED A CAR MAKING A RIGHT TURN INTO THE STREET I WAS ATTEMPTING TO ENTER. I IMMEDIATELY…"~21,251 mi, complaint #736668
    • "I HAVE A 2008 PRIUS AND ON THREE OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING AT SLOW SPEEDS WHEN I WENT TO APPLY THE BRAKES THEY JUST LOCKED UP ON ME AND SENT ME LUNGING FORWARD. THANK GOD I WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT. WHEN I COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS TO THE DEALER THEY SAID THEY TOLD…"~45,876 mi, complaint #758348
    • "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 di…"~129,674 mi, complaint #1931237
    • "I WAS WORKING AS A DELIVERY DRIVER LUCKY FOR ME I JUST TURNED IN TO A GATED COMMUNITY AND HAD TO STOP. WENT PAST GATE TRIED TO BREAK AND COULDN'T STOP TELL I FLOORED THE BREAK PETAL.IT TOOK SO LONG TO STOP IF I HAD BEEN DOING 45 MPH I'D NEVER STOPPED IN TIME L…"~246,291 mi, complaint #1506432
  4. #4

    unintended acceleration

    72 unsafe

    72
    incidents
    Typical range: 10,000–56,000 mi

    Median 31,500 mi, based on 88 reports (19% had no usable mileage)

    • "I WAS DRIVING MY 2008 PRIUS AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND IT BEGAN TO ACCELERATE. I TOOK MY FOOT OFF OF THE ACCELERATOR, BUT IT DIDN'T STOP. I PUMPED THE BRAKE, BUT IT HAD NO EFFECT. IT STOPPED SUDDENLY, AND THE CAR OPERATED NORMALLY. THE INCIDENT DIDN'T LAST L…"~1,000 mi, complaint #758884
    • " I AM NOT BEING MELODRAMATIC WHEN I SAY THAT I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO DIE TODAY. MY 2008 PRIUS ACCELERATED ALMOST OUT OF CONTROL. I WAS MERGING ONTO AN EXPRESSWAY WHEN THE ACCELERATOR SEEMED TO HAVE A LIFE OF ITS OWN AND TOOK OFF AT AN INCREDIBLY HIGH RATE O…"~13,051 mi, complaint #741343
    • "I WAS DRIVING MY 2008 PRIUS ABOUT 20 TO [REDACTED ADDRESS], A SLIGHT DESCENDING GRADE AND COASTING, WHEN IT ACCELERATED WITH MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THIS HAPPENED FOR ABOUT 4-5 SECONDS AND A SPEED GAIN OF APPROXIMATELY 5-10 MPH. IT STARTLED ME, IF A…"~29,200 mi, complaint #841535
    • "ON 31 DECEMBER 2009 MY 08 PRIUS WAS SLOWED DOWN PRIOR TO TURNING INTO A DRIVEWAY, WHEN IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. IT WENT OUT OF CONTROL AND CRASHED INTO TREES AND A POWERPOLE. THE FLOOR MAT, THAT ACCORDING TO TOYOTA IS SUPPOSED TO CAUSE THIS, WAS PROPERLY ATTA…"~45,000 mi, complaint #772494
    • "I HAVE A TOYOTA PRIUS AND IT IS USED AS A TAXI IN SAN FRANCISCO. I HAD NOTICED A FEW TIMES THAT THE ENGINE REVS UP WHILE I WAS AT STOP AND THE BATTERY WAS FULLY CHARGED. IT WAS LIKE THE ENGINE PULSE. IDLE TO HIGH REV AND IDLE AGAIN FOR A FEW TIMES AND THAT HAP…"~172,245 mi, complaint #1021366
  5. #5

    instrument cluster

    56 unsafe, 3 annoyance

    59
    incidents
    Typical range: 74,000–171,000 mi

    Median 110,000 mi, based on 62 reports (34% had no usable mileage)

    • "INTERIOR INSTRUMENT FAILURE. TEMPERATURE APP. 23 DEG. F. CAR STARTED NORMALLY MFD CAME UP FINE. MAIN DASH INSTRUMENTS FAILED TO COME ON. NO SPEEDOMETER, GEARSHIFT INDICATOR, FUEL GAUGE, OR ODOMETER. ALL EXTERIOR LIGHTING WORKED FINE. VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO R…"~9,500 mi, complaint #704600
    • "The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Prius. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the instrument panel went blank. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent at first but had become a permanent failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and…"~72,000 mi, complaint #2042293
    • "WHEN I STARTED THE CAR, THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH DIDN'T COME ON SO I COULD SEE HOW FAST I WAS GOING OR HOW MUCH GAS I HAD. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT'S DUE TO COLD WEATHER. AFTER 15 MINUTES, THE DASH LIGHTS CAME ON. TOYOTA SUGGESTED I COULD GET…"~96,615 mi, complaint #968098
    • "THE VEHICLE COMBINATION METER SPORADICALLY WILL NOT TURN ON WHICH PREVENTS THE DISPLAY OF THE SPEED OF THE CAR. DURING THIS CONDITION, THE FUEL ECONOMY WILL NOT DISPLAY, THE CAR MAY NOT BE POWERED OFF BY NORMAL PROCEDURE, AND THE FUEL GAUGE, DRIVE TRAIN MODE I…"~170,000 mi, complaint #1377623
    • "THE SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT DISPLAY WHEN TURNING ON THE CAR. I FIGURED OUT THAT BY UNPLUGGING THE BATTERY IN THE BACK IT WOULD SOMETIME BRING IT BACK ON. NOW IT ONLY COMES ON EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE, IT'S NO LONGER KEEPING TRACK OF MILES WHEN NOT ON, AS WELL AS THE…"~250,000 mi, complaint #1588674
  6. #6

    transmission automatic

    39 unsafe

    39
    incidents
    Typical range: 34,000–113,000 mi

    Median 70,000 mi, based on 50 reports (9% had no usable mileage)

    • "SEVERE SAFETY CONCERNS WITH A 2008 PRIUS ARE THE FOLLOWING: THE ANSWERS AND SOLUTIONS TO THE FOLLOWING ARE NECESSARY BEFORE ANYONE COULD BE CONSIDERED SAFE DRIVING THIS 2008 PRIUS: 1.WHY DID OUR PRIUS HAVE A POWER FAILURE ON APRIL 13TH WHILE DRIVIN…"~12,000 mi, complaint #788605
    • "ON OCCASION THE VEHICLE WILL POP OUT OF D OR WILL HAVE A PROBLEM GETTING INTO D. THIS DAY I PARKED, LEFT THE VEHICLE RUNNING (ON) SINCE IT WAS COLD IN BOSTON AND MY WIFE WAS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. EXISTED THE CAR, RETRIEVED A PACKAGE I WAS DELIVERING F…"~36,318 mi, complaint #1038802
    • "MY 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS WILL NOT STAY IN D WHEN SHIFTING OR R IT POPS BACK INTO N IT DOES IT ON HOT DAYS. NEED TO REPLACE THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER ASSEMBLY. WHEN ITS HOT OUTSIDE IT BINDS UP AND GOES BACK INTO N WHILE SHIFTING OR DRIVING. HAS HAPPENED 2 TIMES SO FAR I…"~70,100 mi, complaint #868827
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD INDEPENDENTLY SHIFT FROM DRIVE INTO NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE REPLICATED. THE TECHNICIAN INFOR…"~112,000 mi, complaint #1070419
    • "AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SLIPS INTO NEUTRAL UNEXPECTEDLY, AND WHEN IT DOES, OFTEN YOU CAN'T GET IT OUT OF NEUTRAL WITHOUT TURNING CAR OFF. THIS HAS AN ELECTRONIC SHIFT SELECTOR. THIS APPEARS TO BE A RAMPANT PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. DO AN INTERNET SEARCH ON 2008 PR…"~190,000 mi, complaint #1687858
  7. #7

    trunk or liftgate

    1 stranded, 22 unsafe, 6 broken, 9 annoyance

    38
    incidents
    Typical range: 55,000–97,000 mi

    Median 81,000 mi, based on 31 reports (38% had no usable mileage)

