The $400 Headlight

Re: Old Fashion Lights

Any HID conversion kit is likely to be illegal. There is a requirement that any car with HIDs have a leveling mechanism (for weight in the car affecting the headlight angle). If the OEM bulbs are $400 each, even if they are 100% profit margin, $50 isn't going to get you anything close.

I'll watch my wife's '06 for headlight issues. No problems so far.
I leave my headlights on my '04 except when I'm on the interstate during the day (clear weather). Almost 60K miles, no problems so far. I do wish that the 'fog lamps' could function as DRLs!! Yeah, I know, people have done mods. Since I never use them (worthless in my opinion) at least I can turn them on for minimal light if I do lose the HIDs at some point.

 

Re: The $400 Headlight

Thank you all, lots of info here !

 

op is a troll

 

Re: The $400 Headlight

This wipes out any fuel savings. This is rediculous. I will think twice and maybe 3 times before buying another Toyota. I was a die hard Prius owner. Thought there was no other car with fuel costs. But I wonder now.

 

Re: The $400 Headlight

According to Toyota you have to buy the toyota bulb, I doubt this is true but I wonder.

Has anyone installed a non-toyota headlight bulb?

 

Just research how an HID system works and familiarize yourself with the given components and prices. Some people on this thread have claimed prices as high as near $1,500. that is only if you replace the entire assembly. If it is just the bulb, you can get the replacement HID bulb for $70-$100. It's not the end of the world. However, it could be the ballast/ignitor. In that case your looking at a bit more, but not a terrible amount.

 

Re: The $400 Headlight

Yes, see Windstrings's entries:
http://priuschat.com/forums/care-maintenance-troubleshooting/34584-headlight-problem-9.html

 

Re: The $400 Headlight

My 2006's bulb was not covered.

 

Re: The $400 Headlight

FYI - The right HID headlamp went out in my 2006 Prius. Vehicle out of warranty by mileage: 42,000 miles. Called Toyota Customer Service and told them I thought the bulb should be replaced at no charge since the vehicle was still within the 36 months warranty period. My argument was that headlamp blubs are not sensitive to mileage.

Toyota told me to have the bulb replaced at my local dealer and then fax them a paid receipt, at which time they would issue me a 100% refund for the repair cost. I received a reimbursement check for $462.30 within three weeks of faxing the receipt!

 

Re: The $400 Headlight

Hi clemnet! Sorry to hear about this. Are they just replacing the bulb, or the ballast/ignition assembly? If it is just the bulb, those things are only like 60-100 bucks! If they are only replacing the bulb, then that is an outright crazy price!

 

I also wanted to ask, has anyone else noticed that the prius HID headlights are dimmer than almost every other HID headlight on the market? I was in St. Louis today, and Lexus, Audi, Mercedes, Acura, Honda, Porsche, and Chrystler all had bright HIDs than me. Maybe it's a perspective thing, but they seemed quite a bit brighter when right beside me on the freeway. Also, if there is a post somewhere about it, sorry for the repetitiveness, maybe you guys can direct me to that thread. I have considered seeing if changing the bulbs to something else would help. Maybe a slightly different kelvin temperature.

 

I've been back and forth wit my headlights, right, click the switch, then the left, click the switch, They always,"re-ignite" when I hit the switch, then go out a couple of times til they seem to catch and stay on for an hour or two. Stopping for gas or coffee starts it up all over again....til they get good and 'charged-up' and free for an hour or so, or if something switchs on or off. I filed a complaint at the dept of trans...we'll see what they say about it as I requested an email reply after they look at it...423 miles a night and once I git used to it I just klick the switch as quick as I can so the slob coming toward me donest think I challenged the road! $800 for sumthang that should-a be right from the git-go(and I'm feelin' it'll cost a lot more) . If I didn't luv my Prius I did pull a sissy thang and cry at every thing and everybody..but askin' the six or seven times I've already rattled cages....oh well, I wait til the CHP crews yellow sheet my cold dead progressive hulk witpickin over my crushed prius shell after they go out and a 18 wheel'er flaten's me and my baby flat and test the HID lighting system!! (and maybe even do an internet search and find this posting!) [2008 Prius Headlight problems,HID headlight failure,Fresno, California,Dept.of Trans.]

 

Re: The $400 Headlight

I have replaced the headlights on my 2006 Prius about two times, but found a dealer that charges me $255 ea to replace them, along with other repairs/maintenance. I couldn't figure out how to do it myself. Some dealers charge $400, but I avoid them, driving an extra 20 miles to one that doesn't cost so much. (MD vs WV) I also decided to stop leaving the headlights on during the day, and only use them when needed.

