Headlight problem

[windstrings]

Originally Posted by tadyergey

I have a 2006 with 60K miles on it adn just noticed this problem. No rhyme or reason when it kicks off as of yet, but a cycle on the on/off switch fixes it.

Its a good thing this problem at least has that temporary fix till it progresses and becomes more often. Especially since some folks have claimed both out at once!

[diatomguru]

Ive had the same problem for about a year now. I made a complaint to Toyota and was given a case number. Someone from Toyota called me, and politely informed me I was Up shit creek. Though he did call the dealership and they agreed to pay half of the cost for replacement. .. $340. What a deal, Riiight.
So I filed a complaint with NHTSA. I am hoping for a recall. I am worried, from what I have read that replacing the bulbs might only temporarally fix the issue, and that it might happen again. In which case Id be dishing out the money again.

Im going to have to do something soon, as last night BOTH headlights went out while I was driving!!! This is dangerous.

Some comments on the problem. Sometime the light goes out, and I will flick the switch off and on and it will fix the light for the rest of the drive. Sometimes this doesnt work to fix the light, and sometimes the light doesnt go out. So several scenerios are happening.

When is Toyota going to step up to this problem??

Originally Posted by Atoyotaprius

Well, there are now nearly 500 Toyota Prius HID headlight related complaints on the NHTSA website. But the NHTSA has still not opened an investigation nor have they started the recall process. Please take a moment to mail, email or call the NHTSA Deputy Administrator and request that he open an investigation into the defective Prius HID headlights. Please feel free to copy and edit the letter below.

NHTSA Contact information: Contact Info | National Highway Traffic Safety Administration(NHTSA) | U.S. Department of Transportation

Ronald Medford, Acting NHTSA Deputy Administrator
NHTSA Headquarters
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
West Building
Washington, DC 20590

Toll-Free: 1-888-327-4236

Email: https://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/email.cfm

An open letter to Ronald Medford, Acting NHTSA Deputy Administrator

Dear Mr. Medford,

There are nearly 500 NHTSA registered complaints regarding sudden loss of headlights on the 2005-2008 HID headlight equipped Toyota Prius automobiles. These complaints all describe an identical defect in the headlight systems of these cars: one or both headlights will unexpectedly shut off while driving the automobile. Clearly, having one or both headlights unexpectedly shut off while driving, especially at night, is a serious safety issue. In addition to the almost 500 registered NHTSA complaints there are hundreds of internet forum posts documenting the Toyota Prius HID loss of headlights issue. The NHTSA registered complaints and the forum posts provide a wealth of data describing the problem including: accounts of suddenly having both headlights shut off while driving at night in traffic, Toyota’s inability to provide a definitive overall fix, Toyota service department’s failed attempts to correct the problem on individual cars, consumers paying for parts and service that do not correct the problem, consumers being forced to call Toyota corporate in order to get at least partial reimbursement on the up to $1,800 repair costs, repairs that last only few thousand miles, etc.

The combined information provided by the NHTSA complaints and the forum posts clearly indicate that the Toyota Prius HID headlights are either defective in design, contain defective parts, or suffer from defective workmanship. Yet, in spite of this overwhelming evidence of a HID equipped Toyota Prius safety defect, as of early April 2009, it does not appear that the NHTSA has opened an investigation.

Mr. Medford, is the NHTSA a proactive or a reactive organization? Will the NHTSA open an investigation now or wait until after someone suffers serious injury or death in an accident caused by these defective headlights? I’m requesting that your organization not wait. Act now and open an investigation into the sudden loss of headlights on the 2005-2008 HID headlight equipped Toyota Prius.

Thank you.

[windstrings]

Originally Posted by diatomguru

Im going to have to do something soon, as last night BOTH headlights went out while I was driving!!! This is dangerous.

Some comments on the problem. Sometime the light goes out, and I will flick the switch off and on and it will fix the light for the rest of the drive. Sometimes this doesnt work to fix the light, and sometimes the light doesnt go out. So several scenerios are happening.

When is Toyota going to step up to this problem??

Sounds like a class action lawsuit may be in order.

My first gut feeling is its all about the bulbs, bulbs seem to be inconsistent in quality.
For instance, if it was the ballast, I wouldn't expect this scenario to happen as follows.....

I have two prius of which both started developing the problem, so I went on ebay because to me that was cheaper than dealing with a dealer "Isn't that like playing against the dealer at vegas?... who usually wins?" LOL!.. anyway... I replaced all 4 bulbs. Maybe 5K miles later one of the ebay bulbs went bad again "at this point you would think a bad ballast right", but I put one of my two remaining stock bulbs "as I originally had 4 but 2 went bad" and replaced the ebay bulb.

