10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
5 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
91,538 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2008 Toyota Prius fuel system problems

fuel system problem

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2008 Toyota Prius Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #26

Mar 312022

Prius

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The catalytic converter was stolen off of the car and yes it is available for inspection upon request. I-€™m not sure of the safety risk, we drove the car one time and the engine light came on. The problem has not been reported to a dealer or independent service center. Once the incident happened one of our neighbors called the police and they came but they didn-€™t know which apartment we were in and out neighbor told us that it was our catalytic converter and the police waited for a few minutes and then they left. Our neighbor told us when they heard our car starting.

- Huntsville , AL, USA

problem #25

May 242021

Prius

  • miles
I cannot add gas more than 3 to 4 gallons in the gas tank when it is almost empty. Gas meter says full after 3 to 4 gallons in the tank. While driving, it can run out of gas at any time because meter is not correct While adding gas at the gas pump, it spills the gas back out of the fill pipe of the car. So spilled fuel can catch fire if it touches the hot surface. Its fuel vapor management system is dangerous and defective which could result in fire and it could make the gas to fall on person legs and feet. Its gas tank has rubber bladder that has shrink making the meter totally wrong. If you search on the internet tons of people has the same problem. There is no way to tell how much gas is in the tank, while the meter could say full.

- Silver Spring, MD, USA

problem #24

Mar 212021

Prius

  • miles
There seems to be a problem with the float in the gas tank. Once car gets down to empty, the fuel tank will only allow you to pump in 5 to 6 gallons of gas into the tank. We searched online and apparently a lot of people are having this issue but may not have reported it to NHTSA. Thanks

- Conover, NC, USA

problem #23

Apr 192021

Prius

  • 100,300 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My VIN number says its a 2008, it is a 2011, Prius my brake booster pump went out and locked my breaks. I ended up on side walk. Called dealer said it was dangerous to drive. It appears that there is a recall/class action. Costing me $1400 for a new system. It was in motion.

- Tallahassee, FL, USA

problem #22

Feb 212021

Prius

  • 213,885 miles
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 adjust.

- San Marcos, TX, USA

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problem #21

Jan 072021

Prius

  • 110,000 miles
Filling tank with at least 8 gallons, after 100 miles gauge drops 3 bars for past three years first 100 miles max two bars wonder if diaphragm is stuck

- Wantagh, NY, USA

problem #20

Jan 062020

Prius

  • 95,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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

- Wantagh, NY, USA

problem #19

Aug 172019

Prius

  • 223,485 miles
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 the combination meter re-calibrates fhe fuel and electric level. I lose 5 to 20 percent of that level once it has calibrates, every time.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

problem #18

May 242019

Prius

  • 204,710 miles
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 0032-16. The brakes fail. Toyota denied to remove the known faulty part in 2016 because the part had not established symptoms yet and vehicle was over 175,000 miles. 5/24/2019 while in motion on interstate 77, the yellow anti-lock brake system ABS, the electronic variable speed control vsc (traction), the electronic controlled brake alert lamps illuminate. The hybrid propulsion system fails because the power brakes do not regenerate electricity to charge the hybrid battery fuel cells. Turning the hybrid vehicle into a plain gas powered vehicle with faulty brakes. The power brake system creates a thumping vibration sound due to the pressure inside the actuator is not retaining/holding pressure. I asked local O'reily's to scan vehicle, reading codes brake actuator failure. Reported to Toyota dealership 5/30/2019 with yellow warning lamps engaged and with knowledge of codes. Charged $150.09 to verify codes that I retrieved in 3 minutes and estimate $2938.47 to replace known faulty part. I contacted Toyota national -1906030924.Toyota needs to own this recall. Recall the faulty part known to fail in 2016. Toyota aware of part failure, to such extent, Toyota discontinued this brake actuator and redesigned for generation 3 2010-. Toyota has updated the replacement part with new part #S. how many vehicles are currently on highways with this known faulty system, endangering all vehicles in proximity? this is a national issue. A safety issue. Needs immediate attention, please. I purchased new updated part, drove to tampa, Florida to have installed by professional installer.

- Blythewood, SC, USA

problem #17

May 282019

Prius

  • 204,732 miles
Fuel cell (rigid gas tank has a bladder inside). Toyota published technical service bulletin in 2008, concerning the failure of gas tank. The inner bladder can deform. The 10 gallon tank no longer accepts total volume of gas. 05/2019, and my 08 Prius accepts only 3.8 gallons of gas at a full fill-up. Gauge quickly advances from full mark to six cells, then 3 and at 182 miles between full, the warning empty lamp engages. Toyota aware of this defect of generation 2 (04-09 model years). To such extent, the collapsible bladder inside the tank was abandoned for generation 3 models. This solid problem needs to be addressed. Gas tank deforms.

