2008 Toyota Prius Toyota Prius 2008

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2008 Toyota Prius repairs by problem area

Engine (30%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (2%)

Brakes and Traction Control (3%)

Suspension and Steering (16%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (38%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (4%)

Other (7%)

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Chart based on 320 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2008 Toyota Prius.

2008 Toyota Prius electrical repair cost distribution

$2500+ (0%)

$1000 - $2499 (5%)

$500 - $999 (8%)

$100 - $499 (34%)

< $100 (53%)

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Chart based on 112 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2008 Toyota Prius

Engine not specified

36000 mi

US $1700
Nav display no longer responds to touch. 

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2008 Toyota Prius 4dr Hatch

76-horsepower 1.5L I4 Hybrid CVT FWD

70900 mi Occasionally vehicle would not start. Not sure if we were not turning off correctly, or if rear decklid not closed all of the way and some interior light left on. Battery checked very good. We might carry small gel battery for emergency.  
71000 mi I inspected battery and discovered it was original, almost 7 yrs old. I replaced battery and no longer have any problems starting. 
125000 mi Battery went dead in winter severe cold. Could not restart by an exterior battery boost. The small battery was replaced and several fuses. Problem originated in an obscure fuse. 
111400 mi

US $370
the multi function display failed. Repaired by autobeyours, taken out and put back in by me. Easy to do after watching youtube video. Works well once again. Worth doing as car is very reliable. $325 repair + $45 shipping it out. 
97500 mi

US $450
Brake light switch malfunctioned, causing engine to not start. 
83000 mi Calibrated headlights 
83500 mi

US $112
Changed ATF; replaced ATF drain plug; inspected brakes; replaced horns; replaced PCV; topped off fluids 
105000 mi

US $115
Wiring issue 
111000 mi

US $150
repaired horn wiring 
87000 mi

US $72
My 2008 Prius has the HID headlights and they were blinking so I replaced both with new bulbs. 
95000 mi Drivers side HID headlight burnt out again. Replaced Drivers side headlight ballast, water got into the headlight assembly and burnt it up. 
78740 mi

C $625
Water pump leaking coolant fluid. Replaced it and the belt. Front windshield washer fluid pump failed. Had to be replaced. 
100440 mi

C $600
One headlight assembly was replaced and that was expensive. I replaced rear running light bulbs myself for $8.  
43000 mi

US $165
12v Aux battery died after 6 years (good life span) and was replaced by father son team 
126260 mi

$50
filled the gas for the AC didn't start in the morning 2 days in a row. needed a jump start. the 12v battery was replaced. early wornning i got was park error ~ a week bifur. 
132060 mi

$20
leeking compressor (gas is venting out) a refill will be needed every 6-12 mounts or a 2000$ repair of the compressor 
141360 mi

$12
1 of the headlight was burned 
146568 mi

$50
After a hard brake all lights turned on. I was told it was a communication error. Charged only for work time. 
60000 mi

US $700
Replaced rear hatch switch. The rubber switch boot was torn. 
80000 mi

US $34
Replaced burned out parking and license plate bulbs. 
86000 mi

US $145
Charged A/C system. Car was running org factory freon and was 60 percent full 
83000 mi

US $285
replaced one headlight. 
40500 mi pin hole in air conditioner coil. This is the second such incident. Toyota agreed to fix it out of warranty. 
55180 mi

C $67
Removed and replaced noisy blower motor for HVAC system. 
67000 mi

US $1000
HID Headlights reached the end of their life 
81000 mi

US $50
Blower Motor failed and had to be replaced. It would work intermittently. 
49995 mi HID bulbs went bad. Toyota extended warranty to 50,000 miles so they were replaced free. 
81000 mi 12 v accessory battery was replaced because car would not start. $260 for a battery. 
120000 mi AC fan motor intermittently would not turn on. Fan motor was removed, cleaned, and oiled to reduce friction at start up. 
125000 mi Auxiliary input stopped working. Car would not switch to AUX to play music at all. AUX input was removed, and two resistors were bypassed by soldering together (by myself). Now AUX works, and can be switched to even without any input. 
135000 mi

US $550
combination meter failed and was replaced 
106850 mi

US $200
TPMS sensor light went on, diagnosed as failed TPMS sensor, likely dead battery. All 4 sensors replaced. This was the first TPMS failure of the vehicle. 
131000 mi

US $1073
Left front headlight assembly started allowing water inside in a rainstorm. HID bulb started going off while driving at night. Sometimes just turning headlights off then back on caused light to come back on. Ballast is located at the bottom of the headlight assembly so all water was dripping onto it. Mechanic replaced headlight assembly, HID bulb and ballast with OEM equipment. Lights now working properly. 
90000 mi

US $30
driver side headlight (HID) goes dark every 5-10 min. when on low beam. Passenger side still OK. Both bulbs replaced with 6000K color. Process is slow wilthout removing bumper, but is doable. 
183000 mi

