2008 Toyota Prius: won't start

Filed Jul 22, 2020 · Electrical · 150,000 miles · CA

Car won't start at times. A code of p0aa6 comes on but then I cannot get a sub code (detailed code) to determine what is wrong. I have taken it to 3 dealers and 3 separate mechanics and the same thing happens. They can't retrieve a sub code to figure out what's wrong. They reset it so I can get home and the same thing happens again and I have to tow it to another place. Can't depend on this car to start.

Filed May 1, 2018 · Engine · 98,357 miles · KY

Our 2008 prius experienced engine failure while driving ca. 70 MPH on a day when the temperature was between 90 and 95 degrees. This appears to be the same problem with the inverter that has happened on later models, especially as 'high thermal stress' featured in reports of those. Two mechanics were unable to pull a computer code on it and said they couldn't offer an opinion unless it was replicated. Each mentioned the inverter problem, but claimed that it could only have happened on model years more recent than ours. A toyota company rep claimed never to have heard of it happening on any car before 2010. I asked if there were a database of such issues she could check to see if other owners had anything similar happen before 2010, but she declined to do so. I believe she claimed that the company maintained no such database. All I remember for sure is that she projected no inclination to follow up, appearing to treat it as a one-off problem that didn't merit further attention. This happened while I was passing a truck, with a car close behind clearly intending to pass me after I had gotten around the truck. I suddenly realized that I had no acceleration and that the dash lights had come on. I was luckily able to steer across the driving lane to the right shoulder without being hit as my speed dropped. I tried starting the car again; it started up as if nothing had happened so we continued, carefully, on our way. That specific problem has not reoccurred, although there were two incidents (one earlier that day and one the day before) when pushing 'start' failed to start the engine. Dash lights and air conditioner fan came on, but engine did not start until the 'start' button had been pushed twice more. In both of these cases the temperature was also in the 90s.

Filed Nov 25, 2017 · Electrical, Lights · 163,000 miles · IL

Two problems 1. In cold or cooler weather, my dash does not display. After sometimes 1 hour, it will suddenly turn on. Also, when the dash does not display the car does not turn off, unless I hold the start button for a long time. Also the rear view camera does not work. Also my smart key does not start the car, unless inserted. 2. Sometimes my headlights and running lights do not work. It always happens in an alternating manner. If my front right head light is not working, then my rear left running light is not working or vice a versa. This problem also appears and goes away at random intervals. I have checked and there was a recall for the combination meter, but when I called toyota customer experience center, they told me that the recall expired. I was not informed of the recall and even when I searched on line, no recalls show up. What do I do? Can I still have toyota fix this problem? The lighting issue seems to be related to a faulty hid computer. Again, no recall shows up, can I get this fixed? I have been pulled over one time by police, and am afraid of driving at night because of this problem. This has been ongoing, intermittently, since last winter.

Filed Jul 22, 2015 · 122,000 miles · OK

The rear hatch handle cover - which appears to be rubber - started deteriorating rather quickly in the summer heat about 2-3 weeks ago and has turned into a rubbery, sticky black mess. The deteriorating rubber has interfered with the use of the hatch release handle. A couple of days ago, the car would not start and was completely dead. We discovered that the rear hatch had not closed completely and resulted in an interior light remaining on which completely drained the battery. There are many complaints on internet blogs and chat forums from other prius owners having the same problem. I believe this could easily result in a safety issue due to the inability of the rear hatch to close properly and potentially opening during operation of the vehicle. My local toyota dealer charged me $208 to repair/replace the latch. In my opinion, this appears to be a vehicle defect which should require a recall or a warranty extension from toyota and a refund of any monies paid by prius owners to fix the problem.

Filed Jul 20, 2015 · Driver assistance, Lights · 25,870 miles · FL

Vehicle starts, runs for limited time -2-3 mins. Shuts off vehicle starts no electrical visibility on dash.. Blank. Vehicle starts with electrical visibility, runs for 3-5 miles, looses electrical visibility. Updated 12/4/2017*cn vehicle starts with electrical visibility runs for 3-4 miles .vehicle stops, shuts off in traffic. Vehicle will not start. Requires jump start,,. And runs enough to take car to dealer. Vehicle will not start, requires jump start and will not hold charge. Requires towing to dealer. Ma 10/8

Filed Feb 12, 2014 · Electrical, Engine · 79,000 miles · ME

Was driving to nova scotia 10/18/13. Stopped for coffee after 2 hrs of driving. Car would not restart. Returning to maine10/20/2013 was passing a tractor trailer truck with another trailer truck passing behind me as well. No check engine light had come on at any time during the trip. Suddenly,all the warning lights on the dashboard lit up and the car stopped working while driving at 75 MPH. Tried not to slow too quickly with truck bearing down behind me ,but could not accelerate either. Car had popped into neutral . Got off on left of two lane highway .car was dead. Would not start. Had towed to toyota dealer in amherst. Diagnostics found no cause. Had to drive 4 hours back home next day not knowing if it would happen again. Took car to toyota dealer 45 miles from my home in us. The following week .no cause found. Happened again shortly after on main street, blocking traffic . Towed to local mechanic. Was there one week. Unable to diagnose. Towed 45 miles to toyota again. There another week. I was told it was a problem with fuse box assembly. Shortly after, the master warning light came on, as well as a warning symbol on the touch screen meaning 'malfunction in hybrid system.' towed again to toyota dealer. Front battery replaced. Noted today that prius recall on '09-'14 models for exact same thing that happened to my '08 model. Total cost $600.00 plus $270.00 towing and $120.00 for hotel .

Filed May 15, 2011 · Electrical · 67,200 miles · MD

After driving for about 500 miles the car was parked in the garage for two days. When I tried to start the car the 12v battery was dead. I used 3 different batteries to try to start the car. The lights came on on the dash but there was a warning message that there was a problem with the transmission and needed to put the car on a level surface which it already was, and the transmission would not come out of park and the motor would not start. The car could not be moved. When a new battery was installed the car resumed working fine. If the dead battery had happened when we were stopped on i81 because of construction, we would have been stuck in the fast lane with no way to move the car out of the travel lane until a tow truck arrived.

Filed Feb 16, 2010 · Electrical · 17,000 miles · IL

I have a 2008 toyota prius (bought new) & have had several problems with the electrical system. The biggest problem happened when my husband was driving on the highway. Suddenly the radio went off & all lights on the dash went off. He pulled over, turned off the motor & then turned it on again. It was then ok. Another problem has occurred 3 times. The car won't start & I have to keep trying. After a few attempts it does start. I had not reported these problems, & would not have except for the problems that toyotas are now having. I think that maybe many people are experiencing this problem. And although my car should have been in the floormat recall, I have never had any letter or calls from my dealer.