2008 Toyota Prius Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 54about this part
- Share
- 4%of 1,497 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 66,500miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 54 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2008 Toyota Prius, 4% of the 1,497 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 66,500 miles. 5 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.
“The car from a stop, if you step on the gas while making a right turn the car hesitates really bad and could cause an accident. I've taken it in when the car had less than 10k miles. They could not remake the problem. The car hesitates still and has not changed, it currently has 117k miles. I believe there is a software problem.”
NHTSA complaint #11154418, filed 2018-11, 8,000 miles“On the morning of 11/14/18, vehicle (w. 112,000 miles on it) failed to start or move in our driveway. 12/5/18 advised by caseys, thetoyota dealership in .williamsbsurg va., that the CVT had failed and would need to be replaced at a cost of $6500 - happens occasionally!. Subsequently sold vehicle to dealer employee for scrap. I note the NHTSA is considering a recall on the CVT's installed in the Toyota corollas. Seems overdue. Glad for my family this did not happen when the vehicle was in motion.”
NHTSA complaint #11174803, filed 2019-02, 112,000 miles“I own a 2008 Toyota Prius which surges ahead when I am braking under certain conditions: wet, uneven surfaces, and bumpy roads. It is scary because I nearly hit someone at a stop sign and I feel out of control when it does this. On average, happens 1-2x week. It happens when my foot is off the gas pedal and I am under 20 MPH. It seems like a computer error and not accelerator related.”
NHTSA complaint #10305589, filed 2010-02, 20 miles“My 2008 Prius won't stay in gears occasionally gear jumped back from d to n mode. Fortunately, it didn't happen when I drove 70 miles per hour. I went to Toyota center and they said I have to pay for the shift lever. I don't know why I should pay for it, it is a defect of this car, not because how I drive this car. Plus, I don't have this money, so I didn't repair for it. I need to report this before someone get killed. I think Toyota should recall 2008 Prius, to make sure our (customer) safety.”
NHTSA complaint #10588213, filed 2014-05, 135,000 miles“What's wrong with Toyota and NHTSA? Today in hot weather with the air conditioner on my 2008 Prius once again suddenly dropped itself out of drive into neutral without warning and in the middle of the highway. One has to hold the shifter in drive to get out ofeveryone's way. If this isn't a life-threatening safety hazard then I don't know what is. Unless you want a few folks to die before anything gets done about this. The internet and Prius forums document this is not an isolated defect. The dealer throws up its hands' not our problem!!”
NHTSA complaint #10871364, filed 2016-05, 92,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10164330Jul 1, 2019TSB: REVISION NOTICE July 01, 2019 Rev2: ? Applicability has been updated to 2019 ? 2020 model year Toyota vehicles. ? The Techstream Preparation and Process Overview sections…
- 10134454Aug 24, 2015TechTip: Condition - The vehicle may be difficult to start or have an abnormally low or rough idle after the battery has been disconnected or power to the Engine ECM has been…
- 10109403Oct 16, 2014TSB: World Standard (WS) Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) was introduced to reduce maintenance costs and increase the mileage between scheduled maintenance checks. Here are…
- 10133836Feb 20, 2013This bulletin contains general vehicle pulling diagnosis and repair procedures along with specific information to help correct pulling complaints.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 13% |
| 2024 | 1 | 4% |
| 2023 | 3 | 14% |
| 2022 | 1 | 4% |
| 2020 | 1 | 7% |
| 2019 | 2 | 7% |
| 2018 | 2 | 5% |
| 2017 | 4 | 4% |
| 2016 | 15 | 10% |
| 2015 | 13 | 8% |
| 2014 | 6 | 3% |
| 2013 | 14 | 3% |
| 2012 | 21 | 5% |
| 2011 | 18 | 3% |
| 2010 | 79 | 3% |
| 2009 | 22 | 4% |
| 2008 | 54 | 4% |
| 2007 | 41 | 2% |
| 2006 | 22 | 2% |
| 2005 | 41 | 4% |
| 2004 | 34 | 6% |
| 2003 | 5 | 5% |
| 2002 | 9 | 5% |
| 2001 | 5 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2008 Toyota Prius
579 complaintsBrakes
390 complaintsElectrical system
235 complaintsVehicle speed control
156 complaintsOther or unknown
92 complaintsBody and structure
68 complaintsFuel system
55 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