2010 Toyota Prius: headlights failing or too dim

Filed Oct 6, 2026 · Lights · WI

The low-beam headlight bulbs on my 2010 Toyota Prius keep burning out, about every [6 months or less]. Since I have owned the vehicle I have replaced them too many times to count, on both sides, but twice as often on the drivers side. The most recent failure was on XXX, my driver low beam failed while I was driving at night on a county highway in heavy rain. Visibility was already poor, and I was stopped by law enforcement because of the burned-out headlight. I was given a warning to get it fxed. Warnings from the police has happened twice in the last couple years. This is a known problem on 2010-2011 Prius models. Toyota acknowledged it in a technical service bulletin and addressed it under Customer Support Program ZHB, a warranty enhancement that replaced the headlamp bulbs and wiring harness. That program has expired, but the problem continues on my vehicle. I have been using factory-type / standard replacement bulbs, so I do not believe the bulbs themselves are the cause. The repeated failures point to a voltage or wiring problem in the headlamp circuit. The safety concern is that a low-beam bulb can fail without warning while driving at night. In winter in [XXX], with early darkness, snow, and temperatures below zero, losing a headlight reduces visibility and makes it harder for other drivers to see the vehicle. I am also physically small (5'1") and have limited hand strength, so replacing these bulbs repeatedly is difficult, particularly in frigid [XXX] weather. I plan to ask Toyota to perform the harness and bulb repair as a goodwill gesture and want to reference this report. I am filing this report so the problem is documented. There have been no crashes or injuries. Vehicle: 2010 Toyota Prius, approximately 170000 miles. Sincerely, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jun 28, 2024 · Electrical · PA

Passenger side low beam headlamp has continued to need to be replaced. I was not made aware of a "customer service protection program" on this and when I contacted Toyota they said it was too late for the repair, electrical harness, to be covered by their extended warranty. I never received information regarding the extended warranty. They stated they sent it to the correct address. But just because you mail something doesn't always mean it is delivered to that address. Also, I had my car serviced many times at Toyota dealerships and they never informed me of this extended warranty. If I had been made aware of the extended warranty I would've had it repaired in a timely manner. I have spoken to two representatives of Toyota and they stated they could not help me. I'm wondering why this is not considered a recall issue as it does affect the safety of driving a vehicle and the lights stop working. This may not be the right place to ask this question but I'm hoping someone in your organization can help me.

Filed Jul 7, 2021 · Electrical, Lights · LA

The headlights on my car would get very dim and would burnout within 4 to 6 months. As time has past the time between bulb replacement would get shorter and shorter. At this point when I plug replacement bulbs into my car the burnout instantly. Without low beam headlights I am required to drive with my high beams on at all times. The dealer and the manufacture know about the problem and there was a notification regarding this issue with the headlights, but I was not sent this notice. Had I been sent the notice from Toyota I would have brought my car into the dealership for them to inspect the light problem. From what I have learned from Toyota is that there was never a recall on this issue. Headlights on a car I would think would be considered a major safety feature and should not have an expiration date on such a repair issue. The program to fix the issue was called Customer Support Program ZHB which allowed the dealers to correct the problem. How would anyone know that there was a problem unless they get a notification.

Filed Jan 5, 2021 · Lights · 100,000 miles · MD

Headlight bulbs keep going blowing consistently.vehicle stationary

Filed Jun 6, 2020 · Lights · 185,000 miles · VA

Low beam started getting dim, but were brand new. They both suddenly failed on the highway almost causing a crash. I replaced bulbs and they were dim again. I went to buy the top line headlights thinking that was the issue, but I discovered the passenger side headlight assembly was corroded and melted. Once I turned the car on it began smoking. I can't install any lights now.

Filed Mar 22, 2020 · Brakes, Lights · 10 miles · VA

Abs system fails, rear passenger seat belt issue, headlight bulbs burned too much

Filed Feb 29, 2020 · Electrical, Lights · 120,683 miles · CA

Both the low beam lights are of a problem with recall which toyota expired the recall on 10/31/2019. I tried few times last 3 years to get it fixed with toyota portland but they always said 1) don't have parts will call back once available 2) if you have issue we will fix it otherwise now now. Now that both were off and I had to use high beam, I took to toyota beaverton, or. They said recall is expired. Why will recall expire if it is safety issue? I called toyota customer support they said expired and you have pay fo yourself. The cost is not just bulbs but internal wiring kit which starts from $600. I am taking it to toyota portland today as my student daughter needs the lights to drive. We are both in different states (ca and or). Csp info - "customer support porgram zhb certain 2010-2011 model prius coverage for halogen low beam headlamp bulbs)

Filed Dec 11, 2019 · Lights · 121,000 miles · PA

First the driver's side low beam failed, followed by the passenger low beam headlight days later. After replacing both lights, the driver's side low beam failed followed by the passenger's low beam.

Filed Nov 5, 2019 · Lights · 90,000 miles · ME

Toyota prius low beam headlights suddenly go out due to known issue with wire harness. No recall issued and owner is responsible for cost of repair

Filed Mar 10, 2019 · Lights · 138,000 miles · NH

Low beam headlights turn off/fail. I have replaced 7 low beam headlights in the past year, four in the past 2 months. In the two most recent cases both low beam headlights failed within minutes of each other while driving at night at highway speeds. I had a toyota dealer check the wiring harness per toyota warranty notice after the last outage and they stated nothing was wrong. When I had the lights checked by a different toyota dealer in jan 2019 they indicated the socket for the bulb was melted. Bulbs have gone out under, wet, dry, hot, and cold conditions. The most recent outage occurred on march 8, 2019 while driving on the interstate..

Filed Mar 3, 2019 · Electrical · 197,650 miles · CA

When you turn headlights on the dashboard light go black can't see any things o it

Filed Jan 28, 2019 · Lights, Visibility · 93,000 miles · CA

Headlight would burn out a year after replacement. Manufacturer issued a variant of a recall intending to provide a fix for high rate of burnout. I took my car in to a dealership to receive the fix and the dealership caused a problem with the front windshield wiper apparatus. Wipers would now work if the headlights were off, but would no longer work once the headlights were turned on. This would occur whether stationary or moving.