2008 Toyota Prius Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 579about this part
- Share
- 39%of 1,497 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 56,850miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 579 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2008 Toyota Prius, 39% of the 1,497 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 56,850 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I bought my 2008 Prius used in 2016, the headlights worked for a little while, then they started to randomly shut off. Sometimes just one, sometimes both at the same time. I have replaced the headlights twice and it is still happening. I have googled this problem and there are several people saying their Prius' are having the same problem. Toyota refuses to fix the issue.”
NHTSA complaint #11170751, filed 2019-01, 154,000 miles“Headlights shut off while driving at night. I received two warning tickets from highway patrol as I was driving back from ft. Worth to nacogdoches, but when I stopped, both headlights were working. Then as I was driving, both headlights (with bright lights on) turned off. Had to pull over and then they started working again.”
NHTSA complaint #11192354, filed 2019-03, 156,000 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 in motion, right headlight goes out. City police pull me over. I turn the lights off then back on. The light works until next time it goes out. My wife driving same car and police pull her over for left headlight out. She turned lights off then on and the light works again. Car in motion both times and all other times. Streets & highways.”
NHTSA complaint #10991293, filed 2017-05, 1,500 miles“My headlights go out without warning while I amdriving down the road. The have gotten worse and go out more frequently and sometimes stay off. I have replaced the lights several times and am still having problems. I need help because I have almost gotten tickets behind this problem. My thing is Toyota knows abot this and refuse to have a recall on this issue.”
NHTSA complaint #10945212, filed 2017-01, 80,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10150010Sep 11, 2018Dealer Package: September 11, 2018 A watermark has been added to the Dealer Letter to indicate that ZTJ expired on September 10, 2018. Unlike halogen light bulbs which simply…
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 33% |
| 2025 | 1 | 6% |
| 2024 | 4 | 15% |
| 2018 | 5 | 14% |
| 2017 | 2 | 2% |
| 2016 | 3 | 2% |
| 2015 | 7 | 4% |
| 2014 | 6 | 3% |
| 2013 | 12 | 3% |
| 2012 | 36 | 8% |
| 2011 | 48 | 9% |
| 2010 | 149 | 5% |
| 2009 | 111 | 22% |
| 2008 | 579 | 39% |
| 2007 | 1,060 | 53% |
| 2006 | 941 | 65% |
| 2005 | 346 | 33% |
| 2004 | 184 | 30% |
| 2003 | 1 | 1% |
| 2002 | 3 | 2% |
| 2001 | 2 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2008 Toyota Prius
390 complaintsElectrical system
235 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 31, 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