 

Re: The $400 Headlight

3 year old car and you have spent ~$1000 on headlights and you aren't pissed?! This is ridiculous! You should be all over Toyota like flies on you know what. The labor to do the bulb takes under an hour to do both bulbs, and dealer cost on the bulbs is not that expensive. The reality is that Toyota has dropped the ball on all of this, and we all need to make noise!

File with the NTSB, write to Toyota corporate, and if all else fails find an independent shop to do your headlights rather than giving the dealer another nickel for this ripoff service!

Icarus

 

Re: The $400 Headlight

I haven't had a lick of trouble with my Prius since day 1 (Dec 27, 2006) - it's a 2007 I bought new. Now has 87K on it. Package 6 back then, loaded to the hilt, even has XM. Silverpine, tan interior.

Fast forward to last week, when I was following too close to a truck in the HOV lane and realized I had only one headlamp showing in his tailgate. I switched 'em off and then on again, and they lit right up - both - and I kept going. Happened again the next night, the no headlamp left side thing, and I realized I had become a bad HID headlamp victim! It was the driver's side lamp - is this consistent for all? Is it always the driver's side?

The extended 100K mile warranty doesn't cover this event. Bummer!

I had a quote for $260-something to fix and then my Toyota angel stepped in.

I was going to check a few salvage places to see if there were wrecked cars to steal this part from, and also planned to post here about the HIDs. I know it's common knowledge. That's one pricy part for Toyota to step in and settle out for everyone... but it's such an important one!

Do you have a good relationship with your service folks? This is why it's SO damn important to servce at a Toyota dealership. There a goodwill policy every now and then on certain things, but you have to have a relationship with a dealership.

 

Re: The $400 Headlight

Dianne -

I'll speak from a customer's point of view...

Building a relationship with the dealership's service department is both expensive and risky.

My local Elmore Toyota dealership lists a 15K mile service at $160. After eliminating the questionable "inspect" and "adjust" items the customer is essentially paying $160 for an oil change and a new air filter. The 5K mile service is $90 for essentially just an oil change. If you drive your car 15K miles a year you would be paying $340 in the first year in order to build the relationship. It gets worse the second year when the service department asks $390 for the 30K mile service. This doesn't account for all of the "you need to take care of this now" suggested repair items. Very expensive.

It's risky because the quality and care of the service is often lacking. I have had my car come back with the wrong service performed, performed incorrectly, parts missing and fasteners not re-installed. Some of these service trips have resulted in more harm than good. What a hassle. What a waste of effort on everyone's part.

If you have the inclination, the best thing that you can do for your car and your wallet is to learn how to change the oil and air filter. And then avoid the service department as much as possible. I know that not everyone is willing or able to do this, but this approach will save you a tremendous amount of money and aggravation over your lifetime of automobile ownership.

As for the Toyota's goodwill policy... I have found that it is less dependent on one's relationship with the dealer and more dependent on the type of problem you are experiencing. Calling Toyota's corporate Customer Experience Center (800-331-4331) is an easy way to bypass the dealer's service department to quickly resolve issues and seek goodwill financial support towards repairs.

For those of you who may want to change your own oil and air filter here's an idea of what it you will cost... Elmore Toyota's parts department is selling 5W-30 Toyota motor oil for $2.89 a qt. A Toyota oil filter is $3.49. The air filter is ~$10.00. So 4 qts of oil, the oil filter and the air filter will run a total of ~$22.00.

 

Re: The $400 Headlight

Why would I wish to maintain a good relationship with a service dept. that has been demonstrably dishonest, incompetent, has lied to me, and who at every turn of the screw tried to squeeze money out of me for un needed services, and has charged me for services NOT rendered, and then had the temerity to ask me "How was my service experience?" And then you suggest that they "treat me well" by using good will to fix something that shouldn't be a problem in the first place?! I don't know if it is Toyota Corporate, or just my sleazy dealer.

Icarus

 

Re: The $400 Headlight

Atoyotaprius,

Well said. My 30k service, which was the only time the car has seen the dealer. They got $390 for 30k service without the cabin air filter since I had already done it! They did fix a leaking tire for that as well!

Never again will my car see that dealer, except for warrantee service

Icarus

 

Re: The $400 Headlight

my 30K service was a little more when the "extras" were added (induction service, etc).

i, too, say "never again".
that is, now have 56K and have done all oil changes and inside cabin air filter changes myself.

 

Re: The $400 Headlight

My dealer wanted ~$35 for cabin air filter service. I think, the part retail from the parts dept is ~$12 (already with ~50% min mark up!) Installing it then would be a $23 flat rate. If the shop rate were $100/hr, then the tech should take ~12 minutes to r/r the cabin air filter! I believe the last time I did mine, it took less than 30 SECONDS! and that was including getting all my wifes S*%t out of glove box!

Engine air filter, takes less time and they charge more!

Give me a break! At least let's be honest about screwing us!

Icarus