general problems of the 2008 Toyota Prius - part 1

I recently took my vehicle to the dealership because all the hazard lights on the dash came on. They diagnosed it as an issue with the inverter water pump and suggested that the engine was overheating, which was causing the hazard light to appear on the dashboard. So I had them replace that part and everything was fine. A week later, I went to drive to work and my entire dashboard was out. My radio, clock, blinkers, and brakes worked, but I could not see the speedometer, gas gauge, odometer or any other dashboard features. When I tried to restart the car, it wouldn't turn off. I tried several times and even got my husband to try. When we couldn't turn it off, I drove blindly straight to the dealership. They diagnosed the issue as being a problem with the combination meter. Recently, I found out that there was a customer support program through Toyota that replaced the combination meter in my same car model. This service expired in 2017. I got the car in 2020-21. Thankfully I was home, and was able to follow my husband to the dealership. I'm not sure what I would've done if this happened while I was out. I am also have traction issues with the brakes. When I try to brake on a slope or incline, the glide hazard lights come on. It's happened several times when it's raining, but it's been happening more when it's not. I typically give enough space between myself and the car in front of me, but it's concerning that the brakes lock up when I'm on any type of sloped surface.

The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the instrument panel failed to function as intended. The contact stated that the instrument panel went blank. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent at first but had become a permanent failure. In addition, the front headlights and rear taillights failed to function as intended. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, no cause for the failure was found. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, while driving at various speeds, the front headlights failed to work as intended. Upon inspection, the contact noticed that the bulbs had melted into the wiring harness. The contact stopped driving the vehicle at night. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Prius. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the instrument panel went blank. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent at first but had become a permanent failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was referred to the manufacturer for assistance. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that there were no recalls no warranty coverage on the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.

About 3 years ago we started getting the red triangle of death with 2 amber lights on display the vsc and the round circle with the exclamation point in the center. This could happen in 500 miles or it could happen tomorrow. When this happens I loose all exceleration and air conditioning and a orange car emblem with an exclamation point in it on the display screen. Once safely off road press power button off and back on and everything is back to normal except red triangle and car on display screen car is then drivable again. Using a code reader to check codes no codes appear but still have red triangle. Leaving car set for a period of time and restarting car and red triangle is extinguished. Have to drive in right lane on freeway in case it wants to quit. The most recent time was last week had driven it about 80 miles with a stop about halfway for 1 hour and stopped for a movie came back got in car started it and within 1000 feet got the red triangle, was in left turning lane with red light, shut off and restarted and was able to drive again as in all other times, took it to a neighbor who had a code reader(about 9pm) and no codes found, he reset it and red triangle extinguished. This type of happening is very unnerving to say the least, dont know when or where it will lay down with us. Don't know if anyone else has had similar issues with their Prius ours has 213,000+ miles on it. Original hybrid battery it was checked in 2015 and some cells replaced by a shop certified to replace cells in this battery. Thank you.

Hello. My 2008 Toyota Prius had a malfunction with the "combination meter" which caused the vehicle dashboard to turn off completely, and we could not turn off the engine at times when stopped and parked. The dealer fixed the problem at a cost of $1580, and both the dealer and Toyota corporate through their brand engagement advocate acknowledged a long term problem with the combination meter. They had extended the warranty coverage for owners for this specific problem for about 10 years but not for owners like me with a vehicle 15 years old. I believe Toyota should cover and reimburse owners for this problem, which is potentially dangerous, no matter the age of the vehicle, especially for long term, loyal owners. There are many of these vehicles still on the road. Thank you. Mike norcio mpnorcio@gmail. Com 301 873 7069.

