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6.7

fairly significant
Typical Repair Cost:
$630
Average Mileage:
90,650 miles
Total Complaints:
6 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. replace battery (4 reports)
  2. jump (1 reports)
  3. replaced under warranty (1 reports)
2008 Toyota Prius electrical problems

electrical problem

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2008 Toyota Prius Owner Comments

problem #6

Dec 192020

Prius

  • Automatic transmission
  • 135,800 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The High Voltage battery needed to be replaced. I bought a refurbished one from a trusted supplier and replaced it myself to save on labor. Still no issues 20k miles later

- Kevin N., San Jose, CA, US

problem #5

Feb 182016

Prius

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles

My 2008 Toyota Prius is the worst car I'm pretty sure anyone in my family has ever owned. We have had to replace the battery three times since I got it in March of 2015. Because it is a hybrid the batteries are expensive. Every time I take it in for a different issue they tell me I have to change the battery, which may fix certain problems but not others. My sister owns a 2006 Toyota Matrix and has way over a hundred thousand miles on her car and has no issues. This year of Prius is a terrible make. My car wouldn't start unless I pumped the brakes very hard for a couple of minutes. I took it in and they replaced the battery. It now starts, but even with a new battery the car runs bad, and on the monitor it takes a while for the battery to charge up and then the car will finally start to run better. Other issues I've had are that it lags before accelerating. I had the battery replaced when it was doing that and that fixed the problem. The issues I am having now are that I am having trouble getting up to speed on the interstate because the battery will not charge, the fuel gauge is malfunctioning and telling me that I am on empty even though I just filled up my tank, my TPMS light has come on again and I put the appropriate amount of air in the tires yesterday, and when I try to fill up my gas tank the nozzle clicks telling me my tank is full even though it isn't. These are small issues that Toyota could probably fix if I took it in. I am just worried that they are going to tell me I need another $200 battery when I just replaced it in August. No one in my family has ever had this many problems with a car, especially a Toyota. I know that I can probably get it fixed, but I have already shelled out way too much money for a car that runs this poorly. I am all for hybrid cars and clean energy, but I will never ever buy another Prius. I am tired of having a ton of issues with it and it feels very unsafe for me to drive any more. Lets just say I am in the market for a new car. (Also another note, do not buy the gold or tan color. My family tells me that the car blends in with the pavement color and I am invisible on the road. I have had many close calls because people either aren't paying attention or my car really does blend in with the pavement. And I DO NOT want to be in a bad accident in a Prius.)

- pattersona, Savannah, US

problem #4

Aug 202016

Prius Touring 4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 72,000 miles

Hi All: I encountered a nasty problem with my 2008 Toyota Prius with ~72K miles. My Prius would not shift from neutral into drive nor reverse. I had my Prius towed to the nearest Toyota dealership. Initially they told me that the service technician's tools could not communicate with the hybrid battery. Consequently, I approved them ordering the 2 following computer modules: http://www.acautopartspr.com/oe-toyota/8998147212 CONTROL MODULE - TOYOTA (89981-47212) http://toyotaparts.bochtoyotasouth.com/oe-toyota/8989047092 89890-47092 - TOYOTA OEM PARTS - COMPUTER - TOYOTA Once the parts arrived, the service technician opened up the hybrid battery area and discovered the hybrid battery connector was melted and burnt. I have pictures. Fortunately, they are able to return the computer modules. They are now exploring putting in a replacement hybrid. I have no details yet if they battery is new or refurbished. Given a choice, I will selected a new battery. I want to keep the car as long as possible. My dad taught me that. My car has been unusable for 6 days. Fortunately, I have 2nd car I can drive. I am planning for the worst, but hoping for the best. Good luck to those with similar problems.

- entrepreneur, Cedar Creek, TX, US

problem #3

Apr 082016

Prius Hybrid

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I had to pay $300+ to replace a dead 12 volt battery in my 2008 Prius

- cplanas, Davie, FL, US

problem #2

Dec 182014

Prius Touring

  • Automatic transmission
  • 108,000 miles

This has happened twice, just didn't make note of the first time, earlier this fall.

- Alicia P., Sparks, NV, US

problem #1

Feb 152013

Prius 3 1.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 98,000 miles

FORTUNATELY THIS MASSIVE FAILURE WAS COVERED UNDER A 10 YEAR 150,000 MILE WARRANTY TOYOTA HAS FOR THE BATTERIES. WITH OUT IT....$3000 CHARGE.

- James D., Santa Clarita, CA, US

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