Problems with 2004 Toyota Prius EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Driver's side high intensity discharge headlamp began switching off about a month ago. last weekend while traveling at night, the headlamp went out about 15 times in 3 hours. each time turning the headlamp switch off and back on temporarily solved the problem. i brought the car to the dealer and they replaced the hid bulb for $355. i had the same problem with the passenger side headlamp six months ago and replacing the bulb has solved the problem (to date). this is a disconcerting issue. i have not received an explanation as to why this occurs as opposed to a normal headlamp just burning out and then being able to replace it for twenty bucks. *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 toyota prius. the contact was driving at various speeds and the driver side automatic headlight would flicker intermittently. the vehicle was taken to a dealer where they informed that the headlight would need to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure continued to occur. the failure mileage was 108,000. updated 01/13/11*lj the consumer stated both head lights were replaced. however, the flickering continued until the head light started was replaced. updated 03/31/11

Hid headlights turnoff on the 2004 prius. first episode started last summer. cost $600 dollars to replace one of the headlights. it has been approximately 7 months and the other head light is starting to turn off. this issue is dangerous and needs to be fixed before someone gets hurt. *tr

Drivers headlight continuously goes out. i can replace bulbs and it may last 1 week. i can turn my headlights off and back on then it will start working but no more than 1/2 a mile. this is definitely a safety hazard with going down the road and flipping your headlights on and off to get them to work. took to dealer he told me that most prius was having this problem but it would cost around 500 to get it fixed. after researching i found a message board with 35 pages address the same complaint with the headlights. not having both headlights operational is a safety problem that needs to be addressed with the root cause ascertained and repaired by the manufacturer. *tr

Passenger xenon headlight function erratic despite bulb replacement. *tr

Front lights went dim. able to turn back on with switch. front lights continue to go out or get dim intermittently and i must turn switch on and off to get them back on. i have paid toyota for several new bulbs and diagnostics with no fix.

Left headlight of my toyota prius 2004 will turn off with no apparent cause, you can turn off the lights and immediately turn on and it will come back on again, this action is dangerous specially driving at night since you?ll have to briefly drive without the lights on. this issue has a non-harmonic frequency but it just keeps repeating, sometimes on a trip for 10 miles it can go off up to 5 times and some other times on the same trip it will not go off. by now the failure hasn't?t been corrected since dealer will charge over $1500 to fix it, which i don't agree to pay since this is their failure. *tr

Hid right headlight goes out randomly. if i turn headlights off and on again, it relights, but then goes out again between 15 minutes and 3 hours. has been happening for over a year on my 2004 toyota prius.*tr

Toyota 2004 prius - passenger-side hid headlight went out. dealers want about $650 to fix!!! (includes having to take the bumper off.) the cost is an outrage. i can't afford it. these bulbs have apparently failed on many priuses, so dealers are cashing in. *tr

For the last 30,000 miles on my 2004 toyota prius, left hid headlight keeps going off. however, when i switch headlights off and back on, it would go on, and stay on, for couple minutes, sometimes hours. after that it goes off again. at toyota dealership they told me that computer with the headlight assembly must be replaced. it would cost me around $400. my car is still under warranty, but they said it does not cover it, even though at the day of the purchase of my car, i bought "bumper-to-bumper" additional warranty. why the headlights are not covered remains a mystery. research that i did on the issue, showed that many people are having the same problem with their toyotas and have no choice but spend hundreds of dollars on something that looks like a defect in the headlight assembly. i think toyota should make a recall for this particular part. *tr

While driving (or sitting idling) one (or both) of the headlights will go out. i have verified that the light goes out completely and does not just dim. when only one headlight goes out, turning the headlight switch off then back on will re-ignite the headlight. when both headlights go out, they will not come back on by turning the switch off and on. it takes 4 or 5 attempts at switching off/on before they come back on. i must drive at night time, and this problem causes me to be plunged into darkness suddenly while driving (a very dangerous and frightening experience). the dealer did not know the cause of the problem, but was very willing to sell me 2 headlight bulbs for $790.00 and if that did not fix the problem, come back and buy 2 control units for $950.00. *tr

I own a toyota prius 2004 and the headlights go on/off whenever they feel like it. when they go off if you turn the switch they go back on. are there any other complaints on this issue? *tr

Driver side hid headlight goes out, but reignites (most of the time) after headlight switch is turned off and then back on. recently, the drivers side light was out (and would not reignites), and the passenger side light went out as well, leaving me without headlights. the passenger side light did reignites after turning the switch off and back on. *tr

Hid headlights intermittently go out. turning the headlights on and off recycles the lights for a few minutes. *tr

My hid headlights go out at random intervals, if i turn them off and back on the headlight may remain on for days, weeks or months without doing the above procedure again. sometimes it the left light other times its the right light, so far it has not happen to both lights at the same time. *tr

