Problems with 2006 Toyota Prius EXTERIOR LIGHTING

To date we have not had an incident, however i believe the failure of our headlight and the lack of toyota to correctly identify and correct this problem is unacceptable. the failure occurs everyday while driving the vehicle. we were told by the dealership to replace the bulb. the cost of the repair is over $500.00. after reading many complaints, the wiring or connection seems to be the problem, not the bulb. *tr

The headlights on my 2006 toyota prius randomly turn off, luckily only one at a time so far, then turn back on when i switch the lights on and off, or after i restart the car. the car is 2.5 years old with about 55,000 miles on it. *tr

Intermittent failure of driver side hid lamp in 2006 toyota prius. when the headlamps are turned off and then turned back on it starts back up. i have 60k miles on my car and have a toyota extended warranty and am told that even though this is a known issue it is not covered. *tr

'06 prius. had it's hid headlights changed a year prior due to the lights just 'turning off' while driving. flicking them off/on would turn them back on for a bit. they would turn off randomly and often while driving, often with both lights turning off completely. this is a serious safety concern, considering they were replaced and continued to fail following that replacement. *tr

Head lights & tail lights turn off intermittently in 2006 prius. procedure: start car turn on headlights wait one or both lights go off turn off lights turn on lights lights are back on. repeat above... *tr

My 2006 prius headlights have started flicking off while i'm driving, one or the other, or both at the same time. they will come back on if the lights are turned off, then back on, although they may go back out again in 1-2 seconds, or later. this problem has been reported by other people on the internet (see wiki.answers.com). it's dangerous because the lights go off while driving. the dealerships have not been able to identify the problem. *tr

Prius headlights started going off sporadically. sometimes right sometimes left sometimes both. hard to tell when it will happen. sometimes turning light switch off and on solves the problem. first noticed this last weekend (today is sept 24th 08). do not know yet how to reproduce intentionally, but it has happened at least three times this week. *tr

Cpsc#i1230059. 2006 toyota pruis computer assembly. consumer stated the hid head lamps and associated controller computer used on the toyota pruis have a design flaw that makes them itermittently, and without warning, quit working. *ln the consumer stated he experienced the failure three times while driving at night

Bought the the 2006 toyota prius new. the hid headlight bulbs have already been replaced twice and they need replaced again. toyota helped with the first replacement. each bulb started out at $300.00 a piece, toyota has since lowered the cost to $150.00 each plus labor. the design requires the front bumper to be removed to install the lamps. to do this is at least another $100.00 labor. looking at the internet, i am one of the thousands who have had this problem. a recall on this problem needs to happen. *tr

My driver's side headlight occasionally turns off. i have a 2006 toyota prius with hid headlights. this is a common problem with the 06 and newer prius and is affecting thousands of people. some have had both lights fail leaving them with no headlights. if you turn the lights off and then back on the light or lights will turn back for a very short period of time. this is clearly a safety issue and instead of fixing the problem for free, toyota is charging an absurd amount to fix the problem which could be temporary. many have had the headlights fail again. this problem is very common and can be easily found on chat rooms and forums online. *tr

Headlights go out while driving at night. i bought the car tonight, drove off the lot, thought the headlights seem horrible but didn't think much of it. i went down the road and noticed i saw more from the cars around me. i had the driving lights on, but they only show a very short distance in front of the car. i turned onto the main road (4 lane, divided highway) and hit the high beams - the lights went completely out at approximately 60 mph on a road i was unfamiliar with. this is extremely dangerous, i had to stop in the middle of the highway and turn on the flashers to try to see to get off the road. this is a toyota "certified" and virginia state inspected a few week ago "supposedly" car that was driven from the showroom floor to the highway before the lights went out. i don't believe this could have been tested for either the va inspection nor the toyota certified inspection and now wonder if anything on the toyota certified inspection was really done. the marker light (proper name? yellow lights) on the drivers side also does not work which would fail both these inspections if properly done. *tr

