2008 Toyota Prius

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/31/2020· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  1, DARK INSTUMENT PANEL, SPEEDOMETER, ODOMETER, FUEL GAUGE, PRND DISPLAY. 2, POWER BUTTON INOPERABLE, AT THE TIME OF SPEEDOMETER FAILSURE THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN DRIVING WITHOUT INSTRUMENT PANEL, YOU DO NOT KNOW THE SPEED OF DRIVING, YOU DO NOT KNOW WHEN YOU RUN OUT OF GAS , YOU DO NOT KNOW WHICH PRND MODE YOU ARE AT AND YOU CANNOT TURN OFF THE POWER OF THE CAR.

• 12/31/2009· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT SUDDENLY QUIT WORKING. I TURNED THE LIGHTS OFF AND THEN BACK ON; THE HEADLIGHT BEGAN WORKING AGAIN. THIS HAPPENED THREE TIMES IN A 10 MILE STRETCH. THE FOLLOWING DAY THE SAME THING HAPPENED WITH THE PASSENGER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT. MY PARKING LIGHTS HAVE DONE THE SAME THING AS WELL. *TR

• 12/30/2014· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  HEADLIGHTS ARE NOT RELIABLE. *JS

• 12/30/2011· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  MY HID HEADLIGHTS STARTED TO FAIL AT 30K. THE DEALER REPLACED THE LEFT ONE. A FEW MONTHS LATER THE RIGHT SIDE FAILED. SINCE THEN I HAVE EXPERIENCE THE ONE OR THE OTHER HEADLIGHT GOING OUT AND WHEN I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RESTART IT MAY OR MAY NOT COME BACK ON. THE LATEST EVENT WAS 30 DEC 2011. I WAS AT THE DEALER TRYING TO PRICE A BULB AND VERIFIED THE LIGHT WAS NOT WORKING. WHEN I LEFT THE DEALER THE BULB STARTED WORKING AGAIN. I SAW THE LAWSUIT WAS SETTLED BUT MY CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE TOYOTA SHOULD RECALL AND RESOLVE BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED ON A DARK WINDING ROAD. *KB

• 12/29/2016· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  EITHER HEADLIGHT, OR BOTH, MAY SUDDENLY GO OUT. TURN OFF SWITCH THEN BACK ON AND LIGHT(S) RESTORED. HAPPENS FREQUENTLY (SAY SIX TIMES PER EVENING) AND HAS BEEN DOING THIS FOR ABOUT TWO YEARS. FREQUENTLY STOPPED BY POLICE.

• 12/29/2011· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  HID BULBS TURN OFF RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING. THE COST WAS OVER $700 TO REPLACE. *KB

• 12/29/2009· SUSPENSION

  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 WARRANTY WHICH WE PAID A LOT FOR AND THEY STILL WON'T FIX VEHICLE. THIS CAN'T BE SAFE CAN IT? *TR

• 12/28/2018· SERVICE BRAKES

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE BRAKES MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND THE ABS INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED CHARLES TOYOTA AT 860-889-8375 (LOCATED AT 500 W THAMES ST, NORWICH, CT 06360) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 108,000.

• 12/28/2012· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  INTERMITTENLY EITHER HEADLAMP MAY GO OUT. TURNING OFF AND ON THE HEADLAMPS TURNS THE DEAD LAMP BACK ON. *TR

• 12/28/2009· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  MY 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS HEADLIGHTS STOPS WORKING ALL OF A SUDDEN WITHOUT ANY WARNING. IF I TURN OFF AND TURN ON THE LIGHTS AGAIN, THEY WORK FINE FOR FEW MINUTES AND SUDDENLY STOP WORKING AGAIN. SINCE THE LIGHTS STOPS WORKING RANDOMLY, THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS WHILE DRIVING ALONE IN REMOTE ROADS THAT DO NOT HAVE ADEQUATE STREET LIGHTING. I REQUEST NHTSA TO INVESTIGATE INTO THIS PROMPTLY. *TR

• 12/27/2017· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  THE ELECTRONIC DASHBOARD COMBINATION METER (SPEEDOMETER, FUEL GAUGE, AND ODOMETER) IS DEFECTIVE AND INTERMITTENTLY FAILS TO TURN ON. THE DASHBOARD IS BLANK. WE HAVE NO ABILITY TO DISCERN VEHICLE SPEED, FUEL LEVEL, OR NUMBER OF MILES DRIVEN. TYPICALLY, THE DISPLAY WILL NOT TURN ON WHEN THE IGNITION IS STARTED. AFTER SEVERAL MILES OF DRIVING, THE COMBINATION METER EVENTUALLY TURNS ON. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO HAVE BECOME WORSE NOW THAT THE WEATHER IS COLD, WITH THE COMBINATION METER TAKING FAR LONGER TO TURN ON -- AFTER 10-12 MILES OF DRIVING. TOYOTA HAS ISSUED A TSB ON THE DEFECT AND HAS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY FOR THIS DEFECTIVE PART, BUT OUR VEHICLE FALLS A FEW MONTHS OUTSIDE THE EXTENDED WARRANTY PERIOD. DON WOOD TOYOTA OF ATHENS, OH AND TOYOTA MOTOR SALES USA REFUSE TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PART UNDER WARRANTY. A LITTLE INTERNET RESEARCH INDICATES THAT THIS IS A COMMON DEFECT IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR PRIUS.