My 2004 toyota prius has hid headlamps. the drivers side lamp will extinguish, usually after a few minutes. if i turn the lights off and then back on the headlights come back on only to go out again after a few more minutes. the right side headlight works ok. *tr

Left headlight will turn off with no apparent cause. you can turn off the lights and immediately turn on and it will come back on again. there doesn't appear to be anything that triggers. dangerous when driving at night since you have to briefly drive without the lights on .. to turn off and back on again. when spoke to dealer about replacing was quoted $600... "because we have to remove the front bumper to get to the headlight" (toyota design flaw?) but the bulb itself costs $400!! this first started occurring in january 2008 and we "lived with it" for a year before spending the $558.15 that it cost to replace the one bulb in february 2009. we were prompted to do so especially since our daughter was learning to drive and we could not allow her to have to deal with this safety issue. the light is working properly now, but i am not convinced that it won't happen again ...if the bulb was the problem you wouldn't think turning it off and then immediately back on would fix it temporarily. when i spoke to toyota to complain about the cost and apparent defect they gave me no indication that this was a reported problem. she made it seem like i was the only case.. deceitful i think. after searching online i discovered on my own that this was a known problem that many others had. *tr

Hid headlamps cut out while driving, causing a potentially serious safety issue. *tr

Passenger headlight on 2004 toyota prius goes out intermittently. i have noticed this about 8 times. on one occasion i was in a vehicle in front of the prius and the headlight went off after 15 minutes of operation. it came back on after the vehicle was turned off and restarted. i took it to the dealer today, expecting a diagnosis and they put in a new hid bulb ($324.00). i had them save the old bulb because i am doubtful a new bulb will solve what appears to be an electrical short circuit problem. not having both headlights operational is a safety problem that needs to be addressed with the root cause ascertained and repaired by the manufacturer. *tr

Intermittent failures of right side high intensity discharge (hid) headlight after 15 to 20 minutes of use. headlight simply shuts off without warning, and without any indication on the instrument panel. replacement/repair costs at toyota dealer were $998. after many months of complaint, to include pointing out the usa today article on this subject, toyota usa authorized repair at half price. toyota usa then reimbursed us via check for our total cost citing a "supplier problem." *tr

With light braking i can stop my 2004 prius without ever illuminating the brake lights. this risks a rear end collision. the lights illuminate after the brake pedal has been depressed a little more than 1/2 inch. the service manager at my dealership claimed that there was no adjustment and would not take the car into the shop. an incident date, as required on this form, is not applicable. this is happening every time i brake. *tr

Hid lights fail in my 2004 prius and have for several years now - intermittently with no warning. at times, both lights fail at the same time, leaving me on a dark road unexpectedly. i have one replaced at the dealer, only to have it fail again. this is clearly a safety issue. hundreds of these have been reported. *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 toyota prius. while driving in any type of weather, one headlight would dim followed by the other. however, both headlights could dim simultaneously. the failure occurs intermittently. the vehicle's speed was not a factor. during the failure, all of the other lights were operational. the contact has had the lights repaired due to safety concerns. the current mileage is 90,000 and failure mileage was 70,000.

Tail lights on my '04 prius are slowly melting , and as a result, the decorative black plastic inside the assembly is obscuring the brake lights to the point that they are barely visible. i will need to replace these soon; toyota refuses to do it, saying i am out of warranty. *nm

Right headlight quit working i got a ticket out of the deal and the toyota dealer wants almost $1000 to fix the problem. ridiculous the front bumper has to be removed. many others have had the same problem sounds like a dealer recall to me. *tr

Right headlight intermittent took it to the dealer said i don't have a problem functions perfectly. well i now have a ticket to prove other wise. turn the headlights off it will come on then die. now the light just plain doesn't work. dealer wants $886 to replace. sounds like a dealer recall problem with a majority of prius hid systems. it is also a safety issue. *tr

Headlights unexpectedly aim downward in my 2004 prius equipped with the high intensity arc headlights. this causes a serious, dangerous, nighttime driving condition. *jb

Driver side headlight intermittently turns off while driving. driver is not aware headlight is not working until police pulls him over or after returning to garage at home, he can see from headlight glare on the wall that one light is out. usually turning the light off, and then back on corrects the problem, however you cant be driving down the highway flashing your lights every once in a while to make sure they are on. it is just a dangerous situation. the internet shows this is a common problem and its frustrating that toyota has not acknowledged or provided a fix.

1) on a 95 degree day the car was parked in the sun. 2) brake light assembly deformed in the heat obscuring some of the 6 led reflectors. the black plastic used in the assembly does not hold up to the heat. 3) i complained to toyota corporate in california to fix the source of the problem. nothing done to date.

Driver-side hid headlight turns itself off at brief intervals. turning headlight switch off and on restores it, without fail. situation remained stable for over a year, nov. 2008 to jan. 2010. light turns out whether vehicle is moving or stationary. replacing lamp did not fix the problem -- in fact, new bulb turns off more than once a minute, while old bulb turned off about every 10 minutes. *tr