My 2006 prius' front left headlight has been shutting off randomly and will re-light only when i turn the lights completely off and turn them back on. this is extremely dangerous as the only way i can tell when my left front headlight is out is when i see my reflection in a car behind me. i took the car to the dealership and was informed there was nothing wrong with my car. however, upon further research i have found out this is happening to numerous prius owners. nothing has been done to correct this failure because i can not get the light to "shut off on command". this happens every time i turn on my car - both lights will be operable for approx. 5 - 15 minutes (never know exactly when it turns off) then the left bulb will go out. i know it is illegal to drive with a headlight out and very dangerous, but don't know how to fix this problem! *tr

My car is equipped with hid-type headlights. the passenger-side headlight will occasionally extinguish at random times. this hid lamp failure does not seem to correspond with any specific driving conditions, i.e. bumpy road, extreme temperatures, driving in a turn, etc... it just happens randomly and without warning. this has become a problem since i cannot always detect when the lamp has or will fail; and my state requires that my car has two working headlights to be considered "safe." turning the headlight switch off, and then back on, will generally fix the failure, but only if i identify the problem and only then temporarily. this does not appear to be a simple loose connection problem or a burnt-out bulb. *tr

I have a 2006 toyota prius with hid head lights go out while your driving, if you turn them off and back on they come back on. i just spent a hour at the local dealership and they could not tell me the real answer to the problem but were happy to suggest replacing the head lights at the cost of $500.00 a piece. this seams unreasonable to spend this kind of money to provide a safety feature. *tr

Hid headlight operation is intermittent. dealer replaced component, however it is doing it again. technician states it is due to the component overheating. first replacement was under warranty. now they want about $500 to fix. they should have corrected the component overheating design defect with an updated component the first time. *tr

My headlights are intermittently failing on my 2006 prius. the dealership has replaced both the left and right (as a pair) headlights at ~20,000 miles and again at ~48,000 miles. and now at 55,000 miles, they are replacing another front headlight hid bulb. there were two additional times that i requested the toyota service department check the lights as i had been told by a police officer that front and/or back lights were out, but the dealership said all of the lights were functioning. my lights appear to work intermittently. i may have both headlights working for a week or a month or more, then one of both may go out, and then one or both may start functioning again. it's completely variable. i never know if one of both headlights will work at any given time. it's frustrating and scary- as i don't know what to do to fundamentally resolve the issue and ensure that i have functioning headlights! approximate dates: jan 2008 - police officer told me a light was out, dealer could not reproduce april 2008 - both headlights replaced september 2009- both headlights replaced february 2009- police officer told me lights were out (1 front, 1 back) march 2010- headlight replaced *dt

I have a 2006 and have been dealing with the passenger side light going off after 15 seconds for 6 months now. after contacting toyota of america they didn't agree with me that there was any issue, they even went as far as to tell me that i couldn't believe everything that i read on message boards. i expressed my displeasure with the situation and complained that this is a safety hazard, they of course didn't agree. after paying nearly 200 dollars for a diagnosis i was told that i have a bad computer and the computer has now caused the light to be faulty as well and both need to be replaced for a mere 500+ dollars. unfortunately i don't have an extra 500 just laying around in this current economy. the car is not in warranty as it has 90,000 miles and this problem started right after i hit 70,000 miles. which just happens to be the miles for warranty of the lights. we'll i'm out of state at the moment and now the driver side light is going faulty. so now we're talking about a cool $1,000.00 to fix something that is a total safety hazard in which toyota should do a recall and fix at their expense. also my dvd nav system doesn't work either and hasn't now for some 7 months. *tr

2006 toyota prius headlights stop working while driving. stop car and turn off and back on and lights work again. many times only one light is working until i recycle the switch. the lights hids and the car is out of warranty. *tr