• 12/27/2017· ENGINE

  MY CAR HAD PERFORMED PERFECTLY FOR THE FIRST 100K MILES. BY 112K MILES THE OIL WAS VERY LOW, NO OIL ON THE DIP STICK WHEN I WENT IN TO HAVE THE OIL CHANGE. YET THERE WAS NO LOW OIL LIGHT OR ENGINE LIGHT TO WARN ME. THIS WAS A COMPLETE SURPRISE TO ME SINCE THAT HAD NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE AND THE USAGE HAD BEEN AT A NORMAL RATE UP UNTIL THEN. I BEGAN LOOKING FOR LEAKS, ETC WITH NO EVIDENCE OF THAT. THE NEXT SERVICE IT WAS AGAIN EXTREMELY LOW. I NOW KNOW THAT I MUST ADD ABOUT A QUART EVERY 1000 MILES TO KEEP UP WITH ITS DEMAND. THE DEALER AND OTHER MECHANICS ALL TELL ME THE ONLY SOLUTION IS A NEW ENGINE. SOME SUGGEST A USED OR REBUILT ONE THOUGH THEY ARE STILL MANY THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS. THIS PROBLEM, THEY SAY, WILL ONLY GET WORSE, CLOGGING THE SPARK PLUGS AND POTENTIALLY HAVING AN INCIDENT OF ENGINE STALLING OR SHUTTING TOTALLY DOWN WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT TOYOTA SHOULD BE FIXING. I PAID $1500 FOR AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THE FIRST 100K MILES WITH NO PROBLEMS, AND NOW, IT SEEMS, I AM STUCK WITH A TRUE LEMON! THIS CAR SHOULD BE LISTED WITH THE OTHERS THAT TOYOTA HAS ACKNOWLEDGED HAVE ENGINE DEFECTS BECAUSE IT HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. I WILL NEVER BY ANOTHER TOYOTA UNLESS THEY WARRANTY THIS ISSUE. THE WORD IS GETTING OUT. THEY DO NOT TAKE CARE OF THEIR DEFECT PROBLEMS. SO MUCH FOR THE VERY UNDESERVED REPUTATION OF MANY TOYOTA MODELS!

• 12/27/2016· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,ENGINE

  CLUSTER WENT BLANK AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT POWER OFF, KEY FOB STUCK IN IGNITION. TOYOTA SERVICE RECOMMENDED REPLACING COMBO METER BUT I AM ONE MONTH OUT OF WARRANTY. I WAS DRIVING TRIED TO PARK BUT CAR WOULD NOT TURN OFF, BUT WOULD COME TO A STOP IN THE PARKING LOT. *TR

• 12/27/2012· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE PARTS REPLACED IN VEHICLE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. AFTER DOING RESEARCH, IT APPEARED THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE COOLANT CONTROL VALVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE AN INSPECTION REVEALED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS DUE TO THE PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE COOLANT CONTROL VALVE.

• 12/27/2011· SEAT BELTS

  PASSENGER SEAT BELT FAILS TO LATCH. THE PASSENGER SEAT HAS HAD LITTLE TO NO USE SO, OVERUSE IS NOT AN ISSUE. *TR

• 12/26/2015· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  THIS MONTH, WHEN LEAVING FOR A TRIP, I NOTICED THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLAMP WAS OUT. I PLANNED ON REPLACING IT WHEN I RETURNED. UPON RETURNING, THE HEADLAMP HAS MYSTERIOUSLY COME BACK ON. I RESEARCHED INTERMITTENT HEADLAMP PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR AND FOUND OUT MANY OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE. I'M NOW NOT SURE IF THE PROBLEM IS THE HEADLAMP OR SOME CIRCUIT.

