This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
My passenger side hid headlight works intermittently. If I turn the headlights off then back on then the headlight functions. I only have 46,700 miles on the car and the hid lights should last longer than that. I've noticed the problem at least once every 2 weeks.
Both headlights go off at frequent intervals, but presently if I turn the switch totally off and back on they come back on. Right side happens more frequently than the left side although there is no consistency as far as timing. Can happen as soon as I start the car and not again for an hour. At times after turning the switch completely off (not a real comfortable feeling while driving down the road) and on they do come on but go back off within seconds and it has to be repeated. I pull in to check and all the lights are on, so the bulbs are good. It also is affecting the high beams. They do not work if the light has blinked off once and I have turned it back on and then try to use the high beams. They will not work at that point. If I turn the high beams on before the headlight has blinked off they work as they are supposed to so those bulbs are also not burnt out. This blinking of lights now occurs daily. Started out happening every so many days (I drive 50 miles to work 4 days a week) and now happens at least once each day. I never know how long it will stay on after returning. Dangerous.
I have a 2007 Prius with hid lights and have had issues with both front headlamps turning off intermittently as well as the back passenger side light. The driver side headlamp had to be replaced at approximately 35000 miles, and the passenger side light at 50000 miles. Thankfully, dublin Toyota replaced the driver side headlamp at no cost, stating it was unusual to already be experiencing problems. The passenger side however was going to cost $425. The dealership cut me a brake and charged "only" $325. $150 for the light, the rest for labor. They said it was not covered under warranty, but replacing a headlight should not cost more than replacing all 4 tires! also, this is a safety issue that should be publicized by Toyota directly. I drive at night, and I live near the coast where there is plenty of fog. Lights that randomly choose to stop working are not safe whatsoever.
No event leading to the failure on 2007 Toyota Prius touring model. My wife came home from hot springs, ar around 4:00pm and the passenger side headlight was not on. We drive with the headlights on at all times, or at least we used to. I checked the light assembly for loose wires, but none found. Switched lights off and back on and the light was working. The same evening we went to the theater 2 miles from home and while driving home in the dark, the light went out 3 times in the 2 mile ride. I switched the light on and off to restart each time it went out. There is no pattern to the lights-out problem. It can be on for an entire trip or on and off any number of times. We live in the quacita mts. Of Arkansas and street lights are minimal at best. The headlights are optional hid lights with the touring package (no choice). According to others with the same problem, one lights goes out, then the other one usually follows after several miles. If the situation arrises where both light go out, we could be in grave danger in the mountains. You cannot see anything at night w/O headlights, unless the moon is bright. The repair is exorbitant for the bulb and even more ridiculous for the control module and installation. This is caused from defective parts because the hid headlights are supposed to last 3 times longer than standard headlights. Toyota has admitted that they had some defective bulbs from one manufacturer. But my vehicle is beyond the warrantee. I still feel that I should not have to pay for their defective parts that they installed on my vehicle. This is their responsibility to replace at their expense. The labor and parts to replace one light and/or module exceeds $1000. That is not even reasonable. Purchasing customers were never told that those lights were that nonsensically expensive. Therefore, I am waiting for Toyota to be forced by class action law suits or customer influence to take tesponsibility for their idiotic mistake.
Intermittent headlights - headlights (1 or both) may fail at any time, come back on if switched off and back on, likely will go out again. Have been warned by police about failed headlight. Toyota offers no remedy, instead charges $200 or more each to replace bulb, which may or may not fix the problem.
- Williamston, SC, USA
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Hid headlight failure. This problem is intermittent, with both lights, Toyota has failed to accept responsibility for faulty equipment and the NHTSA has failed to recognize this as an issue. This should be a recall problem. I intend to use your finding that says this is "not a safety issue" because both lights do not go out at the same time, when I am pulled over by a police man. I intend to take your findings to court when that happens, to insist that any charges be dropped because you have deemed this to not be a problem. I have a 2007 Prius and a 2000 Tundra pick-up. My Tundra has over 200,000 miles on it and has never has a problem with its lights. My Prius is another story 60K miles and light issues. Toyota knows this is a problem and with the assistance to the NHTSA they are not taking responsibility for a defect. I did just receive a letter from Toyota stating they have reduced the cost of the light bulb from $300 per bulb to $150 per bulb. Labor is not included. This is a known defect in the Prius from 2006 to 2009 according to there letter. I'd ask that you look into this situation.
