headlights 2004 Prius

Who is replacing the lights in your car? If you touch the bulb with your bare hands, it will decrease the lifespan of your bulbs. Also, the lawsuit only applies to the 06-09 Prius with HID lights. They have a problem with the D4R bulb manufacturer.

04 and 05 Prius use D2R lights from a different manufacturer. If your Prius is equipped with HIDs and you're having problems, it's not going to be the same issue as the lawsuit bulbs.

 

Please clarify "going out." Is it that you have replaced bulbs all those times, or that the lights will go off?

I recommend avoiding Toyota completely. The bulbs they sell are completely overpriced, as is the labor charge to install. Ask around at independent Toyota shops -- Avalon has the same problem -- or buy Philips D2R bulbs on ebay from sellers with high feedback scores (I trust hidbulbzrus)

 

i also have an 04 prius that i just bought with this problem. (figured it out too late, didn't drive at night for at least a week after). i don't understand why it's not the same problem as with the 06-09 models... even though they are different generations and different headlights, it's the exact same problem. they randomly go out, left or right side, multiple times or not at all during a ride, and as soon as i flick them off and back on they're fine again. i just bought this car, so i don't exactly have hundreds to go spend on headlights right now... but when i do have some resources, should i buy the headlights online and then take them into a dealer? And as a new owner of an old used prius (90k), should i still take my car to a dealership? I didn't buy it from a Toyota dealer. Thank you so much to anyone who can help my clueless self out.

 

You should state whether you have HIDs or halogen headlights.

Replacement aftermarket HIDs kits run about $30+. For that price you can install a whole new kit for less than $100 including labor.

 

Good point! Forgot about that.

The ballast/ECU and bulbs are different on the 06-09 Priuses vs. the 04-05. 06-09 used D4R and are mercury free. 04-05 used D2R and I guess had mercury. It seems the D2R tend to last pretty long (http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-...ius-owners-w-hids-how-long-did-they-last.html).

At 90K miles and 7-8 years, that's pretty good. One of the D4R lights on my 06 Prius started going out a a few months after 5 years and ~800 miles past 50K miles.

http://www.amazon.com/Philips-Xenon-Headlight-Bulb-Pack/dp/B00480J4KA should be the right lights (someone with an 04-05 can confirm) and they're $44.84.

Where in CA are you? Luscious Garage | Blog | Prius HID D4R D2R Headlights has some info. Luscious Garage | Blog | Prius headlight problem, D4R HID bulbs *still overpriced, not covered under warranty* shows them replacing them quickly. (My DIY effort turned out to be a PAIN...)

Some dealers will refuse to install a part you brought in. Also, they might charge a lot for labor, esp. if they decide to completely remove the whole front bumper cover.