Thats been about 20K miles ago and nothing furthur has happened negative... all 3 remaining ebay bulbs work perfect as well as the stock OEM bulb I put back in...... If it was a bad ballast, I would have seen a repeat of the problem with the old OEM bulb by now.

This makes me think its bad bulb lots or bad QA or both.

I had the same decision as you.. if you don't mind a little tinkering, I recommend putting in ebay bulbs unless you can get the dealer to do it all.

Meanwhile a lawsuit is in order when there is 46 pages and 453 post about this on this thread alone "and there are other threads in PC"

[seopositive2]

If your car light are not working then you should go to electric specialist. which solve your problem.

[picadog]

I also have a 2006 Prius with a little over 60K miles. I noticed my left headlight intermittently turning off at around 55K, sometimes both headlights would be out. I wouldn't notice it until I pulled up behind a car or got home since I made sure my fog lights were on, as a backup. Turning headlights off and back on would help, but it would go out soon after.

When I took my Prius in for the 60K service, I asked them to fix the headlight problem. I can't remember exactly, but total cost was about $1300. $700 for 2 computers, which was covered by the toyota extended warranty. $300 for 2 bulbs and $200 for labor (not covered). The rest was tax and rounding... (One side note: I was told by the service advisor that the labor for the bulb replacement was going to be $100. He didn't clarify that it was for each bulb.)



I checked NHTSA site about the headlight problem. Looks like they initiated a defect investigation. Here's the report:

NHTSA Action Number: PE09019

Make: TOYOTA
   
Model: PRIUS
Manufacturer : TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION
Year : 2006
Component :
 EXTERIOR LIGHTING
  EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
 
Date Investigation Opened : April 17, 2009
Date Investigation Closed : Open

[picadog]

Here's the initial summary from the Defect Investigation.

NHTSA Action Number: PE0901
Summary:
THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) HAS RECEIVED COMPLAINTS FROM PRIUS OWNERS OF HEADLIGHT FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF THE REPORTS ALSO STATE THAT BOTH HEADLIGHTS FAILED (112 REPORTS) RESULTING IN TOTAL LOSS OF HEADLIGHT ILLUMINATION WHILE DRIVING. REPORTS ALSO INDICATE THAT FAILURE OCCURS WITH NO WARNING.

[windstrings]

Originally Posted by picadog

I can't remember exactly, but total cost was about $1300. $700 for 2 computers, which was covered by the toyota extended warranty. $300 for 2 bulbs and $200 for labor (not covered). The rest was tax and rounding... (One side note: I was told by the service advisor that the labor for the bulb replacement was going to be $100. He didn't clarify that it was for each bulb.)

PIcadog, its undetermined as to what the real fix is. While some have had a "hysterectomy" and replaced everything possible, others have simply replaced the bulbs only to achieve the same fix.

I have read of "no one" who simply replaced the bulb and it didn't fix the problem.

However, its also unclear as to whether the bulbs are the source of aggravation or the ballast not making a marriage made in heaven to the bulb and creating an early divorce

either way, its nice you got the works.. hopefully thats the end of it for you and you're fixed.
Seems toyota and thier dealers cannot come to a general consensus as to what the fix is and how to fix it... still alot of confusion out there about the matter.. even though so many issues have occured.

I'm starting to think this "lack of communication" amongst coorporate Toyota is due to an attempt to cover up the matter or at best keep a low profile.

Definately frustrating.... I'm surprised I haven't seen this issue on national news yet.

Better to admit a problem and fess up and fix it than cover up.

What we have here is half and half accountability.. if you confront them strongly enough they half heartedly fess up, but if you don't stir the mud they lay silent and your on your on.

[Miss_Taz]

Originally Posted by Miss_Taz

OK - Logged my case w/Toyota. Let the fun begin! :-D

Seems like they're getting stingier. Here's the offer they gave me:

They will pay for the bulb (about $150), and I have to pay the installation labor (about $42). (I only have one failing at this time.)

I tried to get them to let me just buy the bulb & install it myself. The dealer was cool with that, but Toyota Care was not. Grrr...

Sigh... I'm afraid 3 months down the road, the other one will blow!

-Vikki

[mymimi]

it maybe the auto light control problem .

[skruse]

A colleague with a 2006 has had to replace his HID headlights three times. With copies of all replacement receipts he just received a check for $750 from Toyota.