Print this page

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
57,438 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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.

2011 Toyota Prius lights problems

lights problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2011 Toyota Prius:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2011 Toyota Prius Owner Comments (Page 1 of 3)

problem #48

Sep 252024

Prius

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Attached is a report from the Florida Attorney General's project office. Vehicle front headlight bulbs burn out prematurely and frequently and without warning causing reduced visibility at night on dark roads. This is a common and on-going problem for Toyota and other manufacturers and me. Toyota recognized this and issued its own recall ending in 2019, but my car was missed. The 'fix' for me is advice that I should drive my car with high beams on, but in bad weather or on-coming traffic this fix is also a safety hazard. My fear is that one night both bulbs will go out and I will be unable to see the roadway. My car is available for inspection. Constantly replacing bulbs has been and continues to be an expensive issue.

- Wesley Chapel, FL, USA

problem #47

Oct 012024

Prius

  • miles
The low-beam headlamps on thousands of 2011 Toyota Priuses were burning out very prematurely (a matter of weeks, not months). Toyota Corporate said they created a customer support program to replace the headlight wiring harness free of charge, but this program ended in 2019. I believe that Toyota should be compelled to issue a recall to replace the wiring harnesses on all 2011 Toyota Priuses, because working headlights are a critical component of a safely traveling vehicle. The cost of replacing the wiring harness is more than $700, a real dent in a working family's budget. For now, we are replacing the burned-out bulbs. However, we believe a recall initiated by NHTSA is warranted in this case.

- Olathe, KS, USA

problem #46

Dec 012023

Prius

  • 129,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Prius. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed on dark roads, the contact became aware that the headlights were extremely dim. The illumination was inadequate while driving. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact became aware of a six-year Extended Warranty letter from the manufacturer. The contact stated that the harness needed to be replaced. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 129,000.

- Alexandria, VA, USA

problem #45

Dec 082023

Prius

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have had this car since 2021 and have had to replace both the high and low beams multiple times a year. Each time they go out at the same time with no warning. This is deadly as I have. been on the freeway at night and almost crashed. I counted 4 times just in 2023 this has happened to me. This is more then any other car ive owned, along with any car my siblings and parents have owned. This is deadly and needs to be recalled ASAP

- Coon Rapids, MN, USA

problem #44

Feb 172023

Prius

  • miles
The right low beam bulb goes out every 10-15k miles. This is a known issue by Toyota that addressed it with a "Warranty Enhancement Program" that worked to address the defect, but expired in 2019. I believe that headlamps are critical safety issues, and this should be subject to a recall, not a "Warranty Enhancement Program".

- Portland, OR, USA

Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...

problem #43

Feb 012019

Prius

  • 17,500 miles
I'm trying to complain about this long time ago, but now I found that out.I can't drive my car long time ago because this problem. I don't my miles to drives and I can't see my gas miles. All my dashboard gone and my windows they can't open at all. I can believe to have a future car.they have so many problems with the electric systems.

- Enfield, CT, USA

problem #42

Mar 112020

Prius

  • 200,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Both of my Prius low beams went out at the same time, I thought it was unusual as both headlights should not go out simultaneously. It was late at night and I was returning from church. I either had to drive without the low beams which is very dangerous or drive high beams which blinds oncoming traffic. I looked online and read several people had both low beams go out simultaneously. This is obviously a problem and should not be happening as it clearly presents a safety risk at night and puts others at risk because I had to use the high beams. This is an ongoing issue with Toyota and they should be held liable for putting the motoring public at risk. Dealer inspected vehicle and claimed both low beams burned out simultaneously. I was advised of a service bulletin that expired on October 2019 that addressed this issue but they said it didn't apply and that it had expired. I was charged $250 for two headlights. When it comes to public safety their should be no expiration and they should fix the problem.

- Yucaipa, CA, USA

problem #41

Jan 162020

Prius

  • miles
Headlight bulbs fail frequently, several times per year. I called Toyota in January 2020. I was informed they had a brief warranty extension to cover the issue, but that has ended. They've refused to offer any assistance. They claim they notified me of the issue, but they clearly did not; the address they claimed to have sent it to was not my address. This is a safety issue, because the bulbs fail so frequently and are not owner-replaceable. I hope you can help. Thank you.

- Northborough, MA, USA

problem #40

Mar 282018

Prius

  • 100,000 miles
Low beam headlights are burning out within a week of installation. When bulbs are replaced, one of the two bulbs will burn out within a week, yet the other bulb will stay active. Both sides are affected. It randomly chooses which side to burn out.

- Take, NC, USA

problem #39

Jan 142017

Prius

  • 85,000 miles
I replaced both headlights several times at a much faster time period than any other vehicle I have ever owned. Once I even had to replace the headlamp assembly when one of the headlights generated so much heat that the headlamp assembly plastic melted.

- Chesapeake, VA, USA

problem #38

Aug 252018

Prius

  • 140,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My Prius 2011 hybrid burning low beam headlight every one or two month. It is hard because no one have solution for this issue. The problem is not just changing the headlight every one or two months but the problem is safety, on highway once the light goes down. It happened to me! it was unbelievable.

- Yuba City, CA, USA

problem #37

Apr 092018

Prius

  • 90,000 miles
Both low beam bulbs not working, but high beams work. Bulbs not bad. Happened while driving on highway.

- Palm Coast, FL, USA

problem #36

Jan 012018

Prius

  • 220,000 miles
Dim headlight problem while driving at night, unable to see road clearly with low beam headlights on at night, have to use high beam headlights to see road. This is a huge safety issue for

- Lake Dallas, TX, USA

problem #35

Sep 292017

Prius

  • 40,000 miles
The headlights keep burning out one at a time, typically about 1-2 weeks after replace the other side. Tried switching to a better brand, same issue. Tried switching to led, even they burned out after 2 months.

- Kent, WA, USA

problem #34

May 012013

Prius

  • 80,000 miles
Headlights are weak and require frequent replacement Toyota is willing to fix this safety problem for $400 should be recalled and fixed for free manufactures defect and a major safety problem need your help

- Delton, MI, USA

problem #33

Aug 272017

Prius

  • 85,000 miles
Front low beams headlights burn out about every six months

- Hurricane, WV, USA

problem #32

Apr 292017

Prius

  • 35,000 miles
When the headlights are turned on during the day (I.e. when it is raining), the lighted panel on the console fades to unreadable. Since the speed is indicated on the console, we cannot monitor our speed during these times. This is particularly dangerous when we are highway driving. My Toyota service dealer did not fix this problem when we took the car in for repairing this problem, nor did they respond to three surveys they and Toyota sent to me in which I outlined the problem.

- Fairfax, VA, USA

problem #31

Oct 102014

Prius

  • miles
Both main headlamps have burnt out regularly for ~2.5 years. It seems to be getting more frequent. Luckily I can buy the part and install it myself, but to actually go to a mechanic and check the electric wiring is a different amount of time and money entirely.

- Waianae, HI, USA

problem #30

Mar 012017

Prius

  • 65,000 miles
Both headlights won't turn on. However, when I press and hold the lever for bright lights, the lights work on the "brights" setting. Lights don't work when I'm driving.

- Parkville, MD, USA

problem #29

Feb 152017

Prius

  • 61,000 miles
Due to faulty headlight wiring and assembly, headlights will burn out regularly or be too dim for safe use. Both headlights will go out without warning, while in use, at night. This is a significant safety issue and is a documented/known issue with Toyota. This is not a mild annoyance and should be recalled.

- Arlington, VA, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?