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.
2007 Toyota Prius hid headlamp failure. This manufacturer installed hid lights in my Prius that cost much more than the standard light and is supposed to last the life of the vehicle failed without any indicator inside (a policeman alerted me). The expect life of these lamps is clear when one considers the dealer must remove the front bumper to replace them. Dealer denied knowledge that this was a frequent issue yet priuschat forum on the internet has over 60 pages describing this and I also found the following link: www.autoweek.com/article/20090701/carnews/907019991#ixzz0zuzarhgk dealer ended up charging me $480 to replace two light bulbs! I have registered a case with Toyota. Also the dealer lied as in the beginning of the service visit he said it was not a common problem that he was a aware of yet when I was leaving I asked him why he replaced just the bulbs and not any electronics and he said "because they have learned from experience when this happens to just replace the bulbs.
My 2007 Prius high intensity display (hid) headlights fail intermittently. The driver's side began failing in spring 2009, and by winter, the passenger side light was also failing. There is a Toyota service bulletin on the problem, but I am having trouble getting the problem fixed. Toyota customer experience hotline gave me a case number and said they would reimburse me the cost of replacement (parts and labor), but the dealer said the reimbursement will only cover the lights (which are defective and will fail again until Toyota recalls the lights on the market and replaces them all). Also, Toyota customer experience would not commit to reimbursing the cost of repair until the problem had been diagnosed by the dealer, which is problematic because the lights always work when they are initially turned on and when they are re-started. This is very dangerous, obviously.
One or both headlamps randomly and intermittently extinguish while driving. Toyota will "diagnose" and advise of repair. Toyota customer care acknowledges there is a known problem, but may only possibly choose "goodwill" action be taken. These are the Toyota hid lamps that are documented in PE09019. Someone needs to do something about this well documented problem before someone is killed!
The passenger side headlight intermittently fails. If you turn the headlight switch off, then back on, it will start working again for a period of time. There does not appear to be a pattern to it. This is a safety issue as we can not have our headlights deciding when and where they choose to function.
I have a 2007 Prius. A few nights ago, I was driving up the pch here in los angeles only to have my right (passenger side) headlight go out and my left one start blinking on and off. I pulled over, turned the light off and then on. The left light came on, the right light stayed out. I called the dealership to be told fixing either light would be $350 a piece because they are special hid lights and I'm 2,000 miles over warranty, so too bad. I never asked for these lights, didn't know I had them and now feel unsafe driving with them. And then to charge a ludicrous amount to keep them working is just robbery. It's a Prius, not a Porsche. I'm very disappointed no one told me the precarious cost and care of these lights and their unreliable nature. Toyota needs to be made aware of these problems with their head lamps and have a more advantages replacement strategy.
1. headlight on 2007 Toyota Prius is malfunctioning. 2. the light does not come on/stay on when lights are powered. Occurs on an almost daily basis. Has proven unsafe when driving at night.
The hid headlights on my 2007 Prius would randomly go out. Both drivers side and passengers side may stop operating at any time while driving. I have had both inoperable at the same time while driving at night. Both headlight bulbs were replaced at my expense. Toyota will not reimburse me for the cost of replacing the defective bulbs because the vehicle mileage exceeds the factory warranty, though it is still well within the 36 month warranty period. Representatives from both the service and parts department of my local Toyota dealership assured me that the 'new bulbs' don't have the same problem that the original bulbs did. So far, that has proven correct. I have read the NHTSA investigation into this problem (PE09019) into this problem and I am frankly shocked that Toyota and particularly the NHTSA don't consider having to turn your headlights off and on again while driving at night to be a safety defect worthy of recall. The NHTSA summary states that Toyota has acknowledged the defect:: "Toyota confirmed that a headlamp could extinguish while driving due to a bulb failure, and that it could be temporarily restored by turning the headlight switch on and off, and that simultaneous failure of both headlamps was rare and unlikely." The NHTSA investigation summary also mentioned the following: "Toyota also briefly discussed their intention to conduct a customer service campaign to address consumer dissatisfaction with hid bulb failures. " I filed a complaint with Toyota corporate about this problem and was told that they have no intention of a recall or any other action at this time that will address customer dissatisfaction. It is clear to me that Toyota will not take responsibility for this obvious safety issue and it will require outside intervention by the NHTSA to push for a resolution that is in the best interest of the general public out on the roads every night.
1. not sure 2. headlights on our 2007 Prius go out unexpectedly, sometimes at night both are out, creating a dangerous situation 3. took it to Toyota dealer; lights worked fine then; they said it would be my expense to replace bulbs; decided to wait to see if problem happened during daylight hours to take it to them to verify it is a bulb problem; then discovered bulb failure is a chronic problem with the Prius; Toyota should correct problem and replace bulbs at their expense.
Left headlight of vehicle was out completely. Stopped and restarted car and light returned to normal. This event has happened twice before. In October 2009 both sets of headlights went out while driving on a township blacktop road at night. This required stopping car and repeatedly turned lights on and off and restarted car. Lights finally returned.
2007 Prius, touring model-right headlamp went out while driving-only 26,000 miles on car so far. Next operation, light working again. Poses very big safety hazard. Told that my platinum certified warranty and extended 100,000 mile warranty would not cover this $400 + repair--and I have only owned the car less than 2 months.
Both headlamps went out in the the middle of a roadtrip at night. Had to pull over right away. Turned the headlight switch off and back on the lights came back on. This has happened several times already. Sometimes this happens with just one headlight and sometime both which is real scary. I never know when this failure is going to happen. Please help with a recall on this dangerous situation. I have a 2007 Toyota Prius which I purchased brand new. Thank you,
I have a 2007 Prius and the left headlight has gone out. I contacted the dealership and they told me that it is a good idea to replace both headlights due to the cost of labor. The cost for two bulbs + labor; $650! the car is just about to hit 2 years and I'm having to shell out over $600 for headlights! I did some research and this looks to be a common defect with the Prius. If it's a common defect, why isn't there a recall for the car? I don't care if I have the hid's, but I didn't have a choice from the initial purchase of the car.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Highland Park, IL, USA