2013 Toyota Prius: headlights failing or too dim

Filed Oct 4, 2022 · Lights · AL

Replaced low beam on Right Lamp Headlight. Then replace high beam on Right Lamp Headlight. Then realized it is actually appears to be the power going to the Headlight does not appear to be strong enough? Looked to see if there was a recall and noticed several others have reported this same problem. It is so dim that it required high beam to see. When we purchased this car one thing was brightness of the headlights was very nice since we live in a rural area without street lights. The brightness does not meet the headlight safety standard. Currently try to only drive during daylight hours.

Filed Oct 4, 2020 · Lights · 4,986 miles · ID

Our 2013 prius burns out the right headlight every three months. It's nearly impossible to see to drive with only one headlight. It burns out while moving, stationary, any time and it has discoloration like excessive heat was applied.

Filed Mar 12, 2020 · Electrical, Lights · 120,000 miles · IL

We have had multiple low beam bulb failures. Usually it starts with 1 the burns out the other within a week or two. In the last year we have replaced both bulbs 3 times. The last time was february 24th last night on march 11th we received a warning ticket for a headlight out. I went to replace the bulb again and it was good, after removing it I reinstalled and it worked. Shut the car off and came back out and it wouldn't come on again without disconnecting the harness and plugging it back in. There is noticeable discoloration on both headlight plugs.

Filed Nov 11, 2018 · Body, Electrical · 80,000 miles · MA · fire

I was driving down a city road at 25-30 MPH at dusk (5:15pm), and with my headlights on. The first indication of a problem was the smell of burning rubber when I turned on the heater. Assuming the problem was with another vehicle ahead of me, I turned off the heater and kept driving. A mile later, as I was nearing my destination, I noticed several warning lights turn on (skid light and exclamation mark light) and the steering became less responsive. I then saw smoke emitting from under my hood. A few seconds later, the front passenger-side corner of the car burst into flames. I managed to pull over, woke up my two young children from their car seats, and got everyone out. Within a minute, the entire hood was ablaze. Given where the fire started, I suspect the headlight. I replaced it the day before. The light seemed to work fine for 1 day, but it is suspicious that is also the area where the fire started.

Filed Jun 25, 2018 · Lights · 80,000 miles · MI

Low beam headlamps have been replaced by me 3 times in 80k miles. I am now aware there is an ongoing problem as they are again failing, and I replaced the bulbs of both just 2 weeks ago. There is no warning, they just don't work. I notice it while driving and cannot see without bright headlights on.

Filed Mar 4, 2017 · Lights · 55,000 miles · NC

Both low beam headlights failed simultaneously and without warning.

Filed Feb 23, 2015 · Lights · 302,689 miles · TX

Both left & right low beams went out. All other lights work fine.

Filed May 10, 2014 · Electrical · 3,246 miles · ME

Dashboard lights continually to lose its display lighting. Dashboard goes dark and can remain that way for many miles. Dealership says dashboard lights work as designed. This will happen with headlights on and during the day. Driving under a shaded area (such as under an over pass or a sign) the dashboard lights will go out completely dark and sometimes return to normal after returning to the sun light area. Recently the dashboard lights did not return to normal after going under a shade sign (during the day) and I continued to drive for over 5 miles. Turning the car off and on returned the dash board lights to normal or adjusting the brightness of the dashboard lights with the switch while driving. Dealership has looked at this issue over 3 times and has indicated the dash board lights work the same as other 2013 prius. I can provide a video showing the dash board lights going complete dark.

Filed Mar 24, 2014 · Body, Electrical · CA

When I turn on the low beam of the headlights there is a significant shadow on the upper half of the windshield. It greatly diminishes visibility. When I took the car in for its 6 months service a few weeks ago they acknowledged the problem but said there is nothing that can be done to fix it.

Filed Mar 20, 2014 · Lights · 2,216 miles · CA

When I turn on the low beam of the headlights there is a dark shadow on the upper half of the windshield that diminishes visibility. I asked the service department about it at freeman toyota in santa rosa where I purchased it new in august of 20123 and was told nothing could be done to fix it. It's a serious safety hazard which I hope you can help me remedy. Thank you.

Filed Jan 30, 2014 · Visibility · 5,000 miles · CA

There is a severe diffraction effect through windshield. Bright lights are tripled. For example one below and one above the brake light or traffic signal light. It is very distracting, and very tiring after 20-30mins of driving especially at night. But happens all the time (even for oncoming headlights).

Filed Nov 1, 2013 · Visibility · 300 miles · CA

I am seeing multiple light images above and below the original light. For instance, if I see a red light, I see one ghost image above, and one ghost image below. As I get closer to the light source, the images converge. Any light source at night appears to have this ghosting effect at distances 25' +. It can be very blinding when several cars in front hit their brakes. It is also blinding from the headlights of cars traveling on the opposite side of the road. I determined it was the windshield after riding in another vehicle at night, and did not have any vision issues. The next time I drove the prius at night and experienced the ghosting, I looked at the same objects from the outside of the vehicle, and they were clear.