2005 Toyota Prius: headlights failing or too dim

Filed Dec 25, 2020 · Lights · CA

Head light are intermittent; same problem as 2006 and later recall

Filed Dec 18, 2019 · Lights · 164,000 miles · CA

The headlights on my 2005 prius continue to go out. We replace the bulbs but even with brand new bulbs will be driving and after about 60 seconds of headlights being on the light will turn off. Sometimes only one turns off but often bolt turn off and we're in complete darkness driving on the road. We have to toggle the headlight control off and on several times before they turn on again, which leaves us driving in complete darkness and it's a big safety hazard! Again, brand new bulbs have this issue, too. Getting the whole headlight and computer behind it replaced is very expensive. This is a big safety issue and it has been happening and getting worse for over a year.

Filed Nov 11, 2019 · Lights · 10 miles · TX

The passenger side front headlight started going off automatically after a while of turning on. If I turn it off and on again, it lights up and then first dims and then turns off on its own. The lights have been replaced and it did not solve the problem. This is very dangerous for night time driving as the drivers will never know when the headlights will go out. This is not a random incident; it is one of the most common problems of gen 2 prius (04-09) that I found online. I am attaching a document that lists some online forums where other prius owners have reported similar problems. Toyota settled a lawsuit for 06-09 prius, yet there is no recall for the headlight issue of gen 2 prius.

Filed Jan 23, 2019 · Lights · 210,000 miles · OR

While driving driver side headlight will go out, followed by passenger headlight. Both will return on when the headlights are turned off then on again, only to occur again within 10 minutes. Both headlights have been replaced within the last 10 days.

Filed Dec 19, 2018 · Lights · 204,000 miles · VA

Headlamps randomly turn off while driving, but usually only one at a time. Last night (12/18/18), both lights went out at the same time and I was unable to see the road as it was poorly lit. When lamps do turn off while driving, turning them off and on a few times will usually get the it to come back on. This is definitely a hazard and a recall is absolutely required.

Filed Dec 7, 2018 · Electrical · 258,687 miles · CA

The headlights will intermittently go out. I will turn the lights off and on, it will come back on. Then shuts off again after a few minutes. You have to continue switching it off and on, off and on. Taken it to toyota several times for this problem. The last time I took it was in august 2018 and was told that the only remedy was to replace both headlights. The estimate total was $318.62 for one headlight. Toyota is aware of the problem but wants no liability or recall for this model year. It is very dangerous for night driving as the headlight will just suddenly shut off.

Filed Sep 28, 2018 · Lights · 215,000 miles · PA

Headlight failure.....while driving. I start out with my lights on, and randomly driving down the road one headlight, or the other, will go out, or both will go out. I replaced the bulbs, have had mechanics go over the car......before I joined a prius chat and learned this is a "known issue".....but still no recall? I've been pulled over by various law enforcement 4 times in the last 4 months! ..........below it asks for a date on the incident...it happens frequently. It's been happening for at least a year.

Filed Jul 3, 2018 · Lights · 170,121 miles · NC

Headlights go out while driving, it takes turning them on and off a few times to turn them back on. It is random, sometimes passenger side, sometimes drivers side, sometimes both. Toyota settled a class action lawsuit with 2006 - 2009 prius, mine is 2005, but this is a safety issue and is extremely dangerous. When both headlights go out, it may take several tries to get them to come back on, leaving me without headlights as I'm driving my kids to school early in the morning in the dark, going 65mph down the highway. Currently saving to get fixed(car was a gift). I called toyota for an estimate on this known problem and they said they I would have to bring it in and they would charge me $85 for them to diagnosis the problem. Toyota is not taking any responsibility for this problem, which clearly they are aware of and somehow skirted out of a recall or any liability for all models.

Filed May 16, 2018 · Lights · 170,000 miles · CA

Headlights come on intermittently. Usually they work fine, but every so often since my friend first told me my lights were out last week, they don't turn on whether the car is running or not. It can happen to one or both lights at a time, and is unpredictable, making me afraid to drive at night. I took it to the mechanic's today, but the lights were working and he couldn't determine the problem. The bulbs are fine, as long as they are able to turn on, and the mechanic agreed the bulbs do not need replacement.

Filed May 10, 2018 · Lights · 138,000 miles · WV

Headlights intermittently go out while driving. Immediately will come back on when switched off and then on..

Filed Feb 14, 2018 · Lights · 150,000 miles · NM

The head light on the drivers side randomly goes out. If I turn the light switch off and on it may come back on. New lamps have not fixed the problem. This problem has happened at night while driving on the interstate.

Filed Feb 7, 2018 · Lights · OR

The headlight will go out, and it will come on again if you turn the headlights off and turn them back on again. This will happen multiple times in an evening, and it happens every time the car is driven.