2009 Toyota Prius Exterior Lighting Problems
- 103
- 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.
What owners report
- both headlights · 16 records
- side headlight · 13 records
- right headlight · 13 records
- passenger side · 13 records
- without warning · 13 records
- head light · 10 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 60–100k mi | 40 |
| 30–60k mi | 23 |
| 100–150k mi | 16 |
| 150–400k mi | 5 |
| 1–30k mi | 5 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Exterior Lighting
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 toyota prius. While driving 65 mph, the high intensity discharge headlights flickered on and off. As a result, it was difficult for the contact to see the roadway. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 91,757. Updated 05/31/17*lj the consumer stated the vehicle was repaired by replacing the light bulb. Updated…
ODI 10908675
Exterior Lighting
While driving, my headlamps will flicker and then go out. Sometimes this could take 5 minutes, sometimes this could take 20. When flick the lights off and back on, they reset for a little while. The toyota dealership told me that they could not do anything, because they've seen this happen before. My vehicle began doing this at 98,000 miles and continue to do this at 130,000 miles. I've read on forums that other…
ODI 11003811
Exterior Lighting
Headlights fail while driving. At first only the driver side would go out, then the passenger side would got out and most recently both lights have failed while driving at night.
ODI 10957690
Exterior Lighting
Headlights completely failed at night on 8/31/16 when car parked on street and have not worked since. Dealer reported not the bulbs and ran diagnostics, telling me it was the the 'body ecu' . I paid $703.86 for a new ecu on 9/1/16 which was put in today, 9/7/16, and did not solve the problem. Car remains without headlights.
ODI 10904568
Exterior Lighting
One headlight went out, then the next. I was driving on the interstate after dark and realized that both of my headlights had gone out while i was driving. Turned switch off and then back on (i also put fog lamps on) and they worked for a short time, then they each dimmed and went out. I cannot safely drive at night and am unable to change the lights myself. I took the car to the dealer and the cost quoted was…
ODI 10898547
Exterior Lighting
Headlights go out all the time. I've replaced the ballasts and the headlights 5 times in the last year. 1 month after new headlights and new ballasts the headlights are back out again. This has been a problem since i got this car. Sometimes i can turn the lights on and off and it will work for a bit.
ODI 11057120
Exterior Lighting
First the driver's side headlight went out, and then back on after a day or two. Then the passenger side headlight did the same thing. I never know until i start up the car whether or not i am going to have both headlights working. This happens when i first start up the vehicle. I don't know if it also happens while driving.
ODI 10871161
Exterior Lighting
Right headlight flickers out about 2-3 minutes after turning it on. By turning the switch off and on, the light comes back on. But if fails again in a few minutes. This happens while driving, but also happens sitting in the driveway with the engine off.
ODI 10860644
Exterior Lighting
Sometimes one headlight turns off. When i turn the headlights on and off, the headlight comes back on. This has happened on the freeway. It does not happen every day.
ODI 10821511
Electrical System · Exterior Lighting
Headlights go off without warning, sometimes left, sometimes right, sometimes both. Inconsistent and notice only at night. Can't fix and can't find solution. Headlights don't need to be replaced - there is something wrong with car wiring or other. I've had this car since 2009 and only had problem last six months or so - probably starting 1/2016. Car has approx. 65k miles on it. Very unsafe - especially at night in…
ODI 10839059
Exterior Lighting
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota prius. While driving at night, the low beam headlights dim intermittently. The contact drove the vehicle to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the headlight assembly was damaged and needed replacement. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact also stated that the failure occurred daily. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.
ODI 10809411
Exterior Lighting
I became aware the past few months that my right hid headlight was going off and on when i was driving. I was first alerted to it by other cars flashing me. Then time would go by and it seemed to work. Yet, the problem returned. One time the left light went out as well, and i was without either light. But generally it is just the right light. If i turn the light switch off and on, then both lights work, again…
ODI 10819866
Exterior Lighting
During the winter months when it gets below 30 the lights on the vehicle dashboard go out when the vehicle is turned on and remain off while driving and you can't see how fast you are driving or any of the instrument panel or warning lights to know if you need gas, tires are low, etc. I took into a dealership and they said there had been a recall on it but i do not see it listed.
ODI 11023312
Exterior Lighting
One of my two hid headlights goes out while driving. I can turn light off and they may or may not come back on. Sometimes light flickers and does not achieve full brightness. Can be dangerous at night. Both bulbs were replaced in june of 2013, passenger side in april of 2014 and now the drivers side needs replacement.
ODI 10787862
Exterior Lighting
Within the last few weeks, the headlights randomly turn off. Sometimes the driver's side, sometimes the passenger side...sometimes both at the same time. Tonight, i had both headlights and dash lights shut off while driving home down a dark, wet, very curvy, leaf covered road. Quickly turning the lights on and off briefly solved the problem. This should never happen and poses a tremendous threat of bodily harm not…
ODI 10786871
Exterior Lighting
Takata recall the passenger side headlight is not working.
ODI 10870699
Exterior Lighting
Headlights, high intensity discharge turn off. Both headlights turn off while driving.
ODI 10778915
Electrical System · Exterior Lighting · Visibility/Wiper
The ballasts for the hid lights in the 2009 prius are famously unreliable. Mine demonstrated this last evening in a very unnerving way. The headlamps would simply turn off without warning, sometimes one, and many times, both, leaving me to the mercy of street lights! This is incredibly dangerous. I checked on it and found that this happens to hundreds of prius drivers. Isn't toyota concerned that its $1,200 charge…
ODI 10761636
Exterior Lighting
The passenger side head light works intermittently. When illuminated a faint flicker can be seen. Don't know what precisely causes it to come back on but it does. Changing the head lamp did not resolve the problem. This seems to be a recurring problem with the prius.
ODI 10761136
Exterior Lighting
Driving at night, the drivers side hid would flicker and then shut off completely. Last night for the first time while driving a dark road, both hid shut off leaving me in total darkness.
ODI 10758531
Exterior Lighting
This has been a recurring problem. The headlights will turn off without any warning. They turn back on if i flip the switch off and then back on again. The fact that the lights are on every time i leave the house (i can see their reflection against the garage wall) means they are not burnt out, but the fact that i have almost been hit multiple times by people who then honk and flash their brights to tell me my…
ODI 10735660
Exterior Lighting
My 2009 prius right headlight goes out periodically and without warning. If i turn the headlights off & on again, it works again, but only for a period of time.
ODI 10734643
Exterior Lighting
The hid lights have become intermittent. First the left one would randomly go off and then later come back on, on more than one occasion. More recently the right one is showing the same behavior.
ODI 10716786
Exterior Lighting
Both headlights go out without warning when driving down the highway. *tr
ODI 10715029
Exterior Lighting
2/14/2015 as i was checking my vehicle i saw a lot of condensation in the drivers side hid headlight assembly. After researching i saw this is a common problem with subsequent problems of headlights going on and off with no warning. The headlight seal problem is a common issue and there was a class action lawsuit. Unfortunately it ended 2011 and i didn't know at that time i would experience the issue at a later…
ODI 10683503
Catalog parts for this system
Catalog year/make/model rows for 2009 Toyota Prius.
Catalog fitment does not by itself prove OEM-equivalent compatibility.