2006 prius. 62k miles. One headlight started going out intermittently about 3 weeks ago (jan.2010) now a minute or so after the first one goes out the second one goes too leaving me in total darkness. The fix is to turn the switch on and off. A bulletin I received last year says you can kill the hid by turning off and on while still hot. This the only way to keep the lights going! I got a ticket last week for a light out and of course I made it come back on for the officer but he wasn't impressed. Now I have to get it fixed and I have read all the blogs and clearly replacing the bulb is not way to correct this.
2006 Toyota Prius lights complaints
Page 12 of 33: complaints 311 to 340 of 941, newest first, as owners wrote them.
I have a 2006 prius with hid headlights. A little over a year ago I noticed that one or sometimes both headlights would go out intermittently. We live on a street without streetlamps and I had some scary moments several times when both lights went out. When I told my dealer about it, they said they could do nothing as the lights were working when they examined them. Finally, I got a letter from toyota (attached), which said they would lower the replacement price of the headlights (but not warning of the problems I had been having). I had my dealer repair the lights at a cost of $559.25. The dealer told me that if I complained to toyota, they would reimburse me. A case manager at toyota said they would pay for the parts (about $300). I have now read of hundreds of other people with my model car who have had identical problems. I feel that toyota should issue a recall for a dangerous problem like this, or at least notify the dealers so when owners complain of the problem it is repaired under warranty.
2006 toyota prius - hid headlamps go out at random intervals and come back on when turned off and then back on. Thousands of reports on www.mycarstats.com. Unsafe at night, especially in rural areas where deer roam the highways. My passenger side headlamp was replaced for free by toyota rep and dealer after showing them the mycarstats.com complaint reports. Toyota also reduced price of hid lamps by one-half in a letter received about three months ago. Many have had to pay $400 to $1200 for repair and replacements. Prius front bumper has to be removed to replace headlamp.
2006 toyota prius with hid headlights fail intermittently.
My 2006 toyota prius loses braking when trying to brake on uneven surfaces. The dash will light up the icon which displays uneven ground and when I apply brakes there is a momentarily lapse when the brake pedal does not respond. Also my left headlight and left taillight go on and off periodically.
While driving with my prius the headlights turn on and off at their own will. Sometimes it's the right headlight, then the left headlight. This morning I was driving to work and both headlights went out and I had to pull over. Turned the car off then back on and the headlights were on again. A few moments later, the right headlight went out. This is very unsafe for me as I drive mostly early in the morning and late at night when headlights are required. Toyota should cover this as a warranty item .
2006 toyota prius with hid headlights. One or both headlights fail repeatedly. Dealership claims "unable to duplicate concern," and adds "working as designed." an investigation into this matter was precipitously closed before the company had even fully answered the complaint, on the grounds that only one headlight was failing which would allow customers to reach a service facility. Both headlights regularly fail, often concurrently, and others obviously have this problem as well. Clearly had this information been available to investigators, the investigation would not have been closed for this reason. Toyota has lowered the price on replacement, but took the position with investigators that this was an item that would require regular replacement. The literature on the product however, indicates that these products should last for the life of the vehicle, which considering that portions are warrantied for 100,000 miles, is a milestone we have obviously not reached. This problem is continuing, so the date and mileage are taken from the invoice when the headlight problem was reported to royal palm toyota, royal palm beach, fl. I pray the federal safety agency will reopen its investigation in light of new evidence.
I drive a 2006 toyota prius. I have experienced odd skid-like behavior while applying the brakes on bumpy roads or loose gravel. Most notably this happens at low and decelerating velocities (maybe 15 MPH?) when the vehicle encounters broken pavement or loose gravel. It is often associated with the prius' 'slippery surface' icon on the dash being lit. When this occurs it feels like the brakes do not function for a brief period. I have not had an accident as a result, but the experience has occurred at least 4 times over the four months I've owned it. Also, the front hid headlamps flicker on and off periodically making it dangerous to drive at night. I will report these problems to toyota and based on the high volume of identical complaints I believe they should cover the cost of fixing these problems.
Headlights went out while driving at night on #5 fwy in ta hone pass on 2/7/10. Now headlights are intermittent. I paid $837 to dealer on 1/10/08 for replacement of headlamps. Dealer now wants $1024 to replace them again.
2006 toyota prius headlamp failure. Headlights can flicker out and can potentially cost thousands of dollars to replace.
