Vehicle Data Hub

2008 Toyota Prius brakes problems

400 complaints about brakes have been filed for the 2008 Toyota Prius, which is 21% of all its NHTSA complaints. It is the 2nd most reported problem area for this model year.

At a glance

Complaints
400 21% of this year's complaints
Typical mileage
34,000 miles 324 complaints with mileage
Crashes and fires
66 and 1
Injuries and deaths
17 and 0

Source: NHTSA owner complaints

When brakes problems show up

Brakes complaints by mileage, 2008 Toyota Prius Complaints by odometer reading in 20,000-mile steps. The median is about 34,000 miles. 0k to 20k miles: 105 complaints 20k to 40k miles: 72 complaints 40k to 60k miles: 39 complaints 60k to 80k miles: 18 complaints 80k to 100k miles: 6 complaints 100k to 120k miles: 18 complaints 120k to 140k miles: 17 complaints 140k to 160k miles: 18 complaints 160k to 180k miles: 15 complaints 180k to 200k miles: 7 complaints 200k+ miles: 9 complaints 040k80k120k160k200k miles Typical: 34,000 miles
Based on 324 complaints that include mileage. 67% were reported before 60,000 miles. The amber marker shows the median: half of these complaints happened before that mileage.
View the numbers
MileageComplaints
0k to 20k miles105
20k to 40k miles72
40k to 60k miles39
60k to 80k miles18
80k to 100k miles6
100k to 120k miles18
120k to 140k miles17
140k to 160k miles18
160k to 180k miles15
180k to 200k miles7
200k+ miles9

What the data shows

Of the 324 brakes complaints that report mileage, the median is about 34,000 miles, and 67% were reported before 60,000 miles.

These complaints mention 66 crashes, 1 fire, 17 injuries.

What owners wrote

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.

Reported at 185,000 miles, February 2010 CrashInjury

2008 toyota prius. Brakes fail/inoperative when driving over bumpy roads and/or potholes. It seems as though the ABS or the electronic stability control engages when there is no need. This is the same type of incident that is being reported in newer prius models as well.

Reported at 34,000 miles, January 2010

Other problems reported for the 2008 Toyota Prius

Brakes problems in other years

Brakes problems across all Toyota models