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.
Headlights went out while driving at night on #5 fwy in ta hone pass on 2/7/10. Now headlights are intermittent. I paid $837 to dealer on 1/10/08 for replacement of headlamps. Dealer now wants $1024 to replace them again.
In 2006 I purchased a 2006 Toyota Prius package 6 which includes hid (high intensity discharge) headlamps. Starting approx. 1 year ago, I noticed a headlamp out while I was driving. When I took it to the dealer I was told it would cost $400+ to repair 1 headlamp. After doing some research on the internet, I found many complaints about Prius hid headlamps. I also found out that if you turn the light switch off and then on, they would work again temporarily, so I decided to tolerate a headlamp that is periodically out and would work again if I turned the switch off and on. Sometimes the driver side light would be out and sometimes the passenger side light would be out. Approx. 6 months ago, I discovered that both headlamps would be periodically out while I'm driving, a real safety problem. I stopped driving at night. Approx. 2 weeks ago, I received a letter from Toyota that they recognize the problem and will discount the headlamp bulbs from $300 each to $150 each plus labor. Even $150 is totally outrageous but I needed to drive that vehicle at night so I had both lights replaced for a total of $504.87. There should have been a recall from Toyota and they should fix that safety problem for free.
Passenger side hid headlight went out. Later it came back on. The vehicle, a 2006 Prius, only has 45,000 miles. Toyota sent us a letter stating the cost of a new bulb was reduced from $300 to $150 plus labor/tax. Also, the letter stated that hid bulbs are prone to deterioration due to use and advises that we use our headlamps only when necessary. I feel this issue is safety related and the fix is very expensive for a relatively new car. Toyota's advice to consider using the lights less is also misguided and not in the best interest of safely. I'm also concerned about possible electrical issues that may be causing this failure.
- Oakton, VA, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
The driver's side hid headlight in my 2006 Prius has been malfunctioning for nearly two years now. When I drive, the left headlamp will turn off and stop working after a short while, and if I turn the lights off and then back on again, it works again for a while. I've had it fixed twice now. The first time, it worked normally for a while, but it started failing again after a few months. The second time it was fixed, it actually worsened. At this point, I'll have to cycle my headlights every ten minutes or so. Impaired vision at night due to headlight failure is a safety issue. I was told by friends in the Toyota service department that it's a "known issue" with the Prius equipped with high-intensity discharge (xenon) headlamps. If it's "known", why isn't it recalled? it's hazardous to drivers.
I have a 2006 Prius. The hid lights flicker and turn off about two times a day while I am driving. These lights are supposed to last ten times longer than regular lights. The light failure is particularly dangerous at night when the lights can suddenly turn off.
Toyota Prius exterior lights shut down. This happens all of the time the car is driven. Hid headlights turn off without the driver knowing and then keeps on driving until they are struck or hit something. Other cars may not see this. This has occurred over 5000 times...
2006 Toyota Prius hid headlamps turn off while driving. This occurs all of the time; first one headlight goes out, then the second one... in order to remedy for short time you need to turn off headlight and turn back on. Toyota denies any wrong doing and it will cost $1000 to fix which is not fair as I have brought the car in numerous times to be repaired and nothing was done to it. Very dangerous for those that cannot tell if their headlamps goes out. Accidents.
My 2006 Toyota Prius has experienced intermittent hid headlight operation for almost a year. This is not so bad on the open highways with other cars still lighting up the road, but it's downright scary on dark country roads. At all times, while driving at night, the headlights get progressively dimmer to the point where I can actually outrun my field of vision.....again very unnerving. My solution has been to drive one of my other cars when possible. I guess the good news is I've never experienced the brake & gas pedal issues that are on the news.........still, I think the hid headlight issue is serious. I've never bothered to complain to the dealer because I've heard they will give me the runaround and charge over $800 to replace the bulbs & the problem only goes away for a few months at best.
