NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008 Toyota Prius. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
TOYOTA PRIUS HID HEADLIGHTS FAIL INTERMITTENTLY WHEN DRIVING. SOMETIMES IT IS THE LEFT HEADLIGHT, SOMETIMES IT IS THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT AND SOMETIMES IT IS BOTH. ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS WHEN BOTH HEADLIGHTS TURN OFF BY THEMSELVES AND WE ARE DRIVING AT NIGHT. *TR
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
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ORDER TO STOP THE ACCELERATION THE CONTACT HAD TO PHYSICALLY PULL THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL UP FROM THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALERSHIP. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 40000. UPDATED 05/10/10 *BF UPDATED 05/1010*JB UPDATED 05/13/10.8JB
2008 TOYOTA PRIUS INCREASES SPEED FOR 1 SEC WHEN STARTING TO BRAKE. THIS ISSUE HAS OCCURRED A FEW TIMES PER CALENDAR YEAR SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR BRAND NEW IN JULY OF 2008. *TR
THROTTLE MALFUNCTION - 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. DRIVING 50-55 M/H ON NORTH 280 NEAR MILLBRAE, CA IN HEAVY RAIN. VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL. ENGINE REVVED 3 TIMES IN SUCCESSION (SOUNDED LIKE: VROOM, VROOM, VROOM) WHILE ACCELERATING TO 65 M/H. ALL THIS TIME I WAS STEPPING ON THE BREAKS. ACCELERATION EVENTUALLY STOPPED WENT BACK TO NORMAL AFTER A FEW MINUTES. I DROVE THE CAR DIRECTLY TO THE NEAREST TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN DALY CITY BUT WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH THE CAR. THIS MALFUNCTION ONLY OCCURRED ONCE. *TR
SECOND ACCIDENT CAUSED BY BRAKE FAILURE WITH ACCELERATION. 2008 PRIUS IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC DRIVING IN BATTERY (BRAKE)MODE ABOUT 10-15 MPH. CAR IN FRONT SLOWED DOWN, I HIT THE BRAKE AND THE CAR ACCELERATED SLIGHTLY. I LOOK TO BE SURE MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND IT WAS AND THEN REAR ENDED THE CAR IN FRONT. CAR IN FRONT MOVE FORWARD BUT PRIUS WOULDN'T STOP AND STARTED TO ACCELERATE AGAIN SO I PUSHED ON THE PARKING BRAKE WITH MY LEFT FOOT AND SLOWED IT DOWN FOR THE SECOND IMPACT. CAR IN FRONT THEN DROVE SLOWLY TO A PARKING LOT AND THE PRIUS KEPT MOVING SO I DROVE IT INTO THE PARKING LOT AND WHEN IT SLOWED GOING UP THE RAMP I PUSHED THE PARKING BUTTON STOPPING THE CAR. I THEN RESTARTED IT AND RELEASED THE PARKING BRAKE TO MOVE FURTHER INTO THE PARKING LOT. 4 PEOPLE INJURED, 3 SERIOUSLY. A SIMILAR INCIDENT OCCURRED 29 SEPTEMBER 2008 WHEN DRIVING ON CRUISE CONTROL AT 26 MPH THE PRIUS SUDDENLY TURNED LEFT HITTING A PARKED CAR. THE VIDEO SHOWS I WAS TRYING TO COUNTER STEER HARD RIGHT. SKID MARKS SHOWED THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL STOPPED AND THE CAR PIVOTED ON IT WITH ACCELERATION MARKS FROM THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE. *TR
THE HIGH INTENSITY DISCHARGE ("HID") HEADLAMP ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE CONTINUES TO FLICKER ON AND OFF. THE CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, BUT ACCORDING TO TOYOTA, THEY ARE UNABLE TO REPLICATE THIS AND CONTINUE TO SEND ME BACK ON THE ROAD WITH MALFUNCTIONING HEADLIGHTS. THIS COMBINED WITH ISSUES SURROUNDING THE TRACTION CONTROL (SUBMITTED IN A PRIOR COMPLAINT) RENDER THE VEHICLE DANGEROUS AND I AM NOW UNCOMFORTABLE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE. TOYOTA AND MY DEALERSHIP, WALSER TOYOTA OF BLOOMINGTON (MINNESOTA) HAVE REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING. I HAVE NOW SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE LIGHTS REPLACED AT MY OWN EXPENSE (DESPITE THE FACTORY WARRANTY). *TR
I AM EXPERIENCING A FEELING THAT THE BRAKES ON MY 2008 PRIUS SEEM TO DISENGAGE WHEN I GO OVER A BUMP AND SOMETIMES WHEN I AM BRAKING SOMEWHAT ABRUPTLY. THE UNCOMFORTABLE FEELING THAT THE CAR IS NOT GOING TO STOP AND ACTUALLY FEELS AS IF IT IS ACCELERATING ONLY LASTS MOMENTARILY- BUT IT IS A SCARY FEELING. THE CAR WAS CHECKED BY THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP FROM WHOM IT WAS PURCHASED. THEY ASSURED ME THAT IT WAS A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH THE ABS SYSTEM FOUND IN THE MODEL. I AM HOWEVER, NOT AT ALL COMFORTABLE WITH THE INSECURE FEELING THAT THE CAR IS NOT GOING TO STOP. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH WITH THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL ON, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL GEAR IN ORDER TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER TODAY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000.
