2008 Toyota Avalon: headlights failing or too dim

Filed Oct 15, 2024 · Lights · FL

Because my instrument panel is alway illuminated, I was unaware that I was driving one night without my lights on. Now I know why I see more cars at night without their lights. Manufacturers need to fix this problem. Older cars would not turn on the panel lights if the headlights weren't on. You would think this would be an easy technology fix with since we have self driving cars now.

Filed Apr 12, 2023 · Electrical, Lights · 110,950 miles · MN

OEM high beam bulbs continuously explode. I’m not saying they just burn out, these bulbs shatter, and send shards of glass on the inside of the headlamp housing. I believe it’s a big safety risk, because for me, it happened while I was driving late at night in the dark where there are deer nearby. Brights are essential to see far and when you’re driving through hills, going up a hill you need your brights to extend higher than your normal lights do. This is a commonly complained about problem for the 2008-2010 models of this Toyota Avalon. Toyota has issued a technical service bulletin back in 2011, but it is a major defect and I believe it should be fixed regardless of whether a customer pays for a warranty or not. A mechanic told me also that they are not sure why Toyota has not warrantied vehicles with this issue. The solution is replacing the headlight housing. So there is clearly a material defect, and I believe it affects safety. Vehicles are required to have high beam headlights for a reason, and the high beams on this vehicle burn out commonly on certain vehicles, and replacing bulbs does NOT solve the problem. It is a very expensive repair as well. What kind of car manufacturer doesn’t recall or acknowledge a material defect or design flaw in such a crucial safety feature or a vehicle such as headlights? It’s an expensive, annoying, and dangerous issue that continues to happen. There are so many complaints about this high beam issue for the 2008 year. In my mind this really reduces Toyotas reputation and credibility since they did not and will not recall these headlights. We just have to deal with their faulty design. Fix your mistakes instead of making customers foot the bill for your poor craftsmanship. This is pathetic.

Filed Aug 12, 2020 · Lights · 80,000 miles · CA

2008 toyota avalon. Low beam on drivers side goes out intermittently. Have to turn headlights on/off quickly. Was pulled over by chp on highway, told him just had low beams bulbs replaced. He asked me to turn them off, then on and both lights were working. This was in spring 2018 approx 80,000 miles. Took to mechanic, they worked fine. Did not have a problem for about 6 months after that, now afraid to drive at night as it happens more frequently and afraid that lights will not come back on. So many of same complaints on forums. I emailed toyota and actually got a call back but gal stated they had no record of any complaints regarding low beam problems. She gave me a case #2008070658. Asked if I had taken it to dealer but they would charge for diagnosis, I told her I would not be doing that. My mechanic has referred me to another shop with a certified a toyota master mechanic, will see what he has to say. This is a major safety problem to say the least and do not understand why toyota refuses to recognize it and step up to correct problem. This is very dangerous and obviously I am not only one who is very concerned.

Filed Mar 8, 2020 · Electrical, Lights · 98,000 miles · RI

I have been pulled over numerous times due to having a headlight out. However it's never blown. Once I show the officer by turning the lights off for a few seconds then back on the light is on. From reading many toyota forums and going to a toyota dealer, it is a faulty wiring system and to repair it will cost at least $1300.00 or more. It is a hastle as well as a safety hazard. The light doesnt stay on once turning the lights off then on. Within a few miles it goes off again and it is constantly blowing the light bulbs. In the 3 years I have had my car I have replaced the lights at least 7 times. The light will always be off when I start my car with the remote starter and when I start it with the ignition if it's on, within a few miles of driving it goes off again.

Filed Nov 16, 2019 · Electrical, Lights · 90,000 miles · WA

From the day I purchased used vehicle in 2015, I've experienced headlights that flicker and go off only to be fully illuminated by turning off then back on. Mostly, it's the driver side and sometimes the passenger side; infrequently, both headlights are affected. I've searched the internet for a solution and found hundreds of similar reports with 'solutions' ranging from simple few dollars to above $1000. My local dealer had the car on several different occasions...to no avail and was willing to 'fix' it for $1200. Because of the number of similarly described on internet forums, I think that toyota should recall the vehicles if, for no other reason, than that this is a significant safety issue.

Filed Nov 4, 2019 · Electrical, Lights · PA

I have had continuous problems with either one or both front headlights going off randomly. This happens almost daily and I have taken the car to the shop numerous times. This is a very dangerous problem as on occasion I do not even know that the lights are off. Additionally, I have been pulled over by the police and issued a warning with the excepectation that the problem will be fixed. This poses another great concern as the mechanic has not been able to diagnose the issue, therefore, it cannot be fixed. The mechanic has also reached out to the dealer as well as other mechanics along with conducting his own research all to no avail. During my research, I discovered numerous compliants stating the exact same problems that I am experiencing, also with no resolve or remedy. I am shocked that toyota would place people in such danger and not take any action to rectify this very significant problem. I would appreciate any help you may be able to provide.

Filed Oct 28, 2019 · Electrical, Lights · 67,000 miles · PA

Car driver side low beam headlight goes out randomly and unexpectedly .

Filed Sep 25, 2019 · Lights · 93,000 miles · TN

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota avalon. While driving the vehicle, the headlights went out several times. The contact researched the failure online and found numerous complaints with the vehicle. The manufacturer stated that they were aware of the headlight failure and issued an extended warranty of up to 75,000 miles. The contact's vehicle exceeded the mileage requirement; therefore, the manufacturer could not assist. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to a dealer to be repaired at his expense. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 93,000.

Filed Aug 1, 2019 · Lights · 160,000 miles · NC

I had my car inspected in december 2018 and was told that my high beams were out. I had the bulbs replaced and just recently had my lights inspected. Changing the bulbs did not correct the problem and my high beams are still not working!

Filed Jul 17, 2019 · Electrical · AR

Headlights and fog lights go off while traveling. May or may not come back on when switch is reset. They go off unpredictably and may be at a very inopportune time causing collision.

Filed Dec 19, 2018 · Lights · 50,000 miles · SD

Low beam lights randomly go out after being on for a short time. I've been battling this issue since 2013 when I bought the car. The dealer says my low beam headlights are burnt out. I can turn the headlight switch off and back on quickly and the affected light comes back on. I do this several times a day when it is dark out. I even had small LED lights mounted into my dash and wired into each low beam bulb so I can see if one goes out while driving in town at night as it can be difficult to know if one when out.

Filed Nov 19, 2018 · Lights · 61,250 miles · AZ

While driving straight ahead at night on a highway the high beams suddenly went out and would not go on again. I switched to low beams. I later learned from a mechanic that there is a design flaw or inferior microprocessor controlling the headlights and that the low beams could also suddenly go out while in motion. This is a severe safety issue. The toyota corporation will not stand by their product and have referred me to a toyota dealer that wants over $2,000.00 to fix the safety issue. There should be a recall on this. I believe it only affects the 2008 avalon models. There are even several articles on the internet relating to this problem. I have nothing to download as I did not get a written estimate, only a telephone quote, from the toyota dealer.