2008 Toyota Prius XW20

Overview

Engines

1.5L hybrid

On record

4 warnings, 3 recalls

What changed for 2008

• A cheaper Standard trim was added, without cruise control or heated mirrors. Edmunds

Compare 2008 with 2007

Colors

• Spectra Blue Mica8M6, 2008–2009
• Classic Silver Metallic1F7, 2006–2009
• Magnetic Gray Metallic1G3, 2006–2009
• Barcelona Red Metallic3R3, 2006–2009
• Silver Pine Mica6U0, 2006–2009

Sources: Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)

Interiors in the generation, years not known: Dark Gray (Cloth) Edmunds, Dark Gray (Leather) Edmunds, Bisque (Cloth) Edmunds, Bisque (Leather) Edmunds

Specs

Engines

• 1.5L hybrid 1NZ-FXE A published reference

  Atkinson-cycle engine of 76 hp and 85 lb-ft, with a 67 hp motor; 110 hp together

Transmissions

• Planetary power-split (eCVT) A published reference

Drivetrains

• Front-wheel drive A published reference

Trims

• Standard (2008–2009) Edmunds
• Base Edmunds
• Touring Edition (2007–2009) Toyota, Edmunds, a published reference

Also in the generation, years not known: Leather package Edmunds, Navigation and JBL package Edmunds

Figures for the whole 2nd gen

• Model codes: NHW20 A published reference
• Battery: Nickel-metal hydride, 1.31 kWh at 201.6 volts, in 28 modules A published reference
• Economy: EPA 48 mpg city, 45 highway and 46 combined, on the revised tests A published reference
• Where built: Tsutsumi, Japan, from August 2003, and Fujimatsu, Japan, from October 2004 A published reference

Watch out

Faults owners and the press report, and how to spot each one.

• HID headlights going out All years

  Check: Drive with the headlights on for a while and watch for one or both going out, and ask whether bulbs or ballasts have been replaced.

  A published reference reports 28,000 warranty repairs among 216,000 cars with the optional HID headlights, which could shut off without warning. Toyota settled a class action by extending their cover from three years to five, so it has ended. On CarComplaints.com's page for the 2007, an unofficial source, owners report a headlight going out at about 97,650 miles on average, and 25 replaced bulbs. A published reference, owners' reports (unofficial)

• Brake actuator All years

  One source so far

  Check: Watch for brake, ABS or traction warning lights when starting and on a test drive, and ask whether the brake actuator was replaced.

  Toyota's program ZG1 extended cover for the brake actuator, whose internal faults light brake warning lamps, to ten years or 150,000 miles from first use, so on these cars it has ended. Toyota

• Electric water pump All years

  Check: Ask whether recall 12V536000 was done, and watch the temperature and warning lights.

  A scratch made in assembly could let the coil wire in the electric water pump corrode and break, stopping the pump or stalling the hybrid system. Jalopnik adds that the inverter's water pump can fail with age. NHTSA, Jalopnik

• Steering intermediate shaft All years

  Check: Ask whether recalls 06V188000 and 12V537000 were done, and feel for play or clunks in the steering.

  Toyota recalled 2004–2006 cars because the steering shaft and sliding yoke could crack, and 2004–2009 cars because the shaft's splines could be too soft and wear until steering failed. NHTSA

Recalls

Newest first. Ask the seller for proof the work was done, or check the VIN with NHTSA.

• 2004–2009 Recall 12V537000

  The splines on the steering intermediate shaft may not be hard enough, and can wear until the steering fails. NHTSA

• 2004–2009 Recall 12V536000

  A scratch made in assembly can let the coil wire in the electric water pump corrode and break, stopping the pump or stalling the hybrid system. NHTSA

• 2004–2009 Recall 09V388000

  An unsecured or wrong driver's floor mat can trap the accelerator pedal wide open. NHTSA

Checked against NHTSA records on November 2, 2026.

Owning

What owners and buyers say

• Sought after

  Perhaps the most reliable All years

  One source so far

  Jalopnik ranks the 2nd gen second of five for reliability, saying there is an argument it is the most reliable Prius of all, and points to one that passed 303,000 miles. Jalopnik

• Sought after

  Rated by its owners 2008

  One source so far

  On Edmunds, an unofficial source, the 2008's 227 owners' reviews average 4.8 of 5. Owners' reports (unofficial)

• Avoid

  2007–2008

  Less sought after

  SlashGear says to avoid the 2007 and 2008 for headlights that can shut off while driving, and the 2008 also for oil use, which it calls semi-common. CarComplaints.com, an unofficial source, counts 255 complaints for the 2007 and 262 for the 2008, among the most of any Prius years. SlashGear, owners' reports (unofficial)

Maintenance

• Engine oil and filter 2007–2008

  Replace every 5,000 miles or 6 months Toyota

  Ask the seller: Ask for oil change records.

• Tire rotation 2007–2008

  Service every 5,000 miles or 6 months Toyota

• Cabin and engine air filters 2007–2008

  Replace every 30,000 miles or 3 years. The engine air filter is inspected every 5,000 miles on dirt or dusty roads Toyota

• Engine coolant 2007–2008

  Replace first at 100,000 miles or 10 years, then every 50,000 miles or 5 years. Toyota's 2008 guide names the inverter's coolant with the engine's Toyota

  Ask the seller: Ask whether the coolant has been changed, as both systems need it.

• Spark plugs 2007–2008

  Replace at 120,000 miles or 12 years. Toyota's 2008 guide says PZEV cars in California, Maine, Massachusetts, New York and Vermont go 150,000 miles Toyota

Warranty when new