• 12/26/2010· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  TOYOTA PRIUS 2008 TOURING MODEL WITH HID HEADLIGHTS. CURRENTLY HAVE ABOUT 80,000 MILES ON CAR ISSUE STARTED AFTER AROUND 30,000 MILES. THE DRIVERS SIDE HEAD LIGHT SPORADICALLY SHUTS OFF. I AM ABLE TO TURN LIGHTS OFF THEN BACK ON AND IT WILL WORK AGAIN HOWEVER THIS HAPPENS IN A 30 MIN DRIVE AS OFTEN AS ABOUT 15 TIMES AND SEEMS TO GET MORE FREQUENT THE LONGER THE DRIVE. I RIDE WITH MYSELF MY HUSBAND AND 3 KIDS AND DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING AT NIGHT IN MY CAR. I DO NOT FEEL THIS IS THE LIGHT ITSELF BECAUSE I AM ABLE TO TURN THEM OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN. IF IT WAS THE LIGHT IT WOULD NOT TURN BACK ON. *TR

• 12/25/2009· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  WHILE DRIVING, THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT WILL FAIL (TURN OFF) FOR NO APPARENT REASON. TURNING THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH OFF THEN ON WILL RESTORE THE HEADLIGHTS FUNCTIONING. I HAVE BEEN STOPPED BY THE POLICE ONCE FOR THIS, AND HAVE NOTICED IT NOW ON MY OWN MANY TIMES SINCE; ALMOST EVERY TIME I DRIVE. *TR

• 12/24/2019· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  A LOT OF TIMES WHEN I TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND COME BACK TO TURN IT ON THERE'S NO DISPLAY FOR SPEED WHAT GEAR I'M IN MILEAGE OR FUEL. THE ONLY WAY I SEEM TO BE ABLE TO MAKE IT WORK IS TO POP THE BACK HATCH AND DISCONNECT THE MAIN POWER FROM THE BATTERY. SOMETIMES I DO THAT 20 OR 30 TIMES BEFORE IT WORKS.

• 12/24/2014· STEERING,WHEELSCrash

  I WAS DRIVING MY PRIUS WITH 130,000 MILES LAST NIGHT IN A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD FEATURING A COUNTERCLOCKWISE,(LEFT-HAND) MODERATE CURVE. THE "CIRCLE" ENDED AT AN INTERSECTION WHERE I WAS TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN. I TURNED MY STEERING TO THE RIGHT TO CANCEL THE COUNTERCLOCKWISE TRAJECTORY, BUT MY FRONT WHEELS SEEMED TO BE "LOCKED" IN THE LEFT TURNING MOTION. I SLAMMED THE BRAKES, BUT COULD NOT STOP THE CAR FROM CLIMBING THE CURB AND SIDESWIPING A TREE, CAUSING MY DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT WHEEL TO BE SHOVED BACKWARD TOWARDS THE DRIVER DOOR IN THE WHEEL FRAME. MY CAR IS NOW AT A BODY SHOP WITH AN AGREED $5600.00 IN DAMAGE, MOSTLY TO THE STEERING ASSEMBLY, SUSPENSION, AND WHEEL/AXLE. THE WHEEL PANEL ABOVE THE WHEEL WILL BE REPLACED, AND SCRATCHES ON THE FRONT BUMPER AND DRIVER DOOR WILL BE REPAIRED. WORK IS SCHEDULED TO BE COMPLETED BY JANUARY 5. I BELIEVE THAT THE CONDITION WHICH CAUSED THE STEERING TO LOCK IN A LEFT-TURN CONDITION WITHOUT WARNING ON A DRY ROAD IS A SERIOUS MANUFACTURING DEFECT FOR WHICH I SHOULD BE REIMBURSED .FORTUNATELY, THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC AND NO INJURIES, AND EVEN THE TREE SEEMS UNSCATHED. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN TRAGIC ON AN INTERSTATE OR IN CONGESTED HIGH SPEED TRAFFIC. I HAVE BEEN PLEASED WITH MY PRIUS' PERFORMANCE TO THIS POINT, BUT BELIEVE THAT TOYOTA HAS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS MATTER AS EVIDENCED BY STEERING RELATED RECALLS ON SIMILAR VINTAGE PRIUS MODELS. I REQUEST FULL REIMBURSEMENT FOR MY REPAIR, MINDFUL THAT THESE EXPENSES COULD BE A LOT HIGHER HAD THIS FAILURE OCCURRED UNDER DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCES. I HAD PREVIOUSLY SUBMITTED THIS INFORMATION TO A TOYOTA INQUIRY WEBSITE AND HAVE NOT RECEIVED AN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OR RESPONSE FORM TOYOTA. *TR

• 12/23/2015· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE

  REAR SWITCH THAT ALLOWS LIFT GATE TO BE OPEN, FAILS. RUBBER BREAKS DOWN AND BECOMES LIKE GLUE, MAKING IT HARD FOR INDIVIDUAL OPENING LIFT GATE TO REMOVE HAND AS NORMALLY EXPECTED, INDUCING STRAIN ON INDIVIDUAL BACK AND CREATING UNEXPECTED TWISTING MOTION CAUSING INJURY AND DAMAGING TRIM ON CAR. TOYOTA HAS ISSUED RECALL IN JAPAN BUT NOT US [HTTPS://TOYOTA.JP/RECALL/KAISYU/121107.HTML] [NOT SURE OF EXACT DATE, THIS IS SECOND REPORT TOYOTA CLAIM 1512-2317-10]

• 12/23/2015· STRUCTURE

  THE LATCH HANDLE ON THE HATCHBACK HAS "MELTED" FOR LACK OF A BETTER WORD. THE HANDLE HAS BECOME GOOEY AND LEAVES A BLACK RESIDUE ON MY FINGERS EVERY TIME I OPEN THE HATCHBACK. BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM, THE HANDLE IS HARDER TO USE, MAKING IT MORE TRYING TO OPEN THE TRUNK.

