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.
I own a 2010 Prius, purchased new in February 2010, one of the options I purchased with the car was hid headlights, which came already installed in the car. The right headlight went out in 9/2012 & the left in 10/2013. I knew right away that when the 1st light went out that the replacement was not an hid light which I had initially paid for & the car was still under warranty. Now with the other bulb being replaced in Oct 2013, again with a non hid bulb, we can no longer drive the car in the dark without using the bright light beams because we can not see the road in front of us as well as beyond. This is an accident waiting to happen. I also owned a 2006 Prius with headlight problems. I never received the $365 settlement in 2011 for this problem, why?
The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while driving 65 mph, the low beam head lights failed and could not be re-illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection where they stated that the light bulbs needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred five times. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 40,000. Updated 10/29/13 the consumer stated both of the low beams went out simultaneously. Also, when the wires were wiggled the lights would come on. The dealer suggested to turn to the vehicle off, and then turn it back it on. The consumer believed there was an electrical or computer problem.
My car is constantly blowing light bulbs. It started after only one year with headlights. Both tag lights and several front marker lights have blown. There has to be an electronics problem.
Last night, at 10 pm, on getting back to into my car to drive to my house 7 miles away, both the headlights did not work. The high beam lights were working, but the regular headlights did not. As a result, I was driving in dark on a single lane highway, and it was a very scary experience.
While on vacation on Aug 3, 2013, we were driving in the smoky mountains in gatlinburg, tn, via the scenic loop down from cades cove. I was driving and my husband, our 13 year old son (only child) and his 13 yr. Old buddy (my friend's only child) were the passengers. The route was a steep mountainside with typical winding mountain roads, pitch dark at ~8:30 pm. Suddenly, both headlights went out, together, at the same time. The dashboard showed that the headlights were on, no warning signs came on. I had driven through a tunnel a bit earlier and the headlights were both working. Panicked, I pulled over at the next lookout ledge, turned the car's power off and on several times, turned the lights off and on several times while the car was running - nothing. No cellphone service was available in the area. As I was hysterical and terrified beyond my wits, my husband took over driving duty and drove with the emergency flashers on. After a few miles of sheer panic and incoherence, it occurred to us to try the high beam, which fortunately worked and we are alive to tell the story today. As soon as we got cellphone signal we left messages for our friends in case we died they would know why. Get a grip, Toyota! I loved my Prius - this is my 2nd Prius, but I am now petrified to step in this car again. I found thousands of similar complaints online regarding both the Prius headlights failing at once, so Toyota you know I am not an isolated case. Horrible, dangerous problem with the 2010 Prius, you are risking lives!
- Carmel, IN, USA
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There is a chronic problem with the headlights on this car. They continually burn out, or, go out and than come back on when headlight is 'tapped' lightly. Dealer and independent repair shop(s) have replaced numerous times and problem recurs.
My headlight went out while driving. The dealer indicated the replacement cost would be between $300 and $400 for a single light bulb. The dealer indicated that I only use the lights when needed to prolong the life of that type of bulb.
The problem that is causing the head lights to burn out simultaneously needs to be resolved. It is a safety hazard for this to continue. Purchased a Toyota Prius 2010 in December 2010. Since that time, the head lights have been a problem. Each time there is a problem, both head lights burn out simultaneously. The first time the head lights failed was August 7, 2012 when there were five of us in the car driving 15+ miles with about a third of the drive on many residential streets that were not well lit. The dealership in Florida was called and it was explained that both headlights burned out at the same time and that it must be something other than the bulbs because headlights do not burn out together at the same time. The service representative quoted that the cost of the repair to replace the head lights was about $150. He did not ask if the car was under warranty and he did not acknowledge that it could be something in the electrical system. He did not suggest that the car be brought in to have them put it on diagnostic machines to verify where the problem may be.we opted to replace the bulbs ourselves. The second time both head lights burned out simultaneously was October 21, 2012 and we again, replaced the bulbs ourselves. The cost of the bulbs including tax is $54.36. This morning is the third time both lights have burned out at the same time again. The Prius has 35,840 miles. This is not reasonable. We have already spent $108.72 to replace the bulbs twice. It is unreasonable. It is extremely unsafe not knowing when and where the head lights will burn out. We have teenage drivers and it is upsetting to know they are not in a safe vehicle.