2007 intermittent left headlight failure. I sent it to a Toyota dealer because I have a "bumper-to-bumper warranty" on 23 Dec 09. They told me that it would cost me over $400 to replace two bulbs. I don't believe it's a bulb problem because I can re-cycle the switch to get it back. On 29 Dec it failed again at night during a snow storm, nearly causing a freeway accident.
Hid bulbs (front headlights) go out on my 2007 Toyota Prius. They are on sometimes, and off at other times. Replaced the first one at 28K miles, now at 46K the other one is doing the same thing. This is an obvious problem with the high intensity bulbs.
The headlight on my 2007 Toyota Prius touring has started to randomly turn off. If I shut them off and turn them back on both headlights come on. Stopped by state cops for only one headlight but when he had me turn them on both were there. $228 to replace one bulb. Waiting to see if it is fixed. 37000+ miles on car.
Tonight for the third time recently, both headlights went out, one at a time. Neither low or high beam worked after they were out. I have previously reported the intermittent loss of both headlights and was able to show the dealer at least one occurrence of both lights. Tonight I was able to take pictures showing both lights out in low beam with fog lamps on (the fog lamps only work with headlights on in low). I realize that there have been numerous complaints about this issue with no pending resolution. The headlights came back on when the headlight switch is turned off the on again. Within 10 miles the driver side light went out again. And, as in the past, turning the headlights off then on restored the light.
Driver's lights intermittently turn off. Passenger light first went out, now both! defective hid lighting system. Reported to dealer, only they simply want to charge me $500 to replace both lights. Toyota refuses to address issue as defect.
Right headlight goes off without notice while driving, the failure occurs every time I drive, if I turn the headlight off and then back on it corrects the problem.
I own a 2007 Prius with 38,000 mi. And both headlamps go off while driving at night. If I turn the lights on and off they will come back on, but only for about 30 seconds...this is the 4th Prius in our family with this problem, (06, 07). Toyota is requiring that the customer pay for the headlights because they usually are beyond the 35,000 warranty. More importantly, this is a serious safety issue and my wife and I are in our 80's and I'm hoping w don't get in an accident.
Passenger side headlight working intermittently. Lights up, then goes out, may light up again after car has been off for a while. Would replace except now am informed that not only is cost of the bulb $100 or more but $000's for labor may be required. Was persuaded to pay $3000 for option package in part based on claimed superiority of hid lights. Clearly an engineering failure that bulbs are failing and cannot be replaced without major repair expense. It is dark time of year and need confidence in headlights to drive safely.
My 2007 Toyota Prius was purchased new, and within a year, I began experiencing intermittent problems with my hid headlights. My driver side headlight would flicker, then go out -- only to turn back on if I completely turned the lights off & back on again. Toyota replaced that one after I complained that I had only had my car a year, and these bulbs were supposed to be "long-lasting." Now, my passenger side headlight is doing the exact same thing. This time, Toyota said that they would not pay to replace the second headlight, and it would cost almost $500 -- for one light! one month later, after the 2nd headlight began working intermittently, now my driver side tail light has stopped working as well. I have never had so many lights go out on a car that I have driven ever -- especially one that is just now 2 years old!! I am extremely frustrated, and feel that my electrical system on the auto is completely unreliable and unsafe.
2007 Toyota Prius. Passenger side headlamp turns off after several minutes of operation. It will come back on if you turn the headlights off and then on. This is a serious safety issue that one headlight goes out and it requires that both be turned off to come back on.
2007 Toyota Prius with hid headlights. While driving to work, I experienced the following. Left headlight went out. I drove the rest of the way to work with right hid light working and fog lights. Called my mechanic, he never heard of this problem. On way home from work, I turned on headlights and they worked. I have not had the same problem since. Friend at home notified me of this web site.
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- Canton, CT, USA