2008 Toyota Prius Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 235about this part
- Share
- 16%of 1,497 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 81,500miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 235 complaints about the electrical system of the 2008 Toyota Prius, 16% of the 1,497 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 81,500 miles. 8 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11112745, filed 2018-07, 20,000 miles“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, it can cause problem with the battery regeneration, this is in addition to causing a driving hazard while driving.”
NHTSA complaint #11222270, filed 2019-06, 100,000 miles“Car won't start at times. A code of p0aa6 comes on but then I cannot get a sub code (detailed code) to determine what is wrong. I have taken it to 3 dealers and 3 separate mechanics and the same thing happens. They can't retrieve a sub code to figure out what's wrong. They reset it so I can get home and the same thing happens again and I have to tow it to another place. Can't depend on this car to start.”
NHTSA complaint #11340875, filed 2020-07, 150,000 miles“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 p0a93 - coolant inverter pump failing.”
NHTSA complaint #11343344, filed 2020-08, 103,320 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11291137, filed 2019-12, 230,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10238157May 30, 2023TSB: The Immobilizer and Smart Key Reset is a feature that allows the registration of new keys when all master keys are lost. Once the system is reset, all previously registered…
- 10213902May 31, 2022TSB: This bulletin includes basic procedures for performing a rescue charge on Ni-MH high voltage (HV) batteries. This bulletin should be used in conjunction with the applicable…
- 10182983Oct 12, 2020TT: Some customers may encounter Bluetooth® connectivity concerns such as: ?Difficulty to pair the phone. ?Intermittent Bluetooth® failure to connect to the vehicle when first…
- 10179764Aug 11, 2020TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE August 11, 2020: This bulletin is no longer applicable and is now obsolete.
- 10179720Aug 11, 2020TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE August 11, 2020: This bulletin is no longer applicable and is now obsolete.
- 10179703Aug 8, 2020TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE August 08, 2020: This bulletin is no longer applicable and is now obsolete.
- 10179698Aug 5, 2020TSB: Some 2003 ? 2020 model year Prius, Prius C, Prius V; 2006 ? 2019 model year Highlander Hybrid Vehicle; 2007 ? 2020 Camry Hybrid Vehicle; 2013 ? 2020 model year Avalon Hybrid…
- 10179602Aug 5, 2020TSB: Some 2003 ? 2020 model year Prius, Prius C, Prius V; 2006 ? 2019 model year Highlander Hybrid Vehicle; 2007 ? 2020 Camry Hybrid Vehicle; 2013 ? 2020 model year Avalon Hybrid…
- 10177773Jun 18, 2020TSB: Some 2004 ? 2020 model year Hybrid vehicles may exhibit an excessive buildup of dust, lint, or debris in the HV battery intake filter or cooling fan. The condition could…
- 10176284May 1, 2020TT: This bulletin includes basic procedures for performing a rescue charge on Ni-MH high voltage (HV) batteries. This bulletin should be used in conjunction with the applicable…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 33% |
| 2025 | 6 | 38% |
| 2024 | 4 | 15% |
| 2023 | 5 | 24% |
| 2022 | 6 | 25% |
| 2021 | 1 | 17% |
| 2020 | 2 | 14% |
| 2019 | 4 | 13% |
| 2018 | 2 | 5% |
| 2017 | 11 | 12% |
| 2016 | 20 | 13% |
| 2015 | 27 | 16% |
| 2014 | 33 | 16% |
| 2013 | 52 | 13% |
| 2012 | 52 | 12% |
| 2011 | 68 | 13% |
| 2010 | 192 | 7% |
| 2009 | 60 | 12% |
| 2008 | 235 | 16% |
| 2007 | 248 | 12% |
| 2006 | 152 | 11% |
| 2005 | 178 | 17% |
| 2004 | 177 | 29% |
| 2003 | 13 | 13% |
| 2002 | 18 | 11% |
| 2001 | 27 | 16% |
Other parts of the 2008 Toyota Prius
579 complaintsBrakes
390 complaintsVehicle speed control
156 complaintsOther or unknown
92 complaintsBody and structure
68 complaintsFuel system
55 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
54 complaintsEngine
49 complaintsElectronic stability control
43 complaintsAir bags
41 complaintsSteering
18 complaintsEngine cooling
16 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2008 Toyota Prius
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology