2011 Toyota Prius: headlights failing or too dim

Filed Dec 6, 2024 · Lights · FL

Attached is a report from the Florida Attorney General's project office. Vehicle front headlight bulbs burn out prematurely and frequently and without warning causing reduced visibility at night on dark roads. This is a common and on-going problem for Toyota and other manufacturers and me. Toyota recognized this and issued its own recall ending in 2019, but my car was missed. The 'fix' for me is advice that I should drive my car with high beams on, but in bad weather or on-coming traffic this fix is also a safety hazard. My fear is that one night both bulbs will go out and I will be unable to see the roadway. My car is available for inspection. Constantly replacing bulbs has been and continues to be an expensive issue.

Filed Oct 25, 2024 · Electrical, Lights · KS

The low-beam headlamps on thousands of 2011 Toyota Priuses were burning out very prematurely (a matter of weeks, not months). Toyota Corporate said they created a customer support program to replace the headlight wiring harness free of charge, but this program ended in 2019. I believe that Toyota should be compelled to issue a recall to replace the wiring harnesses on all 2011 Toyota Priuses, because working headlights are a critical component of a safely traveling vehicle. The cost of replacing the wiring harness is more than $700, a real dent in a working family's budget. For now, we are replacing the burned-out bulbs. However, we believe a recall initiated by the federal safety agency is warranted in this case.

Filed Jan 10, 2024 · Lights · 129,000 miles · VA

The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Prius. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed on dark roads, the contact became aware that the headlights were extremely dim. The illumination was inadequate while driving. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact became aware of a six-year Extended Warranty letter from the manufacturer. The contact stated that the harness needed to be replaced. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 129,000.

Filed Dec 9, 2023 · Lights · MN

I have had this car since 2021 and have had to replace both the high and low beams multiple times a year. Each time they go out at the same time with no warning. This is deadly as I have. been on the freeway at night and almost crashed. I counted 4 times just in 2023 this has happened to me. This is more then any other car ive owned, along with any car my siblings and parents have owned. This is deadly and needs to be recalled ASAP

Filed Feb 17, 2023 · Lights · OR

The right low beam bulb goes out every 10-15k miles. This is a known issue by Toyota that addressed it with a "Warranty Enhancement Program" that worked to address the defect, but expired in 2019. I believe that headlamps are critical safety issues, and this should be subject to a recall, not a "Warranty Enhancement Program".

Filed Sep 26, 2021 · Brakes, Electrical · CA

one year after bought, was losing power, replacing a lot of batteries, headlights and lamps then car would lose power while driving, not start continually everyday for each day after and even started on its own. i took in a lot and they put my vin to the wrong person..someone rainsford so my service recs were not recorded. said no battery code, didnt check altenator, and even tho serv advisor said the break was squishy to him and he heard the loud buzz noise when pushing, it was not replaced. they tried to blame it on keys being in car which is how it starts and runs! not parked on hill or in bad temps and driven long trips, none of which SHOULD BE REQIRED to start a car to get to dying patients on time. we bought charger and use on both priuses daily. lost power while driving, got hurt, and josh's pt. died. nothing but headache nightmares. have long written records where submitted all and they just like to deny things or try to find a way to blame on consumer. my only fault was buying an undisclosed deathtrap. they need to refund us both cars and damages and expenses and our time and missed work. the shuttle was a joke. i have my own top notch code reader and it said battery was fine. it was new, yet they wanted to sell me one so they said it coded but refused to show me. they are just trying to make money and really hurting people. sending my title and all my personal info to a stranger and me catching after 7 years broght on an ID theft im still fighting. very rude front staff and drivers..sheldon.

Filed Mar 24, 2020 · Lights · 200,000 miles · CA

Both of my prius low beams went out at the same time, I thought it was unusual as both headlights should not go out simultaneously. It was late at night and I was returning from church. I either had to drive without the low beams which is very dangerous or drive high beams which blinds oncoming traffic. I looked online and read several people had both low beams go out simultaneously. This is obviously a problem and should not be happening as it clearly presents a safety risk at night and puts others at risk because I had to use the high beams. This is an ongoing issue with toyota and they should be held liable for putting the motoring public at risk. Dealer inspected vehicle and claimed both low beams burned out simultaneously. I was advised of a service bulletin that expired on october 2019 that addressed this issue but they said it didn't apply and that it had expired. I was charged $250 for two headlights. When it comes to public safety their should be no expiration and they should fix the problem.

Filed Mar 18, 2020 · Electrical · 155,000 miles · IN

My headlights keep burning out. Toyota is aware of this common problem and it requires a new electrical harness. They issued an extended warranty to fix this, however not everyone got the notice (like me). It expired in nov. 2019. I was quoted $700 to fix this, when it is a known defect in the car manufacturing. I would like this be a recall item, so everyone can get it fixed. When I took my car in to get it fixed they were fully aware of my problem with this make, model, and year. It is unsafe to have the headlight all the sudden burn out, usually when I first turn them on, please help. It happens about every 3 months or less. Thank you.

Filed Jan 16, 2020 · Lights · MA

Headlight bulbs fail frequently, several times per year. I called toyota in january 2020. I was informed they had a brief warranty extension to cover the issue, but that has ended. They've refused to offer any assistance. They claim they notified me of the issue, but they clearly did not; the address they claimed to have sent it to was not my address. This is a safety issue, because the bulbs fail so frequently and are not owner-replaceable. I hope you can help. Thank you.

Filed Nov 27, 2019 · Lights · 100,000 miles · NC

Low beam headlights are burning out within a week of installation. When bulbs are replaced, one of the two bulbs will burn out within a week, yet the other bulb will stay active. Both sides are affected. It randomly chooses which side to burn out.

Filed Nov 8, 2019 · Lights · 85,000 miles · VA

I replaced both headlights several times at a much faster time period than any other vehicle I have ever owned. Once I even had to replace the headlamp assembly when one of the headlights generated so much heat that the headlamp assembly plastic melted.

Filed Oct 5, 2018 · Lights · 140,000 miles · CA

My prius 2011 hybrid burning low beam headlight every one or two month. It is hard because no one have solution for this issue. The problem is not just changing the headlight every one or two months but the problem is safety, on highway once the light goes down. It happened to me! It was unbelievable.