I OWN A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHEN WE DRIVE OVER A BUMP/POTHOLE IT FEELS AS IF THE BRAKES FAIL FOR APPROX. A SECOND AND A HALF OR SO. AND THE VEHICLE LURCHES FORWARD. IT IS A VERY UNSETTLING FEELING. IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. *TR
2008 TOYOTA PRIUS, YEAR NOT SPECIFIED. CONSUMER STATES SUDDEN ACCELERATION. *TGW THE CONSUMER PUT THE GEAR INTO REVERSE, WITH HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE, WHEN SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. SHE KEPT HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND PUT THE GEAR INTO PARK AND TURNED THE ENGINE OFF.
I HAVE A 08 PRIUS. SEVERAL DAYS AGO SOMEONE TOLD ME THAT ONE DAY-TIME RUNNING LIGHT WAS OUT. TWO NIGHTS AGO I CHECKED AND BOTH LIGHTS WERE WORKING SO I THOUGHT I WAS OK. LAST NIGHT AFTER DRIVING ABOUT AN HOUR, BOTH HEAD LIGHTS WENT OUT. I TURNED THE SWITCH OFF AND ON AGAIN AND THE LIGHTS CAME BACK ON. ABOUT A MINUTE LATER THE RIGHT LIGHT WENT OFF. AFTER ANOTHER HOUR OF DRIVING THE LEFT LIGHT WENT OUT AND I REPEATED THE TURN ON CYCLE AND IT STAYED ANOTHER COUPLER HOURS. (I DROVE HOME WITH THE FLASHER AS THIS WOULD HAVE ENABLED ME TO SEE THE ROAD A LITTLE IS CASE THE LIGHT WENT OUT AGAIN., ) I MADE IT HOME OK AND AM CONTACTING MY DEALER TODAY. *TR
LOW SPEED BRAKE FAILURE RESULTING IN CRASHING INTO CAR IN FRONT. IMPACT SPEED ABOUT 10-15MPH. DAMAGE TO CAR >$2800. STOOD ON THE BRAKE AND THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP AS IT SHOULD. UPDATED 03/12/10
I HAVE A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS WHICH HAS A SURGE PROBLEM UPON START-UP. MY WIFE AND I ARE CONCERNED BECAUSE THIS HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES IN THE PAST. WE HONESTLY BELIEVE THAT THE PROBLEM LYE`S IN THE COMPUTER AND NOT IN THE GAS PEDAL GETTING STUCK, DUE TO THE FACT THAT WE DO NOT HAVE TO COMPRESS THE PEDAL ON START-UP. IN FACT, WE USUALLY KEEP OUR FOOT ON THE BRAKE IN CASE IT LUNGES AGAIN. *TR
THE BRAKES CUT OUT ANY TIME I HIT A ROUGH PLACE ON THE ROAD WHILE BRAKING. I HAVE ENCOUNTERED THIS ISSUE APPROXIMATELY ONCE PER WEEK. IT DEPENDS ON WHERE I AM DRIVING. FOR EXAMPLE: THERE IS A ROAD CLOSE TO MY WORK WHERE I NEED TO BRAKE FOR A STOP LIGHT RIGHT AT A PLACE WHERE A ROUGH BRIDGE JUNCTION EXIST. WHEN I DRIVE ON THIS ROAD, THE BRAKES CUT OUT EVERY TIME. TOYOTA HAS ANNOUNCED THEY HAVE THIS ISSUE WITH THE 2010 PRIUS. MY CAR IS A 2008 PRIUS. I KEPT WAITING FOR THEM TO INCLUDE MY CAR, BUT SO FAR THEY HAVE NOT. *TR
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 HAVE BEEN IN TRAFFIC, AND BARELY ESCAPED RUNNING INTO THE CAR BEHIND ME. NO INJURIES WERE CAUSED, BUT THIS FEATURE IS POTENTIALLY VERY DANGEROUS AND EVEN FATAL. TOYOTA SHOULD BE PERSUADED TO OFFER OR INSTALL A WAY TO TEMPORARILY DISABLE THE VSC. *TR
2008 TOYOTA PRIUS WITH ANTI-SLIP REAR-WIGGLE UPON HITTING SMALL BUMPS IN ROAD. THE ANTI-SLIP ELECTRONIC SYSTEM IS WAY TOO SENSITIVE AS IT IS RESPONDING TO SMALL BUMPS IN THE ROAD. I CAN UNDERSTAND HOW THIS MAY BE HELPFUL AT HIGH SPEEDS OR ICY CONDITIONS, BUT AT SLOW SPEEDS THE BLINKING YELLOW SKID-CONTROL DASHBOARD LIGHT AND REAREND WIGGLE AS THE SYSTEM TRIES TO RECOVER DOES SEEM ANNOYING. THE SYSTEM IS OVERLY SENSITIVE. *TR