The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that the plastic cover on the front passenger's side headlight would become foggy, obstructing the contact's visibility of the roadway when driving during the night. In addition, there was rust on the passenger's side front fender. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technician advised the contact that there were no failures found with the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised that the vehicle was not included in any recalls. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 20,000 and the current mileage was 83,000.
My commute is 62 miles, one way. Tonight I realized my low beam headlights were not working. My high beams work. I drove the 62 miles with my high beams on. The fuses were fine. It is odd that both low beam lights were out at the same time but the high beams were fine. I searched online some and there were numerous similar problems with the Prius low beam lights.
Panel light dimmer inoperable when parking/head lights are turned on (I.e., there is no display on instrument panel for current speed, fuel volume, fuel consumption, etc. When driving with head lights on). This similarly affects the audio/HVAC display.
The headlights shine in a pie shape at night. They should shine straight across. If you make a right turn where there are no street lights, and we have a lot of those around, you can not see if you are going to hit a person or the ditch. I go in the left lane to avoid an accident as long as there is no on coming traffic. This is the first care of many that had this problem.
The headlight beams do not disperse and project far enough down the road to see clearly at night requiring the use of high beams regularly. After contacting Toyota on-line, they recommended returning to the dealer, who checked the lights and indicated that they meet manufacturer specifications.
The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Prius. The contact was driving approximately 45 mph with the headlights activated and suddenly without warning, the headlights failed to illuminate. The vehicle was maneuvered cautiously to the side of the road. The contact planned to take the vehicle to a dealer for diagnosis and repair. Additionally, whenever the brakes were engaged while driving over a bump or uneven pavement, an unintended acceleration would occur. The manufacturer was not notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 32,000.
Headlamps on 2010 Toyota Prius provide poor distance coverage for low beam headlights. As a result I hit a mattress in the roadway even though I was driving between 50 & 55 mph on a strait freeway section (I-15 at bundy canyon in riverside, California). Even though I was fully alert, the headlamps only provide about 30 feet of forward coverage which is inadequate to do anything than to swerve at the last moment to hit objects as significant as a mattress. This vehicle in my opinion does not meet California vehicle code section 22407(B).
The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Prius. While stopped at a traffic light, the vehicle was hit from the rear by another vehicle. After the vehicle was hit, it accelerated to a high speed. The contact engaged the brakes but the vehicle continued to accelerate; the contact attempted to turn off the ignition but that did not stop the vehicle. The vehicle changed directions and crossed over a grassy area and crossed over three lanes of traffic and crashed into a concrete median. The contact stated that all the lights failed. The two passengers were injured. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The VIN was unavailable. The current and failure mileages were unknown.
My Toyota Prius headlights go off frequently while driving. I must turn them off and on to have them come back on. It used to be one or the other at a time, however now both lights will go off at once. I was driving in very dark conditions when it happened last time and the road was pitch black. The fact that it was late at night is the only way I knew both lights were out. If I am driving at dusk or dawn, it is a major safety concern because it would be difficult to tell that my lights are off while I'm driving, but very difficult for others to see me coming down the road. It only takes a few seconds for an accident to happen. The Toyota dealership acknowledged that it is a known issue and initially said that the replacement would be covered. Then came back and said they have not been recalled so it would be out of my pocket. I was also told that I could just continue to turn the lights on and off when it happens because the life of the bulbs should not be up yet. That is not a good solution to me because I don't always know when one or both lights goes out and when it might be difficult for other drivers to see me. I feel that this is a known hazard that should be rectified by recalling/replacing these bulbs.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Grapevine, TX, USA