2008 Toyota Prius Body Problems
- 39
- 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 39 stored complaint records:
- 7 indicate a crash
- 4 indicate injury
- 2 indicate fire
What owners report
- rear hatch · 8 records
- open hatchback · 6 records
- hatch release · 6 records
- spare tire · 5 records
- open hatch · 5 records
- lift gate · 5 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 60–100k mi | 15 |
| 30–60k mi | 8 |
| 100–150k mi | 4 |
| 1–30k mi | 1 |
| 150–400k mi | 1 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Body
The hatchback rubber door handle melted even though my car is garaged and not exposed to the sun's heat. Also the hatchback latch would not keep the door in an open position. It dropped multiple times hitting my head while getting the groceries. Can't remember how many times it hit my head but definitely a safety issue that toyota should address.
ODI 11067325
Body · Electrical System · Engine
Toyota prius (2008) - fire after minor accident (battery fire) after a fairly standard rear end collision (25-30 mph), my toyota prius caught fire and burst into flames. I was stopped at a red light on a city street in chicago, il when the accident occurred, my vehicle was not in motion. Within minutes of impact (to right rear of car), the responding police officer saw fire under the car (began in rear) and the fire…
Crash reported · Fire reported · 1 injury
ODI 11040438
Body · Service Brakes · Wheels
My 2008 prius (67,500 miles) regularly serviced at the toyota dealer had a catastrophic brake failure while i was going in reverse down my drive way . I have done the same maneuver every day for more than 20 years in this driveway and never had a problem. As the brakes failed i attempted to pump the brake pedal more to no avail. The car crossed the street and went in the neighbor yard across from my driveway. The…
ODI 10966665
Body
The rubber trunk switch cover has degraded, and continues to "melt" or "disintegrate" over time. Originally this was a mere irritation, leaving sticky black residue on my fingers every time i opened the trunk. However, now the switch fails to operate most of the time. This is a safety issue, since i am unable to open the trunk to access the spare tire, as well as other safety equipment or supplies.
ODI 11170924
Body
My rear hatch door latch cover and switch are inoperable and the rubber latch cover is gummy. Hatch will no longer open - this is a huge safety issue- how can i get to my spare tire?
ODI 10944236
Air Bags · Body
My daughter was driving with a passenger in the front, on a town street and a vehicle pulled out in front of her. The impact was on her front bumper and hood pushing the side quarter panels back. The other vehicle was an older pontiac grand pris, their airbags deployed. No airbags deployed on the toyota prius.why did the airbags not deploy?
Crash reported · 1 injury
ODI 10903463
Body · Fuel/Propulsion System · Service Brakes
I was in a parking lot and turned my car into a parking space. As i slowed my car to bring it to a stop, applying the brake, the car accelerated on its own and crashed into a railing at the head of the parking space. Although i pushed the brake all the way to to floor, i could not stop the car. The car hit at such a speed that it broke a solid wood railing at the front of the parking space. My car was declared a…
Crash reported
ODI 10909656
Body
The rubber on the rear liftgate has deteriorated. My fingers get covered in a sticky goo every time i open it.
ODI 10898928
Body
The rear latch assembly is held in place by plastic bolts. Over time, the plastic distingrates. When attempting to open the rear latch of the parked car, the plastic cracked and the assembly came loose.
ODI 10853405
Body
The hatchback latch has a rubber cover which has been deteriorating for several years. There are 100s of complaints on the internet about it. Now, the latch pressure plate fails to allow me to open hatch and the nearby (plastic?) part is broken--similar to many others on web. Dealer quotes a $540 cost to repair the latch and plate.
ODI 10850312
Body
The latch handle on the hatchback has "melted" for lack of a better word. The handle has become gooey and leaves a black residue on my fingers every time i open the hatchback. Because of this problem, the handle is harder to use, making it more trying to open the trunk.