• 12/23/2014· STRUCTURE

  THE BACK LATCH OF MY 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS BEGAN MELTING LAST SUMMER, LEAVING A STICKY BLACK RESIDUE ON MY HAND WHEN I TOUCHED IT. IT NOW TAKES BOTH HANDS AND A LOT OF PRESSURE/STRENGTH TO EVEN OPEN IT. I SEE THAT OTHER OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM, YET TOYOTA DID NOT ISSUE A RECALL AND IS INSTEAD, DEMANDING $315 TO REPLACE IT. SINCE THE INABILITY TO QUICKLY ACCESS THE TRUNK IN AM EMERGENCY PRESENTS A SAFETY CONCERN, I FEEL THAT I HAVE NO ALTERNATIVE BUT TO REPLACE IT. IT WILL BE THE LAST TOYOTA THAT I OWN. *TR

• 12/22/2015· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  STARTED TO HAVE ISSUES WITH RIGHT HEADLIGHT ON 2008 PRIUS STARTING IN 2013 BUT WAS NOT AWARE OF THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. FINALLY REPLACED THE BULB 10/14 AND SPENT $200 OUT OF POCKET TO REPLACE BULBS. I'M FRUSTRATED BECAUSE THE SAME HEADLIGHT WENT OUT JUST NINE MONTHS LATER!

• 12/21/2014· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  DRIVING UP PROVO CANYON AT 4:30AM AND SUDDENLY BOTH HEADLIGHTS COMPLETELY TURNED OFF. I HAD TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP BECAUSE I HAD ZERO VISIBILITY. I NOW HAVE TO TOGGLE THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH OFF AND ON EVERY COUPLE OF MINUTES IN ORDER FOR THE HEADLIGHTS TO REMAIN ON. THERE APPEARS TO BE A SHORT, BUT FROM WHAT I HAVE READ ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, IT IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THE 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE REPAIR COSTS CAN BE VERY STEEP--$800-$1800 DOLLARS TO HAVE BOTH HEADLIGHTS REPLACED AND THAT DOES NOT GUARANTEE THAT THE PROBLEM WILL BE FIXED. TOYOTA NEEDS TO RECALL THE 2008 PRIUS MODEL AND FIX THE OBVIOUS SAFETY RELATED ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL! I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED ON THAT EARLY MORNING DRIVE AND NOW I HAVE TO CONSTANTLY BE AWARE THAT MY HEADLIGHTS WILL NOT STAY ON AS THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO DO!! IT IS MORE THAN ANNOYING--IT IS A VERY SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY THE CORPORATION!! *TR

• 12/20/2025· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  In 2025 I decided to clean the hybrid battery fan. I removed the side panels and found that the fan to battery duct had never been installed. I am the original owner and no one had ever removed the inside panels or had reason to remove the duct. This has likely resulted in the overheated battery which now needs replacing even though I have only 161,000 miles on this car which I have always maintained without fail regarding oil changes and other maintenance tasks.

• 12/20/2022· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  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).

• 12/20/2015· ENGINE

  I WAS DRIVING MY PRIUS UP MAUNA KEA SUMMIT ACCESS ROAD ON THE BIG ISLAND (HAWAII) TODAY WHEN THE POWER STALLED. I WAS ALREADY AT THE VISITOR CENTER (ELV. 9,000 FT) SO I STEERED OFF THE ROAD, SAT FOR AWHILE, THEN STARTED UP THE CAR. IT STARTED UP BUT THE POWER SEEMED OFF AND ON. I TURNED AROUND AND HEADED DOWN THE MOUNTAIN. BY THE TIME I GOT TO THE BOTTOM OF THE ACCESS ROAD, I HAD NO POWER AND A RED TRIANGLE LIGHT WITH AN EXCLAMATION MARK CAME ON. OF COURSE I WAS OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE, 40 MILES FROM ANY HOMES, SO I COASTED 43 MILES DOWN THE MOUNTAIN UNTIL I REACHED HILO TOWN AND STEERED INTO A GAS STATION. I ASKED THE OWNER IF I COULD LEAVE THE PRIUS THERE WHILE I CALLED A TOW TRUCK. SHE SAID I HAD TO MOVE MY PRIUS INTO A PARKING STALL. I THOUGHT MAYBE WE COULD PUSH IT INTO THE STALL. I TRIED STARTING THE CAR AND THE POWER CAME ON, JUST LIKE THAT. BUT THE RED TRIANGLE LIGHT WITH EXCLAMATION MARK DIDN'T GO AWAY. I MANAGED TO DRIVE HOME, WHICH WAS ONLY A FEW MILES AWAY. THE PRIUS SEEMS TO BE DRIVING FINE NOW, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE RED TRIANGLE LIGHT, BUT I KNOW SOMETHING IS WRONG.