I OWN A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS AND SINCE I RECEIVED THE CAR. I NOTICED THAT THE ANTI SKID SYSTEM IS SET WAY TO SENSITIVE. DRIVING OVER ROUGH ROAD OR LOOSE ROAD AND APPLYING BRAKES TO STOP THE ANTI SKID USUALLY KICKS IN AND THE CAR JUST CONTINUES TO GO FORWARD. THIS IS THE ONLY CAR I HAVE EVER DROVE THAT ACTS THIS WAY. MY BROTHER HAS THE SAME MAKE, YEAR , AND MODEL AND HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. I DO THINK TOYOTA HAS A PROBLEM WITH OLDER PRIUS TO NOT JUST 2010 MODELS. FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND THE BRAKING SYSTEM ON THE 2010 AND 2008 PRIUS'S ARE THE SAME SO IF 2010'S ARE RECALLED 2008'S SHOULD BE TO. LUCKILY THIS PROBLEM HAS NOT CAUSED ME TO BE INVOLVED IN A ACCIDENT AS OF YET. *TR
INTERMITTENT OPERATION OF HID HEADLIGHT (ONE SIDE) ON 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. SOMETIMES BOTH HID HEADLIGHTS WORK AS INTENDED; SOMETIMES ONE (IN THIS CASE THE LEFT) HEADLIGHT CEASES TO WORK. *TR
PREMATURE HEADLIGHT FAILURE AT 20,000 MILES. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH THE DRIVER SIDE HEADLAMP FLICKERED AND BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED IN OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE HEADLAMP FAILURE WAS COMMON. THE HEADLAMP WAS REPLACED AT THE COST OF $250.00. THE IDENTICAL FAILURE OCCURRED ON A SEPARATE OCCASION WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLAMP. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE OTHER HEADLAMP REPLACEMENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 36,000.
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 AND GOING OVER BUMPY ROADS. SO FAR, MY SOLUTION TO CORRECT THIS FAILURE IS TO NOT BRAKE WHEN SLOWING DOWN OVER BUMPY ROADS. NO PARTS HAVE BEEN REPAIRED OR REPLACED. *TR
TOYOTA PRIUS 2008 LESS SERIOUS - FREQUENT RELEASE OR LAPSE OF BRAKING BY ABS (ASSUMED) ON IRREGULAR ROADWAY SMALL CRACKS SEEM TO CONFUSE SYSTEM WITH SIGNIFICANT FORWARD TRAVEL OF VEHICLE BEFORE BRAKES REENGAGE. SIMILAR TO MY EARLIER 2005 MODEL BUT MORE FREQUENT OCCURRENCES AND LONGER LAPSE IN PAD ROTOR CONTACT DURING BRAKING. MOST SERIOUS BRAKES FAILED ALMOST 10 SECONDS. TRAVEL ON WET SLUSHY HIGHWAY FOR 2 HOURS ON 55 MPH ROAD WITH UPHILL GRADE AND SLIGHT TURN TO RIGHT DRIVER APPLIED LIGHT BRAKE PRESSURE ATTEMPTING TO TIME DECELERATION TO CONTROLLED INTERSECTION FOR GREEN LIGHT. APPLICATION OF BRAKES SLOWED VEHICLE NO MORE THEN UPHILL COAST, FIRMER PRESSURE TO NO EFFECT, FULL HARD PRESSURE NO EFFECT, SLIGHT RELEASE AND FULL SLAM, NO IMMEDIATE EFFECT, FINALLY ABS STUTTERED/PULSED AND STOP VEHICLE. *TR
MOST RECENT FAILURE WAS A FEW DAYS AGO BUT THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE I PURCHASED THE 2008 PRIUS IN MARCH OF 08--- I THOUGHT IT WAS A QUIRK IN THE CAR --- SOMETHING THAT JUST NATURALLY HAPPENED WHEN I WOULD GO OVER A POT HOLE OR BUMPS IN THE ROAD --- THE CAR WOULD LURCH FORWARD --- I HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE CAR --- NO BRAKES --- I DIDN'T REALIZE THAT THIS WAS NOT A "NATURAL" RESPONSE UNTIL I HEARD THE DESCRIPTION ON A NEWS BROADCAST A COUPLE WEEKS AGO. MODEL YEARS PRIOR TO 2010 SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE INVESTIGATION. I AM GOING TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH MY DEALER. THANK YOU *TR
MY BRAKES FLASH A SIGNAL ON THE DASH AND FEEL LIKE THEY 'RELEASE' WHEN I AM BRAKING AND DRIVE ACROSS A ROUGH SPOT. ALSO, TODAY MY CAR DID THE SAME THING WHEN I WENT TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP LIGHT, THE ROAD WAS WET FROM RAIN. THIS HAS HAPPENED MORE TIMES THAN I CAN COUNT AND I DIDN'T REALIZE IT WAS A PROBLEM ALTHOUGH IT IS VERY CONCERNING, UNTIL THE TOYOTA RECALL INFORMATION ABOUT THE NEW PRIUS. I DRIVE THE SAME ROAD EVERYDAY AND THERE IS A DOWN HILL AREA THAT COMES TO A STOP LIGHT AND MY CAR DOES THIS EVERY TIME IF I HAVE TO BRAKE GOING DOWN THE HILL FOR THE LIGHT, UNLESS I TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKES WHEN I HIT THE ROUGH AREAS. *TR
