2008 Toyota Prius Structure Problems
- 18
- 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 18 stored complaint records:
- 1 indicate a crash
- 0 indicate injury
- 0 indicate fire
What owners report
- hatch release · 9 records
- rear hatch · 8 records
- rubber cover · 5 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 60–100k mi | 4 |
| 1–30k mi | 3 |
| 30–60k mi | 3 |
| 150–400k mi | 1 |
| 100–150k mi | 1 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Structure
The rubber cover on the rear hatch door latch / switch has degraded and melted. It is impossible to open the rear hatch and to access my spare tire, making this a safety hazard. There is no manual way to release the hatch. There have been dozens of complaints on the nhtsa site about this issue, see http://www.meyersonstrategy.com/2013/09/toyotas-sticky-2007-prius-hatch-problem.html for more. This should be fixed by…
ODI 10701491
Structure
This isn't a "safety" issue so i hope this is the right place to file this. The trunk latch on the toyota prius disintegrates. I believe the material, design is poor. It will cost $487 to replace this. *tr
ODI 10693576
Structure
The latch cover on the hatchback has deteriorated and is almost completely melted away. In warm weather it is incredibly sticky and anything that touches it gets black goo on it, and the goo is hard to remove form hands or anything else. It has been hard to open for more than a year, and has gotten so bad that we have had to replace it today at a cost of $285. I emailed toyota customer service months ago about the…
ODI 10672441
Structure
When i try to open the trunk, the rubber piece that you touch in order to open the trunk seem to have melted. My fingers turn black every time i try to open the trunk. Does anyone know what that rubber piece is called or the part number so that i can replace it? It makes the rear hatch very hard to open in hot and cold weather. *tr
ODI 10531601
Electrical System · Structure
Rear hatch button rubber has melted. Causes electrical hatch opening mechanism to fail completely. Rubber remains sticky in hot weather, transfers tarry residue to fingers. In cold weather button will not function at all. Safety issue because rear hatch is not accessible. Can not access spare tire. There is no hatch release available at driver's seat in front. There is no mechanical only alternative. Child trapped…
ODI 10654331
Carrier/Rack · Structure
The plastic part on the rear latch for the toyota prius is now like gum. After internet research this is a common problem for all toyota latches and it costs about $280.00 to fix. I have a 2008 toyota prius and this is a known defective part and should be recalled and the consumer should not be charged. *tr
ODI 10513636
Equipment · Structure
Toyota prius (2008) hatch release rubber cover piece detached and tore apart. Note that my rx300 selection of make/part number is bogus, as i have no way of knowing who made this rubber component. *tr
ODI 10563215
Structure · Vehicle Speed Control
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota prius. The contact stated that while attempting to park the engine revved up. As a result, the vehicle jumped the curve and ran into some bushes. No injuries were reported. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The failure and current mileage was 87,102. ..updated 11/14/12 *bf updated 11/15/2012 *js
Crash reported
ODI 10479379
Structure
Black handle on hatch started melting. After only about 4 years use, the rubber cover on the hatch release handle (the exterior handle of the rear hatch) of my 2008 toyota prius, melted into a sticky tarry black rubbery gooey mess. It drips down on the rear bumper. I can best describe it as being a viscous black glob like roofing tar. To open the hatch, you have to touch this black goo each time, which makes it…
ODI 10629349
Mechanical · Structure
We bought our 2008 toyota prius in nov 2007. After about 3 years use, the rubber cover on the hatch release handle (the exterior handle of the rear hatch) melted into a sticky tarry black rubbery gooey mess. To open the hatch, you have to touch this black goo each time, which makes it difficult to operate the hatch release. We believe this melting process started at about the 2 yr. Mark, but has been a serious issue…
ODI 10437355
Latches/Locks/Linkages · Structure
Rubber on the 2008 prius is melting and dripping. I've seen many complaints on line about this problem. *tr
ODI 10419383
Electrical · Structure · Trunk Lid
Toyota 2008 prius trunk hatch release rubber piece melted. 2008 model was only 2.5 years old when this happened. Dealer says $197.00 for this part. *tr
ODI 10438566
Latches/Locks/Linkages · Structure
My 2008 prius trunk handle has melted. It is now difficult to open, and is extremely messy. This started in may 2011, just outside the warranty period of the car. *tr
ODI 10420842
Structure
After only about 3 years use, the rubber cover on the hatch release handle (the exterior handle of the rear hatch) of our 2008 toyota prius, melted into a sticky tarry black rubbery gooey mess. I can best describe it as being a viscous black glob like roofing tar. To open the hatch, you have to touch this black goo each time, which makes it difficult to operate the hatch release. We believe this melting process…
ODI 10434924
Structure
The material in the trunk door handle is dissolving and or disintegrating. At times this appears to be the cause of a delay in opening the trunk. My concern is that in the case of an emergency a delay in reaching items needed to deal with a roadside emergency that are stored in the trunk may occur. I had mentioned this defect to toyota dealers in prior years and my complaint was in my opinion relegated to the…
ODI 10505982
Structure
Tl*the contact owns a 2008 toyota prius. The vehicle was stationary. The contact observed a water leak in the trunk in the spare tire wheel well. The failure occurred during rainy weather conditions. The water was drained from the wheel well. The contact was concerned about the potential safety hazard contributed to water leakage within the battery. The failure and current mileages were 40,000.
ODI 10319048
Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc. · Structure
The prius has a mark on dash by center screen and is poor sign. *tr
ODI 10254498
Steering · Structure
Vehicle is extremely, almost dangerously, sensitive to cross winds and wake turbulence from larger vehicles, trucks specifically. *tr
ODI 10248893