    • "THE BLACK PART ON THE "TRUNK" WHICH YOU HAVE TO TOUCH TO OPEN THE HATCHBACK, STARTED MELTING THE FIRST SUMMER AFTER WE BOUGHT THE PRIUS. EVERY SUMMER SINCE IT DRIPS BLACK RUBBER, WHICH SMEARS ALL OVER YOUR HAND EVERY TIME YOU OPEN THE DOOR. IN THE WINTER, IT…"~3,000 mi, complaint #1134284
    • "THE BLACK HATCH RELEASE ON MY 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS HAS MELTED MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT (SOMETIMES IMPOSSIBLE) TO OPEN THE HATCH. TOYOTA IS APPARENTLY AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM YET REFUSES TO ISSUE A RECALL. THE COST TO REPLACE WITH PART EXCEEDS $300. THIS IS A SAF…"~53,000 mi, complaint #1197796
    • "THE HATCHBACK RELEASE IS MELTING. IT IS ALL GOOEY WHEN YOU OPEN THE DOOR. ONE OF MY CONCERNS IS WHAT TYPE OF CHEMICAL IS GETTING ON MY HANDS? IS IT TOXIC? THE SECOND IS SAFETY. I HAVE READ OVER TIME YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO OPEN THE HATCHBACK. THIS WOULD NOT BE…"~71,000 mi, complaint #992019
    • "LIFT GATE LATCH RUBBER COVER IS MELTED. *TR"~87,000 mi, complaint #1005312
    • "WHEN I TRY TO OPEN THE TRUNK, THE RUBBER PIECE THAT YOU TOUCH IN ORDER TO OPEN THE TRUNK SEEM TO HAVE MELTED. MY FINGERS TURN BLACK EVERY TIME I TRY TO OPEN THE TRUNK. DOES ANYONE KNOW WHAT THAT RUBBER PIECE IS CALLED OR THE PART NUMBER SO THAT I CAN REPLACE I…"~160,000 mi, complaint #996500
  8. #8

    airbag system

    35 unsafe

    35
    incidents
    Typical range: 41,000–123,000 mi

    Median 93,000 mi, based on 35 reports (22% had no usable mileage)

    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS STRUCK ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT'S WIFE SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES AND THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED MAJOR DA…"~3,000 mi, complaint #684813
    • "2008 TOYOTA PRIUS WAS HIT IN THE REAR, SIDE AND FRONT AND TOTALED FOR A LOSS OF $20,792.00 AND AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. *CN"~39,000 mi, complaint #777428
    • "MY HUSBAND WAS T-BONED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE OF OUR 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS BY A SUV GOING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH AND NOT ONE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THANKFULLY THE IMPACT WAS NEAR THE FRONT DRIVER TIRE INSTEAD OF DIRECTLY ON THE DOOR. THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WAS IMPACTED AND…"~80,000 mi, complaint #1074545
    • "PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT IN INSTRUMENT PANEL REMAINS OFF EVEN WHEN AN ADULT IS IN PASSENGER SEAT, THUS NEGATING THE DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG WHEN OTHER SENSORS MIGHT ACTIVATE IT. NOR DOES AN UN-BUCKLED SEAT BELT SENSOR ACTIVATE THE WARNING BUZZER. FYI SIMILAR…"~105,000 mi, complaint #949481
    • "THE INSIDE TO OUTSIDE AIR VENT ACTUATORS ARE MOVING IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS, VENTING INTAKE MANIFOLD GASES INTO THE CABIN. SYNTHETIC OIL SMELL IN THE CABIN, VIA THE TWO FRONT VENTS."~215,608 mi, complaint #1566615
  9. #9

    stability and traction control

    34 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    35
    incidents
    Typical range: 7,000–38,000 mi

    Median 23,000 mi, based on 49 reports (13% had no usable mileage)

    • "2008 TOYOTA PRIUS TOURING VERSION. SINCE BUYING THE CAR IS 12/07, I HAVE NOTICED SEVERAL PROBLEMS. WHEN SLOWING, IF GAS ENGINE KICKS OFF IT IS HARDER TO BRAKE (MINOR). WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS (I.E, RAILROAD TRACKS, RUTTED ROADS), BRAKES DON'T SEEM TO WORK EVEN W…"~500 mi, complaint #760437
    • "I HAVE A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS WITH VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL. WHEN THE CAR IS GOING UP OR DOWN A HILL THAT IS SLIPPERY, ICY OR SNOWY, THE VSC KICKS IN, AND ALL POWER IS SHUT OFF TO THE SPINNING WHEEL (S). THIS RENDERS THE CAR UNUSABLE UNDER THESE CONDITIONS. I HA…"~15,000 mi, complaint #821863
    • "CAR SEEMS TO SLIP ON UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE. WHEN DRIVEN OVER POTHOLES OR BUMPS IN THE ROAD, THE WHEELS SEEM TO SPEED UP BEFORE STABILIZING BACK. THE STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT FLASHES ON WHEN THIS HAPPENS. *TR"~24,000 mi, complaint #758922
    • "2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED THE BRAKING FAILURE CURRENTLY BEING INVESTIGATED IN THE 2010 PRIUS, BUT I HAVE EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE SIMILAR FAILURES WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM ON BOTH SLIPPERY AND BUMPY ROADS WHERE THE CAR WILL COMPLETELY DISENG…"~47,000 mi, complaint #757765
    • "WHEN I BRAKE AND ALSO GO OVER A BUMP MY 2008 PRIUS LURCHES FORWARD. THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATES. THE BRAKES BECOME INEFFECTIVE. THIS CAUSED ME TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT LAST NIGHT. THE CARS BEFORE ME CAME TO A SUDDEN STOP. I WAS DRIVING 15-20MPH BUT…"~180,000 mi, complaint #1022523
  10. #10

    fuel tank and lines

    19 unsafe, 8 annoyance

    27
    incidents
    Typical range: 5,000–89,000 mi

    Median 28,500 mi, based on 28 reports (15% had no usable mileage)

    • " JUST BOUGHT BRAND NEW 2008 PRIUS. OWNER'S MANUAL CLAIMS THAT WITH JUST ONE BAR SHOWING ON FUEL GAUGE THERE WOULD BE 3.0 GAL. OR LESS IN FUEL BLADDER. THE FUEL GAUGE IS TOTALLY UNRELIABLE BASED ON THESE RESULTS: 10 BARS (FULL FILLUP) GOT 200 MI…"~650 mi, complaint #684322
    • "THE FUEL GAUGE ON MY PRIUS REGISTERED 3 GALLON FUEL REMAINING (ACCORDING TO THE OWNERS' MANUAL). I RAN OUT OF FUEL ON A BUSY EXPRESSWAY WITHOUT WARNING. FORTUNATELY, I WAS NOT HIT. I WAS TOWED TO A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WHO INFORMED ME THAT THE PRIUS GAS TANK I…"~6,000 mi, complaint #764489
    • "INCORRECT FUEL GAUGE/RUBBER BLADDER CAUSED THE ENGINE TO SHUTDOWN WHILE TRAVELING DOWN THE INTERSTATE. GAUGE SHOWED 2 BARS 5 MINUTES BEFORE THE ENGINE SHUTDOWN. *TR"~42,000 mi, complaint #913091
    • "THE FUEL GAUGE AND FUEL SENSOR DOESN'T WORK IN THE 2008 PRIUS TOURING THAT I JUST PURCHASED ON JULY 09, 2019. THE DEALERSHIP THAT I PURCHASED IT FROM DID NOT INFORM ME OF THIS ISSUE AT ALL. NOW I SEE THAT THIS EXACT ISSUE IS HAPPENING TO A LOT OF THESE PARTI…"~98,000 mi, complaint #1584452
    • "MY VEHICLE WAS SHOWING 4 BARS FOR HOW MUCH GAS WAS LEFT IN THE TANK. I DROVE TO FILL IT UP BUT DESPITE HOW MUCH I PUT IN THE FUEL GAUGE WON'T READ IT AND IS STUCK ON 4 BARS. WHEN DRIVING IT WON'T DECREASE EITHER I'VE DRIVEN OVER 70 MILES AND IT STILL WON'T ADJ…"~213,885 mi, complaint #1729051
  11. #11