The vehicle we own is no longer covered by an extended warranty offered to Toyota owners of 2004-2009 Prius. The warranty covered the replacement of the digital combination meter which, when failing, no longer displays anything on the dashboard. The situation is dangerous because you lose the ability to monitor fuel tank capacity, speed, warning lights, reverse lights and backup camera. To get around this malfunction requires that the back storage panels be removed and 12-volt battery be disconnected and reconnected. However, the fix is short term since the problem resets itself once the car is turned off. Even when the display is working, we have just discovered that the fuel gauge is inaccurate, causing a serious overflow of fuel due to the display showing 1 bar, when the tank was actually 50% full. Toyota, fully aware of this problem offered a "warranty enhancement" that offered replacement coverage up to September 30, 2013. It only covered customers whose care was demonstrating the problem, excluding any cars that were not showing signs of malfunction. We have a 2008 model, purchased from a Toyota dealership in 2011, that up until around 2-years ago showed no signs of malfunctioning. Therefore, the warranty did not apply. We now, however, are experiencing the malfunction on a daily basis and our vehicle is unsafe, and inconvenient to drive. I called Toyota regarding this and they will not offer any further coverage beyond the September 30, 2013 date. The repair for this malfunction is a minimum $1000, which rightfully should be covered by Toyota due to the potential safety issues surrounding this problem. We would like Toyota to acknowledge customers such as ourselves where the malfunction did not appear until later during our ownership of a 2008 Prius, and pay or reimburse for the repair.

I am currently having this issue with combination meter, which means the Prius dash board will not show any speed, fuel, p, r, d label and many more important information is not shown on display. I had complained to Toyota, case # 221219001515 on 19dec2022, I have spoken to danial n and manager alex s from Toyota. They both have denied solving this issue from Toyota as the warranty extension ztv has expired. Even I had provided them proof that Toyota knew about this problem, please see doc#pol-12-05 from Toyota regarding this. My Prius has 258000 miles, and it is 2008, it is high mileage as per their documents this will accrue in high mileage Prius with cold weather. I live in NJ, and it is getting cold and my car as high miles. Toyota refuse to take care of the problem and I as a consumer will have to pay over $1200 to get it fix as this is only done at Toyota dealership. Currently I am thinking of getting it fix at paul miller Toyota of west caldwell, 1155 bloomfield Ave, west caldwell, NJ 07006, 973-287-4050. What's sad is Toyota used to rank at the top of best customer service. I'm guessing most of the problems are just after the 9 years, calculated to guarantee fixing the problem to as few people as possible. There's no extension and Toyota won't help. I tried and was told all deals expired and to help one would mean they'd have to help all. We're on our own. Hoping that Toyota has released a solution to the dangerous and consumer related problem related to the failing combination meter. The previous ext. Warranty was only good for 9 years from date of first use which did not help many drivers. Super negligent and ripe situation for class action lawsuits not to mention many potentially fatal accidents on the roads. Toyota has denied fixing this problem even Toyota knows this is on going problem. As a government official please try to help me resolve this issue as this is a major concern for many millions of drivers which Toyota need to resolve this. Please.

Brake actuator is going bad, they had a recall on it and are refusing to fix it. Brakes are a lot harder to press.

Trunk lock will not unlock or allow opening, back latch malfunctions, when car battery dies or car looses power?• you cannot open the trunk and access emergency tools/equipment and battery to jump car. •?you have to access by climbing through the front of the car if you are able-bodied too. There is no opening handle from the inside of the trunk to be let out, scariest and one of the most important major safety concerns, theres no emergency exit from inside vehicle. Water/snow/ice also falls down into the vehicle when opening hatchback, it slides inward from hood of car or slides back from rear windshield and door, causes water to be pooled up in my battery compartment.

The electric dashboard (warning lights, speedometer, fuel gauge, etc. ) is sometimes off when starting the car. The backup camera and the center display also will not be working. The car will not shut off when the displays are not working. It will usually fix itself after pushing the on/off button a few times. It has happened many times now but isn’t predictable. It hasn’t been looked at by a mechanic yet.

The instrument cluster goes completely blank (no fuel gauge, no speedometer, no odometer) and the car cannot be shut down.

Dashboard speedometer, fuel gauge, headlight indicators, transmission status, cruise control do not show, are not lit up. Backup camera does not work nor do the back-up lights. This occured after the auxiliary battery was replaced and the dashboard lights and backup camera will occassionally spontaneously return when the car has not been driven for a week or longer but then will go out next time the car is turned off. There are problems with the car turning off consistently and at times the start button needs to be manually depressed for 5+ seconds to shut down.

