Problems with 2008 Toyota Prius EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Headlights turn off while driving. turning them off and on works. this has happened several times, randomly. *tr

Headlight will go off when driving, sometimes one only. then the other. there is no set pattern. headlights will come back on when the on/off switch is turned off then back on, then will go off again. three oem bulbs have been replaced in one and a half years. i understand that i am not the only person that is having this problem. toyota does not acknowledge that there is a problem. they say that it is just a bad bulb and just replace the bulb only to have the same thing happen. this is a safety issue as we cannot predict when bulbs will go out! *tr

The lights just turn off by themselves. one will go out, then the other. many times both will go out at he same time it is really scary. the lights have been replaced and it still happens. *tr

This morning when i started my car the dash panel lights would not come on. i drove seven miles to top off the gas(i could not tell how much i had because of the dash being off.)i then could not shut the car off. i drove for about a half hour and my dash lights just came on. when i got to my destination i was able to shut the car off and the dash lights are fine now. this happened once before about six months ago. i see on line that several people have had this same problem. *tr

Recently purchased used 2008 prius. when driving at night i noticed that the headlights shut off intermittently. they go back on by turning lights off and on. this happened three times when driving for 10 minutes on a dark road. very dangerous! *tr

Headlights will go off spontaneously either separately or together. sometimes will come back on by toggling the light switch. can be either headlight when fails singly. problem is variable but can happen when parked or while driving. most recent episode both lights failed at 50 mph then after toggling the switch came back on. *tr

Right hand headlight started turning off intermittently when starting the car or driving at no particular speed. today the left hand light start remained off when starting the car. it turned on once i cycled the light switch. while driving in the dark experienced both lights intermittently turning off individually and simultaneously about ten times. after cycling the switch the lights would come back on. *tr

Started to have issues with right headlight on 2008 prius starting in 2013 but was not aware of the class action lawsuit. finally replaced the bulb 10/14 and spent $200 out of pocket to replace bulbs. i'm frustrated because the same headlight went out just nine months later!

My headlights are constantly going out usually the driver side but i'm replacing headlights every six months about. after the second time replacing the headlights i've been very careful only using at night. the lights at not last but a fraction of the time they should be last i g and i've been buying the best on the market insuing i get a quality product with the best visibility. i feel there's some faulty wiring or something causing a surge prompting the headlights to fail prematurely. i've seen several other complaints about headlights letting me know this is not a one off issue.

I've got a package 6 2008 prius. the passenger side 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 or is someone tells me. 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. i've taken it to the dealer and they can't make it happen. dealer replaced both bulbs and it still happening. *tr

Intermittenly either headlamp may go out. turning off and on the headlamps turns the dead lamp back on. *tr

The front headlights intermittently shut off. sometimes it's the left and or right headlight separately and sometimes they shut off together. if i toggle the lights on and off, they may or may not turn back on. it was very dangerous driving at night on the highway. *tr

On several occasions, i have been driving at night and noticed that both of my headlights have gone out. after flicking the on/off switch, the lights came back. i took the car in for new bulbs, believing this to be the cause. the mechanic replaced the hid bulb on the passenger side and when we turned on the lights, the passenger side failed within a few seconds. we tried turning the lights on and off several times and eventually, both lights stayed on. we put the old bulb back in and it worked again, although it failed again quickly and had to be turned back on by flicking the lights several times. my mechanic told me this indicates a problem with the headlight module(s). the previous owner of the car had the entire headlight system replaced within the first year or two of ownership because toyota of downtown oakland offered to do it free of charge because, as they told her, "all of the headlight components were about to be recalled." this is a major safety issue, and i have several prius owner friends who are experiencing the same problem with their 2nd generation priuses. i have not heard of any other car that needs new headlight modules regularly and believe this to be a factory defect. *tr

While driving at any speed, the hid headlights intermittently cut off. this usually happens one at a time, and mostly on the passengers side. i am unable to tell when they go off until either i get pulled over and warned which has happened once already or i pull up and see reflection off back of another car. the lights will work for short periods then off again then on again. this appears to be a known issue with this make/model and the manufacturer (toyota) is not taking responsibility and charging upwards of $600 for repair. in my opinion this is a big safety issue which i believe toyota should take responsibility for an obvious defect. i have also read this has occurred to many owners of this vehicle. after a further lengthy research my understanding is there is actually a class action lawsuit for this, of which i would rather see the nhtsa take action and have toyota make good on these defects, and recall to resolve this problem. thank you *tr