    other

    1 stranded, 14 unsafe, 1 broken, 8 annoyance

    24
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=24, median 49,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "DRIVING HOME FROM CHURCH JULY 5, 2009 THE BEACH TRAFFIC WAS BUMPER TO BUMPER. STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. I WAS STOPPED BEHIND AN SUV. THE TRAFFIC STARTED TO MOVE AND MY PRIUS BOLTED FORWARD INTO THE SUV WHICH IN TURN PUSHED IT INTO ANOTHER SUV. MY CAR WAS TOTALED…"~8,000 mi, complaint #772113
    • "AFTER ONLY ABOUT 3 YEARS USE, THE RUBBER COVER ON THE HATCH RELEASE HANDLE (THE EXTERIOR HANDLE OF THE REAR HATCH) OF OUR 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS, MELTED INTO A STICKY TARRY BLACK RUBBERY GOOEY MESS. I CAN BEST DESCRIBE IT AS BEING A VISCOUS BLACK GLOB LIKE ROOFING…"~36,001 mi, complaint #889537
    • "REAR HATCH BUTTON RUBBER HAS MELTED. CAUSES ELECTRICAL HATCH OPENING MECHANISM TO FAIL COMPLETELY. RUBBER REMAINS STICKY IN HOT WEATHER, TRANSFERS TARRY RESIDUE TO FINGERS. IN COLD WEATHER BUTTON WILL NOT FUNCTION AT ALL. SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE REAR HATCH IS NOT…"~90,000 mi, complaint #1129810
    • "THE LATCH COVER ON THE HATCHBACK HAS DETERIORATED AND IS ALMOST COMPLETELY MELTED AWAY. IN WARM WEATHER IT IS INCREDIBLY STICKY AND ANYTHING THAT TOUCHES IT GETS BLACK GOO ON IT, AND THE GOO IS HARD TO REMOVE FORM HANDS OR ANYTHING ELSE. IT HAS BEEN HARD TO…"~117,000 mi, complaint #1147703
    • "AFTER ABOUT 3 YEARS OF USE, THE HATCH RELEASE HANDLE (THE EXTERIOR HANDLE OF THE REAR HATCH) STARTED TO BECOME SOFT AND STICKY, AND AFTER A FEW MONTHS EVENTUALLY TOTALLY MELTS INTO A STICKY, GOOEY BLACK MESS THAT WOULD STICK TO YOUR HANDS WHENEVER YOU TOUCH IT…"~800,000 mi, complaint #945809
  12. #12

    control module

    1 stranded, 19 unsafe

    20
    incidents
    Typical range: 44,500–163,000 mi

    Median 84,500 mi, based on 25 reports (26% had no usable mileage)

    • "TODAY, I WENT TO WORK DRIVING MY PRIUS (2008 WITH 11000 MILES) WITHOUT ANY DASH BOARD LIGHTS. THE DASHBOARD UNDER THE WINDSHIELD IS A REFLECTIVE TYPE WITH A WHOLE ARRAY OF OPERATING INDICATING LIGHTS ACROSS TO THE PASSENGERS SIDE. ONLY THE AIRBAG INDICATOR L…"~11,000 mi, complaint #703259
    • "SMOG CHECK FAILED BECAUSE OF OBD BULB CHECK FAILURE AND OBDII FAILURE. SERVICE FAULT CODES ARE U0100 LOST COMMUNICATION WITH ECM/PCM "A" AND U0111 LOST COMMUNICATION WITH BATTERY ENERGY CONTROL MODULE "A." CAR ONLY HAS 60,000 MILES."~60,000 mi, complaint #1365377
    • "CAR RUNS BUT DASHBOARD LIGHTS FAIL TO ILLUMINATE WHEN IT IS COLD OUTSIDE. THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH 2004-2009 2ND GEN PRIUS AS EVIDENCED BY PERVASIVE INTERNET COMMENTS BY OWNERS EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM IS TOYOTA USED AN OVERLY WEAK CAP…"~84,394 mi, complaint #1438665
    • "TWO PROBLEMS 1. IN COLD OR COOLER WEATHER, MY DASH DOES NOT DISPLAY. AFTER SOMETIMES 1 HOUR, IT WILL SUDDENLY TURN ON. ALSO, WHEN THE DASH DOES NOT DISPLAY THE CAR DOES NOT TURN OFF, UNLESS I HOLD THE START BUTTON FOR A LONG TIME. ALSO THE REAR VIEW CAMERA…"~163,000 mi, complaint #1427830
    • "I AM WRITING TO YOU ABOUT MY 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. ..THE DASHBOARD WILL GO COMPLETELY OUT WHILE DRIVING ON THE HWY WHEN THIS HAPPENS YOU HAVE NO COMPLETE DASHBOARD AND THE IGNITION WILL NOT OPERATE. I HAVE REACHED OUT TO TOYOTA AND WAS TOLD MY 9 YEAR WARRANTY IS…"~365,000 mi, complaint #1408560
  13. #13

    hv system fault reduced power

    18 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    19
    incidents
    Typical range: 30,000–130,000 mi

    Median 79,000 mi, based on 31 reports (14% had no usable mileage)

    • "THIS IS A DEFECT THAT I TRIED TO RESOLVE WITH THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. I HAD OWNED A 2004 TOYOTA PRIUS THAT GOT 45-50 MPG WHILE DRIVING IN TOWN AND ABOUT 45 HIGHWAY. I TRADED THIS CAR IN FOR A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. IN THE 2008, I AM LUCKY TO GET ABOVE 35 MPG IN…"~2,000 mi, complaint #766281
    • "THIS HAPPENED WHEN I WAS DRIVING IN SFO CITY ON AN UPHILL STREET. IT WAS BUMPER TO BUMPER TRAFFIC AND THE CAR WAS GOING JUST FINE (STOP-AND-GO), AND AT ONE POINT IT JUST STOPPED ON THE UPHILL AND WON'T PULL UP. I HAD HALF+ TANK OF GAS, BATTERY WAS SHOWING 4 BA…"~46,000 mi, complaint #1003796
    • "MY CAR HAD HESITATION ISSUES SINCE SHORTLY AFTER I BOUGHT IT. IT WOULD BOG DOWN, AND ALMOST DIE IN TRAFFIC. I WOULD LOSE SPEED ON THE HWY/ROAD & NEARLY GET HIT. PREVIOUSLY, THE DEALER REPLACED THE GAS TANK BECAUSE ITS "BLADDER" WAS BAD @ 54,057 MILES ON…"~78,396 mi, complaint #967722
    • "WHAT'S WRONG WITH TOYOTA AND NHTSA? TODAY IN HOT WEATHER WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER ON MY 2008 PRIUS ONCE AGAIN SUDDENLY DROPPED ITSELF OUT OF DRIVE INTO NEUTRAL WITHOUT WARNING AND IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. ONE HAS TO HOLD THE SHIFTER IN DRIVE TO GET OUT OF…"~92,000 mi, complaint #1285838
    • "MY 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS SHUT OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE ROAD I COULD'VE INVOLVED IN BIG ACCIDENT IF I WAS ON A HIGHWAY THE WAY IT SHUTDOWN WITHOUT ANY WARNING SIGN. IT JUST SUDDENLY STOPPED"~150,000 mi, complaint #1628967
  14. #14

    throttle and pedal

    17 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    18
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=18, median 30,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "I OWN A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. IN APRIL OF 2008, 4 MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE, I WAS PULLING INTO A SPOT IN THE PARKING STRUCTURE AT WORK. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE ENGINE GUNNED AND THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD, WENT OVER THE BUMPER GUARD IN THE SPOT, AND WAS STOPP…"~500 mi, complaint #743145
    • "ACCELERATOR STICKING ON 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS - 5 TO 10 TIMES. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER (BEAVER TOYOTA - SANTA FE, NM). THE FIRST TIME THEY SAID THEY DID NOT KNOW WHAT IT WAS SINCE THEY COULD NOT REPRODUCE IT. THE SECOND TIME THEY SAID IT MUST HAVE BEEN BECAUSE…"~12,000 mi, complaint #765609
    • "WHILE DRIVING MY EMPLOYER'S 2008 (OR 2009) TOYOTA PRIUS SEVERAL TIMES IN SUMMER OF 2009, I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO THE FLOOR TO PASS, AND THE PEDAL STUCK IN THE WIDE OPEN POSITION. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL SEPARATE TIMES DURING THE SUMMER OF 2009. THE…"~30,000 mi, complaint #742313
    • "MY 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS GAS PEDAL STUCK AND PUSHED FORWARD AGAINST MY CONTROL, AND I SLAMMED MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND GAS PEDAL AT SAME TIME AND IT STOPPED. I AM REPORTINT THIS TO THE TOYOTA DEALER AT PRIORITY TOYOTA IN CHESAPEAKE VIRIGNIA RIGHT NOW AND THEY SAI…"~35,100 mi, complaint #763152
    • "2008 TOYOTA PRIUS (RUNAWAY TOYOTA) 09/18/2012 AT HOME DEPOT PARKING AREA. AS I WAS IN A PARKING STALL, I STEPPED ON A BRAKE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP, SUDDENLY THE CAR TOOK OFF WITH ITS FULLY FORCE. THE BRAKE PEDAL DID NOT WORK. MY RIGHT FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE…"~60,000 mi, complaint #948844
  15. #15

