2008 Toyota Prius: hesitation when accelerating

Filed Nov 28, 2018 · Transmission · 8,000 miles · FL

The car from a stop, if you step on the gas while making a right turn the car hesitates really bad and could cause an accident. I've taken it in when the car had less than 10k miles. They could not remake the problem. The car hesitates still and has not changed, it currently has 117k miles. I believe there is a software problem.

Filed Oct 10, 2018 · Fuel system · 5 miles · VA

When the vehicle stopped at the traffic light then it turns go, the prius doesn't speed up even when you press on gas pedal, it hesitates to move for awhile before it picks up the speed which is a hazard.

Filed Dec 6, 2014 · Driver assistance, Transmission · 100 miles · CA

When making a turn from a stop and trying to accelerate quickly the car jerks and hesitate as the anti slip system light flashes and engages. You cannot accelerate quickly into traffic from a dead stop making a turn as the car refuses, jerks and acts like it will stall. Pavement is dry and no gravel. Happens each and every time since I purchased the car. Easy to replicate. Come to a complete stop, then turn right while pressing the accelerator down quickly and the slip system kicks, car jerks, hesitates and then very slowly starts to eventually accelerate.

Filed Dec 6, 2014 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · 100 miles · CA

We have two prius cars with same issue - when making a turn from a stop and trying to accelerate quickly the car jerks and hesitate as the anti slip system light flashes and engages. You cannot accelerate quickly into traffic from a dead stop making a turn as the car refuses, jerks and acts like it will stall. Pavement is dry and no gravel. Happens each and every time since I purchased the car. Easy to replicate. Come to a complete stop, then turn right while pressing the accelerator down quickly and the slip system kicks, car jerks, hesitates and then very slowly starts to eventually accelerate.

Filed Mar 12, 2013 · Electrical, Engine · 78,396 miles · AR

My car had hesitation issues since shortly after I bought it. It would bog down, and almost die in traffic. I would lose speed on the hwy/road & nearly get hit. Previously, the dealer replaced the gas tank because its "bladder" was bad @ 54,057 miles on 08/05/2011. The factory split the cost on this repair (which appears to occur more than they are admitting). The performance improved for a little while, but there has always been funny noises coming from my vehicle and the car would not power on at times. Other times, it would freeze or power off. The maintenance warning lights would come on and then turn off. Infrequently, air would come through the backseat vents like it is supposed to. Frequently, I would smell unusual smells after stopping my car. My car ate up the inside of a new set of tires very quickly despite being properly aligned. The HVAC blower motor was cutting on and off at times and making funny noises. Many times when it would cut off, I could open and slam the hood and the HVAC blower motor would engage, as if there was an electrical short in it. When the HVAC blower motor quit altogether, I took my car to the dealer. The dealer said that the mower had gone out. There was an actual problem with the hv electric water pump as well as a factory recall. Interestingly, the dealer discovered tat the engine motor water pump was also leaking. What a coincidence! Now that all of these components have been replaced, my car appears to work normal again like it has not worked since I first bought the car.

Filed Feb 15, 2010 · Brakes · 50 miles · MA

Our 2008 toyota prius has a brake hesitation. This hesitation occurs when going over a rough road surface while braking or slowing. This problem happens often. I have learned that if I keep pressing on the brake when this happens I am able to stop and/or slow down.

Filed Feb 9, 2010 · Acceleration, Brakes · 33,000 miles · WA

There are two issues with my 2008 toyota prius. When trying to accelerate rapidly, the engine cuts out and hesitates. I think it's related to the traction control, but this happens way too easily. I have new tires and it happens on dry pavement. The second issue is related to the brakes. When braking and encountering small bumps in the road, the car appears to leap forward. There is a sensation of accelerating when this happens, although I'm certain it is just the ABS system. It is a very uneasy feeling.

Filed Feb 8, 2010 · Brakes · 53,300 miles · CA

Summary: brakes hesitate if I have the brakes on before driving over bumpy road transition: driving ~25 to 30mph going up hill, on bridge that is a freeway overpass, where I turn into the left turn lane that has a stoplight that leads to the freeway on ramp. If the light is red or I need to slowdown for the turn, when my wheels go over the metal transition plate between the asphalt road and the concrete bridge, if I have my brakes on prior to the transition, the out of control light flashes , ABS engages and after the transition, I lose brakes for a second or two or maybe three. If the light is red it can be a little tricky as I need to stop for the light shortly after the transition. There are two lanes that turn onto the freeway and if someone shifts from one lane to the other for a better light position, it gets even trickier to stop on time. For those in san diego, this is the light at la costa in carlsbad, going west on la costa and entering the I-5 south on ramp.

Filed Feb 4, 2010 · Brakes · 25,321 miles · OR

Re: my 2008 prius. The brakes occasionally seem to 'skip,' especially on wet or rough roads. They always work, but seem to pause or hesitate before stopping. I've only heard word about 2010 models, but this has been happening to my 2008 too often!

Filed Feb 4, 2010 · Brakes · CA

I have a 2008 prius and I experience the same problem of: "as described by the federal safety agency's office of defect investigations "consumers allege a momentary loss in braking during brake applications while traveling over an uneven road surface, pothole or bump in the roadway."" my car won't brake properly when going over bumps on the road or uneven surfaces. The brakes hesitate briefly and the car slightly lunges forward. However, I have a 2008 prius. I have always noticed the problem but didn't know I could report this anywhere that would listen to me. Ongoing problem. I've experienced this problem since I bought the car. The skid light goes on when this problem arises. I'm concerned about rear-ending someone ahead of me.