The windshield has a serious optical illusion during night time driving. The windshield creates a ghost image of the original light source - the ghost image appears above and below the original light source. For example, at night the red traffic light will have a ghost image of the red light above and below it, ultimately showing three red lights (ghost image(1), original light(2), and another ghost image (3)). This can also be seen with the yellow and green traffic lights, oncoming car headlights, brake lights, street lights, and pedestrian walk signs.

- San Jose, CA, USA

Vehicle windshield has an apparent critical defect in production. Light passing through the windshield is replicated above and below the source of light. As light source becomes more distant, light is replicated 2, 3, or 4 times more than its source (as distance increases). This creates a major hazard during night driving and driving when the sun is low enough in the sky where it can be seen through the windshield. In some cases, the effect is blinding. I have found this to be a major safety hazard and one that could result in injury or fatality. More recently, after the time change, I have been leaving for work when the sun is lower in the sky and this creates a blinding effect. I have had two near misses in the past two days because of this. I am also having to drive home in the dark which is dangerous as oncoming headlights are amplified in intensity and can appear to be as if the oncoming lights are high-beams. This issue has existed since I took delivery of the new car and when talking to the selling dealer, I am continually brushed off and have yet to have it fixed or even looked at. Dealership personnel admit they have heard of the issue, but cannot provide information as to the fix or how Toyota is dealing with these complaints. At this point, with two near misses recently, I see the car as being unsafe for driving. I will be contacting Toyota to file a complaint regarding this issue. I will also be contacting the dealership management to arrange drop off of the car until it can be made safe to drive. In my own research, I have found numerous complaints detailing the same issues online and a couple videos showing the exact same issues. One such source is: priuschat.com/threads/2011-Prius-windshield-triples-light-source-images.100008/ and a video is available: www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&V=fjsqpu1-axi.

- Concord, CA, USA

There is a ghosting image seen through the front windshield on my new 2012 Toyota Prius II that is affecting night time driving and the visibility of lights, especially red lights. When you are operating the vehicle at night and you approach a light there is a ghost image of the light above and below the actual light source until you get within a few feet of the light source then it disappears. This is becoming a safety issue for myself as well as many other 2012 Prius owners that I have talked to about this. I have 20/20 vision with no need for glasses and this is beginning to cause a strain on my vision, as I imagine for others an even greater strain. I have heard of many others even having two ghost images below and above the light source. Below is how it would look. Ghost image of light actual light source ghost image of light

- Thousand Oaks, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that the dashboard reflected onto the side view mirrors, blocking the contact's visibility. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who refused to assist him since they were unable to alter the vehicle design. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 75 and the current mileage was 4,000.

- Spring Hill, FL, USA

There is a triple effect in visibility when a light source (eg oncoming traffic headlights) fall on the windshield. This issue is evident from all angles and both front seats. Has a distracting and a straining effect on the eyes. Feels like wearing bi-focal glasses.

- Fremont, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Prius. While driving at various speeds, the contact noticed that the auto dimming rear view mirror failed to function correctly and would not dim the lights from other vehicles in the rear. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The dealer was unable to diagnose the failure. The contact stated that he believed the spoiler on the hatch back would cast a shadow on the dimming sensor and prevent the mirror from dimming. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 5,000.

- Patterson, CA, USA

There are very dangerous blind spots on both rear driver and passenger sides of the Toyota Prius V. vehicles located near the mid to rear of the car can not be seen in mirrors or by glancing over the shoulder when changing lanes. I have had numerous near collisions due to this design defect. I have brought this to the attention of the Toyota corporation and the local dealership and have had no co-operation in dealing with this safety hazard. I am a very experienced driver an never had an accident that was my fault in my 50 years of driving. Any assistance you can provide for this very dangerous situation will be greatly welcomed. This condition is an accident waiting to happen! [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Morongo Valley, CA, USA

My 2012 Prius V has a serious reflection in the point of veiw of the side view mirrors, when the front windows are rolled up, and the sun is high noon(+-5 hours) position. This is caused by the white dash trim that the sun hits. ## VIN passed ## Toyota Prius V 2012 ##.

- Spring Hill, FL, USA