The headlight intermittently turns off. usually, turning the lights off and back on will fix the problem. toyota is telling me to replace the bulb, but that doesn't make sense when the light still works fine after turning them off and back on. *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 2006 toyota prius. while driving approximately 65 mph at night, the headlights suddenly failed without warning. the driver experienced extremely limited visibility. immediately, the vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road. the contact made several attempts to engage the headlight switch before they began functioning properly again. the vehicle was able to resume normal operation; however, the failure occurred intermittently. the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for diagnostic testing, but they could not duplicate the failure. the driver's side headlight was replaced. the failure occurred twenty five additional times. the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer on three separate occasions for identical failures, but there were no resolutions. the failure mileage was 22,000 and current mileage was 58,000. updated 08/04/09. *lj updated 08/06/09.*jb

We have a toyota prius 2006 after approximately 6 mos the left headlight started to turn off while lights were in use. since the automobile was under warranty i return to the dealer to report the on going problem. each time they tested it was working fine, however this not the case it keeps shutting down for no reason. i have repeated complain to the dealer with each service and regular maintenance. i would like to know if i any recourse to have to it repaired?? or issue a recall i have seen many complaints on the internet on this problem. *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 2006 toyota prius. the contact stated that the vehicle has hid (high intensity lights) that would not operate correctly. the driver's side headlight would operate momentarily when the vehicle was started, but then dim after a matter of minutes. the dealer estimated the repair cost to be over $600. the contact also filed a claim with the manufacturer and is awaiting a decision. the failure mileage was 58,000 and current mileage was 64,000.

Hid headlights failed prematurely on a 2006 toyota prius. manufacture states would last life of vehicle or approx 190,000 miles. dealer has indicated it will cost $900 to replace 2 bulbs (incl labor to remove bumper). i have read that hundreds of owners experienced exact same problem with 2006 prius. obvious that there was a material failure issue and the dealer will not budge to replace defective bulbs/controllers. safety issue as the light goes out intermittently - without warning. *tr

Headlights randomly turn off. nothing appears to aggravate or cause this. it happens at least once or twice per drive. only way to fix it, (when i even notice it) is to turn the lights on and off again. *tr

Like my wife i own another 2006 toyota prius which has hid headlamps that have intermittent failures. this problem has come on over the last year. usually switching the headlamps off and then on again turns the lamps back on. however traveling at high rates of speed at night and having your headlamps suddenly go out is extremely dangerous. reading on the internet and realizing that this is a problem with many of these vehicles made me decide it must be reported to you so you can put pressure on toyota to recall and correct this issue. i have not had an accident yet due to this failure. the failure happens about every ten minutes (on average) whenever the headlamps are on. *tr

Both of my high intensity headlights occasionally go out, but at different times so far. within the city it is hard to tell but is noticeable on the open road. i think it is a safety issue, especially if they both decide to go out at once. turning off the headlights and back on a few seconds later has so far caused both to be on, but for how long who knows. *tr

I own a 2006 toyota prius which has hid headlamps that have intermittent failures. this problem has come on over the last year. usually switching the headlamps off and then on again turns the lamps back on. however traveling at high rates of speed at night and having your headlamps suddenly go out is extremely dangerous. reading on the internet and realizing that this is a problem with many of these vehicles made me decide it must be reported to you so you can put pressure on toyota to recall and correct this issue. i have not had an accident yet due to this failure. the failure happens about every ten minutes (on average) whenever the headlamps are on. *tr

I complained to my service dealer about a front headlight in my 2006 prius that kept turning off. i was told that to repair the problem it would require a new part to be installed at a cost of approx. $400.00. i indicated at the time that i was unprepared financially to pay 400.00 to fix the issue. in the meantime i have discovered that this is a known issue with quite a few prius models. in fact currently i consider this problem to be a major safety issue as very often my left, right and sometimes both headlights will shut off while driving the car. this is extremely dangerous at night as i have found myself driving on the road and both headlights shutting off at the same time. the work-around for this safety hazard is currently to turn off and turn back on the headlights but as you can see this is not a permanent solution. i love everything else about this car except for this dangerous problem and feel that as a consumer i should be able to drive a car in which i am confident the headlights will not automatically shut down while driving. there is obviously some fault in the design or performance of the headlights mechanism and toyota should perform a recall on this, or at least pay for the necessary fixes to repair this issue. *tr

