I bought this second-gen Prius used and began noticing that headlights would fail. Not knowing the core issue, I would replace the headlights and move on. I started paying attention to which bulb was failing and determined that it was only the passenger bulb. At some point, my partner determined that you could bump the headlight housing and the light would turn on. I did that for 3 years, but the bulb would turn off randomly when driving which caused an unsafe driving condition. I figured out that I could turn the high beams on for a few minutes and the low beam bulb would turn back on.
After getting frustrated with this, I decided to try installing a set of aftermarket LED bulbs. I have had them installed for a month now and have not had any issues with the bulbs not turning on. However, the beam height isn't accurate.
I was on my way home from Madison on the interstate going 75 mph when both headlights shut off. I had vehicles in front of me, in back of me and ahead of me. This could have been disastrous! Thank goodness the lights came back on after I turned the switch off and on.
Before this, the right headlight would go on and off. Now, I'm afraid to drive the car at night.
Toyota should have to fix this problem at no cost to the consumer.
The lights went out and I went ahead and replaced the bulbs (which were quite expensive) thinking that was all that was required to fix the issue. Since then, they randomly flicker off and on or completely go out! This is a dangerous problem.
Update from Mar 19, 2017: The lights went out and I went ahead and replaced the bulbs (which were quite expensive) thinking that was all that was required to fix the issue. Since then, they randomly flicker off and on or completely go out! This is a dangerous problem. The date the problem started was entered incorrectly it started in November 2016.
It was just the left headlight. I've got the safety package with special HID headlights. When I turn the lights off and on again, it comes back on for awhile. Two nights ago both headlights went out. Very scary!
We've noticed this problem only a few times in the car since we've owned it. That's been about 3 years. We seldom drive at night but whenever we have it's always been an issue. usually just the left goes out and resetting the lights brought it back on.
This past week the same thing started to happen and resetting it worked a few times but then both headlights went out and resetting the switch did nothing. Thankfully dawn was on the way and with the fog lights on we just kept going. once I felt comfortable turning the lights off completely and after waiting 3-5 minutes with the switch off I tried the lights and they came back on. There is definitely a problem with something; maybe an overheat issue with the bulbs, wiring or control box.
This is a huge deal. If we'd been driving into the darkness instead of dawn we'd have been very put out!
- Dan N.,
Norton Shores, MI, US
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I read about this issue several years ago. It has always been my driver side headlight that intermittently goes out while driving. I can't tell myself that it has gone out until I get back home and drive into the garage, or pull into a parking spot with a wall in front of me. It's dangerous. My wife got pulled over by the police for having an inoperable headlight. Turn it off, then back on and its OK...but for how long?? Am very disappointed in Toyota for not acknowledging and finding a fix for the problem with so many complaints registered.
My left headlight turns off randomly. Every now and again turning the lights off and on again will fix the problem, but when you’re driving
70 mph down a dark highway, you don’t want to have to keep your fingers crossed that the lights will come back on. Been pulled over, lucky didn't get a ticket.
Last year the back lights went out, replaced the left bulb 5 times, which didn't work. Sometimes all of my lights would randomly go out. Kept getting pulled over for lights not working. Had to replace the whole back, left light fixture, which solved that issue. Dealership wanted over $1,000. Paid about $300 online and did it myself.
So tried of these Prius light issues and being pulled over by the highway patrol, when there is NOTHING WRONG with the bulb.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
I bought this second-gen Prius used and began noticing that headlights would fail. Not knowing the core issue, I would replace the headlights and move on. I started paying attention to which bulb was failing and determined that it was only the passenger bulb. At some point, my partner determined that you could bump the headlight housing and the light would turn on. I did that for 3 years, but the bulb would turn off randomly when driving which caused an unsafe driving condition. I figured out that I could turn the high beams on for a few minutes and the low beam bulb would turn back on.
After getting frustrated with this, I decided to try installing a set of aftermarket LED bulbs. I have had them installed for a month now and have not had any issues with the bulbs not turning on. However, the beam height isn't accurate.
- Noah W., Windsor, VT, US