2008 Toyota Prius Traction Control System Problems
- 40
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
Among these 40 stored complaint records:
- 4 indicate a crash
- 1 indicate injury
- 0 indicate fire
What owners report
- traction control · 27 records
- control light · 10 records
- bump pothole · 7 records
- control system · 6 records
- anti lock · 5 records
- momentary loss · 4 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 1–30k mi | 19 |
| 30–60k mi | 12 |
| 150–400k mi | 1 |
| 60–100k mi | 1 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Service Brakes · Traction Control System
When i brake and also go over a bump my 2008 prius lurches forward. The traction control light illuminates. The brakes become ineffective. This caused me to have an accident last night. The cars before me came to a sudden stop. I was driving 15-20mph but unfortunately i hit the brakes while unknowningly simultaneously going over a bump. The faulty traction control system sent me into a 1-2 second lurch forward with…
Crash reported
ODI 10552812
Traction Control System
I have reported this issue to this website in the past. The traction control disables the drive wheels inconsistently and arbitrarily under many circumstances, often resulting in a real safety hazard. It can happen when starting from a stop on dry or wet pavement or when hitting small bumps/holes at low speeds (25-45 mph). This is extremely frightening when trying to pull into traffic from a stop on dry pavement -…
ODI 10671739
Electronic Stability Control · Traction Control System
I own a 2008 toyota prius and have experienced braking problems since i purchased the vehicle. Any time i go over a bump/pothole, while turning, results in a floating sensation, surge forward, and momentary loss of steering. I almost had an accident 2 weeks ago at an intersection when this occurred. Serviced my vehicle yesterday and they claim the skid control system is working as it was designed. There is…
ODI 10355934
Traction Control System
2008 toyota prius. Consumer states problem with traction control *tgw the consumer stated she was driving in the rain at a speed of 40 mph when she noticed the traction control light was flickering on and off more than she previously experienced. She also smelled an odor similar to something burning. She opened the windows to let it clear. However, the smell seemed to linger in the vehicle for at least a mile. As…
ODI 10340053
Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Traction Control System
On my 2008 toyota prius, when i hit a bump or pothole at relatively low speed, the car sometimes goes into "anti-skid" mode, leading to a brief (~1/2 second), disconcerting period of lurching/acceleration/loss of braking ability before the car returns to normal. This problem is usually accompanied by the lighting of the yellow skid icon indicator on the dash. *tr
ODI 10334328
Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Traction Control System
2008 prius. Often when i go over a bump the anti-lock braking system kicks in and it feels as if i have lost control of the car. I don't think i could stop suddenly. I haven't had an accident but i am uncomfortable driving sometimes even in good weather. The service department was no help. *tr
ODI 10331250
Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Traction Control System
Frequently while driving on dry, clear and clean roads, my car braking system will seem to fail and feel like the car is going into a skid. The abs warning light comes on as well - although there is no reason for brake trouble. Seems to be happening more and more frequently lately. *tr
ODI 10330740
Traction Control System
My 2008 toyota prius loses braking power every time i brake when going over a bumpy or uneven surface and it takes 1/2 to 1 second before they re-engage. Took car to toyota dealer and had service technician go on a test drive with me. When the service technician experienced this loss in brakes, he explained that the traction control system was designed to release the brakes on the tire (during bumpy road surface) to…
ODI 10330610
Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Traction Control System
I drive a 2008 prius. When braking and driving over a pot-hole, bump, or other road work the anti-lock braking system engages, and the brakes release for an extended period of time (>1 second) causing the car to coast during this time. I drive on busy city streets and on highways with stop and go traffic, and this uncontrolled brake release represents a safety hazard. I have driven vehicles with anti-lock brakes…
Crash reported
ODI 10339395
Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Traction Control System
2008 toyota prius with anti-slip rear-wiggle upon hitting small bumps in road. The anti-slip electronic system is way too sensitive as it is responding to small bumps in the road. I can understand how this may be helpful at high speeds or icy conditions, but at slow speeds the blinking yellow skid-control dashboard light and rearend wiggle as the system tries to recover does seem annoying. The system is overly…
ODI 10310583
Service Brakes, Electric · Traction Control System · Vehicle Speed Control
Most recent failure was a few days ago but this has been a problem since i purchased the 2008 prius in march of 08--- i thought it was a quirk in the car --- something that just naturally happened when i would go over a pot hole or bumps in the road --- the car would lurch forward --- i had no control over the car --- no brakes --- i didn't realize that this was not a "natural" response until i heard the description…
ODI 10310612
Traction Control System
2008 toyota prius touring version. Since buying the car is 12/07, i have noticed several problems. When slowing, if gas engine kicks off it is harder to brake (minor). When going over bumps (i.e, railroad tracks, rutted roads), brakes don't seem to work even when pressed hard (moderate problem). I make sure guy in front is far away from tracks before proceding. In snow (>4") car will stall - cannot spin tires…