Front head lamp on prius cuts out intermittantly. impossible to replace without major labor (including removing bumper). approximate cost 450.00 to 500.00. *tr

I own a 2006 toyota prius. the front right headlight works only intermittently and now does not work. *tr

My 2006 toyota prius has 52,000 miles on it. the driver's side headlight will turn on when i switch them on, then will go out a few minutes into my trip, and when i turn the lights off then on again it comes back on. i have noticed this problem with both headlights, although it is more common with the driver's side light. this occurs almost every time i drive. based on what i've read, this appears to be a manufacturer's defect. *tr

The right head light works intermittently. i have a certified used vehicle with an extended warranty. the dealership nor the automaker will do anything unless they can replicate the issue. my extended warranty does not cover the headlights, which cost around $400 to replace. the dealership and toyota's only solution is to drive in with the headlight not working. that seems like such a terrible solution. *tr

Intermittent headlight failure. the headlights will intermittently turn off. by turning the lights on and off, the lights can be turned back on. the problem is difficult to duplicate and prove to toyota service technicians. *tr

Headlights fail intermittently while driving. headlights work again after light switch is turned all the way off and on again. this appears to be a frequent problem with this car based on internet postings. *tr

One or both headlights will stop working. turning light switch off and then on will restore working lights. problem occurs frequently (multi times in a day) and dealer can not find a problem. *tr

I've got a package 6 2006 prius with multi-reflector halogan auto-off headlamps. the hid lamps on this model prius are notorious for failing within three years. see http://priuschat.com/forums/care-maintenance-troubleshooting/34584-headlight-problem.html. the passenger side headlights keeps going out. i can't really tell when or how it goes out since i can't see it. i'll notice it when i see the reflection in the back of another car. when i turn them all the way off and back on the light comes back. sometimes on long trips it will stay on the whole time, sometimes it won't. sometimes on short trips it will go out, sometimes it won't. it is not an event i can make happen. very similar to other posted descriptions. *tr

Was pulled over by a policeman in august 2008 for having a headlight out. the headlight had been working earlier that day. by the time we arrived home, the headlight was on again. this happened intermittently for eighteen months and now happens with increasing frequency, therefore i am attempting to have it fixed. when i turn off the light and then turn it on again, it works for a moment or a while. *tr

Toyota prius problem with intermittent headlight function. *tr

I own a 2006 toyota prius, with 41,000 miles. my right headlight failed 2 days ago, car was repaired at the dealer, they changed a $260.00 "computer" that controls the headlight, which was covered under my extended warranty, my cost $55.00. on my way home both of the headlights failed, returned the car to the dealer, hid light bulb was changed today, my cost $320.00. now the left headlight is also failing intermittently, which seems odd and very coincidental. toyota is unable to tell me, if this is an ongoing problem with their vehicles, though the internet seems to have info on the same situation with other owners. $600-$1,000 seems excessive to repair the headlights that seem to be a model problem, especially affecting 2006 model prius. has there been a recall on these items? *tr

Our toyota prius 2006 is experiencing a potentially dangerous problem with the headlights. the passenger side headlight, and sometimes both headlights continue to "wink-out" despite the dealer having verified that the connections are solid and the bulbs are in functioning order. simply turning the headlights off and then back on "fixes" the problem temporarily, however the problem resurfaces the next time we drive the car. *tr

Purchased new toyota prius aug. 2006; within one year right headlight went out, but didn't burn out completely, but would go on and off at various times. took in and was replaced under warranty (bulb costs over $300!). august 2008, same thing, right headlight would sporadically work. took into dealer and asked them to research if a short circuit. they said no, just bad bulb. they told me that the bulbs are delicate and this can happen if going over bump in the road. this time i had to pay the $300. two weeks later, the left bulb now sporadically works. i cannot afford to replace a $300 bulb once or twice a year. after reading on priuschat.com, other prius owners are having the same complaints. there must be a defect for 3 bulbs to go out within 2 years and again, they don't burn out completely. when you first turn the lights on, the bulb comes on, but while driving, it just goes out. when you turn your lights off then on again, the bulb comes on again, but won't stay lit. i have been pulled over twice by the police because of this. *tr