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 WHEN PRESSED HARD (MODERATE PROBLEM). I MAKE SURE GUY IN FRONT IS FAR AWAY FROM TRACKS BEFORE PROCEDING. IN SNOW (>4") CAR WILL STALL - CANNOT SPIN TIRES (MEDIUM) SO CAN'T GET THE CAR TO MOVE WITHOUT HAVING TO DIG IT OUT. WEBSITE (PRIUSCHAT.COM) SAYS THIS IS OVERLY AGGRESSIVE TRACTION CONTROL WHICH PROTECTS HYBRID COMPONENTS. DOESN'T HELP WHEN IN TRAFFIC AND STALL OUT. MAJOR PROBLEM - IF QUICKLY ACCELERATING, ENGINE WILL LOSE POWER WITH FAST PLUMMET IN MPH. FEELS LIKE THE ENGINE HAS DIED. EVENTUALLY WITH CATCH AFTER IT FEELS LIKE IT HAS STALLED AND WILL JERK AND THEN SLOWLY ACCELERATE AGAIN. IF ACCELETERATING TO AVOID BEING HIT THIS MAKES THE SITUATION MUCH WORSE. I BELIEVE THAT THE ROOT OF ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS IS EITHER TRACTION CONTROL OF VSC. YELLOW ICON FLASHES ON DASHBOARD WHEN BRAKE POWER LOST ON BUMPY ROADS. SLIPPING OF TIRES DURING FAST ACCELERATION OR IN SNOW CAUSES CAR TO STALL. ALL EVENTS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES (MULTIPLE TIMES FROM 500 TO 36000 MILES). SEARCH DUSTYHUSKIE ON PRIUSCHAT FOR DETAILS. FIGURED THAT I WOULD HAVE TO LIVE WITH THE PROBLEM AND GET USED TO IT. *CN
WHEN I AM SLOWING DOWN AND APPLYING THE BRAKE ON MY TOYOTA PRIUS AND THERE IS A BUMP OR DEFECT IN THE ROAD I GET A FEELING OF BEING ON ICE. A FEELING OF A LACK OF CONTROL. I WAS ALWAYS AWARE OF THIS BUT I NEVER MENTIONED IT WHEN HAVING MY VEHICLE SERVICED. *CN
I HAVE A 2008 PRIUS. IF I HAVE MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND THE STABILITY SYSTEM LIGHT COMES ON, THE BRAKE SEEMS TO RELEASE FOR A SPLIT SECOND. THIS HAS NOT CAUSED AN ACCIDENT, BUT I WANTED TO REPORT IT SINCE THE 2010 PRIUS IS BEING INVESTIGATED
2008 TOYOTA PRIUS - WHEN BRAKING OVER AN UNEVEN SURFACE, THE DECELERATION MOMENTARILY DISAPPEARS - THIS IS USUALLY LESS THAN A SECOND, BUT IS VERY NOTICEABLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED FOR AS LONG AS I'VE OWNED THE CAR (LATE 2007) - AND I CAN REPRODUCE THE EVENT. A ROAD WAS JUST WORKED ON NEAR MY HOUSE AND A PART OF THE PAVEMENT NEAR THE INTERSECTION HAS BEEN REMOVED AND FILLED IN WITH GRAVEL - WHEN APPROACHING THE INTERSECTION, THE BRAKING SUDDENLY RELEASES, THEN REAPPLIES. I ALWAYS THOUGHT THIS WAS RELATED TO THE TRACTION CONTROL. *TR
MY 2008 PRIUS, MAY HAVE HAD A BRAKING PROBLEM SIMILAR TO WHAT I HAVE READ ABOUT. I HAVE NOT SEEN A 2008 INCLUDED IN THE NEWS, BUT MY EXPERIENCE SOUNDS VERY SIMILAR TO WHAT OTHERS HAVE BEEN REPORTING. WHILE DRIVING TO WORK ON SNOW PACKED ROADS I WAS MAKING A TURN INTO THE BUSINESS PARK WHERE I WORK. THE CORNER WAS GOING NORMALLY UNTIL I HIT THE DRAINAGE DIP IN THE INTERSECTION. AT THIS TIME I FEEL THAT I LOST ALL BRAKING WITH THE VEHICLE. THE STREET WAS COVERED WITH PACKED FRESH SNOW, BUT NO ICE. I HAD BEEN DRIVING IN SIMILAR CONDITIONS ON THE 20 MILE DRIVE INTO WORK WITH NO ISSUES OR TRACTION PROBLEMS AT ANY INTERSECTION OR CORNER. WHEN I REALIZED SOMETHING WAS WRONG AND THAT I WAS NOT SLOWING I QUICKLY TRIED TO LET OFF THE BRAKES AND THEN REAPPLY THEM BUT NOTHING SEEMED TO HAPPEN AT ALL REGARDLESS IF I WAS PRESSING THE BRAKES OR NOT. NO PUMPING SOUND FROM ANTILOCK BRAKES, NO