• 12/20/2014· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  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. IN MY PARTICULAR CASE THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT DID NOT COME ON BUT MOST OF THE OTHER SWITCHES CEASED WORKING).

• 12/20/2013· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  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 TRIED FOR 20 MINUTES INCLUDING THAT I MADE THE MISTAKE OF PUTTING SMART KEY INTO SLOT THINKING THAT WOULD HELP ONLY TO REALIZE THAT KEY COULD NOT BE REMOVED WITHOUT CAR BEING OFF. I ABSOLUTELY HAD TO GO TO MY OFFICE; HAD TO LEAVE CAR UNATTENDED IN DOWNTOWN. WHEN RETURNED A FEW HOURS LATER TO GO TO DEALER, I TRIED IT AGAIN AND IT TURNED OFF. *TR

• 12/20/2010· SUSPENSION,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

  I WAS LEAVING THE AIRPORT AND BEGINNING TO PICK UP SPEED (APPROXIMATELY 30-35 MPH) WHEN I HAD A VERY SCARY INCIDENT WITH MY 2008 PRIUS. IT SUDDENLY FISHTAILED TO THE LEFT, SEVERAL SECONDS LATER FISHTAILED TO THE RIGHT, AND AS IT YET AGAIN BEGAN TO FISHTAIL TO THE LEFT, I JAMMED ON THE BRAKES VERY HARD AND IT CORRECTED. IT WAS TERRIFYING AND FORTUNATELY THERE WAS NO ONE TO MY RIGHT OR BEHIND ME AND THE TAXI ON MY LEFT MANAGED TO AVOID ME. I KNEW THAT I WOULD NEVER FEEL SAFE IN MY PRIUS AGAIN. I IMMEDIATELY REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO THE TOYOTA REGIONAL MANAGER WHO SAID TO TAKE IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP. I THEN SPENT THE NEXT TWO DAYS READING COMPLAINTS POSTED ON THE INTERNET ABOUT THE PRIUS. IT IS CHILLING TO READ HOW MANY COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN FILED AND THE PATTERNS THAT EMERGE IN THE REPORTING. I TOOK MY CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE SERVICE MANAGER LOOKED OVER THE COMPLAINT THAT HAD BEEN WRITTEN UP AND SAID, "I NEVER HEARD OF THIS BEFORE." I TOLD HIM HE ONLY HAD TO GO TO THE INTERNET TO SEE HOW SIMILAR CASES WITH THE PRIUS HAVE BEEN DOCUMENTED. HE TOLD ME THAT I SHOULDN'T BELIEVE WHAT I FIND THERE. I TRIED MY BEST TO GIVE HIM A THOROUGH EXPLANATION OF THE PROBLEM BUT HE DIDN'T SEEM MUCH INTERESTED IN GETTING A FIX ON WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT. HE ASKED IF I HAD GONE OVER A BUMP. "NO," I REPLIED, "BUT WHY DO YOU ASK?" HE SAID THAT GOING OVER A BUMP CAN TRIGGER A SENSOR IN THE WHEEL THAT SETS IN MOTION A SERIES OF RESPONSES. "AND GOING OVER A BUMP ISN'T A PROBLEM FOR TOYOTA?", I ASKED. HE DIDN'T RESPOND AND ONLY SAID THAT THEY WILL LOOK THE CAR OVER. FROM READING THE DOCUMENTED REPORTS ON THE INTERNET, I KNEW EXACTLY WHAT THE FINDINGS WOULD BE. "WE DON'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH YOUR CAR," HE TOLD ME. "BUT YOU DO AGREE THAT THERE IS SOMETHING SERIOUSLY WRONG, DON'T YOU?", I ASKED. HE IMMEDIATELY HUSTLED ME OUT OF THE AREA. I KNEW THAT I COULD NEVER SELL MY CAR TO ANOTHER PERSON IN GOOD FAITH, BUT I SOLD IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AT A BIG LOSS. *TR

