Problems with 2007 Toyota Prius EXTERIOR LIGHTING

2007 prius hid headlights go of and on randomly. *tr

I've got a toyota prius 2007 with hid headlights. left headlight 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. if i turn the bright lights on and off it has no effect, but 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. *tr

The hid headlights on my 2007 prius are malfunctioning. the light on the driver's side will frequently go out, leaving me with one headlamp. if i cycle the headlights off and back on, the driver's headlight will come back on for a while, then repeat. this is true for both low and high beams - the light goes off altogether. i view this as a safety issue. this has been going on for months and still continues every time i drive with the lights on. my car has about 42,000 miles but is less than two years old. this appears to be a common problem with 2007 and 2006 prius models with the hid headlights. *tr

Left headlight is intermittently failing. night driving safety is impaired by this. currently, 1 bulb is intermittent, but if both fail... this is a huge problem. happens most times the car is used, but not for sure. when it fails, i can usually fix it by turning the car off, and back on again. local dealer swapped the left and right bulbs, now problem is on the right. this indicates that the bulb is the problem, not the 'ballast' / computer. background: hid headlamps require high voltage to start, and medium voltage to operate. a computer or ballast does this voltage control. prius with hid have a huge number of failures in this area. toyota is stonewalling, and won't fix unless you've been a loyal customer of some dealership. this is a safety issue, and, in my mind, should have nothing to do with loyalty, or change in residence, or anything. i bought the car used [ w/37k miles on it, in may 08 ], and an extended warranty [ toyota 'extended care' ]. i've since moved to canada, although i do drive this in the us. *tr

The headlights and taillights on my 2007 toyota prius shut off without warning. sometimes the issue can be corrected by turning the lights off and on again, but not always. while i was recently driving on a two-lane highway with no streetlights, my prius' headlights/taillights shut off without warning leaving me in the dark with no way to see. i was able to pull off the road, but i consider this a serious safety issue. when i contacted the dealer, they said they would not cover the cost of any repair since headlights are not covered under warranty and my car is no longer under warranty. the service quote was $1,800 which i plan on paying to correct the serious safety issue. toyota is aware of the issue per their technical service bulletin: t-sb-0030-08 "hid headlight system - diagnostic tips". *tr

Headlights are intermittent, dealer says it may be the bulbs $322 and not in stock or the ballast $400 or both and can be both sides. the online forums are full of people with same problem and unreal repair bill quotes on 2006 up toyota prius. *tr

2007 toyota prius. drivers side headlamp malfunctions often. driving at night is dangerous!!!! *tr

Started noticing my passenger side head light going out sporadically. just as the others, by turning them off, then on, the lights come back on. was actually stopped by a va state trooper, who advised his father-in-law had the same problem & that this was a manufacturer error. so, i took this issue to my dealer due to having an extended warranty. they called my warranty company before starting work to fix this $500 issue (which, all they did was replace the bulb). it then started occurring on my driver side. when i took it in to have this fixed / looked at, was advised the warranty company had denied the charge with the dealer & the dealer had comp'd the charge as a courtesy. based on these reports, i just called the dealer to advise them of these issues & am hoping for a resolution to this issue. *tr

When driving with the headlamps on, one headlamp (usually the driver's side but it has occurred which the passenger side as well) will go out. if i turn the lights off and turn them back on the both lights will work again. this is intermittent and i can't make it happen. at my last service they could not reproduce the problem and looked at me like i was nuts. i live in the country and do a lot of night driving. i am beginning to notice this happening on a weekly basis. *tr

Driver side headlight keeps going out while driving the car. it is hard to notice unless you see the car's reflection. if we turn the lights off and on again, the light will slowly come back on. this will happen on both short and long trips. we took it to the dealer on october 21, 2008, and they could not find a problem and said we could purchase a new bulb for $300 or wait until the light goes out and we notice it is out and can take it in to the dealer at that time. we could be in violation of no headlight without noticing and this is the second headlight to do this. the dealer replaced the passenger headlight assembly in april 2008. we are not under warranty because of miles, not months. we believe the problem existed before the warranty expired. *tr