Enroute to maryland, dashboard lights failed - no speedometer, no gas tank info, no mileage. Safety issue.

When driving on CA highway 4 at about 73 mph the car complete shut off, with the momentum I safely manage to get on the off ramp and my car was towed to my house, the converter pump fuse was getting blown out every time I replaced, and need a new converter pump.

My vehicle was showing 4 bars for how much gas was left in the tank. I drove to fill it up but despite how much I put in the fuel gauge won't read it and is stuck on 4 bars. When driving it won't decrease either I've driven over 70 miles and it still won't adjust.

A recurrent and hard-to-diagnose problem I have had with my 2008 Prius for several years is the fact that the dashboard display (speedometer, fuel gage, drive / reverse etc. ) will occasionally not turn on with the car on days that are cold and rainy. Although newer models (2019) both experience this issue and have enjoyed a recall for the part (the combination meter) to be fixed, for older Priuses such as mine the equivalent work is limited to those who paid for an extended warrantee relating to the known problems of this one single part--a warrantee that I was never offered when I purchased the car in 2011, and that ended in 2015. The 2019 recall's information is here: https://pressroom. Toyota. Com/?generate_pdf=58021 even if I had purchased the part's extended warrantee, whether or not I'd even able to * it by demonstrating to the technician that the problem is occurring is questionable, not to mention literally up to the weather. The problem been very difficult for techs to diagnose since there aren't many cold and rainy days to set it off where I live, not to mention it would often resolve itself before the car can be taken into the shop for diagnosis. It was only possible this time around because the problem was worse than in the past, severe enough that I could not turn off my car. The fact that Toyota would hide repairs for a massive safety flaw behind a limited-run warranty, when the problem is actually broader and affects cars produced over 15 years apart (2004 to 2019) is one thing. But the fact that this problem actually creates a hazard for the driver--not being able to turn off the car, not being able to know if you're in drive or reverse, or even how fast you're going!-- makes this limiting behavior seem somewhat despicable. I feel this recall should include all affected Prius models, because this is clearly a broader defect.

The dash lights on my car went completely blank and the car is unable to shut off. Toyota has a safety campaign that addresses this issue but it is only good for first 9 years of the car. My car is a 2008 model and I understand this problem affects all 2004-2009 models. As this is a safety concern with not being able to turn off the car properly, it is causing lots of anxiety not knowing if my car is actually turned off in my garage. My mom drives the car and she's 78 years old, she cannot tell if the car is off when she exits the car. There are occasions where the hybrid car turns on while it's in the garage because my mom was not able to turn the car off. This should be an issue where Toyota issues a recall for the safety of everyone that owns these cars and parks in a garage.

My coolant inverter pump has been recalled, and repaired before I bought the car, and the same issue is happening again after I bought the car less than a year ago. Today, the same check engine light came on, went to advanced auto parts and got the code p0a93 - coolant inverter pump failing.

My 2008 Toyota Prius brake system is very dangarous ,on the hi way speed of 55 I push the brake softly ,out of sadden car started acting like a wild horse slipping to the left and right and I am an experienced driver on ice,I lived in m ichigan for a long time ,so I survived , and all drivers around me stopped and there was no accident, I am afraid driving that car,I have called Toyota dealer, seems like use to be a recall but they have some hesitions to accept the faulty,dangarous brake system,I am going to complain to the ceo of the company. God help me,I was lucky my family and I survived ,my message to the Toyota Prius owners is please double check your VIN number and recalls,and insist to fix this common defect on Toyota Prius ,by the dealer with no charges. Very very unsfe brake system. And my instrument lights are on and off I can not see the speed and the odometer and the gas indicator,I heard it was a recall but the dealership did not accept it. If I want to fix these faulty defective parts would cost me over 4000 dollars,Toyota is responsible,I beleive should and must fix it for free valuntarly ,.