1. brakes on my 2006 Prius momentarily failed to respond, after a 1 - 2 sec delay they activated. At same time, the traction light flashes, but the car is not losing traction. This happened 4 X, one almost resulted in a crash. It is more likely to happen when braking while going over a bump in the road. There have been other times when the traction light flashes on unexpectedly, but effect on brakes is unknown: Not braking then. 3 different Toyota dealers told me they couldn't find anything wrong. At one dealer, I went for a test drive with a mechanic. During the test drive, I was able to make the traction light go on when there was no loss of traction. The invoice stated "test drove and checked operations. At this time could not duplicate customer's concerns." I wrote on the invoice "I was able to make the traction light go on when there was no loss of traction. I am not satisfied that the problem has been found and repaired." & on the signature line "not satisfied, (signature)" I wanted them to change the computer, but they said if they couldn't duplicate the problem, they couldn't change the computer. I insisted that they replace one component, and if the problem didn't reoccur, I'd know they found the solution. They bled the brakes, which was unlikely to be cause of the problem. When I went to pick up my invoice up 2nd time, the copy on which I had written my comments was returned to me, and a freshly printed copy- without my comments - was given to me & kept for their records. 2. same car: Headlight go out at unexpected times. 2 Toyota dealers told me that the bulb would cost $300, and installation would be well over $100 because they "had to take off the bumper to change the bulb!" I replaced the bulb myself (without taking off the bumper) but now, 9 months later, it is starting to go again. Toyota sent a letter saying it was how hid bulbs burned out & not a pblm w/ controller. If true, how is it that new bulb is also burning out?
Headlights go off without warning while driving. One light bulb going off is common, however, both lights have gone off at the same time repeatedly during driving, leaving me without any lighting. Lights come back on after turning the switch off and then on again.
Purchased 2006 Prius in Jan 09 immediately had the driver side headlamp go out and then fix itself. This has been a continuing problem of flickering since I have been driving it for a year. At night this is scary especially on mountain roads where there is no light from street lights. I am no longer driving in the rain or at night until Toyota addresses this problem. Dealer wants $489.38 to replace them both will not replace one alone. The news has reported that thousands have a complaint with Toyota about this problem but Toyota will not address this issue eventhough I believe it is a safety issue and I have an extended warranty which does not cover this even though it is bumper to bumper warranty. The cost of $489.38 is way too high for a car that only has 32,397 miles on it and much to expensive for a senior citizen who is on a limited income.
Both hid headlights went out at the same time. Fortunately it was just before mid-night, there was no traffic, and I was slowing down for a red light. I turned the lights and ignition on and off several times and eventually the lights come on and I drove about 200 yards to my apartment. I took the car to my dealer. The service manager was aware of the problem. He treated it as though it were fairly common. He replaced both bulbs at no charge to me under warranty. I not aware of any subsequent problems.
2006 Toyota Prius with hid headlights. I have had problems with the headlamps going out intermittently. My wife was stopped by the police because the left headlight went out the other night. The dealer replaced the bulb on the right side in June 2009. Now I just had to replace the left side bulb, the Toyota dealer will not cover under warranty due to the vehicle being out of warranty by 5 months. There are many, many Prius owners with headlight problems. This is a safety issue that Toyota knows about but refuses to help once the warranty expires. I request that NHTSA investigate the Toyota headlight problem. We Prius owners feel this is a defect and a very important safety issue that Toyota should correct or reimburse Prius owners that have paid for repairs after the 3 year/36,000 mile warranty period.
Same intermittent problem as expressed by countless others on this site and beyond: 2006 Prius hid headlights blink out randomly. Turning switch off and on again restores light until next occurrence. History: Driver's side headlight intermittent after 30,000 miles. Repeated complaints to dealer, finally replaced bulb at 38,000 miles. Handled under warranty. Passenger side headlight intermittent around 50,000 miles. After repeated complaints to dealer, "starter bulb" was replaced at 54,000 miles - also handled under warranty. Moved to new address - so new dealer. Received lame Toyota letter that pretends to address the situation by lowering the cost of the part, while not addressing that this part should not be failing in this way or as quickly as it is! present situation: Driver's side headlight again intermittent - around 80,000 miles. Asked dealer to investigate at last service (87,000). "no problem found" "bring it back when it's totally out" "if headlight is the same one that falls into special category of lights, it'll be $150 plus labor" "but it could be 1 of 2 different lights which will be $300+ or $600+ - we won't know until we pull it apart." Even though I purchased extended warranty coverage, the headlights are excluded. Even though previously-replaced bulb is only slightly older than original problem. Problem is that Toyota is not taking real responsibility for the level of problem that this is. They should be covering labor costs, extending warranties and providing a new replacement light that actually works! I believe new Prius uses leds. Charging less money on an already exorbitantly overpriced part and requiring customers to pay more out-of-pocket for a part that doesn't work properly to begin with is outrageous! the investigation must be continued. Toyota is not serving their customers and it is unsafe and at an unreasonable cost. There is absolutely no excuse for this behavior. Do not let them get away with this.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Pomona, CA, USA