2011 Prius - Windshield triples light source images

Sometimes it's not good to get the first of anything...the R&D needs to iron out the bugs.
I felt the prius has been out for quite a while now so the bugs must be pretty non-existent.
Now, this 'damn' windshield issue arises. If I were you phvdriv3r, I would try not to focus on the light.
You see the color of the light, so you know what action to take, stop, prepare to stop and go. So, just do that and look
ahead on the road.
I did not notice any issues with the tail lights of vehicles in front of me....so far, neither of the headlights of oncoming vehicles. So, it seems to be only on traffic lights. Now, if rain is falling, I'm wondering if the situation changes dramatically especially if the wipers are working. Hmmmm!!

 

Mine does double headlights slightly but only at night. 2012 Prius GenII(?)

 

You have a GenIII (2010-current). GenII is 2004-2009. You have a trim model 2 just so you know.

 

Went out for a test drive in several Prius' (a 4 and two PHVs). I'll be going out for more today or some other day soon...

The issue was present in two of the three cars. The even worse thing is the new 2013s have it, both the PHV and standard Prius. I did find something new too. One of the cars had the issue, but the light was only replicated/ghosted/whatever BELOW the source, not above it light before. In addition, when moving around and looking through the windshield at different places, the issue got better or DRAMATICALLY worsened. I tried this after noticing the issue go from slightly noticeable to horrible when hitting bumps, causing the eye height/position to change in regards to the windshield.

If Toyota is going to continue claiming this is simply a "characteristic" of the vehicle, how can there be such variance in the windshields between cars of the same model? This is proving to simply be an excuse or cover for an obvious defect they think typical people will simply accept based on sheer ignorance.

 

So I have found the 2013 Prius (both standard and plug-in) have this issue in random vehicles. The issue is also somewhat different on some vehicles - we're seeing the issue only below the light source and not above/below it as on other cars.

If anyone else has this windshield issue, if I could get some info from you, it would be very helpful. We're trying to get Toyota to take action and so far they have refused to do anything as they do not see it as an issue. There is a spreadsheet here where you can fill out some simple details. We need those with and without the issue to provide part of their VIN so we can use this to prove its not simply a "characteristic" as Toyota describes.

Google Docs Spreadsheet - Provide non-identifying info here to help us!

 

I wonder if the factory engineers even know about it? How likely is it that a dealer will tell someone that has any clout in the company? You could tell a peon anything but they won't tell anyone that cares or can do anything about it

Mike

 

Can't get the required info but I don't have the problem. I wear glasses for distance vision.

 

have you reported this to nhtsa?

 

I've noticed this in the my 2012 Prius III. But, I've also had this in my 2007 Toyota Camry, 2003 Ford Focus, and 1994 Ford Ranger. (YES, I use to be a Ford Guy. But not anymore after the Focus from HELL). So I'm not sure what to make of it. I'm kind of use to it by now. But it seems more pronounced in the Prius than the other cars I've owned. But then again, this is probably the most sloped windshield I've ever had in a car. I'm not concerned about it. Just like I wasn't concerned about that stupid floor mat recall. Really people? Do you NOT check your floor mats when you get in your car? What did we all do before these safety hooks came into being?

 

I haven't driven the car much at night yet, but am experiencing something during the day in bright sunlight. It is almost like there is a film on the windshield causing a distortion. I've cleaned it several times with "expensive" glass cleaners and it seems to be better. Will be keeping an eye on it - no pun intended.

 

Amazing, I have a 2013, Prius pk4. My wife noticed it first, she was in the passenger seat and ask me if I was seeing the same thing. I, of course didn't give her comment much thought. Then she kept talking about how strange it was. What she was telling me was on coming traffic, headlights had or appeared to have a dual set of headlights abovemand below on every car in the oncoming lanes. I looked and noticed it too. It's like if its raining at night and somehow the lights on other cars double. So for what it's worth the 2013 Prious 4, at least the one I own has the same issue

 

Looks like a lot of Prii got the bum glass Sure glad mine is normal. I'd be super pissed to find that.

Mike

 

It didn't actually catch my attention until my wife pointed it out. I just wasn't focused on it. However at night when looking over at traffic in the other lane, there is no question about this abnormality. Is it a huge big deal? There will be many who at a minimum will consider this an unwanted, undesirable and irritating shortcoming.
I'll be very interested to see what is causing the phenomenon, and the resolution will also be interesting. There is some defect, design, or latent flaw.

 

Same here. Never saw it until I read this thread. I just don't pay attention to it. Some might be worse than mine, but I would hardly call mine a safety issue. I think most of the problem would go away, if one stops obsessing with it.

 

Giggity

 

I have it as well. My car is new picked it up a few weeks ago with just 20 miles on it.

 

AHA, It's you from Fred's TDI! Welcome to Prius Chat.

 

Yep its me.

 

If you have the issue some of us have, the amount of light displayed/replicated is a huge distraction, its also difficult to simply focus on something else when you need to be looking ahead (where the light typically is) I can focus on the road in front of me, however when scanning ahead for issues as anyone should, it becomes a distraction and gets very annoying. It is also a safety thing as you cant see whatever might be behind that false light image... such as road hazards, animals, and even people in certain cases.

Its true that some have it far worse than others (I have one of the worse compared to others I have seen). Some don't have it at all, some only have it on the lower side versus top and bottom and some have it only very slightly.

Driving recently, I also found another safety issue, when driving a two-lane road (one lane/direction of traffic), its nearly impossible to pass a vehicle safely as you cannot accurately judge how far oncoming traffic may be. This also is a problem when turning left on a two-laner. You end up having to wait until its more than clear because distances cannot be determined properly. The oncoming headlights also suck because they seem or are far brighter due to this replication which essentially amplifies the light.

For instance, folks in the Bay Area: think of how dangerous Highway 12 is on its own, being a high-speed, no median, two-lane highway. This problem becomes huge when this issue is introduced and I saw this first hand over the holiday. The light issue really makes driving this road potentially scary because you're not seeing everything as it should be seen through the window, just as you would on any road. I am truly beyond fed up with this car and Toyota's denial of this problem.