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 headlights burn out frequently. One of the headlights burn out every 5 to 6 months. I can't just replace the burnt out bulb as the other one then burns out.
The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that the low beam headlamp bulbs were dim. The headlamp bulbs were replaced, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 94,000.
Headlights stopped working. I got into my car to drive to work and found one bulb out. That night I got into my car to drive home and found the other bulb out. I had to drive home in the rain with no headlights, using my high beams whenever possible. Changed out the bulbs numerous times and nothing came on. When taken to the dealership was told an updated wiring harness was needed and would cost me nearly $800! if the wiring harness needed to be updated, Toyota clearly knew there was an issue causing the headlights to short. I now have a vehicle that I cannot drive safely because I cannot afford to fix Toyota's defective equipment!
Headlights have gone off while driving at night. Replacement of the bulbs began in 2013. Only recently while driving at night on the interstate and back roads, did we realize that were sometimes working and this was a reoccurring issue.
- Fairborn, OH, USA
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Low beam headlamps contiually fail. I've had to replace lights no less that 8 times since 2012! not only an expense, but poses a significant hazard. I was told recently the the cause is a known defect in the wiring harness which has since been corrected. However, on 2 occasions the local Toyota dealer told me that the "system" I fine and that I have to be more careful in replacing the bulbs. The car can be parked, or active. There is now warning or specific milage. Seems random. Most recent occurrence 01/24/2016.
Headlights started getting dim. Replaced bulbs with new hid bulbs. Headlights still dim. Dealer claims water is in both headlights. Requires me to replace both headlight assemblies for $1,000. Not covered under warranty. As an engineer I claim poor design.
Low beam headlights repeatedly stop working. Replaced bulbs multiple times. They stop working every few months. Last week, they both extinguished at the same time. Had to drive home in the dark, until I realized the high beams worked. Toyota won't repair the defect.
Headlight out last year. Replaced both. One headlight out this month. Replaced the one with previous year good bulb. Now, both low beams out, only high beams work.
I replaced both headlamps after having the passenger side low beam go out about two weeks ago. This morning on my way to work, in the dark, I had that same lamp go out again. I turned around to head back home when the driver side lamp went out as well. I was only a few blocks from home at least but this is could have been incredibly dangerous.
Repetitive and frequent low beam bulb failures. Replacement bulbs lasting only 3 to 6 months before needing to be replaced again. Always drive with the headlights on low beam during the day.
Headlights continue to burn out. We have changed one or both headlights at least six times since May 2015. This happens unexpectedly, going down the road at night one or both headlights will burn out. When you change them, will last a couple weeks to months. Very scary when going down a two lane back country road at night. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Both headlights go out at the same time while driving. First time they just had to be screwed in but now a month later they are both out again. Has there been a recall?
The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that the low beams failed to illuminate properly. Additionally, the low beams lights failed to function when driving. The contact had to apply the high beams when the failure randomly recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who replaced the driver and passenger side low beams but the failure recurred three year after the repairs. The contact replaced three lights on the driver and two on the passenger side for the low beams but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.
We purchased the car used from a Toyota dealership in spring of 2013. We had never had to replace the headlights until one side had stopped working in May 2015. As we always have done with our vehicles, we went to an auto parts store and bought the correct head lights for our make, year & model. We replaced both of them in may and in August (3 months later), both had gone out with the initial outage having occured while I was using them in the dark on a freeway. Luckily I had brights that still worked but I have since had to replace both lights again and they still remain un-working. I am scheduling repairs, however, this seems to be a major defect either in the electrical engineering or possibly related to fuse shortages. We have made several phone calls to repair shops, other Prius owners, as well as read many safety concern forums regarding this very popular issue even with 2010 models. I understand Toyota seems to take no responsibility for the high-risk headlight failure in Prius models up to 2009 but this seems flat out ridiculous and I should not be required to return home before dark or be forced to drive with my brights while oncoming traffic flashes at me as if I'm being inconsiderate.
On February 27, 2015, our house burned in the middle of the night while we were asleep. The fire started in the near vicinity of the right front headlight of the 2010 Toyota Prius. The car had been serviced just before the fire on February 25, 2015 at the local Toyota dealership. The car was off at the time and the key was not in the car at the time of the fire. While we were sleeping, the car evidently caught fire spontaneously at approximately 2 a.M. while it was parked in the garage. The garage door was closed. By the time we woke up, the garage was fully engulfed in flames. We were able to escape the fire. However, our house was too severely damaged (fire, smoke and water) after the fire to be livable, and it is currently being rebuilt. Our family of four (husband, wife and two children, 15 and almost 11 years old) is currently living in a rental house. We lost all three of our cars (the other cars were a Dodge durango and a Honda Accord) and a majority of our possessions. Damages are estimated to be likely in excess of $500,000 including house, cars, damage to landscaping, personal property, furniture, clothing, etc. Our homeowner's insurance is seeking a subrogation claim against Toyota for the expenses incurred regarding our claim. The Prius is scheduled to have a deconstructive exam soon with multiple parties present and is currently being held as evidence.
I purchased the car new in 2010. About a year ago, the headlight bulbs started burning out repeatedly, as well as the marker bulbs and the license plate bulbs. The last incident was chilling. I returned from a trip, got off the plane, picked up my car at airport parking, turned on the headlights and they were both out. I had to drive 45 miles home at 10 pm either without headlights or with my brights on. It was terrifying. The bulbs had been replaced within the previous 6 months. This is a serious defect that NHTSA and Toyota must address. I have friends who are having similar problems. Additionally, the headlight casings are marred, which diminishes visibility. Toyota clearly has used defective parts to encase the headlights. Again, my friends with priuses have the same issue.
The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while driving at night approximately 55 mph, the headlights were very deem and visibility was diminished. After inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that the passenger side low beam headlight was out and two days later the driver side low beam failed. The light bulbs were replaced. The contact mentioned that the low beam headlight bulbs were replaced a total of four times. The vehicle was never taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic to get a diagnosis. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 99,000.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Clemson, SC, USA