My HID bulb replacement on my 06 prius

[stan]

I had the same problem with my '06 and took a different tactic. I wrote a (polite) letter to Toyota pointing out the large number of failures points to a defect in the part. I also noted that I had contacted the Consumer Safety Commission. They did not admit directly to this, but did admit indirectly that it was a supply problem and had my dealer replace both bulbs gratis as a "good will" gesture.

[cgates30]

Originally Posted by stan

They did not admit directly to this, but did admit indirectly that it was a supply problem and had my dealer replace both bulbs gratis as a "good will" gesture.

I think this is why they replaced mine in Jan '08. I came in with a print out of NHSTA consumer complaints showing it was a fairly common problem. The second time around the dealer wasn't as eager to get help for me. Now the car has close to 60K miles, is well beyond the warranty period, and I doubt they really care anymore as dealerships are hurting from a slowdown in new car sales.

[ualdriver]

Originally Posted by cgates30

I think this is why they replaced mine in Jan '08. I came in with a print out of NHSTA consumer complaints showing it was a fairly common problem. The second time around the dealer wasn't as eager to get help for me. Now the car has close to 60K miles, is well beyond the warranty period, and I doubt they really care anymore as dealerships are hurting from a slowdown in new car sales.

How do you get that list of NHSTA complaints concerning HID bulbs in the Prius?

Thanks,
ualdriver

[windstrings]

Originally Posted by cgates30

is well beyond the warranty period, and I doubt they really care anymore as dealerships are hurting from a slowdown in new car sales.

That should be even more incentive to keep good customer relations and avoid bad press from some little bulb thats so cheap but cost the customer so much.

For what its worth, Isn't Sylvania the OEM make of the bulb?

I spent about 350.00 on Florescent bulbs for my house "to replace incandescant".... these bulbs are supposed to last for 7 years as even stated on the product

.... Its been about one year, I've already replaced about 9 of the 16 sylvania bathroom bulbs I purchased. True, its the round globe type that go bad "that go over the mirror" I suppose there may be allot of heat trapped inside the globe, but nevertheless I've gotten to where I just keep a double pack and staple the receipt to the package and when I have bulbs go bad, I put them in the old package.. when I get two, I march down to Home depot for a refund/exchange and I buy another brand.
Funny, Home Depot doesn't carry Sylvania any more in flourescants!

Point is.. I suspect Sylvanias QA is out the window and they may be still living off thier name charging big prices for products that may in fact be better from china that cost 1/10th the price.... or even 1/20th now that hidhideout.com has been discovered.

Seems all that has to happen is for a good company to sell to an unscruplulous money grabber who has no principles and there you have it!.... QA goes out the window "that cost money you know!" and they milk the name till its dead... I see it over and over again.

[cgates30]

Originally Posted by windstrings

For what its worth, Isn't Sylvania the OEM make of the bulb?

The bulbs I removed said Philips, made in Germany.

[cgates30]

Originally Posted by ualdriver

How do you get that list of NHSTA complaints concerning HID bulbs in the Prius?

Thanks,
ualdriver

Go to ODI - Office of Defects Investigation
Check the box for vehicle search and walk through the forms until you get to components. Select "Exterior Lighting: Headlights" and you'll see many complaints about HID failures.

[windstrings]

Originally Posted by cgates30

The bulbs I removed said Philips, made in Germany.

Now that brings up an excellent point..... How many different manufacturers are we dealing with concerning HID bulbs starting from 2003 forward?

Maybe we should start a poll asking what brands are involved in the failures.
I'll have to go home and check, but I thought my was sylvania.

[magruder]

Originally Posted by cgates30

Go to ODI - Office of Defects Investigation
Check the box for vehicle search and walk through the forms until you get to components. Select "Exterior Lighting: Headlights" and you'll see many complaints about HID failures.

Someone posted a big long list on here somewhere. If you search, you should be able to find it.

[windstrings]

Originally Posted by cgates30

The bulbs I removed said Philips, made in Germany.

I stand corrected Cgates... I went and look at my one remaining "good" OEM bulb and its like yours "Phillips Germany".
Apparently thats the brand thats the culprit... that does make me wonder if there are other brands that are giving abnormal rates of failures.

[cgates30]

Originally Posted by windstrings

Apparently thats the brand thats the culprit... that does make me wonder if there are other brands that are giving abnormal rates of failures.

Well, last night I noticed that the suspect buld/lamp which I had moved to the other side of the car is indeed bad. The bulb was bad on the passenger and now the same bulb is bad on the drivers side of the car.

So, I'm faced with the choice of where the buy the replacement(s). There are the Toyota bulbs ($325 each, known to be of poor quality), ebay seller stillenmaxima98 (pair for $80 including shipping), or ebay seller xhidoutlet (pair for $30 including shipping). The xhidoutlet set appears to be a one size fits all bulb, so I'm not too sure about buying that one. I'll probably order the $80 set, I wish I knew more about them. According to the Sylvania Osram application guide the '06 Prius uses a D4R lamp.

I also found some other sellers on eBay for D4R lamps. $60 with free shipping seems to be a common price point, generic branding.