ODI 10307655
Electronic Stability Control · Service Brakes, Electric · Traction Control System
I own a 2008 toyota prius. I've noticed that when i run over a bump or a pothole on the road, the car seems to accelerate or jolt forward. It happens while i brake to a stop sign and run over a bump or pothole. It has also happened while letting go of the gas pedal but not stepping on the brake. Usually when this occurs the light for the traction control engages as if it detects a skid, even though there is no skid.…
ODI 10307094
Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Traction Control System
I just reported the brake problem for this car, but there's also a problem with the tcs. When trying to accelerate on slick surfaces there is a momentary loss of traction resulting in an overly-long compensated period of seriously reduced acceleration; this has caused safety problems in intersections, where i am unable to quickly accelerate out of the way if conditions are slick or sandy, it is so unsafe that i wish…
ODI 10306620
Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Traction Control System
The car's anti-lock brakes fail to engage when the traction control kicks in. Thus, the car slides forward uncontrollably. I have avoided accidents only by swerving. Additionally, the traction control will activate when on dry pavement. Thus, normal stopping can be difficult if the car's traction control is activated (typically due to a bump/pothole). *tr
ODI 10307903
Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Traction Control System
2008 toyota prius. Have not experienced the braking failure currently being investigated in the 2010 prius, but i have experienced multiple similar failures with the traction control system on both slippery and bumpy roads where the car will completely disengage from the drive train for an unreasonably long period of time, and then pulse wildly between having the drive system engage and disengage. In minnesota with…
ODI 10305372
Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Traction Control System
I am an owner of a 2008 toyota prius. I have also experienced the braking problems that have been associated with the 2010 model. When hitting a bump in the road or an uneven part of the road, the brakes will not take hold and the vehicle seems to accelerate or jerk forward. Also the anti-lock brake light flashes. *tr
ODI 10306352
Traction Control System · Vehicle Speed Control
I wanted to include my voice in the recent complaints about the toyota prius brakes. I have a 2008 prius and have experienced the same issue several times- the brakes seem to stop working and the slick-road warning light comes on when i go over a big bump or pothole while braking. Braking comes right back, but i can imagine this might be a bigger issue if there was a vehicle right in front of me, in inclement…
ODI 10305628
Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Traction Control System
I own a 2008 toyota prius. I bought it new 4/12/08 in bend, oregon i live in madras, oregon. The problem has happened 3 times, it happens on packed snow slick conditions. It happened 2 times making 90 deg turns at 20 mph, i slow down into a right turn and half way thru i touch the gas and the car starts to slide and it will not come out of it. 1st time i hit the curb on the left side of road and went clear up on…
Crash reported
ODI 10305557
Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Traction Control System
When going downhill and approaching a right turn near my home i apply the brakes and often runover the same uneven surface on the road. That triggers my 2008 toyota prius' traction control light to blink on and off a few times and my brakes seem to stop applying pressure at that point while my car's speed increases for 1-2 seconds then the traction control light goes off and the brakes work fine. I am just worried…
ODI 10305123
Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Traction Control System
I own a 2008 toyota prius and it also has a problem when braking while driving over a rough surface or pot holes. The traction control light comes on and there is a 1-2 second delay before the real brakes kick in. I have learned to be aware of this issue and press the brakes harder until the brakes start to work. *tr
ODI 10305771
Traction Control System
When i am braking and go over a bump in my 2008 prius toyota, it feels like the brakes disengage for a second and the car goes faster. I noticed this mainly during winter driving in snow and ice. *tr
ODI 10333928
Traction Control System
Driving on snowy or slippery road conditions can cause my 2008 toyota prius to lose power completely. In december i was going up a very slight incline, in approximately 2 inches of snow. The prius lost a little traction going up the incline and then shut off completely. I had no control at all as my car went backward down the incline and then straight into a snowbank, where i was stuck. Luckily there was no car…
ODI 10310622
Electronic Stability Control · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Traction Control System
I drive a black 2008 toyota prius and after reading the news reports, i think there might be similar braking issues with my vehicle. The condition definitely does not happen very often, but i would say at least 5-10 times over the 23 months (march 08 - present) that i have had the vehicle. With the brake pedal applied after going over a rough spot or pothole in the road, it felt like the car was skidding or sliding.…
ODI 10305369
Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Traction Control System
This is for a 2008 toyota prius. This problem occurs during normal daily/routine driving, and occurs almost daily. Problem: while braking, if i encounter any non-smooth surfaces (small pot hole, slight gravel, etc) or while braking and turning--the braking pressure/force momentarily releases for about a 1/2 second ,and is immediately followed by a flashing abs light. When this occurs, the car also momentarily lunges…
ODI 10306465