In 2006 I purchased a 2006 toyota prius package 6 which includes hid (high intensity discharge) headlamps. Starting approx. 1 year ago, I noticed a headlamp out while I was driving. When I took it to the dealer I was told it would cost $400+ to repair 1 headlamp. After doing some research on the internet, I found many complaints about prius hid headlamps. I also found out that if you turn the light switch off and then on, they would work again temporarily, so I decided to tolerate a headlamp that is periodically out and would work again if I turned the switch off and on. Sometimes the driver side light would be out and sometimes the passenger side light would be out. Approx. 6 months ago, I discovered that both headlamps would be periodically out while I'm driving, a real safety problem. I stopped driving at night. Approx. 2 weeks ago, I received a letter from toyota that they recognize the problem and will discount the headlamp bulbs from $300 each to $150 each plus labor. Even $150 is totally outrageous but I needed to drive that vehicle at night so I had both lights replaced for a total of $504.87. There should have been a recall from toyota and they should fix that safety problem for free.
2006 toyota prius headlights go off while driving then come back on. Intermittent and totally unpredictable.
Passenger side hid headlight went out. Later it came back on. The vehicle, a 2006 prius, only has 45,000 miles. Toyota sent us a letter stating the cost of a new bulb was reduced from $300 to $150 plus labor/tax. Also, the letter stated that hid bulbs are prone to deterioration due to use and advises that we use our headlamps only when necessary. I feel this issue is safety related and the fix is very expensive for a relatively new car. Toyota's advice to consider using the lights less is also misguided and not in the best interest of safely. I'm also concerned about possible electrical issues that may be causing this failure.
The driver's side hid headlight in my 2006 prius has been malfunctioning for nearly two years now. When I drive, the left headlamp will turn off and stop working after a short while, and if I turn the lights off and then back on again, it works again for a while. I've had it fixed twice now. The first time, it worked normally for a while, but it started failing again after a few months. The second time it was fixed, it actually worsened. At this point, I'll have to cycle my headlights every ten minutes or so. Impaired vision at night due to headlight failure is a safety issue. I was told by friends in the toyota service department that it's a "known issue" with the prius equipped with high-intensity discharge (xenon) headlamps. If it's "known", why isn't it recalled? It's hazardous to drivers.
I have a 2006 prius. The hid lights flicker and turn off about two times a day while I am driving. These lights are supposed to last ten times longer than regular lights. The light failure is particularly dangerous at night when the lights can suddenly turn off.
On my 2006 toyota prius left headlight intermittently keeps going out. When I turn them all the way off and back on the light comes back.
Toyota prius exterior lights shut down. This happens all of the time the car is driven. Hid headlights turn off without the driver knowing and then keeps on driving until they are struck or hit something. Other cars may not see this. This has occurred over 5000 times...
2006 toyota prius hid headlamps turn off while driving. This occurs all of the time; first one headlight goes out, then the second one... In order to remedy for short time you need to turn off headlight and turn back on. Toyota denies any wrong doing and it will cost $1000 to fix which is not fair as I have brought the car in numerous times to be repaired and nothing was done to it. Very dangerous for those that cannot tell if their headlamps goes out. Accidents.
My 2006 toyota prius has experienced intermittent hid headlight operation for almost a year. This is not so bad on the open highways with other cars still lighting up the road, but it's downright scary on dark country roads. At all times, while driving at night, the headlights get progressively dimmer to the point where I can actually outrun my field of vision.....again very unnerving. My solution has been to drive one of my other cars when possible. I guess the good news is I've never experienced the brake & gas pedal issues that are on the news.........still, I think the hid headlight issue is serious. I've never bothered to complain to the dealer because I've heard they will give me the runaround and charge over $800 to replace the bulbs & the problem only goes away for a few months at best. *cn
1. Brakes on my 2006 prius momentarily failed to respond, after a 1 - 2 sec delay they activated. At same time,the traction light flashes, but the car is not losing traction. This happened 4 x, one almost resulted in a crash. It is more likely to happen when braking while going over a bump in the road. There have been other times when the traction light flashes on unexpectedly, but effect on brakes is unknown: not braking then. 3 different toyota dealers told me they couldn't find anything wrong. At one dealer, I went for a test drive with a mechanic. During the test drive, I was able to make the traction light go on when there was no loss of traction. The invoice stated "test drove and checked operations. At this time could not duplicate customer's concerns." I wrote on the invoice "I was able to make the traction light go on when there was no loss of traction. I am not satisfied that the problem has been found and repaired." & on the signature line "not satisfied, (signature)" I wanted them to change the computer, but they said if they couldn't duplicate the problem, they couldn't change the computer. I insisted that they replace one component, and if the problem didn't reoccur, I'd know they found the solution. They bled the brakes, which was unlikely to be cause of the problem. When I went to pick up my invoice up 2nd time, the copy on which I had written my comments was returned to me, and a freshly printed copy- without my comments - was given to me & kept for their records. 2. Same car: headlight go out at unexpected times. 2 toyota dealers told me that the bulb would cost $300, and installation would be well over $100 because they "had to take off the bumper to change the bulb!" I replaced the bulb myself (without taking off the bumper) but now, 9 months later, it is starting to go again. Toyota sent a letter saying it was how hid bulbs burned out & not a pblm w/ controller. If true, how is it that new bulb is also burning out?