When the headlights are first turned on, both work. in a few minutes the driver's side hid light dims and then goes out. this happens repeatedly. if i turn the lights off and then turn them on again, the same thing happens, both are lit, the driver's side dims and then goes out again in a few minutes. *tr

Both headlights went out. this was my first experience about 1 year ago. for the past several months, one or both headlights will go out at least a couple of times each morning during my one hour commute. recovery is to turn the headlight switch off and then on quickly. fortunately, my car has fog lamps which i now keep on continuously to avoid being completely in the dark. i have checked online reports and understand this is a known problem. toyota dealer doesn't think there is a problem since the lights work fine when the car is in their service area. seems the car must be moving to cause the issue. *tr

The non hid headlights on my car intermittently turn off. i've had both headlights go out twice while i was driving after dark - i have no idea how many times it might happen during the day. i've had at one headlight go out as well once, perhaps twice. i've switched the lights off and then back on again and that fixes the problem...until it happens again. i'm very hesitant now to drive this car after dark for fear that something will happen again. *tr

i leave my headlights on all of the time. sometimes when i am driving my prius the left headlight will go out. if i turn the headlights off and then back on the light will come back on again. sometimes restarting the car will make the headlight come on. also the headlight sometimes is off when the car is started. same thing, turn headlights off and then on or restart the car and the headlight comes back on. i thought i might need a new headlight but was involved in a car accident (8-13-14) and the headlight was damaged. i now have a new headlight assembly but the problem has returned. the dealer has told me twice (including today) that i need a new headlight. i do not think that is the problem. this is a major concern for me as this frequently occurs when i am traveling on an interstate at a high rate of speed. i will not turn my lights off and back on at 60 mph. please investigate. *tr

My front passenger headlight goes out constantly when driving. i have taken it to two mechanics who cannot find anything wrong with the bulb itself and have told me it's a problem with the hids wiring. i have seen hundreds of complaints online from other prius owners having the identical issue and they are urging for a recall. i am also urging for a recall. there was a class-action lawsuit in regards to this dangerous problem and i don't understand why toyota has created a knowingly faulty lighting system and can't recall it. those who sued toyota have gotten theirs fixed, does it really have to go that far for the rest of us? *tr

Headlights go off. sometimes just one, other times both. *tr

I was driving to work on highway 327 north of highway us 20 and traveling along at 45 mph and all of a sudden both headlights went out. it was dark. i slowed down immediately and turn the headlights off and on again and they came on. i have noticed that at times one headlight turns off or the other. people have told me that i have headlight out and i might get a ticket, but when i check them and one is out i just simply turn the switch off and on again and they usually come on. i thought about changing the headlights but saw a video online that says that is not the problem and there should be a recall. so please check into this before someone is killed. *tr

2008 toyota prius. the right hid headlight turns off intermittently without warning. when i turn off the lights and turn them back on, the headlight lights up again but sometimes turns off a few minutes later. i paid over $500 to replace both lights, but the problem is still occurring. i contacted the dealer and they said they can't help me, other than to replace the entire headlight system, presumably at a cost of a few thousand dollars. i notified the manufacturer and they told me to contact a local dealer. i believe this to be a manufacturer defect that should be recalled and corrected by the manufacturer. this is a serious problem that can cause injury to me and others on the road. *tr

Headlights go off suddenly. sometimes one or the other, some times both. *tr

One evening in early september i was driving on a surface street when my passenger headlight went out. i turned off my lights and turned them back on and the passenger headlight came back on. a few days later i was driving on the highway when both ( driver and passenger) headlights went out without warning. i was able to pull over to the side of road; almost causing an accident.i verified the lights were in the on position. i turned the lights off and immediately back on and both headlights turned on. both headlights have gone out without warning with the most recent occurring this evening on a busy not well lit highway. i have replaced the passenger light bulb with no resolution therefore i have not replaced the driverside light at least every couple days one of the headlights ( passenger and/or driver side light) turns off which require me to turn the lights off and back on to bring both headlights to operational status. definite safety concern. *tr

