HID Headlight

ThePackage · 06-10-2008, 07:18 AM

As an update, I have been loosely following the issue concerning the HID headlight problems. My Prius is a 2006, #6. About six months ago, I experienced what so many have complained about. My right headlight went out but went on after using the switch (off-on). The headlight has been working flawlessly ever since. Yesterday I went into the dealer for my 35,000 mile service and mentioned this problem. To my surprise when I picked up the car, the paperwork showed they replaced the HID bulb at no charge to me. Is it possible that Toyota has told dealers that anyone who complains about this issue should have their bulbs replaced free? I am curious if anyone else has had this experience. By the way, in 35,000 miles of driving, outside of normal maintenance, I've had nothing go wrong except the back-up camera which was replaced under warranty. I love the car. My wife says I would trade her in before the car. She is probably correct.

qbee42 · 06-10-2008, 08:29 AM

It's a lot more expensive to trade in a wife. I've heard that large fees are involved.

Tom

ThePackage · 06-10-2008, 10:26 AM

You are absolutely correct.

galaxee · 06-10-2008, 11:25 AM

you're still under warranty. they probably figured you wanted it fixed before you went out of warranty- for them to do that is a good sign.

ucsbjones · 06-13-2008, 02:33 PM

I have the same prbolem but my dealer told me Toyota no longer stand behind it nor do the dealers stock the HID replacement anymore. Anyone aware of an aftermarket bulb?

ThePackage · 06-14-2008, 07:23 AM

Find a new dealer!

perfectprius · 06-14-2008, 10:47 PM

I just had both the bulb and ballast (ECU) replaced under warranty yesterday. I spoke to the mechanic and asked if they had been seeing a lot of these HID headlight problems. His answer was an emphatic, "YES!". He said he thought the problem was a bad design, that the HID gets very hot and the assembly does not allow for adequate cooling and the result is bulb and/or ballast failure. The service writer nodded and said it is a problem that Toyota has unfortunately not addressed. I then asked if Toyota or the dealership were picking up the tab for out-of-warranty failures and, of course, the answer was "no". He said that most out-of-warranty owners were opting for the after-market bulb which saves about $100 in parts, but still represents a ridiculous (IMHO) expense for a part that should not be failing with such frequency. I'm glad mine failed (just) before my warranty expired, but I'll be hopping mad when the next one fails if Toyota won't fix it.

FWIW, I have seen two other Prius this week with one headlight out.

2007 Package #6

06-10-2008, 07:18 AM	#1
ThePackage Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 61 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	HID Headlight As an update, I have been loosely following the issue concerning the HID headlight problems. My Prius is a 2006, #6. About six months ago, I experienced what so many have complained about. My right headlight went out but went on after using the switch (off-on). The headlight has been working flawlessly ever since. Yesterday I went into the dealer for my 35,000 mile service and mentioned this problem. To my surprise when I picked up the car, the paperwork showed they replaced the HID bulb at no charge to me. Is it possible that Toyota has told dealers that anyone who complains about this issue should have their bulbs replaced free? I am curious if anyone else has had this experience. By the way, in 35,000 miles of driving, outside of normal maintenance, I've had nothing go wrong except the back-up camera which was replaced under warranty. I love the car. My wife says I would trade her in before the car. She is probably correct.

06-10-2008, 08:29 AM	#2
qbee42 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 10,474 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #7 Thanks: 94 Thanked 387 Times in 289 Posts Friends: 10	Re: HID Headlight It's a lot more expensive to trade in a wife. I've heard that large fees are involved. Tom

06-10-2008, 10:26 AM	#3
ThePackage Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 61 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Re: HID Headlight You are absolutely correct.

06-10-2008, 11:25 AM	#4
galaxee resident lab rat Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: boilermaker territory Posts: 9,675 My Car: 2005 Prius Model: N/A Package: #5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 93 Times in 37 Posts Friends: 26	Re: HID Headlight you're still under warranty. they probably figured you wanted it fixed before you went out of warranty- for them to do that is a good sign.

06-13-2008, 02:33 PM	#5
ucsbjones Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 1 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Re: HID Headlight I have the same prbolem but my dealer told me Toyota no longer stand behind it nor do the dealers stock the HID replacement anymore. Anyone aware of an aftermarket bulb?

06-14-2008, 07:23 AM	#6
ThePackage Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 61 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Re: HID Headlight Find a new dealer!

06-14-2008, 10:47 PM	#7
perfectprius Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 1 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: Package: #6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Re: HID Headlight I just had both the bulb and ballast (ECU) replaced under warranty yesterday. I spoke to the mechanic and asked if they had been seeing a lot of these HID headlight problems. His answer was an emphatic, "YES!". He said he thought the problem was a bad design, that the HID gets very hot and the assembly does not allow for adequate cooling and the result is bulb and/or ballast failure. The service writer nodded and said it is a problem that Toyota has unfortunately not addressed. I then asked if Toyota or the dealership were picking up the tab for out-of-warranty failures and, of course, the answer was "no". He said that most out-of-warranty owners were opting for the after-market bulb which saves about $100 in parts, but still represents a ridiculous (IMHO) expense for a part that should not be failing with such frequency. I'm glad mine failed (just) before my warranty expired, but I'll be hopping mad when the next one fails if Toyota won't fix it. FWIW, I have seen two other Prius this week with one headlight out. 2007 Package #6

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
The $400 Headlight	Skarka	Gen II Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting	47	08-15-2009 11:41 PM
Headlight (HID) out,or not, and what should I do?	goldprius	Gen II Prius Main Forum	18	02-06-2008 07:32 AM
FS- D2R HID headlight for 04, 05	galaxee	Private Sales	0	12-24-2007 07:51 PM
Headlight (HID) out,or not, and what should I do?	goldprius	Gen II Prius Main Forum	3	09-06-2007 08:46 PM
Headlight	Roget04	Gen II Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting	1	07-10-2005 04:22 AM