2008 Toyota Prius: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2008 Toyota Prius: 4 recalls, 1497 owner complaints and up to 46 mpg combined.
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Recalls
4 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Speed control / throttle Vehicle recall #09V388000 · 2009 · 4,445,056 vehicles
What's wrong: The accelerator pedal can get stuck in the wide open position due to its being trapped by an unsecured or incompatible driver's floor mat.
Why it matters: A stuck open accelerator pedal May result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death.
The fix: Toyota filed an amended defect report on November 25, 2009, stating that dealers will modify the accelerator pedal and, on certain vehicles, alter the shape of the floor surface under the pedal. These changes address the risk of pedal entrapment due to interference with the floor mat. Redesigned…
Equipment Vehicle recall #10V036000 · 2010 · 153,418 vehicles
What's wrong: 110, "tire selection and rims." these vehicles were sold without the requisite load carrying capacity modification labels.
Why it matters: A driver May overload a vehicle which May increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will mail to consumers the corrected label or the customer will have the option for dealers to install the label free of charge. The safety recall began on May 27, 2010.
Hybrid system, Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #12V536000 · 2012 · 350,662 vehicles
What's wrong: During manufacturing, a scratch May have occurred inside of the electrically driven water pump at the coil wire. The coil wire May corrode at the scratched portion.
Why it matters: The corroded coil wire May break and the water pump could stop. The corroded coil wire could cause a short circuit between coil wires and a possible open fuse, creating a stall-like condition of the hybrid system while the vehicle is being driven. This May increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
The fix: Toyota will notify its owners, and dealers will replace the electric water pump, free of charge. The recall began on January 17, 2013.
Steering, Steering Vehicle recall #12V537000 · 2012 · 669,705 vehicles
What's wrong: The affected vehicles have a steering intermediate extension shaft assembly built with metal splines that complete the connection from the steering wheel to the steering gear. These splines May have been manufactured with an insufficient hardness.
Why it matters: Over time, the splines May wear and eventually fail resulting in a loss of steering ability, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
The fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the extension shaft and replace it if it is one with insufficient hardness, free of charge. The recall began during December 2012.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 6 mention a fire, 71 injuries and 7 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Exterior lights (579): the most common themes are electrical failure (63), stalls / loses power (48), warning light on (23).
- Electrical (235): the most common themes are electrical failure (66), warning light on (34), stalls / loses power (32).
- Brakes (hydraulic) (171): the most common themes are brake failure / soft pedal (30).
- Speed control / throttle (156): the most common themes are sudden acceleration (40).
The 2008 Toyota Prius has 1497 owner complaints, ranking #3 of 27 Prius model years for complaints (3.2× the average Prius year). Complaints peaked in 2010 (477 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 3 years old, at a median of 51,176 miles. Neighboring years: 2007 (2003 complaints, 4 recalls), 2009 (502 complaints, 6 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 L 4-cyl hybrid | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 48 | 45 | 46 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2008 Toyota Prius.
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FAQ
Does the 2008 Toyota Prius have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 vehicle recalls for the 2008 Toyota Prius. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2008 Toyota Prius problems?
Owners have filed 1497 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are exterior lights (579), electrical (235), brakes (hydraulic) (171).
What gas mileage does the 2008 Toyota Prius get?
EPA ratings run up to 46 mpg combined (1.5 L, Automatic (variable gear ratios)), across 1 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2008 Toyota Prius repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.