TRACTION WARNING LIGHT, NO SLOWING OF THE CAR - NOTHING AT ALL. IT FELT LIKE THE BRAKES WERE NOT RESPONDING TO MY PUSH OF THE PEDAL IN ANY WAY. LUCKILY I WAS NOT GOING FAST AT ALL (I WOULD ESTIMATE WELL UNDER 10MPH), SO THIS HAPPENED OVER A VERY SHORT DISTANCE. I DID STRIKE A CURB THAT WAS PART OF AN ISLAND AND CRACKED A RIM BUT NO DAMAGE TO THE STEERING THAT AN ALIGNMENT DID NOT RESOLVE. I HAD TO REPLACE ALL OF THE RIMS SINCE THE LOCAL DEALER HAD TO ORDER THEM IN AND I NEEDED MY CAR TO GET TO WORK. I WAS VERY LUCKY THAT THERE WAS AN ISLAND AND THAT I DID NOT CRASH INTO ANOTHER CAR IN THE OTHER LANE OR WORSE A PEDESTRIAN. I REALIZE THAT I WAS ON PACKED SNOW AT THE TIME AND AM NOT ASKING FOR ANYTHING FOR THE DAMAGES TO THE WHEEL FROM TOYOTA - BUT JUST WANTED YOU TO KNOW THAT THE BRAKING ISSUE MAY BE MORE THAN THE CURRENT MODEL YEAR. I HAVE NEVER HAD SUCH A LOSS OF CONTROL IN A CAR BEFORE IN ANY ROAD CONDITIONS EVER. IT WAS A LOSS OF ANY ABILITY TO BRAKE OR EVEN SLOW THE CAR. I HOPE THIS INFORMATION HELPS YOU AND THAT TOYOTA IS TESTING THE SOFTWARE FOR OLDER PRIUS MODELS TOO. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHENEVER THE CONTACT APPLIES THE BRAKES WHILE TRAVELING OVER A ROUGH SURFACE THE ABS WILL ACTIVATE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SURGE FORWARD. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALERSHIP AND THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 65000.
WHILE DRIVING OVER A BUMPY ROAD TODAY, I APPLIED BRAKES TO MY PRIUS (2008). THE VEHICLE JUMPED INTO ANTI-LOCK POSITION AND WOULD NOT STOP EVEN AFTER APPLYING MORE PRESSURE. FINALLY, JUST BEFORE REAR ENDING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME, I WAS ABLE TO STOP. I NOTIFIED TOYOTA ABOUT THIS TODAY ON THEIR WEB SITE. IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE I SHOULD DO? *TW
HEADLIGHTS FLICKER AND TURN OFF AND ON. HAVE HAD HEADLIGHTS REPLACED 3 TIMES AND PROBLEM REOCCURS. LIGHTS ARE ON WHEN I START DRIVING THEN TURN OFF AND SOMETIMES TURN BACK ON.
APPROX. ONE MONTH AGO I NOTICED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS ON MY 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS WOULD INTERMITTENTLY TURN OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON AT LEAST 4 OCCASIONS. THREE TIMES ONLY THE LEFT HEADLIGHT WOULD GO OUT, AND ONE TIME BOTH HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT SIMULTANEOUSLY. I DON'T DO TOO MUCH NIGHT DRIVING SO I DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHEN THE PROBLEM BEGAN, BUT MY BEST ESTIMATE IS ONE MONTH AGO. AGAIN, THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM AS THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE TIME THE HEADLIGHTS ARE WORKING AS THEY SHOULD. I KNOW OF NO CAUSE FOR THIS PROBLEM AS THE SITUATION HAS OCCURRED DURING FREEWAY DRIVING DURING CLEAR CONDITIONS AND RAIN CONDITIONS, AS WELL ON WHEN DRIVING ON SURFACE STREETS. WHEN BOTH HEADLIGHTS WENT COMPLETELY OUT IT WAS DUSK AND I WAS ONLY A BLOCK FROM HOME. THE 3 OTHER TIMES WHEN JUST THE LEFT HEADLIGHT WENT OUT I KNEW OF NO WAY TO GET THE LIGHT BACK ON AND JUST CONTINUED MY TRIP WITH ONE HEADLIGHT FUNCTIONING. *TR
