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 right headlight began flickering around 2-3 months ago. I then purchased 2 hid bulbs to replace both sides at 1X. Immediately after the replacement a few weeks ago, my right light would flicker then both headlights would turn off. Id immediately have to turn lights on and off then they would come back on. The lights would stay on for about 45 seconds then flicker and off again and id have to start the cycle again. I travel 120 miles a day and this has limited the ability to use the vehicle safely and with peace of mind.
Right headlight failed. I had this headlight replaced about 20K miles ago, along with the other on the left side. The previous replacement was due to lights flickering off while driving; a very unsafe condition to develop while night driving. Intermittent lighting continued until the headlamps were replaced. Now, 20K miles later, the headlamps are failing again. This is neither safe nor consumer friendly.
Head lamps randomly shut off. Sometimes it is one light and other times is it both lights. Very dangerous for my pregnant wife to be on the road and have the headlights shut off!
One headlight started to flicker and then both headlights went out while driving. Tried to turn off and back on and went on for a few seconds and then they were done. Had to drive back in the dark. We were out of state and it happened during the 4th of July holiday weekend so we had to cut the trip short and get extra hotel nights as we could no longer travel at night.
- Westfield, IN, USA
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The left head light functions intermittently. It will turn off while driving smoothly, fast or slow. I can drive over bumps and uneven roads and have the light on the entire time, or sometimes it shuts off. My car has new bulbs and the connections have been checked for correct installation. After reading many forums, I've heard that the dealers will replace the computer, light bulb and light assembly for at least 2600$. consumers should not have to pay for functioning light assemblies. Please look ivy this problem.
Like so many others have reported, one of the hid headlights will suddenly stop working. Turning the lights off and then on again "fixes" the problem for that moment. But the problem can reoccur within a few minutes. I have experienced this problem most every time I have driven the vehicle at night since the initial incident. Given all the other complaints, and the 2011 class action lawsuit on this issue which Toyota settled without admitting guilt, this is a safety issue well-known to Toyota. Evidence shows the problem is not the light bulbs but the electronic control unit (ECU) or other electrical issue. I have enquired to Toyota customer service. They acknowledge the class action lawsuit and say my vehicle qualifies under the lawsuit, but they will not take responsibility for fixing the problem. The best they offer is for me to pay to get new light bulbs and then submit my receipts to them for possible reimbursement. Given the many comments by others that the problem continued even with new bulbs, this "resolution" by Toyota seems hardly adequate. NHTSA must and should take action and demand Toyota properly repair/resolve this issue. I bought this used vehicle in October 2014 at a Toyota dealership in the phoenix area.
Date and mileage are approximate. While driving at night my headlights went out completely. Since then, they continually go out randomly. Sometimes it will begin with one or the other going out and then both. At this point, I am able to turn them off and on again and they come back on for awhile....I am quite concerned about this as sudden darkness while driving at night is a serious safety hazard. Does an accident and/or death need to happen before action is taken?... I am also quite confused that there has not been a recall as this problem seems to be quite common.......updated 08/20/15 updated 12/10/15
I was driving down the interstate when all of the sudden my headlights went completely out thank god I was able to pull over and get them working again this happened in March for the first time and has now happened 7 times since this is very dangerous and I think this needs some attn.. thanks bill
The contact owns a 2007 Toyota Prius. While driving at approximately 50 mph, the instrument panel, the headlights, and the tail lights failed to illuminate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the headlights were replaced but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was 75,642.
I bought a used and regularly serviced 2007 Toyota Prius in September 2014 with 69,000 miles. This week of April 5th, the airbag symbol showed up on the dash along with the headlights not working properly. When I took the vehicle in to the local Toyota dealership, I was told that the steering wheel spiral coil was broken and ;that my airbag system was disabled. This happened at 85,000 miles. It cost me almost $500 to have this coil replaced. The service manager said this was simply due to normal wear and tear. I also have outside hatch rubber opener that is gooie and sticky and the hatchback door often will not open. Updated 10/31/2017
Starting in 2014 our Prius headlights usually one side or the other side would sporadically go off. And most dangerous they both go off. This is especially dangerous when driving at night at high speeds. I've had both lights checked on and they are working no bulb issue. My mechanic said this is an issue with this year and model car.
The headlights have started working intermittently. First one at a time and now both. If they go out, turning the switch off and then on again will make them come back on. The repair cost for the headlights to be replaced is $350 + it is extremely dangerous to have headlights that do not work reliably. The fact that the repair cost is so extreme will lead to many of these cars to not be fixed. Toyota should take responsibility for the defective lights and issue a recall.
For the last year or so, I've had trouble with the headlights on my Prius. I first noticed it last spring - I was driving back home along the highway and suddenly noticed my headlights were out. I flipped them off and then tried to turn them back on again and they came back on. Over the next several months it happened again - but it was hard to notice because I did not do much driving at night and when I did, it was in well-lit areas. When I moved for a new job, I noticed this happening more frequently - though I suspect I'm just more aware of the problem because I'm doing more nighttime driving and in more rural areas. The disturbing part is that now both headlights will go out - particularly after making a left-hand turn. Again, by flipping off the lights and then turning them back on, the lights will then work. But on a least a few occasions, they will go out again within a few minutes. Now, I'm noticing that one headlight will often go out - though not the same side. I've had mechanics look at it who are unable to do anything other than replace the bulb; but they don't believe that the bulb is the issue. My preliminary research online has shown me that my model Prius has a history of headlight issues that sound identical to mine. Any assistance would be appreciated - I am a teacher in a rural area with limited funds who cannot avoid driving at night.
Headlights go out intermittently, random malfunction. Will come back on if you turn the headlights off and back on. They work normally some of the time and then will shut off as you are driving.
My 2007 Prius has the hid (high intensity) headlights. Sometimes both headlights go out at the same time and sometimes just the passenger side headlight goes out. I originally thought that the problem was the bulbs so I replaced both bulbs just a few weeks ago with new bulbs, but the problem is still occurring. Sometimes when I turn the light switch off and then on again the headlights come on again. It seems to be a random occurrence but it is happening more and more frequently. This is a very dangerous situation especially when driving at night.
My headlights randomly quit working, sometimes the left, sometimes the right, sometimes both. I can restart the headlights by turning the switch off and back on. This has been going on for 3 or 4 years. The dealer can't reproduce the problem (they always work there), and there is no suggested fix.
While driving the left headlight went out I turned off the lights and back on, the headlight came back on. Since this first incident the right headlight done the same while driving. Both headlights have turned off at the same time while driving. It seems like this is a wide spread issue with this year of Prius. The dealership will currently only replace the bulbs at a cost to me of $1250. The bulbs don't seem to be the problem, considering they work most of the time. If you can turn the lights off and back on again and the light(s) return to working state, its seems to be an electrical controller board problem.
On my way home from work, my drivers side headlight went completely out. The area I work in is extremely foggy and adequate head and fog lights are required. Driving without my headlights is extremely dangerous. Toyota needs to take responsibility and replace the faulty electronics in the headlights of the second generation Prius.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Atwater, CA, USA