- Blythewood, SC, USA

problem #16

Jul 092019

Prius

  • 98,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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 particular year models. The reset for the faulty readings doesn't work either... please do a recall for this issue!!! I am on disability and can not afford to pay for this defect!!! I'm afraid to go more than a few blocks in this car for fear of running out of gas... I have no clue how much gas is in this thing as it spits a lot of what I put in, back out when it suddenly overflows gas all over me. Are there other options available to help us owners"?"

- Corsicana, TX, USA

problem #15

Oct 102018

Prius

  • 5 miles
When the vehicle stopped at the traffic light then it turns go, the Prius doesn't speed up even when you press on gas pedal, it hesitates to move for awhile before it picks up the speed which is a hazard.

- Chesapeake, VA, USA

problem #14

Jul 312018

Prius

  • 74,900 miles
Inverter cooler water pump failed during normal interstate driving speed (70 mph).

- Littleton, CO, USA

problem #13

Jul 192018

Prius

  • 20,000 miles
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 of our driveway on the hill where he can start the car since she is within 10-15 feet of the car.

- Roswell, GA, USA

problem #12

Jul 012018

Prius

  • 100,000 miles
After starting the car I put the car into drive and the transmission pops right into neural after moving forward slightly. I attempted this several times. I was able to use the car by holding the shifting lever manually in the drive position. After I drive the car that way for 10 or 15 min. It works as intended. This happens about every couple months. This happens right after starting car when the car is wanted up or cold.

- Leesport, PA, USA

problem #11

Feb 192015

Prius

  • 185,000 miles
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. I'm curious if this was due to a fault you airbag and luckly I wasn't seriously injured. My dash computer sensor went out in 2015, causing me to not be able to read an odometer, speedometer, etc. I had this part replaced at my expense due to the safety hazard it potentially could cause I'd like to see a formal recall for this part. Toyota acknowledged the safety error and did issue a extended warranty which I was not covered by. I replaced my inverter a third time in 2017 die to over heating. After the recall was performed I did noticed deceased power which greatly affected the performance of my vehicle making it more sluggish. Due to the performance loss I've not been able to use the car for normal trips that were taken previously due to safety concerns.

- El Mirage, AZ, USA

problem #10

Apr 172017

Prius

  • 130,000 miles
When vehicle is turned on, instrument cluster also known as the combination meter, fail to turn on. This issue is very concerning due to the overall computer controlled functions of this vehicle. The speedometer, trip meter, odometer and other functions are not functioning due to the failure of the combination meter. Functions that are considered safety items such as the power brakes, power steering, anti lock brake system, speedometer, lights, etc. There is an issued warranty covering the issue up to a certain amount of time however since it is not a wear and tear item it should be covered by the manufacturer regardless. After vehicle is eventually ignited, combination meter does not illuminate and when attempting to turn off the vehicle, it fails to do so which also includes not being able to remove the key. I was advised by a Toyota mechanic to access the safety override by holding the power button however that procedure does not work all of the time. I am very concerned about this issue due to my safety and drivers around me and their safety and hopefully this issue can be avoided before a possible a catastrophic accident happens.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #9

Aug 272016

Prius

  • 82,000 miles
I was in a parking lot and turned my car into a parking space. As I slowed my car to bring it to a stop, applying the brake, the car accelerated on its own and crashed into a railing at the head of the parking space. Although I pushed the brake all the way to to floor, I could not stop the car. The car hit at such a speed that it broke a solid wood railing at the front of the parking space. My car was declared a total loss by my insurance company because of the damage. It seemed to me the car accelerated on its own and the brake was nonfunctional. I could not stop the car. I had two related incidents prior to this crash. The first, I rear-ended another vehicle when applying the brake to stop at a traffic light. Again, the car accelerated and the brake would not stop it. Even with the brake fully pressed, the car hit the other vehicle, bounced backward, continued to accelerate and hit the car again before coming to a stop. Secondly, one time I noticed when applying the brake to make a sharp right turn, the car lurched forward. This did not result in a crash.

- Groton, MA, USA

problem #8

May 072014

Prius 4-cyl

  • 65,000 miles
While in the line for a car wash, I released the brake to move forward. Upon applying the brake to stop, the Prius accelerated causing me to slam on the brake. My wife experienced a similar incident with the same Prius several months later while in a parking lot. She applied the brake at a very slow speed and the car accelerated forward causing her to also slam on the brakes.

- Lincoln, CA, USA

problem #7

Mar 152011

Prius 4-cyl

  • 126,000 miles
I was driving my 2008 Prius on highway 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 water pump. I paid nearly $50.00 for water pump and hybrid invertor. I have seen there is a recall about water pump now. Is there any way I can get my money back?

- Staten Island, NY, USA

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