HELLO....I JUST RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM TOYOTA ENTITLED CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM..(NO MENTION OF RECALL). IN IT, THEY SAY THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH HEADLIGHTS GOING OUT...AND WHILE THEY'VE BEEN CHARGING FOR THEM AT 300 DOLLARS EACH, THEY NOW REALIZE THAT IT'S SOME KIND OF ELECTRICAL ISSUE....THAT CAUSES THE LIGHTS TO FAIL...NOW, IN LIGHT OF EVERYTHING ELSE, IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS A POTENTIALLY SERIOUS PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE A RECALL...NOT A "HIDE THE PROBLEM" KIND OF CUSTOMER SUPPORT LETTER......SOMEONE SHOULD BE MONITORING THIS ONE TOO....IF TOYOTA CAN HIDE SOMETHING THAT IS A RECALL-WARRANTED PROBLEM, WHAT NEXT..? IT WORRIES ME.... *TR
2008 PRIUS, 2006 LEXUS 400H MOMENTARY BRAKE LOSS. I BELIEVE THE 2010 PRIUS BRAKE ISSUE GOES WELL BEYOND 2010 PRIUS MODELS. I THINK THE MOMENTARY (SPLIT SECOND) DELAY IN BRAKING HAPPENS AT LOW SPEEDS, INFREQUENTLY, PERHAPS IN THE B SHIFT POSITION EXCLUSIVELY (NOT CERTAIN ON THIS IN THE LEXUS) AND USUALLY ON SLIPPERY SURFACES AND/OR COLD WEATHER AND USUALLY WHEN GOING DOWN AN INCLINE. THE FEELING I GOT IN MY PRIUS AND MY WIFE IN HER LEXUS WAS NOT AN ACCELERATION FEELING BUT A GOING INTO NEUTRAL FEELING. IT KIND OF FELT LIKE THE CAR PICKED UP SPEED BUT MORE FROM THE COASTING EFFECT THAN ANYTHING TO DUE WITH AN ACCELERATOR. I WOULD LOOK AT THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING AS IT RELATES TO REGENERATIVE BRAKING WITH A DASH OF SPEED THROWN IN. GOOD LUCK. I STILL FEEL THE CARS ARE SAFE. DATE BELOW NOT REAL-JUST PLACEHOLDER -TODAY'S DATE. *TR
I JUST REPORTED THE BRAKE PROBLEM FOR THIS CAR, BUT THERE'S ALSO A PROBLEM WITH THE TCS. WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE ON SLICK SURFACES THERE IS A MOMENTARY LOSS OF TRACTION RESULTING IN AN OVERLY-LONG COMPENSATED PERIOD OF SERIOUSLY REDUCED ACCELERATION; THIS HAS CAUSED SAFETY PROBLEMS IN INTERSECTIONS, WHERE I AM UNABLE TO QUICKLY ACCELERATE OUT OF THE WAY IF CONDITIONS ARE SLICK OR SANDY, IT IS SO UNSAFE THAT I WISH I COULD TURN OFF THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM.. *TR
ANOTHER 2008 PRIUS OWNER HERE ATTESTING TO THE BRAKE PROBLEMS. JUST ONE HALF OF A MILE FROM MY HOME I ENCOUNTER THE PERFECT ONE TWO COMBINATION THAT DEMONSTRATES THE DEFECT. THERE IS A SLIGHTLY RECESSED MAN HOLE COVER VERY CLOSE TO A SLIGHT RIPPLE IN THE ASPHALT NEAR A "T" INTERSECTION. WHILE BRAKING, IF I ALLOW MY RIGHT WHEELS TO DROP INTO THE MAN HOLE COVER AND THE LEFT WHEELS TO CROSS THE RIPPLE IMMEDIATELY THEREAFTER MY TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AND THE CAR DOES NOT SLOW. I HAVE TO RELEASE THE BRAKE PEDAL UNTIL THE LIGHT GOES OFF THEN RE-APPLY THE BRAKES IN ORDER TO SLOW DOWN AT THE INTERSECTION. OBVIOUSLY, I AVOID THESE BUMPS NOW THAT I KNOW WHAT WILL HAPPEN. THIS DEFECT CAN GET ME INTO SERIOUS TROUBLE IN AN AREA I'M NOT FAMILIAR WITH. I CAN DUPLICATE THIS PROBLEM IN THREE DIFFERENT PLACES NEARBY IF ANYONE FROM NHTSA WANTS A DEMONSTRATION. *TR
MY CAR HAS THE SAME PROBLEM THAT THE 2010 PRIUS HAS AND I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT TOYOTA LOOKS BEYOND JUST THE 2010 MODEL YEAR. WHENEVER I BRAKE AS I HIT A POTHOLE OR BUMP IN THE ROAD, THE CAR SEEMS TO SPEED UP JUST A BIT BEFORE THE BRAKES BEGIN WORKING. THIS HAS HAPPENED SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE CAR AND I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST PART OF HOW THE CAR WORKED. I HAVEN'T HAD AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS, BUT THERE HAVE BEEN A FEW CLOSE CALLS. THERE ARE CERTAIN ROADS WHERE I KNOW IT ALWAYS HAPPENS AND I AM NOW PREPARED FOR IT. IT HAPPENED TO ME AGAIN TODAY AS I WAS EXITING A HIGHWAY, THERE WAS A NEW POTHOLE ON THE EXIT RAMP AND I HIT IT AS I WAS BRAKING ON THE CURVE. AN ORANGE LIGHT IN THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS UP WHEN THIS HAPPENS, SIGNIFYING SLIPPERY OR UNSTABLE ROAD CONDITIONS I GUESS. *TR
