The issue is pretty serious. Imagine driving down a dark road at 50 or 60 mph and all the sudden your lights go out and you can't see anything in front of you. It's a death trap waiting to happen. And if anyone has died from it, it's such a unique situation, no one would know that that's why a random person crashed their Toyota Avalon in the middle of the night. If the person dies no one would ever know. Perhaps it's not worth Toyota fixing the problem unless it's discover that someone actually dies from driving at high speeds in the middle of the night.
First it started with one of the lower beams just randomly shutting off. Oddly enough, when you turn the switch off on the lights and then turn them all back on the light will come back on for a while . After a while it started to affect the other low beam. So we switched to high beams because every time we took it in to the shop or to Toyota of course it would not do it except when you're driving. And you won't notice it unless it's at night. Then eventually only one high beam worked. Then both stopped working.
It wasn't much of an issue since my wife drove to work in the daytime. It became a real pain in the ass though when she had to work nights for a couple weeks. She's afraid to drive it at night because the lights go out literally every one or two minutes. So she turns the switch off turns the light back on and they'll be lit for another 2 or 3 minutes.
I'm amazed with all the complaints around the internet that Toyota has not taken it upon themselves to fix what is obviously a design flaw that could actually kill someone. I guess it makes more actuarial sense to not replace it than just pay off someone if they're ever found out that the problem actually killed someone.
I have yet another appointment tomorrow for Toyota to look at it to tell me if there's anything that can be done to fix it. Or if they can even find the problem. But they've already informed me that I would be the one paying for Toyota's failure.
The headlights intermittently go out (both driver's side and passenger's side at different times - sometimes on the same trip). So far if I turn the lights completely off and back on the headlights will both come back on although it may happen again on the same trip. This really gets annoying. I see this is a common issue with other owners of this vehicle. I think Toyota should do the right thing and recall this as it's a safety issue!
I just want them to fix my headlights without letting them really know how bad it makes me feel about something that could be fixed by them,/ because they already know that this is happening to this model car. So they should take responsibly for doing the free repair's. The car was built like this from the Factory. It's not like I did something to make it happen or wear & tear. (just fix the DAMN CAR)
This is a known problem to Toyota and its a pretty serious safety hazard. This should be a recall item that is fixed by the company at no expense to the owner its obvious that it is defect in the lighting system. It started with the passenger low beam and now the drivers side low beam is doing the same thing. If you turn the switch to the off position and back on the lights will come back on and again go off at random times during the whole drive.
I bought my 2008 Toyota Avalon in November of 2007. Over several decades I had owed 6 other Toyota's and they have or had served me well. If is wasn't for the left headlight problem with this Touring Avalon, I would not be complaining. Common sense lets one know that over time, it is normal for one to expect parts to deteriorate and wear out, but it is also obvious when a pattern of the same unusual repair is happening to only a certain model and year of a vehicle.
When I first told the service advisor at the dealership about the problem, they tested the lights and of course they stayed on. I have always taken the car in for regular maintenance and after repeatedly mentioning the problem, the service advisor finally told me that the lights going out on that model year was happening to other customers. He said there had not been a recall and that to fix the problem would cost me $800. He also suggested that I fix both lights since the issue could occur in the right headlight. The advisor stated the cost was so high because when they developed that model year, they did not realize or take into consideration that you would have to remove the front bumper in order to fix either of the headlights. That is why he suggested getting them both repaired at the same time to keep from possibly having to remove the bumper twice.
You can call me stubborn or hardheaded, but I try not to drive the Avalon at night and when I do there is a constant game of turning the lights on and off my entire ride. I have been fortunate up to this point, but I hope there is not an accident waiting for me in the future because my light decided to go off at the wrong second. I have no other choice than to assume that until there are some serious accidents because of this, Toyota will keep sitting on their hands and hope for the best. The love of money once again triumphs over concern for human life.
For the record, my wife needed a vehicle a few years ago. She now is driving a Honda and loving it. When it is time for me to purchase a new car, Lord willing, I am pretty sure I will be looking elsewhere. After decades of being a frequent and loyal customer, Toyota, you can either step up and do the right thing or I'm out.
- russnewhill,
Baltimore, MD, US
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Replaced headlights 3 times now...once on the right, twice on the left. Left light randomly goes our while I am driving. If i manually turn the lights on and off it will come back on but will often times go back off. I have had the situation checked out by the dealership, 2 different Auto Retail Chains, and a local Auto repair shop and have gotten no nowhere. Now come on this site and I see that this is a common issue with this model vehicle. I am concerned with driving at night ....the last thing I want is to be pulled over for my headlight being out!
