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HID Lighting Problem - Recall?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by 06COMMUTER, Sep 30, 2009.

  1. 06COMMUTER

    06COMMUTER Junior Member

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    Hi Everyone,

    I've looked and looked but haven't seen anyone post much on this here, so I thought I'd start one. Just before hitting the 100,000 mile mark, my car started having a problem with lighting. My driver side headlight just goes off as I'm driving, without any warning. To get it to go back on, I have to shut off the lights and turn them on again, but the sequence repeats after a few minutes, with the light staying on less and less. As you can imagine, it's no fun doing this on a dark stretch of road at highway speeds!

    I've checked other sites/forums and found that this problem is common among 2004-2009's with HID lights. There is even a ongoing complaint/investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) where almost 500 Prius owners have filed a complaint for the same thing (see NHTSA Action Number PE09019). It seems to happen to either light, sometimes both, which would of course be a serious safety issue. I've read that the cost to repair this problem can be anywhere from $450 for a simple headlight bulb replacement, all the way up to $1800 for replacement of the entire HID system!

    Before my extended warranty was up, I took the car to my dealer and called two others, but they all wanted to charge me a $100 "inspection fee!" I've added myself to the NHTSA complaint and I filed a complaint with Toyota's "Customer Experience Center" (aka their customer service people) at 1-800-331-4331. Hopefully, they'll take care of me and get the problem fixed under goodwill. If you are having this problem, call Toyota and file your complaint with them. You should also file your complaint with NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigations (www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/complaints/index.cfm). Just click on "file a complaint" and add yourself to the investigation.

    I'm just wondering if anyone else here has experienced a similar problem and if, or how, it was resolved. Since so many Prius owners are experiencing this problem, maybe Toyota will be smart enough to start a recall on it!
     
    #1 06COMMUTER, Sep 30, 2009
  2. cairo94507

    cairo94507 Active Member

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    I did an extensive write up on my HID light problem in my '05. I filed a complaint with Toyota Customer Relations as well as the Dept. of Consumer Affairs Bureau of Automotive Repair against Dublin Toyota for their actions. Toyota Customer Relations sent me a check for the bulbs I had paid to replace.
     
    #2 cairo94507, Sep 30, 2009
  3. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    You "looked and looked" but didn't find much about this on PriusChat? Are you sure you were on this site? HID headlight problems have been beaten to death in several threads. Let me do a quick search for you:

    Google

    Tom
     
    #3 qbee42, Sep 30, 2009
  4. Qlara

    Qlara New Member

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    So exactly which component in the HID system is unstable and causing the issue?
    Do they simply fix it by replacing the entire system only?
     
    #4 Qlara, Sep 30, 2009
  5. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    Your answer is covered pretty well in the other threads. In short, it's usually the HID capsules (bulbs), but often a dealer will replace the ECU (ballast) as well. It appears that the ballast units are marginal when it comes to driving the capsules. Even some new capsules fail to work, but if you get a good match, everything works okay.

    Dealers tend to replace the entire unit because it's not their money.

    Tom
     
    #5 qbee42, Sep 30, 2009
  6. 06COMMUTER

    06COMMUTER Junior Member

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    No need to get testy! The only one I found that sounded like my problem was the one cairo94507 wrote, but it was more about the dealer replacing his entire lighting assembly with used ones than the problem I'm talking about. I just want to know if others on this site are having similar problems and how they were taken care of, as well as to provide the sites/numbers for anyone who needs them. I'm also hoping Toyota starts a recall on them, since there's obviously a problem with almost 500 other people who have complained to the NHTSA!

    For Qlara: I don't know what's causing my problem because the dealers wanted to charge me $100 for inspecting the car. The rep from Toyota is supposed to call me next week. Hopefully, she'll have it inspected for free under goodwill.
     
    #6 06COMMUTER, Oct 1, 2009
  7. CBarr31

    CBarr31 Active Member

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    #7 CBarr31, Oct 1, 2009
  8. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    I don't mean to be testy. It's really just disbelief. The most cursory search for "HID" brings up 1,780 hits. Making it a bit more selective by including the word "problem" cuts the number to 751.