    engine stall or no start

    5 stranded, 10 unsafe

    15
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=18, median 71,500 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT A SPEED OF 55 MPH THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD, MOMENTS LATER THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE…"~20,000 mi, complaint #772339
    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED THE FUEL SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED IMMEDIATELY BEFORE THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THE OWNER'S MANUAL INDICATED THAT WHEN…"~33,000 mi, complaint #854995
    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH ON THE FREEWAY THE HYBRID WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. HE WAS ABLE TO DRIFT THE VEHICLE ONTO THE SIDE O…"~56,000 mi, complaint #826007
    • "I CALLED TOYOTA ABOUT THE STALLING SOFTWARE RECALL AND MY CAR IS NOT ON THE LIST AND NEEDS TO BE ADDED TO IT. MY CAR DOES THE SAME THING AS THE OTHERS REPORTED. WHEN I HIT A BUMP ON ANY STREET OR FREEWAY THE ENGINE FLUTTERS AND THE SLIPPERY WHEN WET LIGHT COME…"~105,000 mi, complaint #1507148
    • "ON THIS DATE WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE 5 NEAR LOS ANGELES MY PRIUS MADE A LOUD NOISE AND STARTED SHUTTING DOWN AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE FAR LEFT LANE. THE CAR IMMEDIATELY SLOWED DOWN AND THE VSC ICON AS WELL AS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ICON BECAME VISIBLE,…"~196,484 mi, complaint #1072152
  16. #16

    ev drive unit or inverter

    1 stranded, 14 unsafe

    15
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=18, median 122,500 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "WE OWN A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS THERE HAS BEEN THREE SEPARATE INCIDENTS WHILE BRAKING THAT THE CAR WOULD SPEED UP. THE DEALER SAID IT WAS JUST THE ELECTRIC MOTOR AND GAS ENGINE CHANGING BACK AND FORTH. I READ ON THE INTERNET OF OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AL…"~2,000 mi, complaint #760628
    • "AFTER [REDACTED ADDRESS] DRIVING, THE CAR WAS IDLING IN PARK FOR 2 MINUTES. THE CAR WAS THEN PUT INTO DRIVE AND THE BRAKE SLOWLY RELEASED. AS SOON AS THE ENGINE TURNED OVER TO ASSIST THE BATTERY DRIVE, THE SHIFT KNOB BOUNCED INTO NEUTRAL AND THE DASH INDICATE…"~41,876 mi, complaint #921882
    • "MY COOLANT INVERTER PUMP HAS BEEN RECALLED, AND REPAIRED BEFORE I BOUGHT THE CAR, AND THE SAME ISSUE IS HAPPENING AGAIN AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR LESS THAN A YEAR AGO. TODAY, THE SAME CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, WENT TO ADVANCED AUTO PARTS AND GOT THE CODE P0A…"~103,320 mi, complaint #1682131
    • "I WAS DRIVING MY [REDACTED ADDRESS] AND WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. IN 2 MINUTES ALL POWER GONE AND I HAVE HAD TO TOWED TO THE DEALER. THEY SAID, WATER PUMP FAILED AND BECAUSE OF THAT HYBRID INVERTER FRIED. CAR WAS OUT OF GUARANTY AND THERE WAS NO RECALL ABOUT WATE…"~126,000 mi, complaint #1097674
    • "THE MANAGER W/ AMERICAN TRANSMISSION TOLD ME WHEN THE HYBRID SYSTEM STARTING TO GO BAD ( THE INVERTER WATER PUMPER HAD TO BE REPLACED) MESSED UP THE ABS PUMP AND MODULE. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME IT'S A BAD DESIGN. I PUT 0 MPH THE SYTEM IS MESSED RIGHT WHEN THE ST…"~173,640 mi, complaint #1683597
  17. #17

    door latch and hinge

    10 unsafe, 3 broken

    13
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=12, median 82,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "THE REAR HATCH LATCH RUBBER COVER HAS MELTED, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO OPEN THE DOOR."~30,427 mi, complaint #1006788
    • "THE BACK LATCH OF MY 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS HAS DEGRADED ("MELTED" ALMOST). IT NO LONGER FUNCTIONS PROPERLY, AND I AM UNABLE TO OPEN THE BACK HATCH DOOR EASILY. SOMETIMES IT REQUIRES CONSIDERABLE EFFORT AND PERSEVERANCE TO GET IT OPEN. I AM CONCERNED THAT IN THE CA…"~70,000 mi, complaint #1083483
    • "REAR HATCHBACK LOCKING/UNLOCKING RUBBER HANDLE DISOLVED/MELTED AND BECAME A TAR-LIKE MASS THAT STUCK TO FINGERS. UNABLE TO UNLOCK TRUCK MANUALLY AND ELECTRICALLY. UNABLE TO ACCESS TRUNK WHERE EMERGENCY/SAFETY EQUIPMENT LOCATED."~79,100 mi, complaint #1197045
    • "MY REAR HATCH DOOR LATCH COVER AND SWITCH ARE INOPERABLE AND THE RUBBER LATCH COVER IS GUMMY. HATCH WILL NO LONGER OPEN - THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE- HOW CAN I GET TO MY SPARE TIRE?"~105,000 mi, complaint #1347689
    • "THE REAR HATCH HANDLE COVER - WHICH APPEARS TO BE RUBBER - STARTED DETERIORATING RATHER QUICKLY IN THE SUMMER HEAT ABOUT 2-3 WEEKS AGO AND HAS TURNED INTO A RUBBERY, STICKY BLACK MESS. THE DETERIORATING RUBBER HAS INTERFERED WITH THE USE OF THE HATCH RELEASE…"~122,000 mi, complaint #1200892
  18. #18

    engine cooling

    1 stranded, 9 unsafe

    10
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=10, median 88,500 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "WHILE MY 2004 TOYOTA PRIUS WAS IN THE SHOP FOR ITS 30,000 MILE MAINTENANCE, MY MECHANIC FOUND THAT THE WATER PUMP HAS BEEN LEAKING COOLANT (PHOTOS AVAILABLE). THE CAR HAS ONLY 21,600 MILES, AND ITS WATER PUMP SHOULD LAST AT LEAST THREE TIMES AS LONG. MY…"~21,338 mi, complaint #695163
    • "THE CAR WARNINGS WENT ON AND DISPLAYED THE SYMBOL FOR BRAKE SYSTEMS FAILURE. THE CAR BRAKES WENT OUT AND THEN THE CAR SPED UP SLIGHTLY UNTIL THE BRAKES RE-ENGAGED. I WAS DRIVING SLOWLY AND WAS NEAR MY HOME, SO NO ONE WAS HURT THANKFULLY. WE HAD TO HAVE IT…"~82,000 mi, complaint #938449
    • "THE COOLING PUMP FOR THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAD CRACKED AND FLUID LEAKED OUT NO HEAT IN CAR AND RED TRIANGLE OF DEATH DISPLAY ON DASH LOCAL REPAIR SHOP INSTALLED NEW PUMP IT HAS BEEN REPLACED 2 TIMES. STILL LEAKS FROM HOUSING"~95,000 mi, complaint #1719109
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE COOLANT CONTROL VALVE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MA…"~150,000 mi, complaint #1144736
    • "THE CRANK CASE VENTILATES RANDOMLY INTO THE CABIN. THE FOUL STENCH OF MOTOR OIL DISPERSES INTO THE CABIN INTERMITTENTLY. THE VENTILATOR ACTUATOR ORIENTATES THE CRANK CASE GASES, HAZARDOUSLY CONTAMINATING MY RESPIRATORY SYSTEM."~220,700 mi, complaint #1583073
  19. #19