Just bought this car. Wasn't told about any issues with lights not on Carfax. Took to dealership where I purchased vehicle. They wouldn't fix because they said the part cost $1500.00. Then I began my own search to see the price of vehicle light on your website. I don't like being lied too not matter what. Feeling very frustrated. Almost got a ticket because of this light. Please make this a recall item so it can be fixed. I do understand that used cars have some issues but not the lights...really.
MY LEFT LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT WENT OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING, AT NIGHT, IN THE LOCAL AREA. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY LONG TIME HONEST REPAIRMAN. HE SAID THAT I HAD HIGH DENSITY LIGHTS AND HE WOULD HAVE TO ORDER A REPLACEMENT AND THAT I SHOULD BRING IT BACK THE NEXT DAY.
I TOOK IT BACK THE NEXT DAY, BUT WHEN HE STARTED TO REPLACE THE BULB HE SAID THAT BOTH LIGHTS WERE ON. HE SAID THAT HE WOULD KEEP THE NEW LIGHT FOR ABOUT A WEEK AND IF THE LIGHT WENT OUT TO BRING IT BACK. ABOUT A MONTH LATER I GOT STOPPED BY THE POLICE FOR A LIGHT BEING OUT, BUT WHEN I SWITCHED THE LIGHTS ON AND OFF THE LIGHTS CAME BACK ON.
I TOOK IT BACK, BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THEY KEPT IT FOR ANOTHER AND REPLACED THE LEFT LOW BEAM LIGHT.---$239.00. I FOUND OUT THE LIGHTS GO OUT ONLY WHEN THEY ARE TURNED ON AUTOMATICALLY. FOR SEVERAL MONTHS I HAVE TURNED THE LIGHTS ON AND OFF MANUALLY AND HAVE NOT HAD A PROBLEM.
I LOVE MY AVALON AND HAD PLANNED ON REPLACING IT WITH A NEW ONE, BUT I AM RECONSIDERING THAT DECISION. I AM AFRAID TO TAKE A TRIP WITH IT. I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT SOMEONE WITH TOYOTA'S REPUTATION WOULD NOT ADDRESS THIS KNOWN PROBLEM!
Have found numerous other cases with 2008 Avalon of similar headlight problems. Can be either left or right side--mine is on left. Randomly, low beam headlight will go off. Switch to high beams--works for awhile. Then back to low beams--none of the three lights work (low, high, or DRL).
We bought this car September 2 2015 when we brought this car home I noticed that the Left lower beam was out , we didn't think anything of it , we have changed lots of head lights , in a couple of weeks we decided we would try and change it only to find out we would have to take it to a Toyota dealership to have them change it. The Toyota dealer ship wanted $199.00 for the bulb and then another $600.00 to put it in . We did have it fixed but not though the Toyota dealership .Then I noticed that the right lower beam would go out if the car was idling or if I was driving down the road , you could see it flicker and then it would just go out . A person can't afford to replace bulbs that often with this kind of price , I do see it as a major problem. I now worry that both my dims might go out being the right now goes out with in a few seconds of starting the car . I drive over a mountain pass to go to work at 3:00 a.m. would not be good to loose my life over a faulty light system that should of been taken care of by Toyota , we did also find out that Toyota did have a extended warranty on the light assembly but the car had to have less then 25,000 miles and less then 5 years old . my car didn't have the mileage but was over on the years. Toyota why not just fix the problem being you already knew it was a problem people are going to buy these cars with out knowing that there is a very dangerous accident just waiting to happen , How many lives have to be lost ? or how many close calls does it take to get this as a recall ? I love my car but now am worried that I might be going down the road and loose my lights altogether .
Already had high beam headlights replaced. Low beam lights intermittently go out. I was told $485/headlight not including bulbs. I have not had fixed, on fixed income. Do not drive it during rain or when dark. 3rd and last Toyota I will buy and have since stop recommending them to my family and friends. Need recall.
Bought our used Avalon from a local dealer. Had it less than a week when we noticed the headlights would randomly go out. It didn't blow the bulb....just went out. I was on my way home one night and it just so happened they both went out at the same time. I can't tell you the panic of the pitch darkness going 55 mph down a highway.
Luckily, my first instinct was to turn the light switch and I happened to hit my fog lights and turned them on. It gave me just enough light to maneuver off the road safely. Turns out the headlights had an extended warranty due to the defect of the light chamber being too small so that the bulbs would overheat and turn off. Once they cooled down, they would come back on.
Unfortunately, my extended warranty had expired 2 months prior to purchasing the car. I fought and fought with the place I purchased the car and with Toyota themselves to fix it. I was told the headlights had to be replaced (only fix) and they ran nearly $1,500 a piece! This was a $3,000 fix that I wasn't about to pay due to a bad design by Toyota that was a HUGE safety issue.
