YearToAvoid

2008 Toyota Prius Engine Problems

NHTSA has 214 owner complaints about engine problems in the 2008 Toyota Prius, 14% of all 1,497 complaints for this model year. That is #2 highest engine complaint count among 21 Prius model years. These complaints report 58 crashes, 4 fires, and 27 injuries. Median mileage at failure: 33,583 miles.

Engine complaints
214
14% of 1,497
Crashes reported
58
Fires reported
4
Injuries reported
27
Median mileage
33,583 mi
Related recalls
1

When 2008 Toyota Prius engine complaints were filed

First complaint Aug 8, 2008, latest May 12, 2026.

2008 Toyota Prius engine complaints: complaints filed per quarter682008 Q32010 Q32012 Q42014 Q42016 Q42018 Q42021 Q12025 Q3
214 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2008 Q3 to 2026 Q2; peak 2010 Q1 (68).

Engine recalls for the 2008 Toyota Prius

  1. NHTSA 09V388000Oct 5, 2009Engine4,445,056 vehicles

    Vehicle speed control:accelerator pedal

    Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2010 passenger vehicles. The accelerator pedal can get stuck in the wide open position due to its being trapped by an unsecured or incompatible driver's floor mat.

    Risk: A stuck open accelerator pedal may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death.

    Remedy: Toyota filed an amended defect report on november 25, 2009, stating that dealers will modify the accelerator pedal and, on certain vehicles, alter the shape of the floor surface under the pedal. These changes address the risk of pedal entrapment due to interference with the floor mat. Redesigned accelerator pedals will become available beginning in april 2010 and dealers will replace any modified pedal with the new pedal if desired. Also, dealers will replace any genuine toyota or lexus all-weather floor mats with redesigned all-weather mats, or repurchase the previous mats from owners who do not want the new ones. Additionally, software modifications will be installed on camry, avalon and lexus es 350, is 350 and is 250 models that will ensure that the brake overrides the accelerator in the event both brake and accelerator pedals are applied. Toyota will begin mailing letters to owners on december 31, 2009. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331, lexus at 1-800-255-3987.

Engine complaints by Prius model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 2005186 (18%)
  2. 2006124 (9%)
  3. 2007172 (9%)
  4. 2008214 (14%)
  5. 200997 (19%)
  6. 2010453 (16%)
  7. 201178 (15%)
  8. 201243 (10%)
  9. 201357 (14%)
  10. 201431 (15%)
  11. 201514 (8%)
  12. 201629 (19%)
  13. 201725 (27%)
  14. 20188 (22%)
  15. 201910 (33%)
  16. 20202 (14%)
  17. 20213 (50%)
  18. 20224 (17%)
  19. 20230 (0%)
  20. 20242 (8%)
  21. 20251 (6%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2008 Toyota Prius have engine problems?
NHTSA has 214 owner complaints about the engine in the 2008 Toyota Prius, 14% of all complaints for this model year, including 58 that report a crash. Median mileage at failure is 33,583 miles.
Which Toyota Prius year has the most engine complaints?
The 2010 Toyota Prius has the most engine complaints (453), compared with 214 for the 2008.
Is there a engine recall for the 2008 Toyota Prius?
Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for the 2008 Toyota Prius concerns the engine: 09V388000.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.