One headlight went out. was able to get it back on by turning both headlights off and then back on. since the first time i have had either the right or left headlight just randomly go out and have to turn off my headlights while driving and back on to reset it. on numerous occasions(maybe about 5 or 6) i have had both headlights go out at the same time and been in complete darkness. just last week it happened to my 16 year old daughter who was driving, on the freeway, and was very scary. about a month ago, i had my lights on during a dark overcast day for safety and a deputy pulled me over because one of the headlights had temporarily turned off. told the officer that this is a common defect with prius(and reported by many) and that toyota has failed to respond. he shook his head and said he'll remember that when pulling over other prius. *tr

Both headlights abruptly turned off while traveling home at nights going approx. 50 mph. turned lights off and then back on and both headlights came back on. this is the third time this has happened. each time it's both the headlights. *tr

The headlights of my prius suddenly went out at night. they came back on after i turned the light switch off and then back on again. this happens 10 or more times an hour for the last several months. almost collided with a bike rider because they suddenly turned off and i couldn't see the person crossing the street. *tr

Headlights blink out singly or at the same time for over a year now. increasingly both lights go out over last year. car at 74000 miles now. can be one or both so i doubt this is a bulb issue. *tr

Passenger side headlight turned off. when light switch was toggled headlight turned on again. over the course of a year the driver side headlight exhibited the same problem, sometimes both headlights have gone out (including on a secluded road at night) without warning. there is no warning light to indicate either bulb is malfunctioning. currently passenger side light does not function at all, and now the driver side light does not stay on more than 30 seconds at a time. *js

The right headlight on my 2008 prius went out while driving. i noticed the next morning that it was back on. i figured out that if i turn the light off then on again, it will come back on, for a while. i eventually had it replaced, to the tune of $120 parts and $40 labor. but after a couple of weeks it's doing it again. not only that, but now the left headlight is doing the same thing. i'm very concerned about driving at night because changing the bulbs doesn't fix the problem, so it seems like it's only a matter of time before they both go out at the same time! *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota prius. the contact stated that while driving 45 mph, the headlights failed and reilluminated independently. the vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that the headlights needed to be replaced. the vehicle was repaired however, the failure continued. the manufacturer was contacted and provided no assistance. the failure mileage was 91,000 and the current mileage was 92,000. the vin was not available. updated 9/26/12 *cn

On 09jul2012 4:00 p.m while driving my prius 2008 hybrid, heading home on i15n, the electric power on the vehicle shutdown without any previous warning, or alert. i immediately maneuvered the vehicle to the right shoulder of the highway. immediately called aaa for a towing into toyota of escondido, located on 231 lincoln parkway, escondido, ca 92026 ph# (760) 746-0674. today 09/01/2012 - currently experiencing problems with intermittent hid headlight operation: i've got a package 6 2006 prius. one of the 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. 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. request a safety recall for toyota to take care of the electrical corrective actions. *tr

I have a 2008 prius. i was driving in the evening on the freeway and noticed the reflection of my headlights in the bumper of the car ahead of me. my right headlight seemed to be off. i turned my lights off and on again quickly and they both went on again. this has happened repeatedly over the past two months. sometimes they both stay on. sometimes the right one fades. my spouse noticed that both lights were alternately flickering as i drove behind him one night. *tr

My headlights will go out for no reason while i am driving or they will go dim while driving. i have been pulled over by the highway patrol on 2 different occassions because they though i was driving unsafely without 1 working headlight and each time i was able to turn the lights off and then turn them back on and both lights would then work. the highway patrol said that they are becomming aware of this problem because they are seeing this problem more often. i reported this to the toyota dealer and they had no answer other than to replace lights that at the time were working just fine. this is a major safety problem. nhtsa must do something... investigate and/or recall of the prius for defective headlight electrical systems before people are injured or killed. *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 2008 toyota prius. the contact stated that while driving 55 mph, the headlights failed. the contact took the vehicle to the dealer for inspection and they stated that the light bulbs needed to be replaced. the vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. the manufacturer was not notified. the failure mileage was 85,000. the vin was unavailable.