US $40
Burns out headlight 
186000 mi

US $30
Another burned out headlight bulb 
162900 mi

US $377
12V battery replacement, coolant replacement and transmission fluid replacement blower fan replaced 
134000 mi

US $30
Replaced clockspring in steering column. 
123000 mi

US $128
1 headlight burned out I had both replaced 
176000 mi

US $775
Diagnosed failure of steering-wheel-mounted front and rear defog buttons. No other steering wheel buttons affected. After receiving $775 estimate, declined to proceed with repair. Defog still works from touchscreen controls. 
53747 mi

US $150
replaced 12 volt battery with Optima Yellow-Top 
8000 mi

US $510
reprogrammed new fob 
147300 mi

US $15
Headlight went out 
255000 mi

US $450
Fan was not always turning on when starting air conditioning, but responded to percussive maintenance on the passenger side under the dashboard. The fan blower motor was replaced and the air filter was replaced. 
110900 mi Power button and dash board whould not respond. Took to dealer, found that it was a recall issue. 
86800 mi

US $40
Both HID headlights started blinking or going off intermittently - at different times. I bought 2 Name brand quality lamps online for a total of $40 instead of dealer $130 each. I replaced both (without loosening fenders). No problem since (one year). 
126000 mi

US $120
Passenger air bag sensor needed replacement 
343000 mi

US $160
Replace the auxiliary battery 
166000 mi

US $205
Replace 12 volt starter battery 
78000 mi

US $700
Fuel gauge failed. Required replacement of gas tank, which has a specialized vapor-capture system. 
45000 mi

US $475
LED headlights needed replacement. Known Prius problem 
47000 mi

US $200
fog lamp not working. bulb & casing around it needed to be replaced 
42000 mi

US $95
RH headlight goes off and on. 
44000 mi

US $54
Rh head lite out and the lh off and on out. Non dealer said it was the controller. the dealer said it was just the bulbs and replaced both. 
85300 mi

US $20
Replaced headlights (non-HID). 
40000 mi Known quality problem with Toyota HID Head lamp. Replaced under goodwill by Toyota/Dealer. 
87000 mi HID Bulb burned out after last replacement 15 months ago. Due to continued bulb problems with Toyota HIDs dealer agreed to fix problem for no charge labor or parts. 
88500 mi The same HID headlight bulb that burned out in July burned out again in August. Passenger side Head Light. 
57000 mi

US $150
head light 
74000 mi

US $182
Head light out 
21000 mi Replaced blower motor flap servo 
14000 mi probable leak in AC drain. Apparently fixed itself. 
22000 mi XM Radio antenna that is included with the Toyota Prius XM package is mounted inside the car. This is a design flaw that renders it unusable outside of a metropolitan area where there are XM ground repeaters. Toyota agreed to replace w/external ant 
8000 mi aux port alternator whine TSB to install noise filter behind aux port. 
37000 mi From earlier repair, the left blinker light was not hooked up properly. The connector was pinned behind the side panel, so the panels had to be removed again to retrieve the connector. 
50300 mi

US $130
Both HID headlight bulbs were failing. 
66000 mi Starting in Feb. the cruise does not engage. It started intermittent, but now permanent. Living with the problem at this time. Car is used for rural mail delivery. Needs front brake pads every 2 years. Other vehicles require every 6 months.  
79000 mi

US $150
Combination Meter repair. Dealer wanted 4-6 weeks down time and $900. DIY repair 6hr. job total. 2 weeks down time (the meter board was sent out for repair)$150. 
36000 mi When iPod was plugged in to both aux and 12v ports and the stereo was in aux mode, there would be noise out of the stereo system. Fixed by installing new audio interference filter as part of a TSB.  
59000 mi

US $215
Need new starting battery. Organa AL 8 years old. 
80300 mi

US $5
Rear latch switch gummed up by adhesive used oncover 
71000 mi

US $65
Driver side headlight flickered after 15 min driving. Went out. Driving home both headlights went out (passenger side w/no warning flicker). Dealer wanted nearly $500 to replace both lights. Ordered bulbs on line. Took 3 hrs to replace 
57000 mi

US $300
Gosh darn prius headlight problem AGAIN. Love this car. Hate these headlights. $300 to replace one bulb at the dealership. 
29000 mi 4 burned out lights, including headlight 
22000 mi Right headlight (both high & low beams)went out. Dealer tested for electrical issues and did not find anything. Bulb was replaced. 
27000 mi Marker light / turn signal went out, replaced. Left HID bulb also replaced due to service bulletin. 
64000 mi

US $190
The display controller (part that shows odometer, speed, fuel gauge) had failed. 
82700 mi

