Model year

2008 Toyota Prius

NHTSA lists 4 recalls and 1,497 complaints for the 2008 Toyota Prius (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). The components listed on the most complaints are EXTERIOR LIGHTING (553), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (228), SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC (157). NHTSA lists 2 investigations. NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 46 mpg combined (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $1,450, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.

ABOUT THIS DATA

Recalls

12V537000 · Nov 14, 2012

STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT SECTOR; STEERING

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2009 Prius vehicles manufactured August 5, 2003, through March 30, 2009. The affected vehicles have a steering intermediate extension shaft assembly built with metal splines that complete the connection from the steering wheel to the…

12V536000 · Nov 14, 2012

HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM: INVERTER; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2009 Prius vehicles manufactured August 6, 2003, through March 30, 2009 and FCHV-adv vehicles manufactured December 12, 2008, through September 13, 2011. During manufacturing, a scratch may have occurred inside of the electrically…

10V036000 · Feb 3, 2010

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY…

09V388000 · Oct 5, 2009

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 PASSENGER VEHICLES. 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.

Complaints

1,497 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 152, fire flag on 6, injury field 71, deaths field 7. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.

  1. EXTERIOR LIGHTING553
  2. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM228
  3. SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC157
  4. SERVICE BRAKES145
  5. VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL142
  6. SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC77
  7. UNKNOWN OR OTHER50
  8. ENGINE49
  9. ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)43
  10. POWER TRAIN41

Investigations

Investigations in the NHTSA file (2). "No close date" means the file has no close date. It is not a statement that the investigation is still active.
ActionSubjectOpenedClosed
DP13001Intermediate Steering Shaft Separation · STEERING:COLUMN; STEERING:LINKAGES; STEERINGFeb 21, 2013Apr 8, 2020
DP22005Pedestrian alert sounds · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEMJan 27, 2023Aug 7, 2023

Safety ratings

NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here.

Fuel economy

EPA configurations. Electric rows show MPGe in the combined column and kWh/100 mi separately. Annual fuel cost is EPA's published fuelCost08 figure.
ConfigurationFuelCityHwyCombkWh/100 miRangeAnnual fuel cost
Prius · 1.5L · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Front-Wheel DriveRegular Gasoline · Hybrid484546——$1,450

Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.

Check a vehicle

This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2008 Toyota Prius at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.

All Toyota Prius model years