Our 2008 Prius experienced engine failure while driving at 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 (Louisville, August 12-13 2017).

I was driving over Donner Pass, in the number one lane when all power was lost, I was barely able to move off the highway safely, almost crashed, had to stand on the brake, managed to stop before running out of safe space. Once stopped, I tried start it up to reposition it in a safer position for the tow truck, had no power....tow driver had to jump the battery to roll it up on truck. Two hundred and seventy-five dollars to tow to nearest dealer (Reno), kept my car for seven days,,,,said it was a blown fuse, affected my ABS and VCS (?), and etc. Cost another $700 plus dollars and ever since, I've had nothing but more and more problems, including headlights that turn off at will, and running around with no tail lights, and it won't turn off when I push the power button, and it won't start when I push the power button,,,, All this is intermittent so the service people never get to see it...think I'm nuts or doing something wrong,,,,like after all these years of driving it, I forgot how to operate it????

engine & battery power fails accelerating in turn from stop

When accelerating into a turn from a stop light or stop sign the power, both battery and engine, frequently fails. The powere source stops then starts to catch then stops then after several seconds wakes up and goes. Even if you floor it nothing happens at these times until it is good and ready to go again. This makes it very dangerous to try to pull out from a light or stop sign into traffic as you never know how long you are going to be in the intersection. I have asked the Toyota dealers about this on several occasions when taking it in for service, but have been told this is normal. Is this true? Its just like my 1976 Dodge Aspen stationwagon, arguably one of the worst cars ever built, used to perform. I expected better from Toyota. This condition only appears when turning. I can't recall any time when it happened while accelerating in a straight line except maybe when the engine was cold and then very infrequently.

After driving on interstate for 100 miles, the engine light came on, a triangle light, a vsc and abs light showed up all at once. I kept driving then the car put itself into neutral the brake came on and the car braking system was disengaged. Very unsafe, as I was traveling highway speed of 75. I had my two children in the car with me. I pulled over on the busy interstate and turned car off, started again, error message came back on, and any speed past 50 mph and the car would again shut off put itself into neutral, disengage braking system. I think this is a very bad problem and not safe at all. Toyota needs to investigate this, its very concerning when the braking system does not work and not safe at all. I am glad i did not get into an accident.