2006 Toyota Prius lights problems

941 complaints (65% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 49,000. 5 crashes reported.

owner complaints: 941
of this car's complaints: 65%
typical mileage: 49,000
crashes: 5
recalls: 0

Which part fails

Headlights
121
Tail lights
1
Headlights: switch
1
Headlights: high/low beam dimmer switch
1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k

25k-50k

50k-75k

75k-100k

100k-125k

125k-150k

150k-175k

175k-200k

200k+

Toyota Prius lights problems in other years

Specific symptoms reported on the 2006 Toyota Prius lights

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Headlights 923

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Related investigations

Headlight failureOpened April 17, 2009, closed August 27, 2009

Odi opened this investigation after receiving reports that both headlights would go out, or extinguish while driving.the subject vehicles are equipped with high intensity discharge (hid) headlamps that operate on independent lamps and ecu's (electronic control units) for each headlight, meaning that each headlight runs independently of the other, and a failure in one lamp or ecu does not necessarily result in a failure of the other.during the investigation, a random sample of forty consumers was contacted by odi in a telephone survey to verify their experiences.the consumers stated in complaints to toyota that both headlights failed at the same time.odi discovered through talking with these complainants that in fact one headlight would begin to flicker and then cut off.the other headlight would still be operational.in a few cases where no action was taken, some complainants stated that after a few months both headlamps would begin to fail resulting in no headlights; however none reported that both lamps failed simultaneously.complainants also stated that they could toggle the headlamp switch on and off to temporarily restore lighting when this condition occurred, even in cases were both headlamps were extinguished.the results of this survey are largely consistent with odi's assessment of the reports and warranty data.toyota submitted in response to odi's information request letter that, generally speaking, only one lamp failed at a time, and that toggling the switch restored the lamp.toyota requested a meeting with odi and on august 6, 2009, presented their assessment of headlamp failure.toyota confirmed that a headlamp could extinguish while driving due to a bulb failure, and that it could be temporarily restored by turning the headlight switch on and off, and that simultaneous failure of both headlamps was rare and unlikely.toyota also briefly discussed their intention to conduct a customer service campaign to address consumer dissatisfaction with hid bulb failures.since there is still one headlight operating when the other one cuts off, there is still lighting available to get the vehicle to a repair facility.thus, a safety defect trend has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.accordingly this investigation is closed.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that a safety-related defect does not exist.the agency will take further action if warranted by the circumstances.

PE09019

What 2006 Toyota Prius owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Aug 28, 2024 · Lights · OH

The right or left headlight will rabdomly turn off, and tyrn back there 8s no ryme or readon to it,and while driving at night it is cery dangerous, aparebtly its not just this car, this is a common issue and it needs to be fixed

Filed Apr 2, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · NC

One afternoon, in the Summer of 23, I entered my Toyota Prius to run some errands. Once I proceeded to power on the car, none of the dashboard lights illuminated. This included the gas gauge, speedometer & transmission indicator. Fortunately, I was only driving a few blocks down the road from my residence as I live in a small rural town with little congestion, little traffic and mostly two-lane roads. I can't imagine this occurring in a much larger metropolitan city. When I arrived at my destination, I discovered that my Prius wouldn't shut off. This dashboard malfunction was preventing the Toyota from powering off. I quickly completed my errands with my vehicle running during this entire ordeal. Finally, when I returned home, I frantically researched on YouTube regarding this issue and discovered many others who also were having these no-illuminating-dashboard problems. Some YouTubers offered workarounds but the solutions will be temporary as the problem will eventually worsen until the Prius owners have no working dashboard lights. From the way I understand it, this problem is nothing more than a small computer board that's behind the speedometer and this computer board has a small diode that tends to burn out on all kinds of Toyota Priuses when it reaches around 150,000 miles.