Premature failure of hid headlights in 2006 toyota prius.
Headlights go off without warning while driving. One light bulb going off is common, however, both lights have gone off at the same time repeatedly during driving, leaving me without any lighting. Lights come back on after turning the switch off and then on again.
Purchased 2006 prius in jan 09 immediately had the driver side headlamp go out and then fix itself. This has been a continuing problem of flickering since I have been driving it for a year. At night this is scary especially on mountain roads where there is no light from street lights. I am no longer driving in the rain or at night until toyota addresses this problem. Dealer wants $489.38 to replace them both will not replace one alone. The news has reported that thousands have a complaint with toyota about this problem but toyota will not address this issue eventhough I believe it is a safety issue and I have an extended warranty which does not cover this even though it is bumper to bumper warranty. The cost of $489.38 is way too high for a car that only has 32,397 miles on it and much to expensive for a senior citizen who is on a limited income.
Both hid headlights went out at the same time. Fortunately it was just before mid-night, there was no traffic, and I was slowing down for a red light. I turned the lights and ignition on and off several times and eventually the lights come on and I drove about 200 yards to my apartment. I took the car to my dealer. The service manager was aware of the problem. He treated it as though it were fairly common. He replaced both bulbs at no charge to me under warranty. I not aware of any subsequent problems.
2006 toyota prius one or both headlights turn off suddenly while driving.
2006 prius with high intensity discharge headlight. Headlight has been failing over the past few months.
2006 toyota prius with hid headlights. I have had problems with the headlamps going out intermittently. My wife was stopped by the police because the left headlight went out the other night. The dealer replaced the bulb on the right side in june 2009. Now I just had to replace the left side bulb, the toyota dealer will not cover under warranty due to the vehicle being out of warranty by 5 months. There are many,many prius owners with headlight problems. This is a safety issue that toyota knows about but refuses to help once the warranty expires. I request that the federal safety agency investigate the toyota headlight problem. We prius owners feel this is a defect and a very important safety issue that toyota should correct or reimburse prius owners that have paid for repairs after the 3 year/36,000 mile warranty period.
Same intermittent problem as expressed by countless others on this site and beyond: 2006 prius hid headlights blink out randomly. Turning switch off and on again restores light until next occurrence. History: driver's side headlight intermittent after 30,000 miles. Repeated complaints to dealer, finally replaced bulb at 38,000 miles. Handled under warranty. Passenger side headlight intermittent around 50,000 miles. After repeated complaints to dealer, "starter bulb" was replaced at 54,000 miles - also handled under warranty. Moved to new address - so new dealer. Received lame toyota letter that pretends to address the situation by lowering the cost of the part, while not addressing that this part should not be failing in this way or as quickly as it is! Present situation: driver's side headlight again intermittent - around 80,000 miles. Asked dealer to investigate at last service (87,000). "no problem found" "bring it back when it's totally out" "if headlight is the same one that falls into special category of lights, it'll be $150 plus labor" "but it could be 1 of 2 different lights which will be $300+ or $600+ - we won't know until we pull it apart." even though I purchased extended warranty coverage, the headlights are excluded. Even though previously-replaced bulb is only slightly older than original problem. Problem is that toyota is not taking real responsibility for the level of problem that this is. They should be covering labor costs, extending warranties and providing a new replacement light that actually works! I believe new prius uses leds. Charging less money on an already exorbitantly overpriced part and requiring customers to pay more out-of-pocket for a part that doesn't work properly to begin with is outrageous! The investigation must be continued. Toyota is not serving their customers and it is unsafe and at an unreasonable cost. There is absolutely no excuse for this behavior. Do not let them get away with this.
Recently both headlights on my prius began winking off at random. Turning the lights off and then back on again will result in both headlights being but moments (sometimes seconds) later one of them will turn off. (so far neither have both turned off at the same time.) I took my car to the toyota dealership after being told by my usual mechanic that they did not have the tools to "get to" the prius headlight to replace it. The toyota dealership informed me that the cost of replacing both front headlights (only) if $475. $170 per light and the rest of that is for the labor as they have to remove the front bumper, etc. After doing a little research online I see that this same issue (the headlight "winking") seems pretty common and so I'm reporting my experience.
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 toyota prius. The contact stated that the front headlights shut off intermittently; however, after the switch was turned on and off they remained on. The dealer stated that the contact would be responsible for paying $300 per bulb to repair the vehicle and $200 in labor.. There were no related recalls. The contact is concerned about the safety risk while driving at night. The failure mileage was 70,000. Updated 03/01/10. *lj the consumer stated both lights go out at the same time while driving at night. The dealer could not guarantee the consumer it wouldn't not happen again. Updated 06/15/10.
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