Headlight problem

[bbald123]

I've reviewed the parts list at several Toyota OEM parts sites online.

Part of the problem seems to be that Toyota is packaging the bulb inside a whole assembly. I'm afraid the problem may be Toyota itself.

I don't have access to the service manuals. Can someone look to see if the instructions in the manual direct the Tech to replace the entire assembly rather than just the bulb? If they do, Toyota needs to be brought up short on this practice.

[Patrick Wong]

Originally Posted by bbald123

I've reviewed the parts list at several Toyota OEM parts sites online.

Part of the problem seems to be that Toyota is packaging the bulb inside a whole assembly. I'm afraid the problem may be Toyota itself.

I don't have access to the service manuals. Can someone look to see if the instructions in the manual direct the Tech to replace the entire assembly rather than just the bulb? If they do, Toyota needs to be brought up short on this practice.

Champion Toyota sells the bulb for $258 each; MSRP $344.
DiscountToyotaParts

The 2005 repair manual provides instructions to remove and replace the individual bulb.

[windstrings]

Man, after installing these and having them work so well.... anything over 50 bucks each seems ridiculously expensive.

Its funny how cutting edge stuff varies so much on price... I can buy a memory stick right now for 199 at circuit city, or 117 from an international vendor for the "exact" stick from the same manufacturer.

Until the word gets out... there is allot of room for profit with new technology.

I just don't see any reason for paying so much for a bulb when you don't have to.

If paying 10 times the price makes someone feel like they are getting 10 times the quality.. they are mistaken... they could even be getting worse.

Look how long the original Phillips bulb lasted that came with the prius?

As for me, I'm gambling mine will last as long if not longer ( like it should have in the first place), and if it doesn't.. I'm only out a few bucks and can either replace it with the same or make another choice at that time.

Normally, I would say you get what you pay for, but in this case, I'm not so sure, since the original factory bulb has totally lost its credibility by so many people having problems with it.

[Lukefahr]

We've had the same problem. The first one (driver side) went intermittent in January and was replaced under warranty. The passenger side has now done the same thing. The dealer says this is now a "known problem" and when people bring it in they automatically change both. But we're out of luch because we are no longer under warranty and the extended warranty does not cover this. This is really annoying. I agree with others here that this ought to be a recall item.

As for the pricing, the dealer is telling us we cannot get only one lamp because they are only ordering them in sets ($760) since they now automatically change both. Arrgh! All I can say is if you are still under warranty with a 2006+ get thee hence to the dealer and complain of your intermittent bulb while you still can!

PS No problem with my 2005. (We have a 2005 and a 2006.)

[windstrings]

It is usually good to get pairs simply because one light could be a tiny bit different in Kelvin and be a tiny bit different color....

I contacted Stan who I bought mine from on ebay and told him I had talked about his bulb on PC and why did his price go from 69.00 a pair to 99?...

Here is his reply:

hi, thank you for your email! we are sorry for such late reply to your email, and any inconveneice it may have caused you! we canstill them at that price, please ask your friend to just send us offers for the $69.99 and we will accept them. we will create another sale in a day or so, so the price will go back to what it was. thank you!

Thank you for your interest & business! Please check out our Ebay stores:

Here is his link to where I bought them.... looks like as I type this they are still 99, but he said he will accept 69.00 a pair if offered and the sale price will soon be reflected.

Thats 35.00 a piece!.....

I tried to sell a car once at an awesome bargain and no one would buy it because they thought something must be wrong... so I just raised the price and it sold quickly! LOL!

All I can tell you is.. mine still work perfectly and this guy has 99.1% positive feedback.

[resoh02]

I have 27000 on my 06 Prius and the passenger side went out, so trying to save money I got replacement bulb 2 bright for 55.00 put it in and still no light. Took it to the dealer, he changed bulb and it now works but won't change the other one so I have bright one and on regular. The Toyota dealer claims you have to have a Toyota bulb in it to work, not sure why a non Toyota light works on the drivers side.
Does anyone know if you have to have a toyota bulb. To replace they said $300, mine that goodness under warranty

[windstrings]

Unless you installed it wrong or its a different type than a D4R I don't know... I installed both sides of both of my cars and they work perfect.....

Is it possible you installed it wrong and didn't do the 1/4 turn to engage the connection on the back of the bulb or something?

[robinalexis1954]

yes, i have the same problem, is there anything going forward on this, ie: class action, recall? can we sue Toyota if it causes a crash?

[bbald123]

You can sue for anything. Good luck prevailing though.

[robinalexis1954]

Free repair! well, well, somebody from my local dealership must monitor these pages. This morning From my dealership I received 2 emails offering to fix my headlight as a "goodwill" gesture. I wonder how they figure who I was. Yea I know my sign on is my name but the local dealer?