2006 Toyota Prius: engine overheating

9 of the 1,440 complaints about the 2006 Toyota Prius describe engine overheating.

owner complaints: 9
of this car's complaints: 1%
typical mileage: 60,000
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 16 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Engine overheating by model year

2023
1
2022
1
2019
4
2018
2
2017
3
2016
5
2015
1
2014
1
2013
5
2012
4
2011
2
2010
12
2009
3
2008
7
2007
7
2006
9
2005
7
2004
3
2002
1

What owners say

Filed Aug 5, 2019 · Engine · 95,000 miles · NY

My car overheated suddenly, showed multiple warning lights, and was diagnosed as having a failure of the electric water pump --symptoms exactly identical to those described in !2v536000. My car did not stall but had the secondary conditions shown when toyota engineers tested the likely results of failure of the faulty coil wire.

Filed Mar 19, 2013 · Lights · 87,906 miles · CA

Customer states while driving at night, with low-beams, left light went out. Customer switched to hi-beams and all the headlights went out. Customer reports this is the second time the car has done this. *tr on first inspection unable to verify complaint, all lights functioning as they should. Inspected fuses and wiring and all good. While inspecting lights, lights failed after being on only 10 minutes, and turned off. This was a double light failure with both hi & low beam failure, on both left & right lights! Located a technical service bulletin related to this condition. Performed all tests outlined in technical service bulletin and located both front headlamps defective with swollen center fogged over causing lights to overheat and ECM for headlights going into fail safe mode and shutting headlights off. Replaced both front headlight bulbs and verified repairs. After repairs, ran headlights for 30 minutes with no furhter failure. Returned vehicle to customer.

Filed May 7, 2011 · Lights · 37,000 miles · TX

While driving in the dark in the middle of the night, the headlights spontaneously went out without warning. I drove in pitch black darkness until I could stop the car. Then I took it to a toyota dealer service department and the mechanic told me the lights were overheating and then failing.

Filed Aug 26, 2010 · Lights · 137,000 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 toyota prius. The contact was driving approximately 45 MPH when the driver side headlamp would no longer illuminate. After approximately twenty minutes, the headlamp resumed normal operation before repeating the failure. The failure occurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for inspection where the technician informed that the failure was caused by the headlamp wiring overheating and blowing out the bulb. The failure recurred. The bulb was replaced. The failure mileage was 137,000. Updated 12/01/10. *lj updated 12/09/10

Filed Mar 22, 2010 · Lights · 63,000 miles · MI

My prius has 60, 000 miles and has hi definition headlights. Last week one of the lights went out so I went to a toyota dealer to have it changes. When they turned on the headlights to check the problem the light worked. The tech said toyota had a problem with headlights getting overheated and going out and coming back on. The problems was not resolved.

Filed Dec 1, 2009 · Lights · 60,000 miles · CA

2007 toyota prius with hid headlights that intermittently go off. This is a problem with many prius with the hid headlights. We had one replaced on 11/28 at a cost of $240.00. The other has problems also but we could not afford to get it replaced at this time. Toyota repair says light system overheats, maybe. They aren't sure.

Filed Nov 8, 2009 · Lights · 41,250 miles · PA

2006 toyota prius - headlight (hid) failure. Started with left headlight (passenger side) at about 40,000 miles, then right headlight began to fail at about 45,000 miles. Headlights flick off while driving. One or both flick off at any time. Can turn back on by turning headlights completely off, then turning back on. But after a few minutes, decrease in intensity and flick off again. Toyota dealer has advised this is "normal", that the lights have a heat sensor and turn off when they overheat, and that I need to replace both headlight assemblies.

Filed May 8, 2009 · Lights · 55,000 miles · NJ

Like all the other notices from 2006 toyota prius owners, between 55,000 and 60,000 miles, the headlights of my 2006 toyota prius began an intermittent turn off while driving. The headlights came back on after turning the lights on and off quickly (a safety issue in itself!). Started with the drive side light, then the passenger side began, which made me fearful of losing my headlights totally while driving. Was told that the "balast/computer" overheats & shuts down. Good solution to prevent a fire, I guess, but not good for driving safety. Replacement quote was $600 each -- dealer did give me a 15% discount, so ended up costing $510 each ($1,020.00 total!). Called toyota of america and they are investigating, but, based upon all of these complaints and my own experience, this is a real safety issue and needs to be corrected by toyota. I love my prius recommend it to everyone, but toyota really needs to address this now.

Filed Oct 28, 2008 · Lights · 58,000 miles · CA

Hid headlight operation is intermittent. Dealer replaced component, however it is doing it again. Technician states it is due to the component overheating. First replacement was under warranty. Now they want about $500 to fix. They should have corrected the component overheating design defect with an updated component the first time.