There were no particular events leading up to the intermittent failure of my drivers-side hid headlight. it is constantly turning off while driving (even at night) and will only turn on again if i turn off both headlights, and turn them back on. i am constantly required to do this while driving at night, and it is a severe safety risk. *tr

I purchased a 2007 toyota prius and noticed my headlights were intermittently going out around 40,000 miles .both the right and left light would go out individually and there was no pattern to either. there were times in which both headlights would go out at the same time. in order to get my headlights back on, i would have to turn my light switch off and then turn it back on again. the lights would turn off numerous times and i would have to repeat the process over and over. this was very scary because i would not be able to see while i was driving. my speed would reach up to 70 mph depending on the type of road i was driving on. i took my prius to the local toyota dealership to have them inspect the vehicle and i was told by the service manager that it would cost $500.00 for two bulbs and labor. this was a very expensive fix for the problem. the expense was so great that we had to save money for a long while to afford it. i believe this issue should be classified in a recall category. this is an extremely dangerous issue and your prompt response would be greatly appreciated. *tr

The headlights of our 2007 toyota prius intermittently go out, usually just one stops working while driving, other times when we start up the car. recently both went out while driving. i stopped the car on the interstate shoulder, got out to make sure they were out and they both were. i got back in the car, turned the lights off and then back on and they began working. however, this problem returns without pattern, sometimes it is just one, sometimes the other, and recently both will stop working. so far it is correctable to turn lights completely off and then back on, then they both work. i believe this is a safety issue as they go out while driving at night. *tr

2007 toyota pruis touring model...ongoing problem...both headlights go off at frequent intervals, but presently if i turn the switch totally off and back on they come back on. right side happens more frequently than the left side although there is no consistency as far as timing. can happen as soon as i start the car and not again for an hour. at times after turning the switch completely off (not a real comfortable feeling while driving down the road) and on they do come on but sometimes go back off within seconds and it has to be repeated and sometimes they will stay on. *tr

The hid headlamps on my 2007 toyota prius will cut out sporadically while driving. sometimes it is the left lamp and sometimes it is the right lamp. fortunately both headlamps have not cut out at the same time (so far). strangely, when this happens, if i turn the headlamp switch off and quickly turn it back on, the affected lamp will come back on - for a while- not always for the same length of time. if it happens repeatedly, the off and the on again switch action will work every time. the toyota service people say that this behavior is typical of an hid lamp going bad and offered to replace them for $203+ per lamp. upon reviewing many discussions on several internet forums such as priuschat.com is becomes clear that this problem has been widespread on prius models with hid headlamps as far back as 2006, and no single fix has been identified for the problem. i therefore, have not replaced the headlamps since this does not, in and of itself, always cure the problem, and i didn't want to make the $400-$500 experiment that likely would not solve the problem. since these hid lamps are touted as lasting as long as the car, it seems to me that this is not a normal wear and replacement situation. i first noticed this problem at around 30,000 to 35,000 miles- hardly approaching the car's lifetime. i consider this to be a significant safety issue and a major manufacturing flaw for which toyota should be responsible for correcting at their expense. *tr

While driving, one of the exterior high intensity headlamps would fail with no indication (no yellow bulb failure indicator) of failure. turning off the light switch and turning it back on would relight the headlight. this would happen with either the left or the right headlight but not both. the old bulbs were replaced under warranty and the problem has not yet recurred. *tr

My front headlights go out intermittently. not at the same time and not due to hitting a bump in the road. rain, heat, cold do not seem to matter. this started, as far as i know, in october 2008. my car had 37,000 miles on it. because a headlight was out, i received a fix it ticket, however, when i took it to get fixed, the headlight was working again. since that time both headlights have gone out and back on a few times. *tr

