10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
72,132 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.

2010 Toyota Prius lights problems

lights problem

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2010 Toyota Prius Owner Comments (Page 1 of 8)

problem #145

Nov 012022

Prius

  • miles

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

There is a long-standing problem with the instrument panel being very difficult to see when operating the vehicle on a very sunny day. It is very dim even when the "instrument panel light control" is adjusted, especially when wearing sunglasses. No response by dealer.

- Ballston Lake, NY, USA

problem #144

May 012022

Prius

  • miles
Hazard lights flashing, flashes faster at higher speeds. Hazard button useless. Mechanic not sure what is the problem; reset codes. Problem went away for a few days and then came back.

- Renton, WA, USA

problem #143

Sep 072021

Prius

  • miles
The dash lights on my 2010 Prius went all dark, lost all information on my dash. No lights on dash, no fuel gauge, no speedometer, nothing. This is very dangerous to suddenly have happened and I don't see a recall from Toyota to address this problem.

- Arcadia, CA, USA

problem #142

Aug 112018

Prius

  • miles

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

The headlights on my car would get very dim and would burnout within 4 to 6 months. As time has past the time between bulb replacement would get shorter and shorter. At this point when I plug replacement bulbs into my car the burnout instantly. Without low beam headlights I am required to drive with my high beams on at all times. The dealer and the manufacture know about the problem and there was a notification regarding this issue with the headlights, but I was not sent this notice. Had I been sent the notice from Toyota I would have brought my car into the dealership for them to inspect the light problem. From what I have learned from Toyota is that there was never a recall on this issue. Headlights on a car I would think would be considered a major safety feature and should not have an expiration date on such a repair issue. The program to fix the issue was called Customer Support Program ZHB which allowed the dealers to correct the problem. How would anyone know that there was a problem unless they get a notification.

- Slidell, LA, USA

problem #141

Mar 112021

Prius

  • 113,864 miles
I inherited a 2010 Toyota Prius 3rd generation when my mother passed a few years ago. I've since had several unnecessary and costly problems with the car as well as dealership's outlook, treatment, and indifference to the danger that their customers face--as many already have. The following are situations that I'm experiencing now. First, I was recently leaving the pharmacy when all of my warning lights (ABS, brake, traction ) suddenly came on and my brakes failed as I was heading home. I'm a single mother of a special needs child and I had to get home to her. I was approximately 1 mile from my home and I was nearly in 3 accidents that could've been catastrophic. Thankfully the road was dry, clear, and with little traffic. We have been homebound for weeks, without transportation for doctors, food, etc. Our vehicle is our only means of transportation, and we must get to doctor appointments, etc. Second, the car has inexplicably stalled twice. Third, I'm constantly having to replace lights, and have been pulled over by the police for lights not working. Finally, an airbag has been recalled and once I can afford it I'll get that fixed as well. I spoke with my local Toyota dealerships, and after explaining the problems, I was informed (several times as I was repeatedly transferred) that I had to pay an inspection fee that also changed with each person. Finally, I was told I had to leave my car there for days and that I was going to pay thousands of dollars to fix the car. I'm unable to pay that much money--and the amount kept changing as well. I have researched these problems and now understand the methodology and intimidation used on poor people such as myself. Toyota should be ashamed. Fix these problems that will endanger and possibly kill your customers for nothing more than their own incompetence and greed.

- Marietta, GA, USA

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problem #140

Jan 052021

Prius

  • 100,000 miles
Headlight bulbs keep going blowing consistently.vehicle stationary

- Centreville, MD, USA

problem #139

Nov 222020

Prius

  • miles

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

Was going 25 mph yesterday November 22, 2020 evening when 4 (brake, ABS, traction & caution) lights came on dashboard. Pulled over the shoulder & turned ignition off. Restarted later & 4 lights still on. Following day, went to dealership & was told brake booster assembly need to be replaced due to internal fluid leak.

- Williamsburg, VA, USA

problem #138

Jun 062020

Prius 4-cyl

  • 185,000 miles
Low beam started getting dim, but were brand new. They both suddenly failed on the highway almost causing a crash. I replaced bulbs and they were dim again. I went to buy the top line headlights thinking that was the issue, but I discovered the passenger side headlight assembly was corroded and melted. Once I turned the car on it began smoking. I can't install any lights now.