• 12/20/2010· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  2008 TOYOTA PRIUS WITH APPROX. 60,000 MILES ON IT. RIGHT (PASSENGER) HID HEADLAMP TURNS OFF INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING. REPLACING WITH A NEW BULB DOES NOT SOLVE THE ISSUE AND TOYOTA WILL NOT LOOK AT THE CAR EVEN THOUGH I HAVE A RECORD OF THIS ISSUE HAPPENING BEFORE THE WARRANTY WAS UP. NOW THE DRIVER'S SIDE HID HEADLAMP IS TURNING ON AND OFF AS WELL. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AT NIGHT OR EVEN DURING THE DAY WHILE IT IS RAINING, ETC... WAS DRIVING HOME IN THE RAIN LAST NIGHT AND BOTH HEADLAMPS TURNED OFF. EXTREMELY UNSAFE AND IRRESPONSIBLE FOR TOYOTA TO NOT TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY. *TR

• 12/20/2010· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  HID HEADLAMPS BEGAN TO RANDOMLY TURN OFF ON THEIR OWN AT AROUND 34K MILES. DRIVER'S SIDE OR PASSENGER SIDE; ONE OR THE OTHER. PAID FOR AND REPLACED BOTH HID LAMPS, BUT NOT CONTROLLER COMPUTER. AT 42K MILES, PROBLEM RETURNS. ONE TIME WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, BOTH HEADLIGHTS BLINKED OFF WITHOUT WARNING. TURNING HEADLIGHT CONTROLS OFF, THEN ON AGAIN RESOLVES THE PROBLEM UNTIL PROBLEM RECURS. LIGHTS MAY STAY ON FOR DURATION OF TRIP, OR TURN OFF AGAIN AFTER JUST A FEW MINUTES. *TR

• 12/20/2010· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  I WAS DRIVING TO WORK IN THE DARK. AS I WAS TURNING LEFT ONTO THE FRY. RAMP MY LIGHTS WENT OUT! I COULDN'T TURN AROUND SO I TRIED TO GUESS WHERE I WAS BY THE TAILLIGHTS ON THE FRY. THEN THEY CAME BACK ON. THIS CONTINUED , ON-OFF FOR TEN MILES. TOYOTA SAID THEY WOULD FIX IT THAT DAY. CHG. $556.59. CAR HAS 27,554 MILES. *TR

• 12/20/2010· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  2008 TOYOTA PRIUS, WHEN I HIT A BUMP OR POTHOLE AT RELATIVELY LOW SPEED, THE CAR SOMETIMES GOES INTO "ANTI-SKID" MODE, LEADING TO A BRIEF DISCONCERTING PERIOD OF LURCHING/ACCELERATION/LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY BEFORE THE CAR RETURNS TO NORMAL. THIS PROBLEM IS USUALLY ACCOMPANIED BY THE YELLOW ANTI - SKID ICON INDICATOR ON THE DASH.

• 12/19/2014· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  PURCHASED USED IN OCT 2013, FIRST HAD TO REPLACE HEADLIGHT IN DEC 2013. HAVE REPLACED RIGHT HEADLIGHT 6 TIMES AND BALLAST ONCE. PROBLEM ONLY TEMPORARILY RESOLVED. THIS MONTH HEADLIGHT WENT OUT AGAIN. HAVE REPLACED BALLAST AND BULB WITH NO SUCCESS. HEADLIGHT WILL NOT STAY ON LONGER THAN 30 SEC BEFORE GOING BACK OUT. *TR

• 12/18/2018· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  COMBINATION METER FAILURE - WENT TO START CAR AND NO RESPONSE. LOOKED LIKE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT, NOTHING ON DASHBOARD LIT UP, NOTHING WORKED. WEATHER HAD RECENTLY TURNED COLD. ONLINE RESEARCH SHOWS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. THERE'S AN EXPIRED EXTENDED WARRANTY: BULLETIN NO.: POL12-05 THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL.

• 12/18/2017· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  THE HEADLIGHTS GO DIM AND /OR SHUT OFF AS I AM DRIVING. THIS PROBLEM USUALLY STARTS WITH THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT SHUTTING OFF AND SOMETIMES BOTH WILL GO DIM OR SHUT OFF COMPLETELY. BOTH LIGHTS WORK INITIALLY ON STARTUP AND SHINE BRIGHT AT FIRST BUT IMMEDIATELY DIM TO A LOWER LEVEL AND THEN AS I DRIVE THEY WILL DIM OR THE RIGHT LIGHT WILL TURN OFF OR SOMETIMES BOTH TURN OFF ALL TOGETHER. THEY WILL COME BACK ON IF I TURN OFF AND BACK ON THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH.