    engine oil consumption

    10 unsafe

    10
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=12, median 138,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "MY CAR IS CONSUMING OIL. TOLD TOYOTA DEALER ABOUT IT 2-3 YEARS AGO SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY KEPT SAYING JUST ADD OIL. NOW IT IS WORSE. I NEED TO ADD OIL EVERY GAS FILL UP. NOT LEAKING OR BURNING, BUT USING OIL! I HAVE ADDED 4 QUARTS SINCE LAST OIL CHANGE AN…"~70,000 mi, complaint #1332271
    • "AT 93,000 MILES MY 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS BEGAN RAPIDLY CONSUMING OIL. I WAS TOLD BY DEALER THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE AND I NEEDED TO CARRY OIL WITH ME AND CHECK LEVEL EVERY TIME I FILL UP MY GAS TANK. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE TOYOTA PRIUS ACCORDING TO MY DE…"~93,000 mi, complaint #1311813
    • "TOYOTA HAS EXCLUDED THE PRIUS IN ADVISING THEIR OWNER ABOUT EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION BUT INCLUDED THE CAMRY, COROLLA, SEQOIUA ETC. IT BURNS/NOT LEAKS 1 QUART EVERY 1,000MILES. NO WARNING LIGHT ON THE PRIUS JUST HAVE TO KEEP CHECKING IT. DEALER SAYS NO FIX…"~130,000 mi, complaint #1352699
    • "AFTER A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE AT 149,706 MILES, MY 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS BEGAN USING AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL, ABOUT 1 QUART EVERY 1,000 MILES. I HAVE HAD THE OIL CHANGED REGULARLY SINCE THE CAR WAS NEW (I BOUGHT IT NEW IN JANUARY 2008) AND HAVE HAD NEARLY ALL THE…"~149,706 mi, complaint #1192257
    • "I HAVE HAD MY 2008 PRIUS SINCE IT WAS NEW AND I HAVE TAKEN METICULOUS CARE OF THE VEHICLE WITH DOCUMENTATION TO PROVE IT. THE VEHICLE IS BURNING OIL TO THE EXTENT THAT I HAVE TO PUT A QUART OF OIL IN EVERY 700 MILES. MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP CONFIRMED IT IS AN ISS…"~150,000 mi, complaint #1310343
  20. #20

    brake booster

    1 stranded, 8 unsafe

    9
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=17, median 141,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "FOR THE THIRD TIME I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MY BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH, THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS IT AFFECT HOW THE BRAKE LIGHTS WORK. THE BREAK LIGHT SWITCH, WHEN MALFUNCTIONING PREVENT OR INHIBITS THE VEHICLE FROM STARTING PROPERLY. IF THE SWITCH FAILS WHILE DRIVING…"~100,000 mi, complaint #1577918
    • "THERE IS A LEAK INSIDE THE 12V BATTERY COMPARTMENT THAT HOUSES THE BATTERY AND THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROLLER. THE CAR'S HATCH LEAKS WATER IN FROM RAIN AND CAR WASHES AND IT COLLECTS AROUND THE 12V BATTERY. IN THIS PRIUS, THIS AREA HAS THE BATTERY, ELECTRON…"~127,000 mi, complaint #1042527
    • "MY MOTHER HAS A 2008 PRIUS THAT HAS TWO SERIOUS ISSUES THAT TOYOTA HAS ACKNOWLEDGED AND EVEN OFFERED TO FIX UNDER WHAT THEY CALL A SUPPORT PROGRAM. SOUNDS GREAT RIGHT? HERE'S THE PROBLEM. 1. SHE NEVER RECEIVED A LETTER NOTIFYING HER OF THE PROBLEM AND THAT IT…"~141,160 mi, complaint #1456590
    • "POWERED ON VEHICLE IN DRIVEWAY AND WHILE THE CAR WAS STILL IN PARK AND THE BRAKE PEDAL ENGAGED, THE CAR ROLLED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY. I APPLIED ADDITIONAL PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE FROM ROLLING OUT. A WEEK LATER, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNIN…"~155,000 mi, complaint #1467692
    • "SECOND GENERATION TOYOTA PRIUS (MODEL YEARS 04-09, AN ESTIMATED 669,700 VEHICLES, TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 06 ~66,200 VEHICLES (AND LEXUS MODELS~196,000 VEHICLES) HAVE A KNOWN DEFECTIVE BRAKE POWER BOOSTER KNOWN AS BRAKE ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY. TOYOTA PUBLISHED TSB 0032-1…"~204,710 mi, complaint #1593104
  21. #21

    cruise control conventional

    7 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    8
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=8)

    • "I WAS PARKING MY CAR HEAD IN FIRST, IN AN APARTMENT PARKING LOT, I HAD JUST PULLED INTO THE SPACE, PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND DEPRESSED THE PARK BUTTON, I THEN BEGAN TO REACH FOR THE POWER BUTTON WHEN THE CAR UNCONTROLLABLY LUNGED FORWARD GOING UP A SLIGHT I…"~5,000 mi, complaint #774307
    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT WAS ON BUT DID NOT ENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM. THE CONTACT SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT STAYED ON. THE CONTACT…"~9,800 mi, complaint #766512
    • "I OWN A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. ON 12JUL2008 I WAS RETURNING HOME AND DRIVING ON HWY 70 EAST,NEAR GOLDSBORO, NC. I WAS TRAVELING AT A SPEED OF APPROX 55-60 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS IN CRUISE CONTROL. THE TRAFFIC WAS GETTING HEAVY AND I HAD TO SLOW DOWN. SO I PUT ON TH…"~18,800 mi, complaint #726930
    • "I WAS STOPPED AND TICKETED BY A CHP OFFICER ON HIGHWAY 5 SOUTH OF SACRAMENTO, CA AFTER BEING CLOCKED AT 93 MPH, WHILE I HAD SET THE CRUISE CONTROL OF MY 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS AT 80 MPH. *TR"~30,000 mi, complaint #757311
    • "TOYOTA PRIUS PROBLEM - CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTION: ON 2 JAN 2010 (ABOUT 0600 HRS) I WAS DRIVING A RENTED PRIUS (ALAMO) FROM PALM BEACH, FL TO MIAMI, FL. I WAS USING CRUISE CONTROL AND GOING THE LISTED SPEED LIMIT FOR I-95 (65MPH). THE CAR SEEMED TO BE PERF…"~35,000 mi, complaint #763108
  22. #22

    steering rack mechanical

    8 unsafe

    8
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=11, median 23,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "MY 2008 PRIUS HAS BEEN ACCELERATING FORWARD AFTER I GO OVER AMY BUMPS IN THE ROAD. IT HAS ALMOST CAUSED SEVERAL ACCIDENTS. I ASKED MY SEALSKIN ABOUT IT AND THEY SAID MY PRIUS WAS OPERATING NORMALLY. MY HUSBAND SAYS THIS IS INCORRECT AND IT HAS HAPPENED TO HIM…"~5,571 mi, complaint #847981
    • "PRIUS ACCELERATES WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED GOING OVER POT HOLES AND SOMETIMES RIDGES IN THE ROAD. *TR"~22,000 mi, complaint #775361
    • "WHEN BRAKING, IF A POTHOLE OR BUMP IN THE ROAD IS HIT, THE CAR SEEMINGLY JERKS FORWARD/ACCELERATES FOR A SPLIT SECOND. *TR"~23,000 mi, complaint #757415
    • "1. WHILE DRIVING AND BRAKING OVER POTHOLES OR ROUGH ROAD, THE CAR VEERS FORWARD EVEN THOUGH BRAKES ARE BEING APPLIED 2. HAPPENS EVER SINCE WE RECEIVED OUR 2008 PRIUS MAYBE ONCE A MONTH OR SO: RESULTS IN SCARY FEW MOMENTS, ALTHOUGH NO ACCIDENTS YET HAVE OCCURR…"~30,000 mi, complaint #790472
    • "ON 10-28-15, I WAS DRIVING AT A VERY LOW SPEED IN A PARKING LOT. AS I ATTEMPTED TO TURN LEFT TO PARK, I HEARD A LOUD CRACK SOUND IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY LOOSE AND KNOW LONGER COULD CONTROL THE MOTION OF THE WHEELS. I COULD MO…"~155,000 mi, complaint #1234223
  23. #23

    battery and charging

    2 stranded, 5 unsafe

    7
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=13, median 67,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "VEHICLE STARTS, RUNS FOR LIMITED TIME -2-3 MINS. SHUTS OFF VEHICLE STARTS NO ELECTRICAL VISIBILITY ON DASH.. BLANK. VEHICLE STARTS WITH ELECTRICAL VISIBILITY, RUNS FOR 3-5 MILES, LOOSES ELECTRICAL VISIBILITY. UPDATED 12/4/2017*CN VEHICLE STARTS WIT…"~25,870 mi, complaint #1200429
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START UNLESS A PARTICULAR WARNING LIGHT WAS CLEARED BY DISCONNECTING AND RECONNECTING THE BATTERY. THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE OF WHAT LIGHT ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICL…"~60,000 mi, complaint #960545
    • "AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT 500 MILES THE CAR WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE FOR TWO DAYS. WHEN I TRIED TO START THE CAR THE 12V BATTERY WAS DEAD. I USED 3 DIFFERENT BATTERIES TO TRY TO START THE CAR. THE LIGHTS CAME ON ON THE DASH BUT THERE WAS A WARNING MESSAGE TH…"~67,200 mi, complaint #856577
    • "HEADLIGHTS FLICKER, DIM, AND EVENTUALLY GO OUT ALTOGETHER WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE REPLACED THE 12V BATTERY AND IT STILL OCCURS. CONCERNED FOR SAFETY OF MYSELF AND MY FAMILY. "~70,000 mi, complaint #1216269
    • "THE FIRST TIME BOTH LIGHTS WENT OUT, WE WERE TRAVELING SOUTH ON I-95 NEAR RICHMOND, VA. PRIOR TO THIS, WE THOUGHT THE LIGHTS HAD DIMMED A COUPLE TIMES, BUT WHEN WE CHECKED THEM, THEY WERE FINE. THERE IS NO MISTAKE WHEN YOU LOOSE BOTH HEADLIGHTS WHILE ON HIGH…"~161,000 mi, complaint #1123656
  24. #24

    infotainment head unit

    4 unsafe, 1 broken, 2 annoyance

    7
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=7)

