This is the third time in 3 years that we've had to deal with The Prius Headlight Issue. The first time the passenger side headlight went out on our 2005, we had the bulb replaced. That worked temporarily until it went out again and I received a fix-it ticket. Again we were told it was a burned-out bulb and it was replaced. The third time it happened was in 2014 at 87,400 miles. We were quoted over $300 to replace the bulb, so this time I declined the repair.
I bought the replacement bulb myself for $94, watched several Youtube videos, and spent several hours with a mechanic friend attempting to install it. (NOT as easy as it looked.) For a few months we had two working headlights. And then, like so many of these stories go, it went out again. I pored over all the Prius forums I could find, but was no closer to a lasting solution. For obvious safety reasons we had to give up driving the car at night. That was two and a half years ago.
I am beyond frustrated and absolutely bewildered that Toyota refuses to make this right, and that the NHTSA does not consider this enough of a safety problem to issue a recall.
I own two Toyota Prius, a 2005 and a 2009, both of them have had an issue with the headlights burning out on a regular basis. This will be the third time in a year I've had to go to the shop to have them do something with the headlights. Right now the high beam lights work but the low beam lights don't. Last time it was the right side lights that didn't work and the time before that it was the same right side light that didn't work.
Went to the dealership today and they told me that it was going to cost me almost $1000 dollars...$891.00 to be exact. A Class Action Lawsuit was awarded to owners but your car had to be an 06 or later model. I can't understand why they would include cars that were older and experiencing the problem..
There was a recall on toyota prius, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 - headlights - same problem as I had, but I have a 2005~ only 5000 miles over the extended recall. Toyota refuses to think of this as a problem, or that it has anything to do with the recall...I believe the recall is just the same as what happened to my vehicle. Light burned out, they fixed it, then one month later, burned out again, only needed another expensive part to fix....toyota is not willing to consider helping with this issue, even though this is exactly the same as the recall.
- George G.,
Kokomo, IN, US
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The 1st tjme the light went out, I went to the dealer for a light, They said $300.00 for one light, asked why so much, they said I bough a luxury car thats why. I bought one on line for $70.00. since that less then a year both lights started going out. Went back to the dealer,to see what was wrong. they said they would replace both lights, cost around $800.00. I went back and got 2 aftermarket lights around $100.00 each. had them put in by a Lexaus repair shop. Now 3 months one light is out. To change a light the bumper has to come off.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
This is the third time in 3 years that we've had to deal with The Prius Headlight Issue. The first time the passenger side headlight went out on our 2005, we had the bulb replaced. That worked temporarily until it went out again and I received a fix-it ticket. Again we were told it was a burned-out bulb and it was replaced. The third time it happened was in 2014 at 87,400 miles. We were quoted over $300 to replace the bulb, so this time I declined the repair.
I bought the replacement bulb myself for $94, watched several Youtube videos, and spent several hours with a mechanic friend attempting to install it. (NOT as easy as it looked.) For a few months we had two working headlights. And then, like so many of these stories go, it went out again. I pored over all the Prius forums I could find, but was no closer to a lasting solution. For obvious safety reasons we had to give up driving the car at night. That was two and a half years ago.
I am beyond frustrated and absolutely bewildered that Toyota refuses to make this right, and that the NHTSA does not consider this enough of a safety problem to issue a recall.
- Jennifer G., Santa Barbara, US