2006 toyota prius has had headlights on both sides replaced due to intermittent operation which can be temporarily recovered by turning the headlight switch off then back on. all toyota wants to do is replace bulbs when the bulb obviously is not the problem. i am sure they are being disingenuous with customers in an attempt to postpone the inevitable. it is way past time for a recall - please! *tr

The car is equipped with hid lights and the drivers side fails intermittently. the dealer could not recreate the problem but suggested perhaps replacing the bulb ($345) might help or waiting until it becomes more frequent. this is a very common problem with the 2006 prius hid lights. toyota should at least have identified the source of the problem because it could be caused by the failure of various components and random replacement of components in the headlight circuit would be needlessly expensive. as it is obviously a manufacturing or supplier problem toyota should extend the warranty and issue a recall as lighting is a safety issue. *tr

2006 toyota prius with high intensity discharge (hid) headlights intended to last life of vehicle. passenger side headlight began intermittently failing after 25000 miles... initial indication was light was noticeably dimmer than the driver side headlight. after a few weeks light would go out after a period of time driving, cycling power to headlights causes light to come back on, although period of operation is becoming shorter and shorter. took the car to dealer who spent approximately one hour trouble shooting before asking for come to return for longer troubleshooting period. *tr

One of the headlights stopped functioning intermittently at about 30,000 miles. dealers service department said they could not recreate the failure, suggested that everything was in order, and therefore did nothing to address the problem. now, at 35,000 miles, i am having incidents of both headlights going out. this is extremely dangerous, as it's unpredictable. i suddenly find myself driving in the dark with only my parking lights on. i took the car to the dealer and asked again for them to fix the problem. i was told when i picked up my car that they again had found nothing wrong - the headlights were "performing" and the service department supposedly didn't have enough time to diagnose the problem further (even though i left my car for the day and left my cell phone for them to contact me). i believe this is a very serious manufacturer's defect with the headlights, as i have now found numerous internet posting describing the exact same problem - headlights that fail intermittently at very low mileage with no warning. *tr

Either headlight will go out at times. am able to restart headlight by turning headlight switch off and back to on. *tr

I have a 2006 toyota prius with hid headlights. recently i developed a problem where the drivers side headlight kept going out randomly. i would have to shutoff all lights and turn them back on in order for the light to come back on. not only is it totally unsafe to be turning off the lights (driving or not at night) but it impairs your vision when only one of the two headlights is working. i took my car to the dealer and after $56 in labor, $330 in a hid bulb, and tax, my problem might have been fixed. they don't know as it could be the ballast. however after talking to a scuba buddy who is also a master toyota mechanic he told me that its almost always the bulb and they are more then likely defective and that in his opinion there should be a recall. *tr

Headlight goes off intermittently (no accident caused it ... it just happens). *tr

The headlights on my 2006 toyota prius blink on and off. sometimes the left sometimes the right and sometimes both. the failure occurs almost daily and sometimes multiple times a day. when the lights turn off usually turning them off and back on will make them work again. brought my car to toyota and they told me that i had to replace the complete headlight unit and casing on both sides (cost $350 each plus labor. total cost about $800) i found that the headlights are not sealed units as i was told and have not had them replaced yet. *tr

Accident repair front right. approx 2 wks after repair i noticed that the right headlight wasn't working. hi beam works. found other disgruntled owners on priuschat.com. replacement of light is $350.00 and is under warranty for 33,000 miles - i had about 38,000 at the time of the accident. i have no way of knowing whether the light is ok and a connection is bad or whether the accident had anything to do with the failure of the light. i think this is a design defect and there should be a recall. *tr