    • "SHORTLY AFTER I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW, THE AUDIO DISPLAY UNIT (TOUCH SCREEN,) WHICH ALSO CONTROLS AIR CONDITIONING FAILED AND WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY ON JANUARY 5, 2008. THE SAME UNIT FAILED AGAIN ON OCTOBER 30, 2011 . THE TOUCH SCREEN IS UNRESPONSIVE, WH…"~500 mi, complaint #884374
    • "THE MAIN DISPLAY/TOUCH-SCREEN IN MY TOYOTA PRIUS STOPPED WORKING WHILE IT WAS PARKED AND THE ENGINE WAS OFF. THE DEVICE WORKED IN THE MORNING WHEN, BUT IT WOULD NOT WORK THAT AFTERNOON WHEN I RE-STARTED MY CAR. THE DEVICE ALSO STOPPED WORKING AT THAT SAME TI…"~71,000 mi, complaint #1393928
    • "MFD MULTI FUNCTION DISPLAY SCREEN DOESN'T RESPOND TO TOUCH. HAVE TO OPERATE THROUGH STEERING WHEEL. SO HAVE TO TURN ON A/C TO RUN HEATER AND CAN'T CONTROL THE FLOW OF THE AIR PRESSURE. LOOKING ON THE INTERNET, (PRIUS CHAT) THIS HAS BEEN A COMMON PROBLEM WITH…"~85,000 mi, complaint #1357200
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM CONTROL AND THE HEATING AND COOLING UNIT FAILED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM SHUT OFF CAUSING THE HEATING AND COOLING UNIT TO FAIL. THE FAILURE RECURRE…"~90,000 mi, complaint #1168628
    • "MY DISPLAY HAS GONE BLACK MULTIPLE TIMES. START THE CAR AND THERE IS NO DISPLAY, NO REAR CAMERA.... A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN I HAVE FOUND OUT THROUGH THE TOYOTA FORUM. SO I HAVE TO GO TO THE BACK UNPLUG SOMETHING FROM MY BATTERY - OR MY WIFE OR DAUGHTER. NO…"~200,000 mi, complaint #1410863
  25. #25

    hv battery and range

    1 stranded, 3 unsafe, 2 annoyance

    6
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=8)

    • "TOYOTA PRIUS (2008) - FIRE AFTER MINOR ACCIDENT (BATTERY FIRE) AFTER A FAIRLY STANDARD REAR END COLLISION (25-30 MPH), MY TOYOTA PRIUS CAUGHT FIRE AND BURST INTO FLAMES. I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT ON A CITY STREET IN CHICAGO, IL WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRE…"~60,000 mi, complaint #1418639
    • "TOOK MY PRIUS INTO THE DEALER TODAY FOR SERVICE. LATER, THE WRITER CALLED TO TELL ME THAT THE MECHANIC HAD FOUND A BUILD-UP OF LINK AND DIRT THAT MIGHT LEAD UP AN OVERHEATING OR OTHER ISSUES WITH THE BATTERY PACK BENEATH THE REAR SEAT. I PAID APPROXIMATELY $…"~106,000 mi, complaint #1268832
    • "The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that she was unable to start the vehicle. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer, where i…"~185,000 mi, complaint #1810511
    • "THE CRYPTOCURRENCY INDUSTRY HAS SPAWNED A FRENZY OF HYBRID BATTERY ENERGY THEFT. MY COMBINATION METER SPIKES AND REDUCES DOWN A DEFICIT IN FUEL, INSIGHT OF OTHER VEHICLES DRIVING CLOSE ENOUGH TO EXTRACT POWER FROM THE REAR BATTERY CELLS. EVERY TIME I RE-FUEL T…"~223,485 mi, complaint #1595070
    • "RECURRING PROBLEM, INCONSISTENCY IN FUEL LEVELS AT THE GAS PUMP. POSSIBLE HYBRID ENERGY THEFT FROM BATTERIES OR HEATING ELEMENT. LAST FILL-UP AT THE NORTH CONDUIT MOBIL WITH 8 DOLLARS, RESULTING IN A LESS THAN A HALF A TANK LEVEL, WITH A QUARTER TANK LEVEL BEF…"~231,429 mi, complaint #1629546
  26. #26

    steering electric assist

    6 unsafe

    6
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=8)

    • "AFTER HAVING DRIVEN MY PRIUS NEARLY 15,000 MILES IN ALL TYPES OF WEATHER (EXCEPT SNOW) AND ON RESIDENTIAL ROADS AS WELL AS INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS WITH NO STEERING PROBLEMS, ON A SINGLE DAY ON RESIDENTIAL STREETS AT 20 TO 25 MPH AND GENTLE RAIN, IT HYDROPLANED TWI…"~14,000 mi, complaint #699189
    • "STEERING WHEEL SEEMED TO LOCK, CAUSING ME TO NEARLY LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. *TR"~56,900 mi, complaint #1088411
    • "The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Prius. The contact had received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V537000 (Steering) and the vehicle was repaired under recall. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the steering wheel started to shake with the traction…"~119,000 mi, complaint #1825942
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY VEERED TO THE LEFT. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS CRASHED INTO BY A DUMP TRUCK ON THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VE…"~147,000 mi, complaint #1064042
  27. #27

    tire failure

    1 stranded, 5 unsafe

    6
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=8)

    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE WENT FLAT. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE TIRE WITH A SPARE. THE VEHICLE THEN BEGAN EXPERIENCING NUMEROUS FAILURES. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES ILLUMINATED AND THE ODOMET…"~14,500 mi, complaint #693444
    • "I HAD A BLOWOUT ON I-75 IN LEXINGTON KY. WENT TO WALMART TO GET TIRES. WHEN I GOT TO CHARLOTTE NC I WENT TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP TO HAVE MY REMAINING BACK TWO TIRES CHECKED. HE SAID THEY WERE DEFECTIVE. THE TIRES WERE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON MY 2008 PRIUS.…"~19,000 mi, complaint #817848
    • "I HAD A SUDDEN BLOW-OUT WHILE DRIVING MY 2008 PRIUS ON THE FREEWAY. ALL FOUR TIRES ARE GOODYEAR P185/65R15 AND CAME WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CAR MILEAGE IS ABOUT 19,900. WITHOUT ANY WARNING (LOW TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT, ETC.), THE LEFT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT DUE TO TREAD…"~19,900 mi, complaint #719413
    • "WE HAVE HAD TWO CATASTROPHIC FAILURES OF CONTINENTAL PRO CONTACT TIRES (195/55-16) - ONE ON 12/11/2012 (RIGHT FRONT) AND ONE ON 04/24/2014 (LEFT FRONT). BOTH TIRES HAD BEEN IN SERVICE LESS THAN 5,000 MILES, WERE CORRECTLY INFLATED AND IN NO WAY MISUSED. NO ROA…"~43,170 mi, complaint #1059899
    • "I PURCHASED FOUR CONTINENTAL 185 65 R15 TIRES FOR 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS AND HAD THEM INSTALLED AT A NISSAN DEALERSHIP ON 10/24/2011WITH MILEAGE 92526 DUE TO CURB STRIKES, I INCURRED TWO ROAD HAZARD SIDEWALL CLAIMS WITHIN 2 DAYS OF INSTALL; ONE BULBOUS SECTION AND…"~100,289 mi, complaint #914114
  28. #28