I just purchased this vehicle one month ago. My son experienced the combination meter going blank while driving. He was unable to see how fast he was going, how much fuel he has, and what gear he is in. The biggest issue is he was unable to turn off the car once he finished his drive. Eventually he did. This apparently is a known issue by Toyota. The have a TSB on the replacement of the combination meter as well as a warranty enhancement program (ztv). From talking with Toyota, the original owner was sent a letter about the problem, but never did anything about it. Whether this was a problem for that owner or not at that time, I am unaware. Either way, this is now a problem for me and according to Toyota, the warranty enhancement has expired and now I am stuck paying for the repair. This is a safety issue and should be addressed and resolved by Toyota.

Randomly my instrument panel goes blank while in motion and can only be retrieved by hard turning the car off when stopped, you loose your speedometer, lights, and all until reset. Other issue with speedometer readings that are consistently off between 5-15mph with no fix, resolutions or repairs.

Car won't start at times. A code of p0aa6 comes on but then I cannot get a sub code (detailed code) to determine what is wrong. I have taken it to 3 dealers and 3 separate mechanics and the same thing happens. They can't retrieve a sub code to figure out what's wrong. They reset it so I can get home and the same thing happens again and I have to tow it to another place. Can't depend on this car to start.

I was driving my car as normal on a city street and the speedometer and warning lights (except for the check engine light) all turned off. We pulled over but the car would not go into park or turn off. We had no choice but to continue driving, not knowing our speed or any warning lights that could prevent serious injury (including knowing the level of the gas). Once we got home it took about 10 minutes to get the car into park and off, but pressing the park and power buttons in random orders. I have no idea what ultimately allowed the car to turn off. It has happened twice now and it's scary not knowing the speed all the sudden in the middle of driving. Also, having been in such a habit of clicking the park button and being safely in park, we almost crashed into our house after being in the driveway the second time, not realizing the display had just gone out again for a second time upon arriving home. The car continued rolling forward of course until the brakes were slammed. I understand there was an extended warranty for my year Prius (2008), but has since ended. This is a safety issue and I have no idea why this wasn't a recall. Toyota needs to continue to honor the repair of vehicles that are affected. Just recently, it was released that Toyota is recalling the 2019 models for this same issue (speedometer going out) and they are referring to it as a safety issue. This should be done for any model affected and should not have an end date.

Recurring problem, inconsistency in fuel levels at the gas pump. Possible hybrid energy theft from batteries or heating element. Last fill-up at the north conduit mobil with 8 dollars, resulting in a less than a half a tank level, with a quarter tank level before fill up.

The dashboard lights go out, meaning you can no longer see the mph, the fuel, and everything important to drive with gauges. This can happen at anytime, driving or parked, on any street in any weather. Also note, you can no longer shut the car off, unless you hold the start button for 20 seconds. Sometimes the car will still not shut off, it's also sometimes hard to tell if the car is off, because there is no more dash. The only well to tell is to see if the radio goes on. There are a few ways to reset this major malfunction, to try and get things working again by disconnecting batteries, but this is a dangerous problem, that could kill someone while driving and needs attention and recalled soon as possible!.

My wife and I own 2 Prius 2nd generation models since 2014. The issue is with the instrument cluster randomly malfunctioning and not displaying when the vehicle is on and sometimes not being able to turn the vehicle off. It happens while driving, stationary, raining, just randomly. This has happened more than 10 times on my car alone, and my wife can contests to hers as well. What we both are experiencing is one of many situations. While driving the dash lights and interior lights will just not work: I'm unable to see driving speed, if my headlights are on. Even while stationary we experience the same thing. The main reasons for reporting this is because coincidentally it happens to both of us at random times in 2 different vehicles same model and year. From my own research this has been going on for a while with other owners with the same models. I don't know what constitutes as a safety concern for recalls, but I feel this is one. I'm fortunate to not have any accidents so far. But for others who are experiencing this can accidentally start speeding, or become startled because of the sudden loss of dash visuals, and result in harm of other's or property. This just happened again today and I just had to say something since this has been a persistent issue for my wife and I. Thanks for taking the time to read this and please look into this.