2007 toyota prius, new, october 2006; no problems until sept. 2008, approx. 26000,miles; headlight on passenger side intermittently goes out; comes back on later. i did not know that i could possibly make it work by turning off/on, as i recently found out on this site. the driver side headlight also has gone out a few times-unknown if they were both out at same time. right side taillight also goes out occasionally. unlike the headlight, i could make the taillight go back on by "banging" on it. after being stopped by police, both lights out on passenger side, i made appointment with dealer where purchased, then went on line to check for similar problems: wow! 25 pages on this site, and 50+ pages on toyota chat forum. dealer indicated "no problem", less than 36,000 miles, still under warranty. i had repairs made today, all working fine at present. one big difference noticed: headlights much brighter tonight than they were. i don't know how long it has been since they became dim, since it probably was gradual. i asked dealer, with all these reports of failure, how long is warranty on new bulbs, and was told 1 year. dealer price for installing new bulbs: about $400.00 each; they can be purchased from dealer for the "low" sum of only $150.00 ea. i strongly feel that there is something major wrong with such a lighting system, as it is quite difficult to know when one light is not working, as they become dimmed. there should definitely be a recall to correct this problem. how many other owners have experienced this problem, and simply paid huge $$$ to have it taken care of, not knowing that it is apparently widespread? *tr

The headlamps on my vehicle is often dim and flickers sometimes. from october of 2008, driver side headlight turns on but won't stay lit. it can be fixed by turning light on again, but it turns off again almost all the time. i took to toyota of north hollywood and eric in the service department told me i need bulbs and e.c.u.(headlight computer)needs to be replaced for $700. i'm searching for an alternative. *tr

My headlights would suddenly turn off and i would have to manually turn it back on. *tr

Headlight on passenger goes out intermittently. sometimes the headlight on the driver's side also goes out. dealer tells me that there is something wrong with the headlight and it needs to be replaced for a cost of $492. have less than 50,000 miles on my car. if both headlights have to be replaced, that will be near $1,000. this is ridiculous. toyota should do a recall and fix all of these headlights at no cost to owners. *tr

Intermittent failure of hid headlight bulb. lights at startup, but typically fails within 5 minutes. on and off again with no discernible pattern. more off than on as time goes on. *tr

Hid headlights flicker out intermittently and randomly. turning the lights on and off again turns the offending light back on - this on/off procedure is required 1 time every 5-10 minutes. sometimes both bulbs go out at the same time. sometimes one or the other goes out only once during a 20 minute trip. sometimes they go out 10 times during a 20 minute trip. changing the light bulbs didn't solve the problem. *tr

One of my headlights on my 2007 toyota prius keeps going off. if i turn the lights off and then back on the light will come back on immediately. this appears to happen mostly in moist conditions. the dealership will not cover this under warranty and has no idea what is wrong. the dealer wants $375 plus labor for just the lamp but won't guarantee it. states they have never heard of this happening. however, after checking this appears to be a problem all across the us with this vehicle. *tr

1. driverside front head light shuts-off by itself when in the on mode, passenger side head light stays on. 2. occurs at random, there is only half amount of light being emitted from the headlights and this causes a dangerous driving condition. 3. brought car to dealer to have two tech's to see what the problem is only to be given the text book answer of the issue is "normal wear and tear". no repair was done at the dealership even though the vehicle was covered under warranty. *tr

Passenger side head light will intermittently go out. the only way to turn it back on is to turn off the head lights by the headlight switch and turn back on. i first noticed this about 5 weeks ago. nothing has been done to correct the problem. i spoke with toyota corp. and they stated that headlights are not a warranty item. cost to repair is approx. $500. hid headlight. very labor intensive to install because part of front bumper has to be removed to get to the back of the headlight assembly. car is a 2007 prius. *tr

Intermittent headlight on 2007 toyota prius, 46,000 miles, light shuts off at anytime, will go back on when you turn headlights on/off quickly, light shuts off again... *tr

The hid bulbs on my 2007 prius have been failing since last fall and continue to do so at some point almost every time i drive the car at night. if i turn the lights completely off, then back on, this seems to "reboot" the lights. *tr