    wiring harness

    6 unsafe

    6
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=6)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SMOKE EMITTED FROM UNDER THE HOOD WHILE DRIVING INTO A GARAGE AT 5 MPH. THE CONTACT OPENED THE HOOD AND NOTICED A FLAME. THE CONTACT THEN EXTINGUISHED THE FLAME. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT NOTI…"~17,000 mi, complaint #914152
    • "I HAVE A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS (BOUGHT NEW) & HAVE HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE BIGGEST PROBLEM HAPPENED WHEN MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. SUDDENLY THE RADIO WENT OFF & ALL LIGHTS ON THE DASH WENT OFF. HE PULLED OVER, TURNED OFF T…"~17,000 mi, complaint #763098
    • "The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the instrument panel failed to function as intended. The contact stated that the instrument panel went blank. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent at…"~90,000 mi, complaint #2107610
    • "THE SPIRAL CABLE THAT CONTROLS THE ELECTRICAL SUPPLY TO THE STEERING WHEEL (RADIO, HEATING,AIR CONDITIONING, ETC. FAILED). IN SOME VEHICLES THE AIR BAG POWER SUPPLY IS ROUTED THROUGH THIS CABLE AND THE AIR BAG POWER SUPPLY FAILS WHEN THE SPIRAL CABLE FAILS.…"~149,922 mi, complaint #1140740
    • "THE DASHBOARD LIGHT WILL NOT COME ON AND I COULD NOT READ MILEAGE OR HOW FAST I WAS GOING. EVENTUALLY, CAR SHUTS DOWN IN MOTION. TOOK IT TO KEYES TOYOTA IN VAN NUYS, CA. THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THERE WAS A DEFECT AND RECALL AND WOULD FIX IT AFTER A FEW DAYS THEY ARE…"~249,000 mi, complaint #1072400
  29. #29

    power windows and locks

    3 unsafe, 2 annoyance

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=6)

    • "IN EARLY 2010 (ESTIMATE), THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK OF OUR 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS WOULD NOT UNLOCK WITH KEY FAUB OR DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK/UNLOCK BUTTON. I TOOK VEHICLE INTO POWAY TOYOTA (POWAY, CA) AND THEY STATED DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR FAILED, WHICH THEY REPLACE…"~40,000 mi, complaint #895739
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WITH THE VEHICLE PARKED, THE INTERIOR DOORS LOCKED INDEPENDENTLY AND WOULD NOT UNLOCK WHEN USING THE ELECTRONIC KEY FOB. THE KEY-LESS IGNITION WAS OFF HOWEVER, THE AIR CONDITIONER AND RADIO WERE…"~50,000 mi, complaint #950193
    • "REAR HATCHBACK LOCKING/UNLOCKING BUTTON GUMMY AND INABILITY TO UNLOCK TRUCK MANUALLY AND ELECTRICALLY. UNABLE TO ACCESS TRUNK WHERE EMERGENCY/SAFETY EQUIPMENT LOCATED. *TR"~52,000 mi, complaint #892136
    • "SOME MONTHS AGO THE DRIVER'S DOOR LOCK STOPPED WORKING. I ENDED UP USING THE KEY TO OPEN THE DOOR FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS, SINCE TOYOTA DEALER QUOTED ME $500 TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. AFTER A COUPLE OF MONTHS, I DECIDED TO PAY AND THE ISSUE WAS FIXED. TO MY SURPR…"~65,000 mi, complaint #1011963
  30. #30

    adas collision warning

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "WHAT HAPPENED ON 12/23/10 WAS THAT I WAS GOING TO TURN AROUND IN A SHORT DRIVEWAY, APPROXIMATELY 6 FT LONG, THAT WAS ON A STEEP INCLINE. AS I CAME UP TO THE DRIVEWAY, I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR TO MOVE IT OVER TO THE BRAKE. MY FOOT WAS COMPLETELY OFF…"~18,000 mi, complaint #839220
    • "1. IN THE K-MART LEVEL PARKING LOT WHEN STARTING TO PRESS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL THE CAR SHOT FORWARD ABOUT 6 FEET. NOTE THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE HAS NEVER HAD A FLOOR MAT. 2. BRAKES WERE TESTED AT THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE PREOWNED CAR WAS PURCHASED AND THE DEALER…"~25,000 mi, complaint #816132
    • "WHEN I BRAKE FOR A BUMP OR POTHOLE, MY 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS, ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN WHEN THE FRONT TIRES HITS THE BUMP OR POTHOLE. I MUST HIT THE BRAKES HARDER IN ORDER TO SLOW. THIS OCCURS VERY FREQUENTLY, I NOTICE THIS ESPECIALLY AT LOW SPEEDS. THIS ACCELERA…"~32,500 mi, complaint #746049
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE OBSTRUCTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY AND CAUSED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO ENGAGE. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND BACK ON IN ORDER FOR IT TO RESUME…"~70,000 mi, complaint #1618489
  31. #31

    engine internal

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE ENGINE IN THE VEHICLE MADE A NOISE WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE DEALER HAS DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE ON TWO OCCASIONS AND STATED THAT THE COIL PACKS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. TWO MONTHS AFTER THE COIL PACKS WERE REPLA…"~12,201 mi, complaint #732428
    • "THE ENGINE GOT WATER IN IT BEFORE I EVEN GOT THE CAR AND IT ALSO HAD TWO BENT PISTON RODS. *TR"~13,500 mi, complaint #740168
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, HE HEARD A RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE INTO A PARKING LOT AND NOTICED THAT THERE WAS TO PUDDLE OF OIL UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHIC…"~60,000 mi, complaint #928306
    • "ENGINE COMPRESSION CATASTROPHICALLY FAILS APPROXIMATELY EVERY 2000 MILES. *TR"~150,000 mi, complaint #1174105
  32. #32

    key fob and immobilizer

    3 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=6)

    • "A. DASH LIGHTS WOULD JUST DISAPPEAR (NO DISPLAY FOR SPEED OR GEAR) B. KEY "BOB" WOULDN'T RELEASE AND CAR WOULDN'T TURN OFF. - TWICE C. CAR WOULD "REV-UP" WHEN ENGINE COOL WHILE IN GEAR APPLYING BRAKES 1. TOOK TO DEALER TO RESOLVE - COULDN'T RECREATE THE…"~11,870 mi, complaint #766113
    • "THIS IS A RIDICULOUSLY DANGEROUS CAR. THE PUSH BUTTON SYSTEM FOR STARTING IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS FOR KIDS. MY WIFE LOADS MY THREE YEAR OLD IN THE PRIUS WITH HER KEYS IN HER BAG. THE OLDER SON WHO IS FIVE LIKES CARS AND JUMPS IN THE DRIVERS SEAT AT THE BASE…"~20,000 mi, complaint #1484482
    • "PULLING AWAY FROM HOME AFTER STARTING CAR, I NOTICED DASHBOARD LIGHTS WERE OUT, NO SPEEDOMETER, ETC. ALTHOUGH BLINKER LIGHTS WORKED. LATER, BACKING UP, I NOTICED THE CAMERA IMAGE DID NOT WORK. BIG PROBLEM WAS WHEN I GOT TO WORK AND CAR WOULD NOT TURN OFF. I…"~56,300 mi, complaint #1027930
  33. #33

    seatbelt and pretensioner

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "PASSENGER SEAT BELT FAILS TO LATCH. THE PASSENGER SEAT HAS HAD LITTLE TO NO USE SO, OVERUSE IS NOT AN ISSUE. *TR"~110,000 mi, complaint #896957
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO USE THE SEAT BELT, IT FAILED TO RETRACT FROM THE SEAT AND COULD NOT BE ADJUSTED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT WAS TORN. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED.…"~143,000 mi, complaint #1468965
    • "MY DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT STOPPED RESPONDING AROUND IN 2015. THE LATCH WORKED CORRECTLY HOWEVER THE SENSOR WOULD SHOW MY SEATBELT WAS NOT DONE. I HAD THIS REPAIRED AT MY EXPENSE IN EARLY 2017 DUE TO WORRY IF THERE WAS AN ACCIDENTAL I WOULD BE UNABLE TO PROVE I…"~167,000 mi, complaint #1455203
  34. #34

    alignment and pull

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "VEHICLE IS EXTREMELY, ALMOST DANGEROUSLY, SENSITIVE TO CROSS WINDS AND WAKE TURBULENCE FROM LARGER VEHICLES, TRUCKS SPECIFICALLY. *TR"~2,000 mi, complaint #696527
  35. #35

    glass and windshield

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "GREEN GLARE ON WINDSHIELD EMANATING FROM SPEEDOMETER PROJECTOR OBSCURING VISIBILITY AT NIGHT. CAR TAKEN TO TOYOTA DEALER FOR INSPECTION. OUTCOME UNKNOWN. *TR"~25,000 mi, complaint #858033
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE REAR WINDOW SHATTERED WHILE THE REAR DEFROSTER WAS IN THE ON POSITION. THE REAR DEFROSTER INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACTED CALLED TOYOTA OF POWAY ([REDACTED ADDRESS], POWAY, CA 92064) AND…"~55,000 mi, complaint #1439308
    • "THERE IS A GLASS AREA BELOW THE LIP OF THE HATCHBACK, THAT EXPLODED WHEN SHUTTING THE HATCHBACK. THE GLASS WAS NOT HIT BY ANY OBJECT INSIDE OR OUTSIDE THE CAR. GLASS JUST EXPLODED."~235,000 mi, complaint #1194187
  36. #36

