2008 Toyota Prius: adaptive cruise control problems

Filed Apr 22, 2026 · Airbags · OR

the cruise control was inop, technician said it was a clockspring failure, replaced the clockspring with a new part from walmart, then at times, the airbag failure light would come on, paid a technician to replace the replacement clockspring with an new one and the failure stopped, walmart is selling a part that could result in death

Filed Mar 22, 2022 · Acceleration, Electrical · OH

Dashboard speedometer, fuel gauge, headlight indicators, transmission status, cruise control do not show, are not lit up. Backup camera does not work nor do the back-up lights. This occured after the auxiliary battery was replaced and the dashboard lights and backup camera will occassionally spontaneously return when the car has not been driven for a week or longer but then will go out next time the car is turned off. There are problems with the car turning off consistently and at times the start button needs to be manually depressed for 5+ seconds to shut down.

Filed Mar 18, 2021 · Acceleration, Electrical · 146,500 miles · AZ

Instrument cluster in my 2008 toyota prius completely went dark while driving from phoenix to my home in tucson. I was travelling on I-10 at a speed of approximately 70mph. Terribly frightening when all gauges fail at the same instant. This happened in jan 2021. Speedometer, fuel gauge, headlight indicators, prndl, lcruise control, lights that indicate engine emergencies do not light. Back-up camera does not work nor do the back-up lights. These all are extremely dangerous safety issues. Having researched this problem it is evident that toyota knew about this problem as they have recalled thousands of prius' for this issue. They issued an extended warranty for this issue but mine expired before I purchased this vehicle in february, 2020. I firmly am convinced that toyota should honor the warranty for this dangerously common failure which happens to many different model year of the prius. It's, in fact, irresponsible of toyota to not repair these vehicles as they have known how massively prevalent these failures are. The local toyota dealers is charging over $1000.00 to fix the problem. I, for one, cannot afford such a cost for a malfunctioning, critical for safely operating their product, that should be remedied into perpetuity, since they have unquestionably been fully aware of the problem and it's severity. I should not be excluded from repair simply because the failure happened later in this particular vehicle than others.

Filed Dec 8, 2018 · Acceleration, Electrical · WA

For several years our toyota prius has exhibited the following issue: intermittently, and without warning, when you start the car the dashboard does not light. As a consequent, you cannot not see the speed you're driving at, the fuel level of the car, any warnings such as check engine, low tire pressure etc, and you're not able to use a number of other important features such as cruise control. In addition, you are not able to turn off the car when you reach your destination. Because you cannot turn off the car, you cannot lock it. Undisclosed to customers, there has been for several years an extended warranty being offered by toyota, to the dealerships, to fix this problem (warranty policy bulletin, pol 12-05). This information is provided only to dealerships. As I customer, I never received information about this extended warranty. I only found out about it via other customers. Our local toyota dealership (toyota of olympia) has refused to apply the extended warranty and fix the problem. We contacted the dealership several years ago about the issue, which they have a record of. Toyota customer service also refuses to help us get this issue fixed and apply the extended warranty. The case number with customer service is 1812072507. Both toyota and the dealership state that the customer most replicate this intermittent issue to a dealership mechanic before either entity will authorize fixing the issue. Several weeks or months may go by before the issue appears and it appears only for an unpredictable duration before "going away", so this is an impossible burden of proof for the customer -- the customer has to take the car to a dealership at the moment the intermittent issue occurs, and must arrive at the dealership and get the mechanic to immediately drop their other work in order to hopefully witness the issue before it "goes away".

Filed Dec 3, 2018 · Electrical · 220,000 miles · NV

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota prius. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing electrical failures, which caused the fuel gauge, odometer, cruise control, and speedometer to malfunction. In addition, the entire instrument panel would black out. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to carson city toyota (2590 s carson st, carson city, nv 89701, (775) 882-8211) where it was diagnosed that the speedometer would have to be replaced. The other failures were not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and did not assist. The failure mileage was 220,000. *tt

Filed Oct 8, 2010 · Acceleration · RI · crash

2008 toyota prius. Consumer states unintended acceleration *tgw the consumer stated as she was coming to a complete stop with her foot on the brake, the vehicle suddenly accelerated. Within about 1/10th of a second, it was moving at a very high rate of speed. The vehicle did not increase speed gradually, but was almost instantly moving very fast. The consumer stated she could hear the engine revving quite loudly. The vehicle crossed a grassy area about 20 feet wide and then hit a post which was about 6 inches in diameter. It demolished the post and then plowed through some small trees and large shrubbery. The vehicle finally came to rest about 10 inches from the corner of a house. The consumer stated prior to the accident, she received a recall letter in the mail, and complied with the recall. However, since the recall was performed, she noticed that when the cruise control was activated and going up a rise in the road, the engine would start to audibly rev and the vehicle would gain 2, 3,4 MPH over what was set for the cruise control speed. It also gained a few miles when on a downward slope. As soon as the road leveled out, it would go back to what the cruise control setting was. The consumer took the vehicle back to the dealer, but they dismissed it as not important and said it was a normal occurrence and it had nothing to do with the recall work they performed.

