YearToAvoid

2008 Toyota Prius Steering Problems

NHTSA has 18 owner complaints about steering problems in the 2008 Toyota Prius, 1% of all 1,497 complaints for this model year. That is #5 highest steering complaint count among 21 Prius model years. These complaints report 3 crashes. Median mileage at failure: 53,475 miles.

Steering complaints
18
1% of 1,497
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
53,475 mi
Related recalls
1

When 2008 Toyota Prius steering complaints were filed

First complaint Nov 15, 2008, latest Jun 27, 2024.

2008 Toyota Prius steering complaints: complaints filed per month2Nov 2008Jan 2014Nov 2014Oct 2015Sep 2018Jul 2022
18 complaints filed with NHTSA from Nov 2008 to Jun 2024; peak Jul 2014 (2).

Steering recalls for the 2008 Toyota Prius

  1. NHTSA 12V537000Nov 14, 2012Steering669,705 vehicles

    Steering:gear box:shaft sector

    Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2009 Prius vehicles manufactured August 5, 2003, through March 30, 2009. The affected vehicles have a steering intermediate extension shaft assembly built with metal splines that complete the connection from the steering wheel to the steering gear. These splines may have been manufactured with an insufficient hardness.

    Risk: Over time, the splines may wear and eventually fail resulting in a loss of steering ability, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

    Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the extension shaft and replace it if it is one with insufficient hardness, free of charge. The recall began during December 2012. Owners may contact their Toyota dealer or the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.

Steering complaints by Prius model year

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

  1. 200539 (4%)
  2. 200622 (2%)
  3. 200733 (2%)
  4. 200818 (1%)
  5. 200913 (3%)
  6. 201030 (1%)
  7. 20117 (1%)
  8. 201213 (3%)
  9. 20138 (2%)
  10. 20148 (4%)
  11. 20153 (2%)
  12. 20162 (1%)
  13. 20177 (8%)
  14. 20180 (0%)
  15. 20190 (0%)
  16. 20200 (0%)
  17. 20210 (0%)
  18. 20220 (0%)
  19. 20231 (5%)
  20. 20240 (0%)
  21. 20250 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2008 Toyota Prius have steering problems?
NHTSA has 18 owner complaints about the steering in the 2008 Toyota Prius, 1% of all complaints for this model year, including 3 that report a crash. Median mileage at failure is 53,475 miles.
Which Toyota Prius year has the most steering complaints?
The 2005 Toyota Prius has the most steering complaints (39), compared with 18 for the 2008.
Is there a steering recall for the 2008 Toyota Prius?
Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for the 2008 Toyota Prius concerns the steering: 12V537000.

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.