I OWN A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. I'VE NOTICED THAT WHEN I RUN OVER A BUMP OR A POTHOLE ON THE ROAD, THE CAR SEEMS TO ACCELERATE OR JOLT FORWARD. IT HAPPENS WHILE I BRAKE TO A STOP SIGN AND RUN OVER A BUMP OR POTHOLE. IT HAS ALSO HAPPENED WHILE LETTING GO OF THE GAS PEDAL BUT NOT STEPPING ON THE BRAKE. USUALLY WHEN THIS OCCURS THE LIGHT FOR THE TRACTION CONTROL ENGAGES AS IF IT DETECTS A SKID, EVEN THOUGH THERE IS NO SKID. I HAVE TO PRESS THE BRAKE VERY HARD IN ORDER TO STOP OR SLOW DOWN THE CAR. I TEND TO LEAVE EXTRA ROOM IN FRONT OF ME JUST IN CASE THE CAR ACCELERATES UNEXPECTEDLY, BUT THERE IS DEFINITELY A PROBLEM WITH UNEXPLAINED ACCELERATION. *CN
CAN'T BRAKE EFFECTIVELY ON SNOW OR WHEN CAR HITS A POT HOLE *TW
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, I AM WRITING TO FILE A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE SHORT LIFESPAN OF THE HID HEADLIGHTS OF MY 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. AFTER LESS THAN A LITTLE OVER TWO YEARS BOTH HEADLIGHTS REQUIRE REPLACEMENT AS THEY HAVE BEEN SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE/SURFACE STREETS RESULTING IN BEING PULLED OVER BY THE HIGHWAY PATROL AND LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENTS. THE FAILURE OF THE HID HEADLIGHTS REPRESENTS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE FOR BOTH MYSELF/PASSENGERS IN MY VEHICLE AND SURROUNDING CARS DRIVING NEXT TO ME ON THE ROAD. FOR SUCH AN EXPENSIVE VEHICLE (OVER 28K STICKER) - THE HEADLIGHTS SHOULD HAVE A LONGER LIFESPAN THAN A LITTLE OVER TWO YEARS. I HAVE BROUGHT MY VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT EACH HEADLIGHT COSTS NEAR $200/EACH AND WOULD REQUIRE AN HOUR AND A HALF LABOR TO REPLACE THEM AS THE FRONT BUMPER NEEDS TO BE REMOVED TO REPLACE THE HEADLIGHTS BRINGING THE TOTAL REPLACEMENT COST TO NEAR $600. FOR A COMPANY THAT TOUTS HAVING SUCH HIGH QUALITY AND BEING SO ECO-FRIENDLY - YOU WOULD THINK THAT THEY WOULD USE PARTS THAT LASTED MUCH LONGER AND WERE NOT SO EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE? IT IS NONSENSICAL THAT TOYOTA HAS DESIGNED A CAR WITH HEADLIGHTS THAT REQUIRE PROFESSIONAL INSTALLATION AND COST NEAR $600 TO REPLACE. THE SHORT LIFESPAN AND EXPENSE OF THE HID HEADLIGHT REPLACEMENT SHOULD BE ENOUGH TO WARRANT AN INVESTIGATION. ANY ASSISTANCE THAT YOU CAN PROVIDE IS GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANK YOU. *TW
THE ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN REPORTED ON TOYOTA PRIUS BRAKES FAILING TO WORK ON BUMPY ROADS EXTENDS BEYOND THE 2010 MODEL YEAR. I OWN A 2008 PRIUS AND KNOW ANOTHER PERSON AS WELL WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM WITH OUR CARS WHEN BRAKING ON BUMPY ROADS. THE TOYOTA COMPLAINT LINE DOES NOT ANSWER ANYMORE DUE TO THE VOLUME OF CALLS (SAYS THE MESSAGE), SO I AM REPORTING IT HERE.
I HAVE A 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS. EVERY NOW AND AGAIN FOR NO APPARENT REASON THE DIGITAL DASHBOARD (LED) WILL NOT COME ON UPON ENGINE STARTUP OR IT GOES OFF WHILE DRIVING. THE CAR RUNS IT JUST THE DASHBOARD IS BLANK. THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT WAS THIS PAST FRIDAY. THE DEALER, ARLINGTON TOYOTA, IN ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM.