• 12/18/2015· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  THE HEADLIGHTS ON MY 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS ARE TOTALLY UNRELIABLE, HAVE BEEN REPLACED ONCE, AND NOW I FIND THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT - AND THERE SHOULD BE ONE AGAIN. THE DEALER DOES NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO. THEY DO NOT KNOW IF THE BULBS OR THE HEADLIGHT MECHANISM IS FLAWED. THE LIGHTS FLICKER, GO OUT (BOTH OR EACH) UNEXPECTEDLY, AND WHILE DRIVING - THIS IS TERRIFYING. TURNS OUT IT IS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM AND NHTSA HAS NOT ADDRESSED IT FULLY. MOST RECENT WAS AT THE DEALER 12/17/2015, FLICKERING, GOING OUT, AND NOT PROPERLY GOING TO BRIGHTS. THE BULBS COST $188/EACH. RIDICULOUS.

• 12/18/2012· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),SERVICE BRAKES

  ON 20 MAY 2010 AT 11,966 MILES EVERY BRAKE/STABILITY WARNING LIGHT CAME ON (INCLUDING THE WARNING FOR THE PARKING/EMERGENCY BRAKE WHICH WAS NOT ENGAGED), REGENERATIVE BRAKING APPEARED TO HAVE FAILED, AND HYDRAULIC/FRICTION BRAKES BEHAVED AS IF ABS WAS ACTING AT A VERY SLOW PULSE RATE, APPROXIMATELY A 5-SECOND CYCLE. FOR ABOUT 2 SECONDS DURING THE "OFF" PORTION OF THIS CYCLE THE BRAKES WERE EFFECTIVELY INOPERATIVE, WITH THE PARKING/EMERGENCY BRAKE THE ONLY SOURCE OF BRAKING. THIS BEHAVIOR PERSISTED AFTER SHUTTING DOWN AND RESTARTING THE CAR. THE DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT REPORTED THAT THREE ERRORS HAD BEEN LOGGED: C1247 - STROKE SENSOR C1300 - ABS ECU MALFUNCTION C2318 - LOW VOLTAGE ERROR RESETTING THE COMPUTERS CLEARED THE WARNING INDICATIONS AND RESTORED NORMAL BRAKE SYSTEM BEHAVIOR. AT MY BEHEST, THE DEALER WORKED WITH TOYOTA ENGINEERING TO IDENTIFY WHY A LOW VOLTAGE WOULD CAUSE A COMPUTER FAILURE WHICH COULD CAUSE SUBSTANTIAL LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY. THEY KEPT THE CAR FOR 8 DAYS BUT DID NOT APPEAR TO COMPLETE ANY SORT OF ROOT CAUSE ANALYSIS OF THE FAILURE. ON 17 DECEMBER 2012 AT 27,324 MILES THE BRAKES AGAIN FAILED WITH THE SAME SET OF WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THIS TIME, ABS DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE ACTIVE AT ALL. FOR THE FIRST 2-5 CM OF BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL, IN THE REGIME WHERE REGENERATIVE BRAKING WOULD BE ACTIVE, NO BRAKING IS EVIDENT. AS THE PEDAL IS FURTHER DEPRESSED, THE HYDRAULIC/FRICTION BRAKES ABRUPTLY ENGAGE. PRESSING HARDER DOES RESULT IN INCREASED BRAKING THOUGH BRAKING IS ROUGH. NO PULSATION AS MIGHT BE EXPECTED FROM ABS WAS NOTICED. NO ATTEMPT WAS MADE TO BRAKE HARD ENOUGH TO LOCK UP THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER. *TR

• 12/17/2019· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  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 BEFORE FILL UP.

• 12/17/2011· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  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 REPLACED AT MY COST. BY THE SUMMER OF 2010 (ESTIMATE), THE OTHER THREE DOOR LOCKS HAVE FAILED. I MUST USE THE KEY TO OPEN THE FRONT DRIVER'S DOOR AND REACH OVER TO OPEN THE PASSENGER SIDE DOORS WHILE PASSENGERS WAIT OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. IT IS NOT SAFE FOR PASSENGERS TO WAIT TO ENTER VEHICLE. TO HAVE ALL FOUR DOOR LOCKS FAIL WITHIN THREE YEARS OF THE CAR CONSTRUCTION, INDICATES TO ME THERE COULD BE A DEFECT WITH THIS PART OF THE TOYOTA PRIUS. I REQUEST YOU INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER. *TR

• 12/17/2009· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  S10 APPROPRIATE HANDLING - LETTER TO THE SECRETARY FROM MRS. JUDY HALEY GIZMO DISPUTING CLAIM BY TOYOTA THAT UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OF TOYOTA VEHICLES DUE TO FAULTY FLOOR MATS. *NJ THE CONSUMER DISPUTED TOYOTA'S CLAIM THAT THE MANY CASES OF UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WERE DUE TO FAULTY FLOOR MATS. THE CONSUMER STATED THE CRASH SHE HAD WAS NOT DUE TO FAULTY FLOOR MAT'S WHICH WERE LATCHED DOWN, BUT WAS DUE TO ACCELERATION/BRAKE PROBLEMS IN THE COMPUTER AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE BACKED THE VEHICLE OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, SHE EXITED THE GARAGE AND PRESSED THE BUTTON TO CLOSE THE GARAGE DOOR. AFTER CLOSING THE GARAGE DOOR, SHE SATED SHE WASN'T SURE IF SHE PLACED THE GEAR IN DRIVE OR NEUTRAL, BUT SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD GOING UP TO 15-20 MPH. WITHIN 5 SECONDS THE CONSUMER CRASHED INTO THE GARAGE DOOR, RAMMED INTO THE INSIDE KITCHEN WALL CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. THE CONSUMER SUFFERED INJURIES.