ODI 10811952
Body
I purchased my prius in 2008. Approximately 3 years after purchase, i noticed that the handle on the back hatch had started to get really soft in hot weather and freeze up a little in cold weather. At first it was just a nuisance as it sometimes left a black sticky substance on my hands; however, over time it became progressively worse and the hatch became harder to open. I cannot open it at all now (sept. 2015),…
ODI 10779526
Body · Electrical System
The latch handle on the hatchback has disintegrated. The handle has become gooey and leaves a black residue on my fingers every time i open the hatchback. Because of this problem, the handle is harder to use, making it difficult to open the trunk. Replacement part number is 84905-47010.
ODI 10763506
Body
I was hit in the rear end which shoved me into the vehicle in front of me 7/31/2015. Air bags did not deploy.
Crash reported
ODI 10748297
Body · Unknown Or Other
The black rubber is disintegrating and falling off the outside trunk latch, making it difficult to open the hatchback to get to the spare tire or battery. This is also happening to my neighbor, who parks right next to me and also has a 2008 prius.
ODI 10744430
Body
I was driving my 2008 prius in rainy weather (normal for seattle) northbound on interstate 5 in relatively heavy traffic. Traffic was slowing down, so i brake and decreased my speed further. As i got closer to the car ahead of me, i pushed more firmly on the brake, and nothing happened. The abs did not engage. The car just kept moving along and i ran into the car ahead of me. Luckily my speed was only 5-7 mph. The…
Crash reported
ODI 10678150
Body
The back latch of my 2008 toyota prius began melting last summer, leaving a sticky black residue on my hand when i touched it. It now takes both hands and a lot of pressure/strength to even open it. I see that other owners have experienced this problem, yet toyota did not issue a recall and is instead, demanding $315 to replace it. Since the inability to quickly access the trunk in am emergency presents a safety…
ODI 10667859
Body · Steering
This is a report of product failure and subsequent refusal by toyota to replace failed parts post 36 k mi. Warranty. They are a steering wheel compound disintergration and the premature oxidation of the plastic spoiler paint only w/o similarly occuring on the sheetmetal of the body.
ODI 10654405
Body
Rear hatchback locking/unlocking rubber handle disolved/melted and became a tar-like mass that stuck to fingers. Unable to unlock truck manually and electrically. Unable to access trunk where emergency/safety equipment located.
ODI 10732837
Body
On my 2008 toyota prius rear hatch liftgate, the handle has melted making it very difficult to open the rear hatch. This is a safety problem because there is then no safe way to remove items from the rear. Since the spare tire is stored in the hatch, toyota should repair this problem. This seems to be an ongoing problem with the 2nd generation prius. I have read numerous complaints regarding this issue on various…
ODI 10633636
Body
Rubber like material that made the hatchback latch has melted to the plastic/metal. Difficulty opening. On some occasions, it will not open. Will not open in extreme heat or cold weather. All doors should function properly. Dealership will not replace even though it is obviously a problem. *tr
ODI 10632560
Body
The black part on the "trunk" which you have to touch to open the hatchback, started melting the first summer after we bought the prius. Every summer since it drips black rubber, which smears all over your hand every time you open the door. In the winter, it doesn't melt, but the trunk is extremely difficult to open, which could create a risk of death, if passengers were trapped inside a burning car after a…
ODI 10660741
Body
I am a mechanical professional engineer licensed in the state of california. I was with an individual at the time this occurred as they attempted to open the back hatch. Upon trying to lift the tail gate the individual heard the click and the slight release of the lock for the tail gate. They were unaware of the degraded condition of the switches cover. Upon trying to lift the hatch they felt their fingers "appear"…
1 injury
ODI 10629854
Body · Electrical System
On the hatch, the exterior switch to open the hatch is covered by a rubber seal to prevent moisture. Unfortunately for me (and apparently hundreds of other consumers i've spoken to online), the rubber eventually dissolves and destroys the switching mechanism, leading to an inability to open the trunk/hatch. This has potential safety implications as if there were a battery fire, i'd have no way to open the hatch to…
ODI 10622595
Body
Rear hatch switch melted and had to be replaced for $290.62. This is a toyota problem which they refuse to acknowledge. *tr
ODI 10559309