Filed Sep 18, 2010 · Acceleration · 33,583 miles · MT

Rapid acceleration while cruise control engaged. While cruise control was set for 68 MPH, I found it necessary to pass a semi. While the cruise was engaged the accelerator was depressed and I was able to pass the truck not having to go any faster than 73. Shortly after, I became aware that the car was continuing to accelerate and I was unable disengage cruise control by braking once normally and braking once hard....the acceleration continued. Speeds were in excess of 93+ and I was finally able to stop the acceleration by disengaging the cruise at the switch. Braking should always disengage cruise and should have slowed the vehicle. It did neither. Fortunately I was on an open freeway....with only weather issues....but this could have been very serious or fatal should traffic had been stopped in front of me.

Filed May 2, 2010 · Acceleration, Brakes · 9,000 miles · MD

While driving about 65 MPH on a smooth interstate, my 2008 toyota prius accelerated when I tapped the brake to take it out of cruise control. I stepped on the brake again and it stopped accelerating, and slowed down. I had removed the floor mat a few weeks prior. I took it to toyota to have the recall work done, which included a software upgrade. They said after they inspected the car that they determined form the log that the brake and accelerator had been pressed at the same time, twice. I am sure I did not step on both. As I said, I tapped the break to take it out of cruise control, and at the time it accelerated my foot was in the air, not touching either pedal. I suggested the cruise control may be erroneously putting flags in the log as it slows and accelerated to maintain a consistent speed. The dealer refused to report this suggestion or since it would be diagnosing, and said there was no place for them to report that I was sure I had not stepped on both pedals at the same time. Thank you, and I hope you are able to resolve this problem.

Filed Apr 10, 2010 · Acceleration, Lights · 28,000 miles · CA

Hi, while driving to work this morning, my left headlight flashed and then stopped working. My 2008 toyota prius is about 1.75 years old with approximately 28,000 miles. I have heard from other prius owners that they have had problems with their headlights. I have also heard the replacement cost for the headlight is $300.00. I find that hard to believe, nonetheless headlights in everyother car I have owned seem to have a life of 10 or more years. This is a safety issue because I drive to work early in the morning when it is dark and I sometimes don't return home until after dark. The bulk of my driving has been in the daylight, however I need my car to get to work. Also on 3 occasions my cruise control accelerated beyond where I set it. For example I reset the control after having hit the brakes. I got back to my speed and set the cruise control at 70mph. I noticed a short while later the car was going 95. I hit the brakes to slow down and the car immediately came out of cruise control and slowed down as it should. I now take the car all the way out of cruise control shutting it off after I hit the brakes. I next turn the control back on and reset the cruise. Using the cruise this way I have not had the problem of the car speeding up. Ii figure I will continue to use the cruise this way and observe whether there is any problem. However,I don't believe toyota intended for the cruise control to be used this way. Thank you

Filed Mar 18, 2010 · Acceleration · CA

S10 appropriate handling re sudden unintended acceleration incident fm owner of a toyota vehicle. *tgw 2008 toyota prius. The consumer experienced several acceleration surges while driving on the freeway and using the cruise control. The vehicle suddenly surged forward from 68 MPH to 74 MPH.

Filed Mar 15, 2010 · Acceleration · 5,000 miles · DC · crash

I was parking my car head in first, in an apartment parking lot, I had just pulled into the space, put my foot on the brake and depressed the park button, I then began to reach for the power button when the car uncontrollably lunged forward going up a slight incline, hitting a chain link fence pole and coming to a stop damaging the front bumper. I don't know if it was the brake, or electrical system but, on occasion since this incident, I have accidentally turned the cruise control on and felt a surge of speed but the car was slowed/stopped by using the brake. It's so easy to turn the cruise control on without knowing it and I wonder if it could be a contributing factor to some of the prius problems.

Filed Mar 3, 2010 · Acceleration, Brakes · 185,000 miles · CO · crash · 4 injuries

Second accident caused by brake failure with acceleration. 2008 prius in stop and go traffic driving in battery (brake)mode about 10-15 MPH. Car in front slowed down, I hit the brake and the car accelerated slightly. I look to be sure my foot was on the brake pedal and it was and then rear ended the car in front. Car in front move forward but prius wouldn't stop and started to accelerate again so I pushed on the parking brake with my left foot and slowed it down for the second impact. Car in front then drove slowly to a parking lot and the prius kept moving so I drove it into the parking lot and when it slowed going up the ramp I pushed the parking button stopping the car. I then restarted it and released the parking brake to move further into the parking lot. 4 people injured, 3 seriously. A similar incident occurred 29 september 2008 when driving on cruise control at 26 MPH the prius suddenly turned left hitting a parked car. The video shows I was trying to counter steer hard right. Skid marks showed the left front wheel stopped and the car pivoted on it with acceleration marks from the right front tire.