• 12/16/2012· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  ONE EVENING IN EARLY SEPTEMBER I WAS DRIVING ON A SURFACE STREET WHEN MY PASSENGER HEADLIGHT WENT OUT. I TURNED OFF MY LIGHTS AND TURNED THEM BACK ON AND THE PASSENGER HEADLIGHT CAME BACK ON. A FEW DAYS LATER I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN BOTH ( DRIVER AND PASSENGER) HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT WITHOUT WARNING. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF ROAD; ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT.I VERIFIED THE LIGHTS WERE IN THE ON POSITION. I TURNED THE LIGHTS OFF AND IMMEDIATELY BACK ON AND BOTH HEADLIGHTS TURNED ON. BOTH HEADLIGHTS HAVE GONE OUT WITHOUT WARNING WITH THE MOST RECENT OCCURRING THIS EVENING ON A BUSY NOT WELL LIT HIGHWAY. I HAVE REPLACED THE PASSENGER LIGHT BULB WITH NO RESOLUTION THEREFORE I HAVE NOT REPLACED THE DRIVERSIDE LIGHT AT LEAST EVERY COUPLE DAYS ONE OF THE HEADLIGHTS ( PASSENGER AND/OR DRIVER SIDE LIGHT) TURNS OFF WHICH REQUIRE ME TO TURN THE LIGHTS OFF AND BACK ON TO BRING BOTH HEADLIGHTS TO OPERATIONAL STATUS. DEFINITE SAFETY CONCERN. *TR

• 12/16/2010· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  FRONT RIGHT HID HEADLIGHT WENT OUT. COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. CANNOT OPERATE VEHICLE SAFELY AT NIGHT. KNOWN DEFECT BY MANUFACTURER ON 2004-2008 PRIUS.

• 12/16/2009· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  TOYOTA PRIUS HID HEADLIGHT UNEXPECTEDLY TURNS OFF. CAR ONLY HAS 42,000 MILES ON IT. THIS IS SECOND HEADLIGHT TO GO THROUGH THIS PROBLEM. FIRST OCCURRED AT ABOUT 15,000 MILES. REPLACEMENT COSTS UPWARDS OF $300+. FIRST LIGHT WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. SECOND, THE DEALER SIMPLY TOLD ME TO "PINCH PENNIES." *TR

• 12/15/2019· STEERING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE

  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

• 12/15/2013· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  IN JULY OF 2013, WHILE DRIVING, THE DRIVERS SIDE HEADLIGHT WENT OUT. I BOUGHT A NEW HEADLIGHT HID BULB AND HAD IT INSTALLED A FEW DAYS LATER. IN DECEMBER OF 2013 THE LIGHT WENT OUT AGAIN. I WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY BY TOGGLING THE ON/OFF SWITCH. THE LIGHT WOULD STAY ON FOR 1-2 MINUTES BEFORE GOING OUT AGAIN. I HAD THE LIGHTBULB REMOVED AND WILL HAVE TO PURCHASE ANOTHER BULB TO BE INSTALLED. EACH BULB COSTS NEARLY $175. I HAVE BEEN QUOTED $120 BY A TOYOTA DEALER FOR LABOR. *TR

• 12/14/2012· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  I'VE GOT A PACKAGE 6 2008 PRIUS. THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT. I CAN'T REALLY TELL WHEN OR HOW IT GOES OUT SINCE I CAN'T SEE IT. I'LL NOTICE IT WHEN I SEE THE REFLECTION IN THE BACK OF ANOTHER CAR OR IS SOMEONE TELLS ME. IF I TURN THE BRIGHT LIGHTS ON AND OFF IT HAS NO EFFECT, BUT WHEN I TURN THEM ALL THE WAY OFF AND BACK ON THE LIGHT COMES BACK. SOMETIMES ON LONG TRIPS IT WILL STAY ON THE WHOLE TIME, SOMETIMES IT WON'T. SOMETIMES ON SHORT TRIPS IT WILL GO OUT, SOMETIMES IT WON'T. IT IS NOT AN EVENT I CAN MAKE HAPPEN. I'VE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY CAN'T MAKE IT HAPPEN. DEALER REPLACED BOTH BULBS AND IT STILL HAPPENING. *TR

• 12/14/2009· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,000.