Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Toyota Prius owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Prius. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, she heard a beeping sound, and the instrument cluster flashed the parking brake and a triangle symbol with an exclamation point was illuminated. The contact stated that the "Failure with Transmission - Pull Over and Shift to Park(P)" message was displayed. The contact stated that the shift indicator on the instrument cluster showed that the vehicle was shifted into park(P). The contact stated that the vehicle made an abnormal grinding sound and started losing motive power. The contact stated that the engine was still running however, the vehicle lost power steering and braking functionality. The contact stated that when she depressed the accelerator pedal the vehicle failed to respond. …
In temperatures above 95 degrees the vehicle shifts into neutral while driving, and you need to physically hold the shift lever in Drive or Reverse to keep it out of neutral. It won't go into park at all unless you restart. This could cause a fatal accident while driving, particularly on the freeway. It has not yet been confirmed since it only happens at very high temperatures, which is rare where I live (Seattle). There has been quite a lot of discussion on Reddit and other internet sites about this problem with Priuses, particularly the 2008 model. I have an appointment with my mechanic to replace the shift lever assembly, which appears to be the most commonly referenced fix. There are no warning lights, other messages, or symptoms before or while this is happening. The problem resolves when the air temperature goes back down.
I have had my 2008 Prius since it was new and I have taken meticulous care of the vehicle with documentation to prove it. The vehicle is burning oil to the extent that I have to put a quart of oil in every 700 miles. My local dealership confirmed it is an issue with the vehicle but Toyota USA said they won't do anything about it because there "has not been enough complaints". However, the Toyota Prius chat website has numerous complaints about oil consumption. Toyota did an extended warranty for the corolla and camry but refuses to do anything for the Prius. Numerous attempts have been made with Toyota USA to correct this issue but they refuse to do so. They did say they corrected the issue in the newer models . . .but yet don't want to acknowledge that is it an issue! So, they corrected an issue that they currently don't acknowledge is an issue!! …
Tl contact owns a 2008 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that he shifted into reverse gear and the vehicle moved forward. He was able to apply the brakes in order to stop the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure occurred approximately ten times but he did not take the vehicle to an authorized dealer. He stated that the failure occurred in a parking lot when the brakes were applied and crashed into another vehicle. No damage was done to either vehicle. The driver sustained a knee injury. He called the dealer and they referred him to the manufacturer. The manufacturer was called but they have not returned his call. The failure had been on going for six months. The failure mileage was 19,000 and the current mileage was 22,300. Updated 10/05/10 updated 10/07/10
On occasion the vehicle will pop out of d or will have a problem getting into d. This day I parked, left the vehicle running (on) since it was cold in boston and my wife was sitting in the passenger seat. Existed the car, retrieved a package I was delivering from the back seat and left. About 5 min later, my wife said that all of a sudden she feels the car moving forward and before she can stop it the car crashed into a truck with a very large tow hitch assembly. The crash nailed my front hood virtually dead center. Dealer could not replicate but seems from other online comments that this is not unknown about gear difficulty although popping out of p seems like a new add-on or maybe few of us ever leave a car running.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that the vehicle was stopped and shut off when it began to drive forward. The vehicle continued to drive forward and drove behind a building before crashing into bushes. The contact also stated that she left the keys in the ignition when she shut the vehicle off, but the vehicle was shut off while shifted in the park position. Upon locating the crashed vehicle, the contact stated that the keys were in the ignition and the vehicle was still shifted in park. The vehicle was not taken to have the failure diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 36,000.
What's wrong with Toyota and NHTSA? Today in hot weather with the air conditioner on my 2008 Prius once again suddenly dropped itself out of drive into neutral without warning and in the middle of the highway. One has to hold the shifter in drive to get out ofeveryone's way. If this isn't a life-threatening safety hazard then I don't know what is. Unless you want a few folks to die before anything gets done about this. The internet and Prius forums document this is not an isolated defect. The dealer throws up its hands' not our problem!!
I left my 2008 Toyota Prius running and had to run back into a home where I'd just left a sales appointment. Eventhough I had the key fob in my pocket, I noticed out of the corner of my eye as I was crossing the street back towards the house that my car was careening into the Buick parked across the street. I ran and jumped in and steered it away from t-boning the parked Buick, but could not keep it the driver's side of the Prius from scraping along the driver's side corner of the Buick's rear bumper.
On the morning of 11/14/18, vehicle (w. 112,000 miles on it) failed to start or move in our driveway. 12/5/18 advised by caseys, thetoyota dealership in .williamsbsurg va., that the CVT had failed and would need to be replaced at a cost of $6500 - happens occasionally!. Subsequently sold vehicle to dealer employee for scrap. I note the NHTSA is considering a recall on the CVT's installed in the Toyota corollas. Seems overdue. Glad for my family this did not happen when the vehicle was in motion.
On a warm/hot day the vehicle drops suddenly itself out of drive or reverse. This can happen from being parked or crucially while one is driving. Usually the air conditioner is on. You can be driving down a city street or highway when the car drops itself out of gear,' very dangerous and scary. One has to hold the shift mechanism in drive continuously to avoid an accident. The internet documents this exact defect in other 2008 Prius'. Visits to the dealer are met with shrugged shoulders.
Transmission complaints in other Prius years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2008 Toyota Prius?
NHTSA has 54 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2008 Toyota Prius, 4% of the model year's 1,497 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (12 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Toyota Prius transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2008 Toyota Prius, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2008 Toyota Prius transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 67,000 miles, and 22% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.