Tl-the contact owns a 2008 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked, the ignition was turned off. The contact left the vehicle and returned after several minutes the vehicle started independently. The vehicle was taken to jim norton Toyota, 9809 s memorial dr, tulsa, ok 74133, (918) 215-3786, to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the issue may have been caused by a combination meter failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed of the failure, case number: 1910093151. The approximate failure mileage was 59397. Ah.

Right hid headlight keeps going out during short or long trips. It it's now October 2019. This same light was replaced for same problem in July 2018 and I was told by my mechanic that my ballast and electrical connection is fine. It should not be burned out by now. I only use the lights at night or during rain. I have read on several online forums with similar complaints from Prius owners. This is a safety issue.

My car has been having this issue with braking and dashboard lights with 'brakes, abs, vsc. Have taken it to the dealer and have spent thousands of dollars already. Replaced the brake system (pads, drums, etc. . ), catalytic converter, hybrid battery. Every time I drive out out of the dealer 'all is good' as codes were cleared but a few months after, the lights are on again. These issues have cause are causing my car to be acting up while driving and trying to break at stop signs and crossing lights by delaying to stop on time. This is a safety issue and needs to be addressed by Toyota in assisting us with repairs. Unless they'll wait for a tragedy before doing something about it. Have called the dealer and they always say 'it could this' or 'it could be that'. So far the repairs they have done is supposed to fix the current issue with breaks, lights on the dashboard but now abs can be related to the actuator and that will cost me around $3,000! which I cannot afford anymore. My car is paid for and I've spent almost $7,000 in 'repairs' and of course all vehicle's warrantees had expired when I took it in. In reviewing multiple complaints, this seems to be an issue with these abs and vsc problems and there should be some type of recall to fix them, otherwise as customers we're losing faith in Toyota and/or their dealers. I love Toyota cars but going through these experiences with costly repairs may change my mind in going with another brand.

The 2008 Prius has a digital display. Sometimes when the vehicle starts up there is no information displayed on the screen. Nothing shows what gear (reverse, neutral, forward) it is in. There is no speedometer display. No odometer display. No fuel level display. At the same time that the dash does not light up, I have noticed there is no backup camera or backup lights when the vehicle is in reverse. In addition to the above, the start button will not fully shut down the car. It will cycle between accessory mode and full start when the button is pressed. I have noticed that when the problem is happening the vehicle is also not keeping track of the miles driven while the dash is not displaying - so when the dash does start working again, the odometer is not showing true mileage. After getting the vehicle to finally shut down, I have sometimes had the issue not present the next day at startup. Other times it will last through several starts and stops. I have read online that this problem is consistent with a faulty combination meter. And I feel it is a safety issue.

Ventilation circuit to select inside to outside air has been cyber-terrorised several times. The system is vital to operate securely, as a disabled constituent, in a great metropolis, that has sewage and garbage vapors everywhere. They access the funtion to open the damper to let outside air in suddenly, exposing my respiratory system to inhale waste. I have respiirated. Garbage air pollution, here in new york so much, it has activated my childhood asthma. Please find a way to seal the ecu's.

The cryptocurrency industry has spawned a frenzy of hybrid battery energy theft. My combination meter spikes and reduces down a deficit in fuel, insight of other vehicles driving close enough to extract power from the rear battery cells. Every time I re-fuel the combination meter re-calibrates fhe fuel and electric level. I lose 5 to 20 percent of that level once it has calibrates, every time.

The crank case ventilates randomly into the cabin. The foul stench of motor oil disperses into the cabin intermittently. The ventilator actuator orientates the crank case gases, hazardously contaminating my respiratory system.

The speedometer does not display when turning on the car. I figured out that by unplugging the battery in the back it would sometime bring it back on. Now it only comes on every once in a while, it's no longer keeping track of miles when not on, as well as the fuel gauge is not keeping track of gas and have ran out twice because it stated half full.

For the third time I have had to replace my brake light switch, this is a safety issue as it affect how the brake lights work. The break light switch, when malfunctioning prevent or inhibits the vehicle from starting properly. If the switch fails while driving, it can cause problem with the battery regeneration, this is in addition to causing a driving hazard while driving.