2006 Toyota Prius Exterior Lighting Problems
- 816
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
Among these 816 stored complaint records:
- 5 indicate a crash
- 1 indicate injury
- 0 indicate fire
What owners report
- Headlights · 3 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 30–60k mi | 399 |
| 60–100k mi | 172 |
| 1–30k mi | 112 |
| 100–150k mi | 46 |
| 150–400k mi | 17 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Exterior Lighting
Passanger side headlight dims and then turns off at random times - light will sometimes come back on when you turn the headlights off and then on again. Problem has returned within minutes of turning them off then on again. *tr
ODI 10471593
Exterior Lighting
The front and back lights on the right side (passenger) side failure sporadically. At first i thought it was only my rear light. Now i'm starting to notice that it is my right side front headlight too. Tonight i noticed that both the front and rear lights on the right side were out. When my front headlight fails, i can turn the light switch off and back on. When i turn it back on, the light works again, but i'm not…
ODI 10478815
Exterior Lighting
On numerous occasions both headlights have spontaneously gone dark while driving at night, either singly or in tandem. Other times they fail to come on at the start of a trip, but one or both will be on at the destination. It only seems to affect the main headlamps, not the amber lights or the small round lights below them. When it first happened we replaced the bulb in one headlamp, but that had no effect on the…
ODI 10470838
Exterior Lighting
My headlights keep going out with no warning. I am driving and lights will go out -- dashboard signal indicates lights are on. I have been stopped twice by police for driving without lights (sometimes hard to detect when driving in well lit area). If i turn lights on and off they come back on. I first started seeing this problem over a year ago but it has been more pronounced in past few months. I have brought the…
ODI 10459501
Exterior Lighting
The headlights turn off after anywhere from a few seconds to several minutes of driving. When i turn them off and on, they come on again. This has been happening for years. Now i learn that it is a common problem with priuses from 2006-2009. Would like toyota to recall these.
ODI 10894230
Exterior Lighting
Upon purchase of vehicle from a used car lot, i immediately noticed the headlights would be work at times but at other times they would be very dim to non-existent. Turning the light on and off would seem to temporarily fix this problem. Upon researching this issue through the internet, it was reviled this was a common issue among prius owners in model years 2006-2009 where toyota choose to use hid light bulbs. Not…
ODI 10451298
Exterior Lighting
One headlight goes off after 1-2 min of staying on. Switching it off and then on brings it on. The cycle repeats. *tr
ODI 10446710
Exterior Lighting
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 toyota prius. The contact stated while driving various speeds at night the headlights were activated and unexpectedly failed to illuminate. The headlight on/off switch was engaged intermittently in order for the headlights to function. The vehicle failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.
ODI 10519667
Exterior Lighting
I was driving at night when oncoming traffic started honking me. I was curious why, until i realized that my front lamps were turned off even though the dashboard indicator showed them on. As it was a serious safety issue, i took them to nearest autozone and they told me that the lights are absolutely fine. I was baffled by it, so i called the dealership and they said it is a known issue just turn them off and back…
ODI 10494922
Exterior Lighting
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 toyota prius. The contact stated that the headlights would intermittently fail. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure but replaced the headlights. The remedy failed to repair the problem. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance. The vehicle was not further repaired. The failure mileage was 52,000 and the current…
ODI 10450320
Exterior Lighting
I was driving home last night when all of the sudden my headlight went out! At first i thought i just blew a lamp. But much to my surprise when i went out the next morning both headlights were working. I checked the connection behind the headlamp to make sure everything was tight and there was no loose or damaged wires- everything was in perfect condition. Upon further research to see if anyone else has had this…
ODI 10436466
Exterior Lighting
Hid headlights fail intermittently. Lights will work again if turned off and back on. Lights will go out again with no apparent cause. *tr
ODI 10436039
Exterior Lighting
