headlight replacement

[biphnest]

I encourage everyone who is experiencing the HID headlamp problem to file a safety complaint with the NHTSA. It only takes a few moments. It is the best way to force a recall.

Here is the link to the NHTSA on-line complaint form:

IVOQ - File a Complaint

www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq




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[biphnest]

For those of who are working with Toyota Corporate or your dealer to get Toyota to cover the HID headlight repair cost the attached file may help... Especially if you are being told that Toyota is unaware of any HID related problem.


The attached file is a download of the 481 Toyota Prius HID headlight complaints as of March 2, 2009 from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Website (Home | National Highway Traffic Safety Administration(NHTSA) | U.S. Department of Transportation).

[windstrings]

Good Job digging up that info.... thats pretty good ammo to walk in with... especially if its all printed!

[qbee42]

Originally Posted by biphnest

I encourage everyone who is experiencing the HID headlamp problem to file a safety complaint with the NHTSA. It only takes a few moments. It is the best way to force a recall.

Here is the link to the NHTSA on-line complaint form:

IVOQ - File a Complaint

www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq

Are you sure you have a headlight problem. It could be a problem with your eyes, judging from the font.

Tom

[Jimtak]

After a few rounds with my local service center, who could not understand why I could not identify which HID was causing the problem - apparently that one or the other, or sometimes both would simple stop emitting light, but would then work if I switched the lights off, and then on again (not a happy situation at night, in the rain), and after discussing this with Toyota Customer Services and filing a complaint with the NHTSA, numerous phone calls and a couple of emails to my local service manager, I got a call today.
I am scheduled to go in tomorrow to have both HID capsules replaced. No charge, as Toyota now recognizes that there is a problem with the HID lamps.
That's the service I expect from Toyota.

[biphnest]

Jimtak -

Is your car still within the 3 year / 36K mile warranty period? If not, how many miles are on the car?

[Jimtak]

Got the new HID's yesterday, almost two years from DOP, 43,000 miles. But, had begun talks on this issue with service center at 35,000 miles.
Service Manager said he was told that the new HID's are much better. Whatever that means.

[windstrings]

Originally Posted by Jimtak

Service Manager said he was told that the new HID's are much better. Whatever that means.

I wonder when "new" starts?
Aren't even the latest models showing up with this problem?

All it takes is enough time to get a few hours under your belt.
http://priuschat.com/forums/search/search-id/1057237/

[Atoyotaprius]

If you are experiencing the Toyota Prius HID headlight defect failure you may be looking at a repair cost of up to $1,800. Here's a recommended approach for getting Toyota to take responsibility for the defect and to minimize your out-of-pocket expense:

1) Take your car to your dealer's service department and tell them that the HID headlight(s) are unexpectedly shutting off. Let the service writer know that you are aware that this is a common problem with HID equipped Prius (seems to be mostly 2005-2008). You should mention that the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) has registered over 480 Prius HID headlight safety complaints. You can review the complaints by downloading the attached NHTSA database file or visiting the NHTSA database at: www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/complaints/index.cfm. You can also mention Toyota's Technical Service Bulletin: T-SB-0030-08 "HID Headlight System - Diagnostic Tips". If your car is still within the 3 year / 36K mile warranty period then Toyota should cover the repair cost 100%. If your service writer tells you that the repair is not covered (he may say that the bulbs are not covered under the warranty or point out that your car is beyond the 3 year / 36K mile warranty period) then ask if the service manager would contact Toyota corporate and seek Toyota's approval to cover the cost under Toyota's customer goodwill or loyalty program. If your dealer refuses to fix the HID defect free of charge then get a repair quote and move on to step 2.

2) Call the Toyota "Customer Experience Center" (This is Toyota's corporate customer service) at 1-800-331-4331. State that you have a safety defect with the headlights on your Prius. Say that you would like to report the problem to Toyota and open a case asking that Toyota repair the defect at no cost to you. The customer experience center representatives are extremely polite and will offer to open a case. They will supply you with a case number. They may take your information immediately or they may have someone call you back. You may want to call the 800 number and ask for Teresa at extension 73837. Teresa is very knowledgeable and helpful. She will know exactly what you are talking about when you mention the Prius headlight issue. You should be polite but firm. This is a serious safety problem and you know that it is a common problem on HID equipped Prius. They may start out by offering to cover 20% to 50% of the repair cost. Be firm and insist on 100% coverage.

3) File a formal safety complaint with the NHTSA.
Headlights that unexpectedly shut off while driving is clearly a safety issue. And it does appear that HID headlight equipped Prius indeed contain a design defect. Reporting a safety defect to the NHTSA is the first step in forcing Toyota to conduct a recall.

There are three ways to file a complaint...
Call the Vehicle Safety Hotline:
Call 1-888-327-4236 or 1-800-424-9393 toll free (1-800-424-9153, for use by persons with hearing impairments)

File the complaint on-line:
File the complaint on-line at the NHTSA vehicle safety Web site: safercar.gov. Select “File a Complaint” within the Defects and Recalls section of the home page. Or just click here: File a Complaint.

U.S. Mail:
Send a letter to:
U.S. Department of Transportation
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Office of Defects Investigation (NVS-210)
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE
Washington, DC 20590

[tyrael]

Done and did 1,2,3. I called back to Toyota Cust. Experience just about 1 hour after my inital complaint and they said that my case was already forward to the lead manager. I just hope that I can resolve this ridiculous issue ASAP! We should create a flyer and post them on everyone's Toyota Prius that we see in the parking lot. Someone want to do it?!