After a gazillion calls to Toyota who repeatedly said there was nothing they could do....I finally got a hold of a local district manager for Magness Toyota. He said they would go in half. The fix ran us $1,300 out of pocket. I'm grateful we got some relief but I'm so unhappy with Toyota for not recalling such a horrible safety hazard and only doing an extended warranty. Shame on them! People have been killed due to this bad design!
The right low beam headlight randomly goes out, sometimes both. This is very annoying and unsafe. Dealership claims it was a light bulb, but after changing it problem comes right back. This is very unsafe. How many will have to die to get it resolved.
My right front head light low beams do not work after about 2 minutes.(when the bulb heats up). I have brought this to the dealers attention initially when it started to happen and they claimed they were unable to recreate the issue but have heard of this issue with this car with others. I continue to drive the car and as of last week took it into my dealership for oil and tire rotation and asked them again to check the light. They stated it was a low beam bulb problem and that the fix would be nearly $600.00. I don't mind putting money into my car to keep it running and in good shape; however when the issue is a known safety/ design issue then I expect the manufacturer to step to the plate and correct it. It's just the principle of the matter. 3 days after my trip to my local dealership I had a family emergency that required I drive during the night. I was pulled over by the Sheriff for the headlight issue. Telling the Sheriff I knew of the problem was not easy. He too questioned the stated cost of the repair so I verified it by pulling out the repair suggestions on my service sheet. Needless to say I am not a very happy Toyota owner. I had previously purchased 4 different vehicles from this same dealership over my life. It is to bad for this reputable dealer that there manufacturer can not back this safety issue with a recall or just absorb the cost itself; but until they do so. I will not purchase another Toyota or have my auto serviced by them ever again. My next purchase will be German or American made.
My 2008 Toyota Avalon has a light problem where one or the other or both headlights go out randomly. We have asked the dealership where we have the car serviced to look into it and on every occassion have been told they can't get the car to recreate the issue. We have actually been pulled over not once but twice for having a headlight out but when we turn them off and back on they work again. It was bad when it was just one or the other but recently both will go out and we live out in the country. We feel like this is a huge safety issue...go figure another Toyota safety issue. What else is new.
The car is 3 years old and has had 3 recalls already and believe it or not the headlights are not one of them though you can look on the internet to see this car has an issue with the headlights. Does anybody know how you get through to Toyota to make the issues known? Like the accelerator problem, does somebody have to die first? We have owned Toyotas for the last 30 years and in fact have 2 right now and after this I must say I'm done...They have lost me. This will be my last.
The headlights go off randomly. Sometimes the right light will go off or be off when I stop, and sometimes it's the left. Four days ago, both headlights went off at night while I was driving on an unlighted highway. By turning the headlight switch off and then back on, the headlights worked again. I haven't taken the car to the dealer yet, but since the lights are working right now, I doubt that they will find or acknowledge a problem.
Update from May 20, 2011: I took the car to the local dealer. They replaced the bulbs. It seems to have solved the problem , but it's too early to be certain. The cost to me was $565.59.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
The issue is pretty serious. Imagine driving down a dark road at 50 or 60 mph and all the sudden your lights go out and you can't see anything in front of you. It's a death trap waiting to happen. And if anyone has died from it, it's such a unique situation, no one would know that that's why a random person crashed their Toyota Avalon in the middle of the night. If the person dies no one would ever know. Perhaps it's not worth Toyota fixing the problem unless it's discover that someone actually dies from driving at high speeds in the middle of the night.
First it started with one of the lower beams just randomly shutting off. Oddly enough, when you turn the switch off on the lights and then turn them all back on the light will come back on for a while . After a while it started to affect the other low beam. So we switched to high beams because every time we took it in to the shop or to Toyota of course it would not do it except when you're driving. And you won't notice it unless it's at night. Then eventually only one high beam worked. Then both stopped working.
It wasn't much of an issue since my wife drove to work in the daytime. It became a real pain in the ass though when she had to work nights for a couple weeks. She's afraid to drive it at night because the lights go out literally every one or two minutes. So she turns the switch off turns the light back on and they'll be lit for another 2 or 3 minutes.
I'm amazed with all the complaints around the internet that Toyota has not taken it upon themselves to fix what is obviously a design flaw that could actually kill someone. I guess it makes more actuarial sense to not replace it than just pay off someone if they're ever found out that the problem actually killed someone.
I have yet another appointment tomorrow for Toyota to look at it to tell me if there's anything that can be done to fix it. Or if they can even find the problem. But they've already informed me that I would be the one paying for Toyota's failure.
- Ed P., Avon lake, OH, US