While negotiating a curves, both high intensity headlights went out, leaving us in complete darkness. we couldn't tell if we needed to keep turning or straighten out. finally figured out you can reset by turning them off & then back on. this has happened 3 times since. additionally, the right headlight will flicker and/or go off. have been stopped by numerous people, including the police. dealership work/charges haven't resolved this. i know you've received many complaints from prius owners, and that there is a class-action. time for your to reopen the investigation!! *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota prius. the contact started that the headlights failed to operate upon engaging. the contact mentioned that the failure occurred intermittently while driving. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced both head lamps. the failure recurred the same day the repair was performed. the vehicle was taken to a dealer who diagnosed that the headlight and socket needed to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was no longer under warranty. the approximate failure mileage was 65,200.

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota prius. the contact stated that when driving at night hours the headlights would go out intermittently. the vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis. the technician stated that the bulbs and the light fixture needed to be replaced. the vehicle was repaired for the bulbs and one side for the light fixture. after having the repairs the bulbs failed approximately 3 months later. the manufacturer was contacted and they offered no assistance. the failure mileage was approximately 6,000 and the current mileage was approximately 132,000. updated 2/19/13 *cn within the first year of owning the vehicle, the headlamp went out. approximately every 3-5 months, the alternate headlamp would go out. this has gone on to date. occasionally, a lamp would come back on again for a day or two, then go out for good. so, they were not necessarily burning out, but malfunctioning. after the warranty expired, the dealer charged the consumer $200 to replace the bulb, insisting it could not be done by the her. at the next occurrence, they charged her $145 and at the third occurrence, the consumer demanded they be responsible for the cost. the consumer then contacted toyota and was informed, the bulb could changed by her. the consumer had her son changed the bulb and two weeks later, the other bulb went out. updated 02/05/13

2008 toyota prius. consumer writes in regards to vehicle headlight issues. *smd the consumer stated around june 2012, he noticed the left front headlight would go out intermittently and come back on. he went to the local dealer and paid $ 203.60 to have the bulb replaced. soon after, the new bulb exhibited the same problem and on september 29, 2012,the dealer replaced the bulb again at no charge. the problem continued with the second replacement bulb and the dealer informed the consumer, that toyota would most likely not replaced the bulb again and the problem was likely the left headlight ballast needed to be replaced. the consumer contacted the purchasing dealer, to get their opinion on replacing the headlight ballast, and he was informed the problem was in litigation and as a result, toyota could not take responsibility for the issue. on december 27, 2012, the dealer replaced the ballast at a cost of $331.24. recently, the right headlight turned on and off intermittently. the consumer was advised not to replace anything else, until he heard from toyota.

As i was driving, one of my headlights went out. i bought a replacement bulb, but the next time i turned my car on, the bulb was no longer out. after the first incident, i noticed the lights went out more and more frequently. many times, both lights went out simultaneously. if i turn the light switch off then back on again, both light work. however, it is temporary and after about three minutes, one or both of the lights go out again. it is creating hazardous driving conditions because it is unpredictable. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota prius. the contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the headlights stopped illuminating. the contact mentioned that he was able to turn them back on by engaging the switch several times. the vehicle was not taken to the dealer. the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 62,000 and the current mileage was 65,000. updated 09/05/12*lj the consumer stated after driving for about 10 minutes with the headlights on, one light would go out. by turning the headlight switch off then back on, the failed light would come back on. after about five minutes, the other light would go out. updated 09/111/12

Headlights go on and off at random while driving. sometimes they wont come back on until i turn the switch off and back on. sometimes only one light will go off and not come back on until i turn the switch off and back on several times. *tr

The front headlights unexpectedly turn off. sometimes one at a time, sometimes both. always reset by turning lights off and then back on. *tr