US $12
Driver side power lock failed to operate correctly. It would move slightly, but not enough to engage or disengage. 
88000 mi The Multifunction Display (touch screen) stopped working entirely. I removed it and sent it to a shop that services these displays. 
38100 mi The turning dial no longer worked and the radio needed to be replaced. 
51000 mi combination meter would fail leaving all dash lights to fail to come on when car was started. no speedometer, no fuel level nothing. 
12000 mi Remote key fob button popped up, no longer able to use keyless entry. 
26000 mi

US $83
A/c blower motor replaced, a/c air filter I had to pay for. 
53000 mi

US $500
Normal (12V) battery identified as problem behind a series of inaccurate Check Engine Light firings. 
97000 mi

US $480
accessory battery died, needed a tow to dealer to replace 
104300 mi

US $480
Rear brake lights went dead simultaneously- not a fuse and not the bulbs-- Required a trip to the shop to correct issue with wiring. 
60200 mi

US $225
Right hand light bulb replaced.  
55000 mi

US $350
The original 12V battery needed to be replaced. 
105000 mi

US $360
Front tire pressure monitoring system sensors replaced. 
90000 mi

US $170
The start sequence is powered by a small lead acid battery; boot computers, energize brakes, engage big hybrid battery. A weak small battery could not energize the fly-by-wire brakes causing warning lights and car would not shift into drive 
108000 mi

US $200
Left headlight bulb burnt-out. Replaced both. Bought new bulbs on the internet and had local repair shop replace both. Half the price of the dealer. 
56000 mi

US $320
Replaced 12v battery 
20700 mi HID headlamp bulb repaired/replaced under warranty during a scheduled maintenance service. The repair has been working correctly since then. The HID lamp would initially light but would not stay lit..... the bulb was replaced. 
61000 mi

US $250
Very slow AC leak, recharged. 
62700 mi

US $50
Defective fog light bulb. 
81300 mi

US $205
Replaced defective HID, drivers side, headlamp. Replaced same LED under original warranty period but now I was told by Toyota because of lawsuit I am now out of additional extended warranty coverage. I argued to no avail. 
83000 mi Dealer replaced dead nav/brain head unit under extended warranty. Estimated cost was $8500.00 if I did not have extended warranty. There are rebuilt units available for much less but because I had ex. War. the dealer replaced with new unit. 
87000 mi

US $30
Tail light bulb replacement...o.3 hours @ $ 99 per hour .. 
54000 mi

US $300
The auxiliary battery (located at far back) died in the super cold weather. We had it replaced at dealer. 
98000 mi

US $50
Replaced the air blower, which was intermittently failing. 
10000 mi Odometer and instrument panel lights would not come on for 20 minutes. 
130000 mi

US $5
Dash meter failed in cold weather. Rather than pay $1000 to the dealer to replace the dash meter, I went online to YouTube and fixed it myself (replaced bad capacitor). 
10000 mi My wife noticed a "condensation leak" feeding into the right/front passenger area near the front of her seating area ... near her left foot while seated. For this first trip, the leak could not be "replicated" by the service department. After a few days, the dealership was able to replicate the condensation leak on this trip, and found a "clogged line" ... POSSIBLY resulting from having driven over some debris on the road at some point. Line was cleared, and leak has not recurred since. 
19000 mi This is 2nd time the A/C condensation outlet has become plugged / water flowing into right front foot area instead of flowing out from bottom of car. Outlet was cleaned out by dealer; no additional leaking noticed since unplugged June 21. 
31900 mi 12-volt battery drained PROBABLY because I left headlights on and left phone re-charging plug in place for several days ( didn't drive during that time ). Jumped at home / diagnostic performed at dealer / everything checked out fine. 
48000 mi

US $2400
Touch screen went out. Dealer wanted $3000. Found video on YouTube pulled it and sent it off and reinstalled with a lifetime warranty. 
27000 mi Replaced left HID Headlight which had gone out 
27500 mi replace Right HID lamp 
47000 mi Passenger side headlight went out. 
59200 mi

US $400
Dead 12 volt battery 
60000 mi Headlights intermittently not turning off after turning off car. Dealer unable to duplicate problem, could not solve. Dash display intermittently fails to dim when headlights are turned on. Dealer attempted to duplicate problem, but could not and therefore did not repair. 
71000 mi

US $200
Replaced both headlights 
75000 mi

US $1900
Both headlight assemblies replaced. High beams working intermittently. 

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2008 Toyota Prius 4dr Hatch

99900 mi

US $738
Headlights low & high beams didn't work. Problem was on control side of headlight relay; removed dash to locate problem area found an open in harness goes from fuse block inside the car. Replaced original wire with new. Repair not guaranteed 

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2008 Toyota Prius 4-door

4-cylinder automatic 2WD

10000 mi

US $125
AC drain hose clogged. During trips 1 1/5+ hours, driver notice water dripping on foot during turns. 

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2008 Toyota Prius Electrical Problems

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently 2008 Toyota Prius problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.