    If the OP hadn't searched at all it would be normal. Having searched and not found anything is odd, considering the number of threads about this topic.

    Sometimes I feel like a shoeshine boy working under a clock, and people keep walking up and asking "What time is it?" :rolleyes:

    Tom
     
    #8 qbee42, Oct 1, 2009
  9. 06COMMUTER

    06COMMUTER Junior Member

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    You're right. Sorry. I guess I didn't search enough. I've looked at many other sites and only some have anything about this problem. Hopefully, Toyota will recall these lights and come up with something better, since so many are experiencing similar problems! I'll let everyone know what happens if and when they get back to me. I hope everyone here will post their experiences with this issue.
     
    #9 06COMMUTER, Oct 6, 2009
  10. jimlenderman

    jimlenderman New Member

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    I have a 2007 Prius and have had to replace my headlights two times in the last month. The headlights go off without warning. I replaced both of them last month at a cost of $800.00+!! The left side went out again on the way home from the dealer. They replaced it and the right light went out on the way home again and it is in the shop now!! Toyota knows of this problem but is trying to ignore it!! Coming back from Miami on the interstate going 75MPH, in the rain, at night, BOTH headlights went out. Toyota will not issue a recall as they say it is NOT a safety issue!

     
    #10 jimlenderman, Oct 13, 2009
  11. macmaster05

    macmaster05 Senor Member

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    Here's my question;

    Why does anyone have to pay ~$800+ for the bulb??? Why can't you just find a much cheaper aftermarket light (Xenon or HID)? Unless they are asking you to replace the whole unit/headlamp...in which case, I'm confused on what part is actually broken.

    I'm a little confused.
     
    #11 macmaster05, Oct 13, 2009
  12. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    Many other threads answer this question. You don't have to pay big bucks for a replacement capsule. You can't use Xenon with an HID system, but you can by $60 HID capsules from EBay.

    If you need more information, try a quick search.

    Tom
     
    #12 qbee42, Oct 13, 2009
  13. macmaster05

    macmaster05 Senor Member

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    See, that's great to know. I understand the widespread complaints because having an HID go out while driving IS a safety issue.

    But still, the money part and complaint that the bulbs aren't covered by the warranty doesn't make sense; why are people shelling out hundreds of dollars for a light bulb?!?!
     
    #13 macmaster05, Oct 14, 2009
  14. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    The people spending that sort of cash don't read PriusChat. ;)

    It does take a little mechanical aptitude to replace a capsule, so some people won't want to do it themselves. That said, it would still be a lot cheaper to buy the replacements from EBay and pay a local mechanic to do the job. All of the instructions are right here on PriusChat.

    Tom
     
    #14 qbee42, Oct 14, 2009
  15. barryjkaufman

    barryjkaufman New Member

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    My car is about to hit the 100,00 mile mark and I have the same issue with my headlights that you described. I just got something from Toyota recognizing the problem and offered to replace the light and the unit for $150 per headlight. I plan to take advantage the next time I get my car serviced.
     
    #15 barryjkaufman, Dec 27, 2009
  16. Truffles

    Truffles Junior Member

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    Are you sure that's what the notice is saying? My notice basically says that it's been determined that replacing the ECU isn't necessary, just the bulb. Also says they've adjusted their price per bulb to $150 to be more competitive.

    I think the $150 is a per bulb charge and doesn't include the unit.
     
    #16 Truffles, Dec 27, 2009
  17. KK6PD

    KK6PD _ . _ . / _ _ . _

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    I got "The" Letter, and started this thread.;..

    http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-...toyota-will-pay-hid-repairs-i-got-letter.html

    What is says, "If you have had problems with 2006 thru 2009 Prius HID system in the past, and it was repaired at an "Authorized Toyota Repair Center" and have your papewok, you are due a refund."
    New HID prices will now reflect market value and not a Toyota Dream.
     
    #17 KK6PD, Dec 27, 2009
    1 person likes this.
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