PURSUANT TO THE 2010 TOYOTA PRIUS RECALL, IT MUST BE NOTED THAT WE HAVE 3 TOYOTA PRIUSES IN MY FAMILY -- MINE IS A 2008 PRIUS, MY MOTHER HAS A 2008 PRIUS, AND MY SIGNIFICANT OTHER HAS A 2007 PRIUS -- AND ALL OF THEM HAVE THE SAME BRAKING ISSUE THAT I KEEP READING ABOUT IN THE NEWS. EVERYTIME A BUMP, POTHOLE, RAILROAD TRACKS, OR ANY OTHER ROAD ANOMOLY IS DRIVEN OVER, THE BRAKES DISENGAGE. SINCE WE LIVE IN MN, THERE ARE A LOT OF POTHOLES, SO THE BRAKE DISENGAGEMENT ISSUE HAPPENS DAILY. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN MENTIONED TO OUR LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. WE WERE TOLD THAT THE ISSUE IS NORMAL OPERATION OF AN ANTILOCK BREAKING SYSTEM.... THAT SEEMS DOUBTFUL IN LIGHT OF THE 2010 PRIUS RECALL. PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT OTHER PRIUS MODEL YEARS ARE CONSIDERED FOR GOVERNMENT INVESTIGATION. I THINK YOU WILL FIND THAT MOST PRIUS OWNERS ARE AWARE OF AND HAVE THOUGHT ABOUT THIS BREAK DISENGAGEMENT ISSUE. REGARDS, [XXX] PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).*CC
I WAS DRIVING SLOWING TO PARK MY CAR INTO A LOT, MY CAR SUDDENLY TOOK ITSELF. I SLAMMED THE BRAKES SO HARD, IT WAS HARD ENOUGH TO DROP MY BAG WHICH WAS ON THE PASSENGER'S SEAT. TODAY, 9TH OF FEB. NOTHING WAS WRONG ACCORDING TO DEALER SHOP. *TR
I HAVE A 2008 PRIUS. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL INCIDENTS OF WHILE TRAVELING ON BUMPY ROADS, OVER POTHOLES, LOSS OF BRAKING POWER. MY SPEED HAS BEEN ON AVERAGE BETWEEN 20 AND 35 MILES PER HOUR THE BRAKES WILL NOT CATCH FOR 1 OR 2 SECONDS. I HAVE COME CLOSE TO HAVING AN ACCIDENT ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS BECAUSE OF INABILITY TO STOP WITHIN. THIS ONLY APPEARS TO OCCUR OVER BUMPY ROADS AND THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT FLASHES IN EACH INCIDENT. ONE INCIDENT OCCURRED ABOUT SEPTEMBER 2009 AND THE LATEST INCIDENT I HAVE NOTED BELOW. *TR
HELLO, I LIVE IN ISRAEL, SOFTWARE EXPERT, M.SC. IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING. ON FEB 5TH 2010 MY PRIUS 2008 CRASHED INTO THE CAR DRIVING AHEAD DUE TO THE BRAKES PROBLEM. CRASH PRE-CONDITIONS: LOW SPEED - 28KM/HOUR (17.4MPH), SLIPPERY ROAD DURING THE RAIN, MORE THAN SUFFICIENT DISTANCE TO THE CAR AHEAD. THE CAR AHEAD STARTED BRAKING SHARPLY, INSTANTLY STRONG BRAKING HAS BEEN APPLIED TO PRIUS WITH NO RESPONSE FOR A FEW TENTHS OF SEC, THERE WAS A FEELING OF SLIDING WHICH RESULTED IN CRASH. DURING TWO YEARS DISPROPORTIONALLY LOW BRAKES RESPONSE HAPPENED TO ME TWICE IN SIMILAR LOW SPEED CONDITIONS; WHEN COMING TO ROUNDABOUTS AT 15-20KM/HOUR WHILE APPLYING SIGNIFICANT PRESSURE ON BRAKES I CAME 2-3M FURTHER THAN EXPECTED WITH THE FEELING OF VERY WEAK BRAKES RESPONSE. ATTEMPTS TO REPRODUCE THIS CONDITION DIDN'T SUCCEED, IT HAPPENS IN VERY SPECIFIC CIRCUMSTANCES. THE CRASH RESULTED IN NO INJURIES, BUT SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO BOTH CARS (ABOUT $4000). *TR
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 SAID BECAUSE THEY CAN NOT REPRODUCE THE INCIDENT THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING, BUT FOR ME TO CALL TOYOTA 1-800-331-4331 AND REPORT IT, I DID, AND TALKED WITH A REPRESENTATIVE, AND HE SAID ALL HE CAN DO IS PUT IT IN THE CASE FILE, AND IF I WANTED TO I CAN REPORT IT TO NHTSA. I WILL NOT BECOME A DEATH STATISTIC TO PROVE THE PROBLEM OCCURRED. *TR
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 HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. NO FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,800. UPDATED 03/14/10 *BF THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATED. IT WOULD NOT TURN OFF WHEN THE CONSUMER DEPRESSED THE BUTTON. HOWEVER, WHEN HE SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AND TURNED IT ON AGAIN, THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT DID NOT ILLUMINATE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIND ANY PROBLEMS. UPDATED 05/10/10*JB