I was leaving a store parking lot when the driver in front of me stopped and told me my driver's side headlight was out. it was getting dark so i had to postpone my plans and go straight home. when i arrived home the headlights were both on, but then on parking in the garage i noticed the passenger side headlight was off. the next morning i drove to my mechanic and the headlights were both on when i left, but on arriving there they were both off. i as shocked when my mechanic said to go to the dealer because this was a known problem with my vehicle and toyota was sued for it. he said the dealer needed to report it to toyota, however, the dealer denied knowing anything about the issue or that there was a lawsuit until i showed it to them online and then they admitted it. when i asked them if toyota has changed anything about the headlight problem they said "no!" the estimate was $485. i called toyota and complained because many people with this problem said replacing the bulbs doesn't fix the problem and that it may recur or more expensive repairs might be necessary. the toyota customer service said they would cover the cost to replace the headlamp bulbs just this time only because i've been a toyota customer for 17 years and not because of any negligence on their part. and like the dealer, basically lied and refused to admit they knew anything about the issue or the lawsuit but at the same time mentioned the 50,000 mile/5 year extended warranty from lawsuit for same issue, which excludes me. i do not feel safe driving this car anymore. my headlights could go off again while i'm driving at night and i could be involved in an accident. it's irresponsible and totally unacceptable to ignore dangerous safety issue like this and lie to cover it up, not only by toyota but any government agency paid by taxpayers to look out for the safety of the public. *tr

As i was driving from work at 2:00 a.m., the driver's side headlamp went dark. i'm on a two-lane road, not that heavily traveled when this happened. i was able to rotate the headlamp switch off then back on and the headlight was restored. for the balance of my 60 mile ride, this happened 2 more times. as time progressed the failures happened more often and closer together. eventually, the lamp wouldn't stay on for more than a minute. i went to an auto parts store to get a replacement bulb and they told me it was a "dealer only" item. i called the dealer and they told me a replacement bulb was $300.00 and it was $300 to install it. that's preposterous! i found a "youtube" video and purchased a bulb on amazon for $50 and installed it myself. this has happened 3 more times. toyota knows there's a design or component flaw and they refuse to fix it. thanks toyota.

Someone pointed out that my right front headlight was out. however, when i got home and checked it, the headlight was on. it has continued to go off and on intermittently since then and is getting worse. i've learned from other websites that several owners of prius models from 2006 to 2009 have had the same problem. *tr

We were pulled over by a policeman and was notified that our passenger side head light was out. we shut the lights off and then turned them back on , they stay on for a few seconds or minutes and then they turn off. we understand that is a real problem with the prius. we have had 3 priuses and this is the first time we had a problem. if you have to have a dealer put in your light it can be $300.00 to $500.00 . ( for changing a light bulb that is not even funny). *tr

Passenger side headlight went out while driving on a rural 2 lane road - approximate speed of 65 mph. flicking the light switch off and back on turned the light back on, but it continued to turn off every couple of minutes. i find this situation very dangerous, especially in my rural location where there are no other lights along the road and wildlife abounds. given the expense of going to a dealer to change out a light bulb (estimated cost of $300-500) and that my vehicle is no longer covered under warranty, i will change out the bulb myself. i find the cost of these hid bulbs outrageous and the circumstances of the light bulb dying very dangerous. what happens if both of my lights decide to turn off while driving? what do i tell the officer when i eventually get pulled for having a headlight that intermittently turns on and off before i can get this replaced? what do i do about the lack of availability of this type bulb in my location of residence and the extreme cost to replace these dangerous lights? these bulbs should not be allowed in vehicles until they can figure out a better way to warn the driver that the headlight needs to be replaced, and also reduce the cost of the bulb so that the driver can afford to replace the bulb. *tr *js

Head lights shut off while driving usually on passenger side i turn them off and back on and they work then it may or may not happen again some times it is on the drivers side as well getting worse taken it by dealer ship they say they don't know what's causing it yet this is a common problem with this car i believe it is a flaw in manufacturing and designee. *tr

My prius headlights are very erratic and unsafe. while driving, one or the other and sometimes both go off. no bumps or other incidents have occurred. they just go off. by turning the lights off and then back on, they always correct themselves, until the next occurrence, which may be in minutes, or days. this condition is entirely intolerable and is not due to loose connections or bad bulbs or any other cause. it obviously is a defective firmware or hardware sensor problem. it is very unsafe, as it has happened to me at night while traveling through an intersection. i have looked at reviews on the internet and it appears that many prius owners are experiencing the exact same problem. thanks and i hope enough complaints come your way to cause a corrective action of some sort! *tr