2008 Toyota Prius Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 68about this part
- Share
- 5%of 1,497 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 75,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 68 complaints about the body and structure of the 2008 Toyota Prius, 5% of the 1,497 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 75,000 miles. 9 of these say a crash was involved and 3 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The rubber trunk switch cover has degraded, and continues to melt or disintegrate over time. Originally this was a mere irritation, leaving sticky black residue on my fingers every time I opened the trunk. However, now the switch fails to operate most of the time. This is a safety issue, since I am unable to open the trunk to access the spare tire, as well as other safety equipment or supplies.”
NHTSA complaint #11170924, filed 2019-01, 82,000 miles“I was traveling at about 35-40 MPH on a 4 lane city road & a truck pulled in front of me from a shopping center on opposite side of road from which I was traveling without stopping in center median crossover. I hit brakes but I had no time to stop. I'm not sure the brakes even worked as there were no skid marks from braking. The front driver side of my car hit hard & also damaged drivers side wheel well, fender panel. My airbag did not deploy and my head collided with the steering wheel. …”
NHTSA complaint #11395021, filed 2021-02, 93,000 miles“When I try to open the trunk, the rubber piece that you touch in order to open the trunk seem to have melted. My fingers turn black every time I try to open the trunk. Does anyone know what that rubber piece is called or the part number so that I can replace it? It makes the rear hatch very hard to open in hot and cold weather.”
NHTSA complaint #10531601, filed 2013-07, 160,000 miles“The latch handle on the hatchback has disintegrated. The handle has become gooey and leaves a black residue on my fingers every time I open the hatchback. Because of this problem, the handle is harder to use, making it difficult to open the trunk. Replacement part number is 84905-47010.”
NHTSA complaint #10763506, filed 2015-09, 70,000 miles“The latch handle on the hatchback has melted for lack of a better word. The handle has become gooey and leaves a black residue on my fingers every time I open the hatchback. Because of this problem, the handle is harder to use, making it more trying to open the trunk.”
NHTSA complaint #10811952, filed 2015-12, 160,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11012744Dec 6, 2024The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic…
- 11012743Dec 6, 2024To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film…
- 11012742Dec 6, 2024Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. If these acidic compounds settle on an…
- 11012735Dec 5, 2024Toyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. This material protects from acid rain, environmental…
- 11012727Dec 3, 2024Vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad tracks, train wheels, exposure to heavy machinery facilities, grinding…
- 11007455Jul 29, 2024Some 2005 – 2024 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate…
- 11006161Jul 29, 2024Some 2005 – 2024 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate…
- 11007445Jul 12, 2024The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic…
- 11007444Jul 12, 2024To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film…
- 11007443Jul 12, 2024Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. If these acidic compounds settle on an…
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 6% |
| 2024 | 2 | 7% |
| 2023 | 3 | 14% |
| 2022 | 1 | 4% |
| 2020 | 1 | 7% |
| 2018 | 3 | 8% |
| 2017 | 7 | 8% |
| 2016 | 11 | 7% |
| 2015 | 6 | 4% |
| 2014 | 9 | 4% |
| 2013 | 13 | 3% |
| 2012 | 23 | 5% |
| 2011 | 9 | 2% |
| 2010 | 35 | 1% |
| 2009 | 19 | 4% |
| 2008 | 68 | 5% |
| 2007 | 184 | 9% |
| 2006 | 15 | 1% |
| 2005 | 11 | 1% |
| 2004 | 2 | 0% |
| 2003 | 1 | 1% |
| 2002 | 1 | 1% |
| 2001 | 3 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2008 Toyota Prius
579 complaintsBrakes
390 complaintsElectrical system
235 complaintsVehicle speed control
156 complaintsOther or unknown
92 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 28, 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