The Lemon Index
200720092nd generation
Avoid · most complaints: lights
735 owner complaints, first 3 years 46 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2008 Mazda3 1512008 Volkswagen Jetta 802008 Chevrolet Cobalt 134
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2008 Toyota Prius
- Headlights487 complaintsmostly at 38,000–88,000 miles (62,000–142,000 km)
- Engine stalling36 complaintsmostly at 30,000–100,000 miles (48,000–161,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 1,497 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008 Toyota Prius (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 15,000 and 42,000 miles (24,000–68,000 km) (the middle half of the 621 complaints, of all 735 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 12V537000 (steering), 12V536000 (engine) and 10V036000 (equipment) done? It has 4 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do all the headlights, taillights and turn signals work?
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Does it accelerate and hold speed smoothly, with no surging or stalling?
- Toyota sent dealers 222 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Floor mat installation during (pds) pre-delivery service”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Toyota's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 735 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 15K to 42K miles (24K to 68K km) on the car (621 of all 735 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Off and on high intensity discharge headlights 2008 Prius 15 months old, 22,800 miles. Randomly go off making driving at night hazardous. Replacement price over 500 dollars! No accident yet.
2008 Toyota Prius owner · NHTSA complaint 10292446
More owner reports
Headlight passenger and driver side will intermittently turn off. If I turn off the headlights completely and turn them back on they will sometimes correct themselves and stay on for up to 15 minutes before turning off again.
NHTSA complaint 10279738
Intermittent operation of hid headlight (one side) on 2008 Toyota Prius. Sometimes both hid headlights work as intended; sometimes one (in this case the left) headlight ceases to work.
NHTSA complaint 10311598
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 16.5M views · 2004–2009 Toyota Prius
What owners say one repair costs on YouTube
- Batteryone repair, as owners say it$2,000most $800–$5,000 · 6 videos▶ Hear it
Most-watched topics
- Infotainment, battery & electrical2.2M views
Toyota Prius Key Remote Battery Replacement 2004 - 2009 - DIYKey Fob Rob · 725K views · 16 videos - Gauges, lights & wiring1.1M views
Fastest Fix For 2nd Gen Prius No Dash Lights ProblemAmazing Unboxing And Reviews · 441K views · 7 videos - Brakes & ABS846K views
2004-2009 Prius ABS Actuator ReplacementMr.Electric · 296K views · 9 videos - Oil changes & service456K views
Toyota Prius Secret service menu 2004-2009 Check codes!Auto Quest · 124K views · 7 videos
Show 4 more
- Heat, A/C & blend door441K views
Toyota Prius A/C Charging. How to charge Air conditioner on Toyota Prius 2004 - 2009World Mechanics · 268K views · 6 videos - Cooling system415K views
How to Replace Inverter Water Pump 2004-2009 Toyota PriusTRQ · 117K views · 6 videos - Steering & suspension238K views
How to Replace Prius Rear Struts/Shocks - Gen 2 (2004-09)More Pi · 78K views · 5 videos - Transmission & shifter209K views
Toyota Prius '07 P Lock Transmission 07 Prius quick fixMaverick Channel · 145K views · 3 videos
Before you buy, watch
Top 5 Problems Toyota Prius Hybrid 2nd Generation 2004-20091A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 140K views
2nd Gen Prius: The BIG Problems You NEED To Know About (And NO ONE Talks About Them)Drew's Garage · 124K views
Easy Free fix // touch screen not working on Toyota Prius// 2nd Gen Prius Common problemsDiMasha · 82K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2008 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Problems Toyota told dealers about
Toyota sent dealers 222 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Floor mat installation during (pds) pre-delivery service
- Multiple warning lights illuminated, vehicle not shifting from park to drive, and other…
- Accelerator pedal sensor assembly information regarding the inspection, removal, and…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 4
- Steering · recall issued 2012
The affected vehicles have a steering intermediate extension shaft assembly built with metal splines that complete the connection from the steering wheel to the steering gear.
- Engine · recall issued 2012
During manufacturing, a scratch may have occurred inside of the electrically driven water pump at the coil wire.
- Equipment · recall issued 2010
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 S…
Show all 4 recalls
- Speed control · recall issued 2009
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 PASSENGER VEHICLES.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- ClosedPedestrian alert sounds2023
- ClosedIntermediate steering shaft separation2013–2020
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $1,400 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 1.5L 4-cyl.
Every Toyota Prius year. 2008 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 24 Toyota Prius years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2008 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/toyota-prius/?y=2008" title="Toyota Prius reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="767" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/toyota-prius/2008/">Lemon Index</a> (2008 Toyota Prius reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2008 Toyota Prius reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew about 5 times the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 467; 100 is average, lower is better). The Toyota Prius year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2021.
What are the most common 2008 Toyota Prius problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are lights (37%), brakes (24%) and speed control (16%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2008 Toyota Prius have?
4 safety recalls (latest: engine). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Toyota Prius get?
46 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2008 Toyota Prius problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 15,000 and 42,000 miles (24,000–68,000 km) (the middle half of the 621 complaints, of all 735 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2008 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2008 Toyota Prius have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2008 Toyota Prius cost in fuel a year?
About $1,400 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2008 Toyota Prius have?
1.5L 4-cyl.
What Toyota Prius year is better than the 2008?
Nearby, the 2011 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about two-thirds as many complaints as the average car). Across every year, 2021 drew the fewest.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works