2008 Toyota Prius Exterior Lighting Problems
- 536
- 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 536 stored complaint records:
- 1 indicate a crash
- 0 indicate injury
- 0 indicate fire
What owners report
- Headlights · 4 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 30–60k mi | 191 |
| 60–100k mi | 132 |
| 1–30k mi | 71 |
| 100–150k mi | 61 |
| 150–400k mi | 25 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Electrical System · Exterior Lighting
Headlight will unexpectedly turn off, despite working bulb. This happens without warning when driving. Both headlights will work fine for a while and then one will turn off, even though the headlight bulbs are ok. We bought the car used around 2014 and has happened about 4 times a year since then. No other problems with car.
ODI 11076690
Electrical System · Exterior Lighting
The headlights go dim and /or shut off as i am driving. This problem usually starts with the right headlight shutting off and sometimes both will go dim or shut off completely. Both lights work initially on startup and shine bright at first but immediately dim to a lower level and then as i drive they will dim or the right light will turn off or sometimes both turn off all together. They will come back on if i turn…
ODI 11055281
Exterior Lighting
Headlight high beams and low beams sporadically stop functioning while driving. Toyota has known about this problem for years and failed to remediate problem or notify owners. Problem stems from a faulty ballast in headlight assembly.
ODI 11072033
Exterior Lighting
For over a year now we have had major issues with our prius headlights going out while driving at night on freeway, local streets and sitting parked. You can turn the lights off and back on and the lights will work again. The lights at this point will go out about every other minute or two. This is a serious and dangerous problem that needs to be recalled by toyota.
ODI 11046202
Exterior Lighting
The passenger headlight turned off and refused to go on so i removed it and put it back. It worked for a month longer, then blew up. I just put in a brand new bulb which turns on, then immediately goes out. After checking online, this appears to be an ongoing issue which toyota hasn't addressed. I don't know what to do.
ODI 11045850
Exterior Lighting
Had a blown right side headlight. I had it replaced and now headlight comes on and turns off and sometimes stays off. Only one dose it.
ODI 11044358
Exterior Lighting
Replaced the headlight, after a few months the new headlight shuts itself off. Have to turn the headlights off and back on to get the headlight to come back on. This happens while driving and you never know when the light shuts it's self off.
ODI 11032910
Exterior Lighting
I had the dealer check driver side light, said it was good. After very recently purchasing my pre-owned prius i did a night test drive. The driver side headlight would dim then go out. During a nighttime emergency, all the lights went out while traveling a back country road, i flipped the switch and they came back on, only to go off again while traveling the highway, flipped switch again to turn on again. Upon…
ODI 11034011
Exterior Lighting
The headlights flicker all the time - then both will automatically, randomly turn off during night driving...extremely dangerous
ODI 11030277
Exterior Lighting
Right front light began failing sometimes recently, apparent at night, occasional. Left front light quit for awhile yesterday, then relit and worked for awhile. Both are unreliable and replacement is complicated, expensive, and does not work often it appears. We will try replacement of bulbs, it is unreliable and headlights are required at night to work, always! Pure scam it seems, by toyota and us governance, both…
ODI 11032105
Electrical System · Exterior Lighting
The hid headlights go out while driving every couple of months and need to be replaced. This is a known issue to toyota who has made no attempt to fix it. Consumers are being told by dealers that they need a new hid computer at their expense ($1800). It is dangerous to be driving at night and have your headlights go out! The only "fix" besides spending a ton of money on the new computer is to replace the bulbs every…
ODI 11023924
Exterior Lighting
I have replaced my headlights twice and they still will go out. They switch from passenger to drivers side headlights going out. They go out while driving on the highway which is extremely dangerous. I have spent over $400 trying to fix this safety problem with no solution so far.
ODI 11023424
Exterior Lighting
I had a headlight failure a few weeks ago. It came back on after a few days. Now the other one is out! This is dangerous.
ODI 11013611
Exterior Lighting
Starting about a year ago, our prius headlights have begun to fail while driving car. It first started with the left headlight going out occasionally while driving, and now it is happening to both headlights while driving. At first i thought i hadn't turn headlights on or i had a burned out bulb. Now it seems to happen all the time. If i turn headlights off and back on tends to temporarily resolve issue. However,…
ODI 11114276
Electrical System · Engine · Exterior Lighting
I have three major problems with my 2008 prius. #1 the engine intermittently, will not turn off when parking the car. #2 the dash lights also intermittently will not come on, affecting my ability to see how fast i am going on the highway or streets, it also prevents me from seeing how much gas is left in the tank. #3 the outside air and air conditioner, also will not work, intermittently.
ODI 11063356
Exterior Lighting
The passenger light keeps failing when it is on at night when i am driving. It has started to happen more and more. It is definitely dangerous. I have already been pulled over once for the headlight being out.
ODI 11003186
Electrical System · Exterior Lighting
Pasdanger headlight goes on and off without cause and at will
ODI 10985540
Exterior Lighting
The headlights flicker or/and turn off without notice and quite often, regardless if the vehicle is stationary or in the middle of the freeway at night. Replacing the hid bulbs doesn't remedy the problem. This may be very dangerous.
ODI 10969379
Exterior Lighting
I bought my 2008 toyota prius from by boss in june 2016. When i bought the car the passenger headlight was out, so i bought a new one and had it replaced. For the past few months i have noticed that the driver side headlight goes out just out of the blue, it comes on when i turn the lights on and it may stay on for an entire trip or it may just stay on for a few minutes. I can turn the lights off and back on and it…
ODI 10992990
Exterior Lighting
Just purchased this vehicle. Left headlight will flicker a few times and then go out. The whole light is off, both low and high beams will not work. If i turn the lights off and then back on it will work again.
ODI 10954783
Exterior Lighting
The headlights turn off randomly as i'm driving. It happens at any speed (even when i'm stopped) and on any road, in any condition, in any weather. Sometimes just one, sometimes both at the same time. It makes driving at night both a hassle and hazardous.
ODI 11141007
Exterior Lighting
The drivers side headlight will go out while driving the car. This happens without warning and with no apparent resaon. Toyota fixed the problem under warranty in 2009, however the problem is still happening. This is a true safety defect with this car!! Toyota knows about it but has not offered to fixed the problem beyond their warranty extension of five years and 60k miles. I must say it's quite uncomfortable to be…
ODI 11031751
Exterior Lighting
My 2008 toyota prius has hid headlamps. When the vehicle was still under warranty, aon of the headlamps went out, so i took it to toyota, and they replaced the burned out headlamp and also replaced the other headlamp, saying that there was a problem with the headlamps, and the new headlamps should solve the problem. I had to replace another headlamp at about 80,000 miles, and the opposite side headlamp at about…
ODI 10948661
Electrical System · Exterior Lighting
Two problems 1. In cold or cooler weather, my dash does not display. After sometimes 1 hour, it will suddenly turn on. Also, when the dash does not display the car does not turn off, unless i hold the start button for a long time. Also the rear view camera does not work. Also my smart key does not start the car, unless inserted. 2. Sometimes my headlights and running lights do not work. It always happens in an…
ODI 11048412
Exterior Lighting
I bought my 2008 prius used in 2016, the headlights worked for a little while, then they started to randomly shut off. Sometimes just one, sometimes both at the same time. I have replaced the headlights twice and it is still happening. I have googled this problem and there are several people saying their prius' are having the same problem. Toyota refuses to fix the issue.
ODI 11170751
Catalog parts for this system
Catalog year/make/model rows for 2008 Toyota Prius.
Catalog fitment does not by itself prove OEM-equivalent compatibility.