Headlights go out intermittently and individually. turning the lights off and back on solves the problem temporarily. have had an instance where both lights shut off at the same time, but all other instances it has been either the left or right. had the right side changed (wk. of 10/6/08) and the left is being changed today (10/20/08). according to online chat this is not an isolated instance. to date, the replacement on the right side has worked. see site below: http://priuschat.com/forums/care-maintenance-troubleshooting/34584-headlight-problem.html. *tr

I own a 2007 toyota prius. when i start driving and turn on the lights, after a short period of time, the lights dim out. when i turn off the light switch, the lights come on bright and dim out again and return to full brightness after i turn them off and on again. this pattern continues until after the car has run for a period of time. *tr

I own a 07' toyota prius with hid head lamps. the passenger side light goes off intermittently while driving. turning the switch on and off gets it going again. the dealership said that it's a hid controller that needs to be replaced for $800.00 plus dollars. my car has exceeded the 36,000 mi warranty, but is within the years (less than two years old). i noticed several other prius while driving with lights out and check online and have discovered lots of people with the same problem. i feel this is a manufacturers defect and should be fixed @ the expense of toyota. have you received other complaints? can you help? thank you, best regards, jeff rich *tr

While driving the front left or the front right headlight goes out, no warning. i don't know if they have ever both been off at the same time. *tr

Intermittent failure headlight. usually goes on next time car starts up. *tr

Headlight on either side will go out while driving. this happens every day. i have to turn them off and back on to get both of them working again. the problem is that i don't always know when they have gone out. one time i noticed that both of them were out. i have found numerous complaints like mine on the internet. this is a very dangerous situation, especially during bad weather in the daylight hours. i have about 45,000 miles on the prius. the dealer is going to check the problem again. initially they didn't find anything, but they suspect it to be bad bulbs. they said the bulbs cost $300.00 not including the labor. *tr

Hid bulbs intermittent on my 2007 toyota prius. problem is known to toyota, according to "priuschat "website forum posts. toyota is not consistent with resolution of problem. had passenger-side replaced at no cost, was told we would have to pay for other side if problem occurs. i've been having a problem with the driver's-side light for a few weeks, only 1 month after other side bulb was replaced. the quick fix is to turn headlights off, then immediately back on. the lights will then work for a while. obviously this is causing an unsafe condition on the road! *tr

We own a 2007 toyota prius with hid headlamps. at around 48,000 miles the headlights started to flicker intermittently on both sides and eventually would go out completely. sometimes the passenger side goes out, sometimes the driver side goes out, sometimes both. the lights come back on by turning the switch off and on again only to repeat the problem a few minutes later. it's difficult to know whether the lights are out when driving at dusk and at night when one light is out. *tr

My headlights started failing at 30,214 miles and i took my car in for service, they replaced the right headlight. at 32,571 they replaced my left headlight. i now have the same problem with the left headlight which even after replacing the bulb, will not work. i have contacted toyota and they want me to incur the expense of having it diagnosed at their dealership before they will even consider covering it even though there was a class action lawsuit of which i was never made aware. as agreement, toyota agreed that they would extend the warranty on the bulbs and if you were outside the extended warranty, they would still fix the lights if you had documented problems prior to the warranty period expiring. i have the evidence yet they want me to incur an expense so they know what's wrong. i feel this is totally wrong. *tr

Headlights on 2007 prius failed intermittently. they will work when the vehicle is first turned on but will sometimes turn off. i brought it in within 30,000 miles and had the entire headlight assembly replaced by the dealer and it seemed to resolve the issue for a while. however it is happening again to the other side at 42000 miles, these are hid headlights and have approximately 1000-1500 hours of use to them. *tr

The driver side headlight randomly goes out. one time both headlights went out. when i take it to my mechanic, he can't ever make it happen. if i turn the lights off and turn them back on, the light comes back on. it happens regularly, and continues to this day. *tr

2007 toyota prius headlamps go out intermittently. this is an ongoing problem. it occurs once every five or ten minutes. turning the headlamps off and then on again resolves the issue for the next few minutes. *tr