- Mount Jackson, VA, USA

problem #137

Mar 182020

Prius

  • 10 miles
ABS system fails, rear passenger seat belt issue, headlight bulbs burned too much

- Lorton, VA, USA

problem #136

Feb 272020

Prius

  • 120,683 miles
Both the low beam lights are of a problem with recall which Toyota expired the recall on 10/31/2019. I tried few times last 3 years to get it fixed with Toyota portland but they always said 1) don't have parts will call back once available 2) if you have issue we will fix it otherwise now now. Now that both were off and I had to use high beam, I took to Toyota beaverton, or. They said recall is expired. Why will recall expire if it is safety issue? I called Toyota customer support they said expired and you have pay fo yourself. The cost is not just bulbs but internal wiring kit which starts from $600. I am taking it to Toyota portland today as my student daughter needs the lights to drive. We are both in different states (ca and or). Csp info - "customer support porgram zhb certain 2010-2011 model Prius coverage for halogen low beam headlamp bulbs)

- Fremont, CA, USA

problem #135

Dec 102019

Prius

  • 121,000 miles

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

First the driver's side low beam failed, followed by the passenger low beam headlight days later. After replacing both lights, the driver's side low beam failed followed by the passenger's low beam.

- Spring Grove, PA, USA

problem #134

Oct 302019

Prius

  • 90,000 miles
Toyota Prius low beam headlights suddenly go out due to known issue with wire harness. No recall issued and owner is responsible for cost of repair

- St George, ME, USA

problem #133

Feb 252019

Prius

  • 200,000 miles
Previously had no issues with low-beam lights. Used in the morning- working fine. Came out after work and both low-beam lights would not turn on. High-beam lights work fine. Car was stationary and in park when lights were attempted to turn on. Tried turning light switch and car off/on multiple times without success. Had to drive home in the dark with high-beam lights.

- North Grafton, MA, USA

problem #132

Mar 082019

Prius

  • 138,000 miles
Low beam headlights turn off/fail. I have replaced 7 low beam headlights in the past year, four in the past 2 months. In the two most recent cases both low beam headlights failed within minutes of each other while driving at night at highway speeds. I had a Toyota dealer check the wiring harness per Toyota warranty notice after the last outage and they stated nothing was wrong. When I had the lights checked by a different Toyota dealer in Jan 2019 they indicated the socket for the bulb was melted. Bulbs have gone out under, wet, dry, hot, and cold conditions. The most recent outage occurred on March 8, 2019 while driving on the interstate..

- New London, NH, USA

problem #131

Feb 182019

Prius

  • 164,000 miles
ABS failed. Warning lights do not appear. Heard others have similar issue. Toyota will fix the ABS only if the warning lights appear. Warning lights appear only when car is not on completely. Brakes went out with no warning at all. Brakes went out with no warning while driving. Light bulb leaks moisture has since purchase. Light bulbs blow frequently.

- High Springs, FL, USA

problem #130

Jan 142019

Prius

  • 93,000 miles
Headlight would burn out a year after replacement. Manufacturer issued a variant of a recall intending to provide a fix for high rate of burnout. I took my car in to a dealership to receive the fix and the dealership caused a problem with the front windshield wiper apparatus. Wipers would now work if the headlights were off, but would no longer work once the headlights were turned on. This would occur whether stationary or moving.

- San Gabriel, CA, USA

problem #129

Nov 292018

Prius

  • 0 miles
There's a voluntary recall that Toyota is doing on the Prius right now that seems dangerous and poorly executed. The low beam headlight wiring harness has a defect that causes it to burn out headlights or short out in a way that the headlights won't work. Sometimes you can get the headlights working again by wiggling the wiring harness, but I've had this occur several times while on back country roads and you just have 1 headlight, which seems super dangerous. Toyota won't fix it unless you come in with the headlight busted which means you have to make an appointment and either drive the car around illegally with 1 working headlight or just not drive it for a week while you wait for your appointment. This is a safety defect and they need to replace the wiring harness without hoops to jump through.

- Portland, OR, USA

problem #128

Mar 012018

Prius

  • miles
I find myself changing my headlights more frequently with the Prius then any other car ive ever had. This is ridiculous and most definitely a safety issue. Front lights are needed, I'd like to assume they put them there for safety, right? driving with hfh beams is just rude to oncoming traffic. Double safety issue here.

- Pleasant Hill, CA, USA

problem #127

Jun 262018

Prius

  • 180,000 miles
I keep having to replace the low beam headlights in my 2010 Toyota Prius. What is going on? my commute to and from work everyday is 3 hours and with daylight savings time I am usually going to work in the dark or coming home in the dark. My lights went out on my way home in the dark once and I had to use my high beams to get home safe. I am sure this was blinding to oncoming traffic as indicated with all the flashing of high beams I got.

- Gilroy, CA, USA

problem #126

Feb 072018

Prius

  • 170,000 miles
Every 4 to 6 months headlights are burning out.

- Gaithersburg, MD, USA

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