Multiple hid headlight failures started appearing after 5.5 years and 110000 miles. Dealer wanted $500 per bulb (frontier toyota) to replace the bulbs with no guarantee that would fix the problem. After researching bulb changing procedures i found the front end does not require removal if you have small enough hands and some patience. I purchased 2 new aftermarket hid bulbs for $55 and replaced the "old" bulbs. The…
ODI 10449684
Exterior Lighting
While driving to work at 4 a.m. On a back road, both hid headlamps failed. Trying to use high beams didn't work. Only turning lights off and back on would get them to work again. This happened several times. There needs to be a safety recall on these headlamps, no exceptions or limits on time/mileage. This is dangerous and if you check the web, toyota knows all about it. Talking to toyota they told me it was my…
ODI 10428934
Exterior Lighting
For the last two years my prius' passenger side headlight turns off and on indiscriminately. I've replace bulbs, i've replaced fuses, and even the whole light assembly at a total cost of close to $3000. I still have the problem to this day. I get pulled over about every two weeks or so from police and for my job the car does not pass the internal inspection of my company. I have read on many sites that this is a…
ODI 10632937
Electrical System · Exterior Lighting
Hid headlights go out randomly while driving. Each one goes out separately, but sometimes they will both happen to be out at the same time. While driving, this is corrected by turning headlights off and then back on. Same thing happens with the yellow running lights, one may turn off randomly. This began happening in fall of 2011, however new bulbs (hid and running lights) were purchased and the problem stopped…
ODI 10478888
Exterior Lighting · Visibility/Wiper
Headlight goes off spontaneously while driving. I turn off lights and turn them back on again and headlight goes back on. I have been researching this and cannot believe this is not considered a defect. There should be a class action against the us government for not doing its job. *tr
ODI 10534784
Exterior Lighting
The headlights are defective. This seems to be an issue with second generation prius and there is a lot of internet chatter from affected individuals. The headlights are showing intermittent on/off. The headlights go off automatically. They start working again after switching them off and then back on. However, this needs to be done every few minutes. *tr
ODI 10447664
Exterior Lighting
We have a 2006 toyota prius that the dealer wants $900.00 to replace the headlights. The headlights cost $150.00 each and the rest of the labor charge is do to the design of the car which requires the front bumper to be removed to change a light bulb. This is not only a bad design, but a rip off for the american consumer. *tr
ODI 10402531
Exterior Lighting
Passenger side headlight went out. Later learned that headlamp sometimes dims without going completely out and that turning the headlamps off and on will temporarily turn the lamp back on. Happens nearly every time in about [redacted] when dark. Dealer was unable to reproduce problem and recommended no action. *tr
ODI 10484961
Exterior Lighting
My 2006 toyota prius has had an ongoing problem with their hid headlights. While driving one or both headlights will go off. A quick temporary fix will be to flick the lights off then on again which actually deteriorate the hid bulb leading to shortened life span. However you really have no choice when driving at night. Sometimes you don't even realize they're both off. This can be very dangerous as other drivers…
ODI 10398774
Exterior Lighting
The right headlight for our 2006 toyota prius goes out intermittently. When the lights are turned completely off, then back on, the headlight begins to work again. This is a regular daily occurrence and has caused us to avoid using the vehicle at night for safety reasons. The headlight controller was replaced in 2008, when we first had the issue, but the problem has resurfaced. Toyota has said that there is no…
ODI 10402046
Exterior Lighting
Headlight bulbs intermittently on and off starting around 48,000 miles and then 52,000 miles for other bulb. I can usually get the light to turn back on by turning the headlights fully off and then on. Driver side bulb died first, passenger bulb shortly thereafter. Toyota replaced the 1st bulb under our 5 year warranty but refused to replace the other bulb at 5 yrs 3 months & 52k miles. *tr
ODI 10442404
Exterior Lighting
Headlights quit working about once a year. (each at different times) seals have been checked; no moisture getting in. *tr
ODI 10692943
Exterior Lighting
Went to dealer for 90k service. Was told left headlight was out. Replaced. Headlight goes out intermittently. Need to turn lights on-off to have headlight turn back on. *tr
ODI 10573455
Catalog parts for this system
Catalog year/make/model rows for 2006 Toyota Prius.
Catalog fitment does not by itself prove OEM-equivalent compatibility.