    acceleration loss or hesitation

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "THE CAR FROM A STOP, IF YOU STEP ON THE GAS WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN THE CAR HESITATES REALLY BAD AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I'VE TAKEN IT IN WHEN THE CAR HAD LESS THAN 10K MILES. THEY COULD NOT REMAKE THE PROBLEM. THE CAR HESITATES STILL AND HAS NOT CHANGE…"~8,000 mi, complaint #1519076
  37. #37

    catalytic converter

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "THERE IS A RAMPANT 'EPIDEMIC" WITH THE TOYOTA PRIUS OF STOLEN CATALYTIC CONVERTERS (CC) FOR ALL MODEL YEARS. THE CC (INCLUDING OXYGEN SENSOR) IS MADE OF PRECIOUS METALS THAT HAVE SKYROCKETED IN PRICE ON THE 'OPEN MARKET'. THE PRIUS CC CONTAINS 8% PRECIOUS META…"~172,000 mi, complaint #1726529
  38. #38

    engine mounts

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "MY WIFE KATHY AND I OWN A 2009 PRIUS. WE HAVE EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM THAT IS PERSISTENT BUT THE DEALER CANNOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM ON THE LAST SEVERAL VISITS FOR ROUTINE SERVICE. THEY CHECKED BULLETINS ETC. BUT CLAIM NO PROBLEM EXISTS. THE PROBLEM: "LUNGING OF…"~30,000 mi, complaint #777368
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGERS SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE MOUNT BECAME LOOSE AND…"~115,000 mi, complaint #1092836
  39. #39

    lighting interior

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "DEAR NHTSA, I OWN A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS THAT I PURCHASED FROM CAPISTRANO TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA. THE DESIGN FLAW WITH THE VEHICLE THAT I AM ABOUT TO REPORT COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE DEATH OR BODILY INJURY IF IT'S NOT CORRECTED RIGHT TH…"complaint #667321
    • "DEAR NHTSA, I BOUGHT MY CAR JULY, 2008 AND I NOTICED RIGHT A WAY AT NIGHT MY CAR HAVE THIS VERY BRIGHT LIGHT FRONT OF MY WINDSHIELD. I FOUND OUT WHERE IT WAS COMING FROM AND IT WAS COMING FROM REFLECTION FROM THE ODOMETER. THIS LIGHT IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE…"complaint #695469
  40. #40

    steering column

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "THERE WAS A POPPING NOISE IN MY STEERING WHEEL AND THEN I HAD NO MOVEMENT IN MY TIRES. MY STEERING WHEEL JUST SPINS ROUND AND ROUND BUT MY TIRES WILL NOT MOVE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AND I HAD NO CONTROL OF MY CAR. SO I BELIEVE IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WI…"~14,400 mi, complaint #1553288
  41. #41

    transmission manual clutch

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "GEAR SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL WITHOUT USE OF GEAR SHIFT CONTROL. HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES AND WASN'T ABLE TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE. KEPT GOING BACK TO NEUTRAL. PARK ALSO WASN'T WORKING. POWERED CAR OFF WHICH DID PUT IN PARK. RESTARTED AND DROVE HOME WITHOUT IS…"~50,050 mi, complaint #1090764
    • "WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE IN WARM WEATHER IT SLIPS ON ITS OWN FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL. THIS HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. IN ORDER TO CONTINUE YOU HAVE TO HOLD THE GEAR LEVER IN D OR ELSE IT SLIPS BACK INTO N WHICH OF COURSE CAUSES YOU TO LOSE SPEED. THIS H…"~149,000 mi, complaint #1203792
  42. #42

    wheel or rim

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED IN RAINY WEATHER, THE VEHICLE HYDROPLANED AND CRASHED INTO A CURB. THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE POLICE ARRIVED TO ASSIST ON SCENE. A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAIL…"~22,800 mi, complaint #794323
  43. #43

    brake pads and rotors

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "S10 APPROPRIATE HANDLING-LETTER TO THE SECRETARY FROM RE TOYOTA PROBLEMS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKES MADE A NOISE. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER, THERE MAY HAVE BEEN RUST ON THE ROTORS, DUE TO LACK OF DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT GETTING PROPER GAS MILEAGE…"complaint #783871
  44. #44

    climate control module

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "VENTILATION CIRCUIT TO SELECT INSIDE TO OUTSIDE AIR HAS BEEN CYBER-TERRORISED SEVERAL TIMES. THE SYSTEM IS VITAL TO OPERATE SECURELY, AS A DISABLED CONSTITUENT, IN A GREAT METROPOLIS, THAT HAS SEWAGE AND GARBAGE VAPORS EVERYWHERE. THEY ACCESS THE FUNTION TO OP…"~223,583 mi, complaint #1595190
  45. #45

    fluid leak unspecified

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. THE CONTACT OBSERVED A WATER LEAK IN THE TRUNK IN THE SPARE TIRE WHEEL WELL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED DURING RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE WATER WAS DRAINED FROM THE WHEEL WELL. THE CONTACT WAS C…"~40,000 mi, complaint #773111
  46. #46

    fuel pump

    1 stranded

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "THIS IS IN REGARDS TO THE ELECTRICAL FUEL PUMP THAT IS ALREADY BEING RECALLED. I HAD MY VEHICLE SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AT THE TIME AND THEY REPLACED THE ELECTRIC WATER PUMP, THE WATER PUMP, AND THE BATTERY.…"~74,659 mi, complaint #1043037
  47. #47

    parking brake

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "WHILE PARKED AT THE LOCAL POST OFFICE THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STARTED TO ROLL BACK. IT ROLLED APPROXIMATELY 4-5 CA LENGTHS. THE VEHICLE DRUG ME BUT CAME TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE "ENGAGED" INTO DRIVE IN ORDER TO MOVE THE CAR. NOT SURE IF THIS IS AN ELE…"~77,000 mi, complaint #946381
  48. #48

    seat mechanism

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "2008 TOYOTA PRIUS, OPTION PACKAGE 6 MANUALLY ADJUSTABLE LEATHER BUCKET FRONT SEATS, 27,000. MILES. DRIVERS SEAT MANUAL RECLINE MECHANISM FAILS TO CONSISTENTLY POSITIVELY LOCK INTO POSITION AND REQUIRES DRIVER TO REACH AROUND AND PULL ON SEAT BACK TO POSITIVELY…"complaint #744493
  49. #49

    suspension arms and bushings

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

  50. #50

    suspension struts shocks

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "2008 TOYOTA PRIUS LEANS TO LEFT 3/4 ". IT IS VISIBLY NOTICEABLE AND SITS EVEN LOWER WITH DRIVER OCCUPANT. TOYOTA DEALER SAYS WITHIN SPECS AND IS SAFE. THEY WON'T REPLACE SPRINGS ON LEFT SIDE OR COILS. MANY OTHER PRIUS OWNERS HAVE SAME PROBLEMS. I HAVE EXTENDED…"~20,000 mi, complaint #750294
  51. #51

    torque converter

    1 stranded

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "When driving on CA highway 4 at about 73 MPH the car complete shut off, with the momentum I safely manage to get on the off ramp and my car was towed to my house, the converter pump fuse was getting blown out every time I replaced, and need a new converter pum…"complaint #1767155
  52. #52

    transmission cvt

    1 stranded

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "ON THE MORNING OF 11/14/18, VEHICLE (W. 112,000 MILES ON IT) FAILED TO START OR MOVE IN OUR DRIVEWAY. 12/5/18 ADVISED BY CASEYS, THETOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN .WILLIAMSBSURG VA., THAT THE CVT HAD FAILED AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $6500 - HAPPENS OCC…"~112,000 mi, complaint #1537397
  53. #53

    wheel bearing

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "AS OF 11/2014 THERE HAS BEEN A TOTAL OF 3 WHEEL BEARING ISSUES WITH MY 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE FIRST OCCURRED IN 2012(RIGHT REAR) AND THE OTHER TWO OCCURRED IN 2014(BOTH FRONT). THIS IS A REAL SAFETY CONCERN, SINCE IT CAN CAUSE THE WHEEL TO SEIZE AND CAUSE A…"~70,000 mi, complaint #1129481

NHTSA investigations

Search NHTSA's own recall and complaint database for TOYOTA PRIUS directly.