The front headlights on my 2007 prius intermittently go out while driving. the problem occurs with both the driver and passenger side headlights. once the headlights are turned off and back on, the headlights resume working. the issue has occurred for approximately 6 months, beginning around septmber, 2008. the vehicle has almost 44,000 miles, the issue began at approximately 37,000 miles. toyota dealerships and the corporate case manager have refused to cover the estimated $400.00 repair under the extended warranty. i have been told i must replicate the problem at the dealership in order to receive an after warranty review for "assistance" with the repair. as the issue is random and intermittent, this will require me to drive to the dealership with one or both headlights out, which creates an unacceptable safety risk. toyota claims that this is the customer's responsibility to pay for the repair. i maintain that the vehicle is too new and low in mileage to experience headlight issues. this is a defective headlight problem and toyota refuses to take responsibility for the safety issue. *tr

My one headlamp on my 2007 prius is malfunctioning- not operating properly. it will "dim" or go out altogether and this happens without notice. i got into a small accident the other day as i could not see the right side of the road and called the dealer. dealer says many prius owners are experiencing the exact same thing , but no recall- the cost is in excess of $1,200 with parts and labor. all of the prius on-line forums describe the exact same problems- this is obviously a danger to anyone with a prius and virtually everyone is experiencing the same issue. *tr

The passenger-side headlight on my toyota prius 2007 has been intermittently going off for about two weeks. i took it to a local mechanic who could not duplicate the problem and therefore couldn't diagnose it. a week ago, driving on highway 287 in ny at night i was stopped by harrison ny police and given a ticket for a "correctable defect" - the headlight was out again. took it to a different mechanic, couldn't reproduce effects. took it to toyota, they couldn't diagnose it either, and said i'd have to return for a multi-hour perhaps multi-day appointment, which i made for tuesday coming up. they said it wouldn't be a safety issue. last night driving home both headlights went out. driving on a dark road, i put on safety flashers which provided some light, and then found that holding the bright lights on (pulling the stick towards me) gave me light to drive home. *tr

Right front headlight goes out, when i turn lights off and back on, the light comes back. was told that unless i can reproduce the problem, the dealer can't fix, but then was told i would have to replace the computer that controls the headlights, for over $1000. *tr

Left hid headlight on 2007 toyota prius intermittently went out without warning. turning lights off and on would sometimes turn light back on but it would subsequently go off again. this occurred sporadically and unpredictably. vehicle taken to toyota dealership but dealer was not initially able to reproduce the defect. taken to dealership again and left with dealer for one week. dealer replaced computer under extended vehicle warranty and replaced headlight at a cost of $404 to owner. *tr

Hid headlight failure on 2007 toyota prius resulting in over $500 worth of repairs. headlight would come on for a short period of time and then go off and on intermittently. *tr

I bought a 2007 toyota prius on august 1, 2007. i didn't have any issues with my car until august of 2008 when i started having issues with my headlights and tail lights (they would go off and then when i turned the lights off and flipped back on, they would come back on again). twice while driving at night, all of my lights went out (headlights, tail lights and dash board lights)! i brought car into dealer and they didn't know what was wrong but replaced the headlights (to the tune of $1200 a piece). i didn't have trouble with my headlights after than until this year (august of 2009). my passenger headlight is going out and then flipping back on for a bit (although the bulb seems dull) when i turn lights off and then back on again. the problem is they won't stay on and it seems insane to pay $2400 a year for what obviously seems to be a vehicle defect; not to mention the safety issue of only having 1 headlight that works or tail light and dashboard lights going out while driving at night! *tr

2007 prius-headlights, single or both will fail during driving, turning off headlight switch and back on restores lights. no warning is given that lights have failed. *tr

Hid bulbs intermittent on my 2007 toyota prius. problem is known to toyota, according to "priuschat "website forum posts. toyota is not consistent with resolution of problem. *tr

Right headlight sporadically goes out...of course never at the dealers. *tr