Filed Jun 19, 2023 · Electrical, Lights · WA

I was Driving down the main road at night time in my 2006 prius and the headlights both went out and all most caused a crash. I pulled over turned my car off then back on and the headlights came back on so i started driving home. After driving a couple blocks i was pulled over by the police because my drivers side headlight was off. Luckily he let me go with a warning, but i work at night and am losing money daily because of this problem. I sent toyota a email and no answer. There has been many electrical problems with this car and the speedometer still says i am deiving 34 to 35 mph while i am actually only going 30mph. I think that toyota should fully fix the problems in thos car. Its amazing there can be so much wrong with a vehicle and they not have to replace the vehicle with a vehicle that works or fix all the problems and give me a loaner vehicle. I will upload a picture of what the toyota dealership nearest to me wanted just to replace 1 bulb ans the balast wires going to the light for one loght they want $211.34 and that is just for the bulb and wire. For there time they said each bulb and wire would be around $500 worth of repair time to pay for them to put the new light and wire in so for one lightbulb with rhe wire would be about $800-$1000 for the dealership to replace the parts, so basically $2000 to replace both light bulbs and the wires and pay the toyota company to put them in. If you look at the estimate it is for 1 bulb and 1wire and that would be the price if i put them in and if i only wanted the parts. So $211.34 then i would have to double it because i would need 2 bulbs and 2 wires. Then i would have to add another $1000. That is $500 for labor for them to put the bulbs in per each bulb and wire and they said its not guaranteed it will fix the problem. So that is $422.68 for parts and they said somewere around $500 for them to install each bulb and wire and after it might not even fix the problem. So that is $2422.68 to maybe fix the problem.

Filed Apr 2, 2022 · Lights · DE

Headlights Malfunctioning. Red triangle light has been present since the week after purchase. 2006 Prius was inspected by Toyota and a private technician. Headlights and 2 Relay fuses have been replaced and is still malfunctioning. This is a safety risk having headlights not working properly can cause accidents on dark roads at night. This should not be at owners expense when it is clearly a manufacturing issue. This causes owners to be ticketed as it is deemed to be a road hazard and it can not pass inspection due to faulty headlights.

Filed Jul 14, 2020 · Electrical, Lights · 240,000 miles · CA

Known problem with combination meter - found it searching online once I realized this was the problem. I bought my car used and since it is no longer covered by toyota, it didn't come up in search. Having issues with there being no display on the dash and vehicle not shutting off for the entire time I have had the car. It only happens intermittently. This is a safety issue for sure! Can't see speed, gas, gears...anything about car whether car stationary or moving.

Filed Feb 6, 2020 · Electrical, Lights · GA

Headlights constantly go out. Research online proves prius vehicles with hid bulb systems have ballast issues causing constant blowing of either bulbs or ballast failure. Not only is safety constantly compromised, but it is illegal when a headlight goes out driving down the road.

Filed Jan 29, 2020 · Lights · 84,500 miles · OH

While the vehicle was in motion on side street traffic at maximum 40 MPH the right headlight turned off and I was pulled over for a traffic violation. The headlights were both working when I left my house 10 minutes earlier. They were both working when I left work later that day. The lights have had this problem before on and off frequently on the highway and side streets, but every time I check after pulling over and turning the car back on both lights are working.

Filed Nov 8, 2019 · Lights · 96,500 miles · CA

The right side head light on my 2006 toyota prius will turn off on its own. It will work again if I shut all the lights off and turn it on again. It doesn't seem to happen while the car is stationary, but will turn off soon after the car starts moving. It doesn't matter if it is on a bumpy road, moving slowly, or on a highway. It will turn off within seconds to several minutes. I took it into the dealership around july 8th, 2019 when I first noticed the problem. They said there was no signs of any damage and said there wasn't anything that needed to be done. Since then I have just been switching the lights off and back on when it happens. But then last night on november 7, 2019 both lights went out while I was driving on a public road. It happened as I accelerated after a full break.thankfully turning the lights off and on again worked. The right side turned back off again that night, but both did not shut off again after the incident.

Filed Nov 5, 2019 · Lights · 168,000 miles · CA

The hid headlights are both out, after being on maybe 5 minutes. From everything I have read online and from my mechanic, this is a known issue with my model of car, that has been going on for years. The ballast is faulty, and would need to be tested prior to replacing a hid light. This has been happening for months, and I simply do not drive at night as a result. With the time change, this is to difficult.

Filed Oct 7, 2019 · Lights · 108,000 miles · OH

Head lights randomly go out without warning. Turn switch of then on and they go back on for awhile. Sometimes one headlight. Sometimes other or both. Not safe when driving in dark and lights disappear in mountains on vacation at night!!!

Questions about the 2006 Toyota Prius lights

Does the 2006 Toyota Prius have lights problems?

Owners have filed 941 complaints about the lights of the 2006 Toyota Prius, 65% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.

At what mileage do 2006 Toyota Prius lights problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 49,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2006 Toyota Prius lights?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Toyota Prius have the most lights problems?

The Toyota Prius model years with the most lights complaints are 2007 (1,061 complaints), 2006 (941 complaints) and 2008 (583 complaints).