headlight replacement

If you hit an iceberg, then it's not uncommon to need new headlamps.

Oh, I'm sorry. I misunderstood your question. No, the Prius is very reliable and has lower than normal maintenance costs. HID headlamps, like many new high-tech devices, last longer and are more reliable than older designs, but are more expensive to fix or replace when something does go wrong. If you are one of the unlucky ones, then it can get expensive.

There are other sources for replacement HIDs. I suspect your friend got taken to the cleaners by an unscrupulous dealer.

Tom

 

Your friend should take a look at this thread, and probably should complain to the NTSB (a link can be found in the thread).

http://priuschat.com/forums/care-maintenance-troubleshooting/34584-headlight-problem-3.html

It seems to be a very common problem, and Toyota should do a recall on it.

--Dan

 

HOW TO CHANGE HEADLIGHTS 2006 prius, Head lights take turns on off, or both. Dealer put new computers in. Still same, Says I will need new bulbs $700.oo. SOMEONE tell me Why if they still work part time. Police already got me once.
Greg. THEN again. SO I Bought $7.99 x 2 bulbs. THEY^ do NOT Fit an 06 Prius!! On line I found $119 ea. bulbs, all blue, I can see. U must lossen The washer container and disconnect the two electric clips, same for fuse box, I couldn't figure how to take them out. Twist black mayo size caps i/8 turn pull them off.
twist and pop off wire harness,It's looks like woven silver. unclip U bulb spring, IT IS PUSHED AWAY FROM THE BULB, look at the top of the U , make it a V , how I did this is I wore surgical gloves and the springs tips caught in the gloves and were so easy to hook and open- close. The bulbs fall out once springs are disconnected. springs will not fall out. Reverse to reinstall. the lighting rod thing under bulb goes DOWN, Wide part on top.
I was able to open the black lid with washer and fuse stuff in place. I am med gloves, arhtridic thumbs, very weak wrist. If someone opened the black lid,1/8th turn, pri or pull open I think a small hand could do this without removeing all the hardware, I'm sure I can now. You need about $20 or so of walmart tools. if you lossen the hardware or a dextrous friend.
I left out the fact that my dealer ,Koons NVa. was straight with me, and that they replaced what they called the 2 computers, maybe chips of some sort. I have 41,000 miles, . all the time running on my bulbs. thats good. Note the very blue happy face, I make my daughter change her spark plugs[I have never done that, but she doesn't know gooood luck. [email protected]

 

Greg, are your eyes okay? Maybe the headlights are working and you can't see them. Most readers will be bothered by your large bold font.

I do recall other owners having trouble with intermittent headlamps. You can buy replacement capsules for a lot less than $700. Several people have posted about an Ebay dealer. Take a look at this thread: http://priuschat.com/forums/care-ma...41300-another-2006-hid-headlight-problem.html

Tom

 

Hi Everyone,
I'm thinking of buying a Prius within the next week or so. Are any of these problems being reported on the 2008 Touring models?
Thanks

 

deleted

 

Greg, what dealer did you go to?

 

My 2007 Touring model is doing the same thing...left headlight intermittent. I'm lucky and still under 36K (~33K to date). I'll take the car in to the dealer and provide a report on my experience on getting this repaired under warranty. Appreciate all the information provided on this irrittating problem.

 

What argument can we use to get this done under the "platinum extended" warranty?

Both of my 06 prius's are having the exact same issue.... each of us have police officer warning tickets to prove it!

this is a bit rediculous?

 

There are other posts on this issue. The Platinum warranty does not extend to bulbs. You need to call Toyota customer care and complain loudly. They covered one of my bulbs under as "customer loyalty" but wanted me to pay the dealer the $300 in labor. After the second bulb went out during my commute in the dark and after I had already waited 3 weeks for the dealer to get the first replacement bulb they agreed to replace both bulbs and the dealer ate the labor.

 

Everyone Please, Please, go to the web site and fill out a complaint.
NHTSB after this post I can post the web site
This is who decides the recalls. Enough people complain about the safety hazards it is to drive with your lights not working, maybe just maybe they will recall it. After reading I seen if you already paid to fix your lights you would be reimbursed. So even if your headlight are working now because you paid for them, fill out the form so you can get your money back if they recall it.

Thank you

 

Everyone Please, Please, go to the web site and fill out a complaint.
IVOQ - File a Complaint
This is who decides the recalls. Enough people complain about the safety hazards it is to drive with your lights not working, maybe just maybe they will recall it. After reading I seen if you already paid to fix your lights you would be reimbursed. So even if your headlight are working now because you paid for them, fill out the form so you can get your money back if they recall it.

Thank you

 

I just had my dealer replace both front HID lights under warranty on my 2006 Prius, at 30K miles. So far, so good, but I have the feeling that they will fail again, or the two ballasts and computer/power supply may be at fault. With just 6K miles left on the warranty, back it goes at the first sign of trouble. The extended warranty doesn't cover these bulbs. Toyota really needs to issue a recall for this issue, since there are literally hundreds of complaints on MyCarStats.com.

 

I just filed a complaint with the NHTSA.

 

If they would ever make a determination its the ballast being either bad or a mismatch, then they would have to do a recall... thats the only thing that makes sense.

Otherwise the other option is a "lemon" part which puts the burden of warranty on that manufacturer... "through toyota of course as far as we are concerned"

IN both cases, Toyota bears the hassle of fixing the problem.


But if its the bulb... then again.. both of the above scenarios can apply there too.

Something fishy is up that Toyota does not want to repeat as they are discontinuing HID altogether in their next model.

Common sense says its ridiculous to pay so much money for a mere front headlight problem.

The HID market is pricing themselves right out of the market as Toyota and other manufacturers are calling their bluff and going to alternative forms of lighting such as superbright LEDs and the tried and true Halogen bulb.

There are allot of cool technologies and cutting edge stuff in this world.. but none of its worth the trouble if it doesn't work.

Bottom line... if something cost "so much", it should last "so much" too.

Like many other parts on cars.. the dealers should go to foreign aftermarket parts at 1/10th the price as a choice for non warranty fixes for HID bulbs and ballast.... why not?
At least the customer would have a choice like many other parts on his car from catalytic converters to engine parts, body parts windshields etc etc......

I have not regretted my purchase online for "two" HID bulbs for 69.00... lets see.. thats 34.50 for each bulb.... .. what gives?.. especially when it seems to fix the problem temporarily.
If I have to replace my HID bulbs as often as Halogen at that price I can live with it....

Who knows... maybe the aftermarket bulbs work "better" than OEM??? its all about what voltage they like verses what they are getting hit with.

 

Just to add our experience.

2007 Prius w/ HID. The headlights started intermittently going out at appx 26K miles. The local Toyota dealer replaced both headlights and the electronics (ballasts). At 32K miles the left headlight started going out again. Back to the dealer who replaced both bulbs. No charge for any of this.

The paperwork for the second repair said only 1 hour labor, so I guess they've figured out how to replace the bulbs without removing the bumper cover.

I have a spare bumper cover to install someday (original is pretty scratched up) so if the bulbs start going out after the warranty is over, I'll put in the best replacement bulb I can find, and take the opportunity to swap out the bumper cover too.

 

This problem must be much more widespread than even this thread reveals... especially since Toyota has tossed the idea of continuing HID on their future models due to high failure rates.

Who knows how many cases have been presented that we have no idea about!