2006 Toyota Prius Complaint Log

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 CAR TO DEALER AND THEY HAVE NOT SEEN A PROBLEM ALTHOUGH NOW I AM READING THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE NIH LIGHTS. NO LIGHTS, NO WARNING THAT THERE ARE NO LIGHTS ... THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

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.

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 ONLY WAS THIS COMMON, BUT FOR SOME OWNERS, THE ISSUE APPEAR TO RE-OCCUR AND THE LIFE EXPECTANCY OF HID BULBS APPEARS TO BE VERY LOW AND INFERIOR TO VIRTUALLY ANY OTHER TYPE OF BULB. FORTUNATELY, THE DEALER EXTENDED A HELPING HAND AND PROVIDED THE LABOR TO INSTALL THESE HARD TO GET TO BULBS. DUE TO POOR DESIGN, THE LIGHTS ARE VERY HARD TO GET TO WITHOUT TAKING THE BUMPER OFF. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THE LIFE EXPECTANCY AND DESIGN THAT TOYOTA CHOSE IN THIS MODEL OF PRIUS. *TR

THE REAR HATCHBACK LATCH OF MY 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS HAS DETERIORATED OVER TIME. IT STARTED BACK IN FEBRUARY 2012 WITH A DIFFICULTY OPENING THE HATCHBACK EVEN WITH CONSIDERABLE EFFORT. NOW, WHEN I TOUCH THE LATCH RELEASE IT IS GUMMY AND WILL NOT OPEN AT ALL ABOUT 90% OF THE TIME. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AS I CAN'T ACCESS ANY OF THE EQUIPMENT (SPARE TIRE, EMERGENCY TOOLS ETC) THAT ARE LOCATED UNDER THE FLOOR OF THE HATCH. I FOUND OUT THAT TO FIX IT WILL COST ME OVER $300. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE THAT A DOOR HANDLE SHOULD FAIL SO QUICKLY. THE REST OF THE CAR WORKS BEAUTIFULLY. I BELIEVE THERE IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT IN THIS LATCH RELEASE AND IT SHOULD BE RECALLED. THERE IS NO WAY TO OPEN THE HATCH FROM THE INTERIOR AS AN ALTERNATIVE (UNLIKE A SIDE DOOR). *TR

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON WHENEVER OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE IS ABOVE 45F OR SO. TOOK IT TO TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT WAS A FAULTY COOLANT FLOW CONTROL VALVE THAT WAS RESULTING IN CODE P1121. THE DEALER SAID THIS WAS A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE COOLANT CAN LEAK OUT, AND RECOMMENDED IT BE FIXED ASAP AT A COST OF NEARLY $1000. THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON PROBLEM FOR PRIUS'S AND AN ONLINE SEARCH SHOWED THAT TOYOTA DID COVER THIS UNDER WARRANTY (EXTENSION) FOR SOME MODEL YEARS UP TO 35K MILES. I WROTE TO TOYOTA MOTOR SALES TO ASK IF THEY WOULD COVER OR ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR COST, AND IF THERE WAS A HIDDEN RECALL OR WARRANTY EXTENSION ON THIS ISSUE, AND THEY RESPONDED THAT I SHOULD JUST TRY TO NEGOTIATE A BETTER PRICE WITH THE DEALER. I THINK TOYOTA SHOULD COVER THIS, IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL. *TR

ONE HEADLIGHT GOES OFF AFTER 1-2 MIN OF STAYING ON. SWITCHING IT OFF AND THEN ON BRINGS IT ON. THE CYCLE REPEATS. *TR

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.

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 ON WHEN YOU NOTICE THEM GO OUT AND HAVE IT CHECKED DURING YOUR NEXT SERVICE. DURING THE SERVICE, THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY ARE GOING TO CHARGE ME FOR DIAGNOSTICS (EVEN THOUGH IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE) AND ASKED ME THAT IT IS GOING TO COST ME OVER $500 TO FIX IT. WHEN I DID SOME MORE RESEARCH I FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY (5 YEARS OR 50, 000 MILES) BUT NO ONE AT THE DEALERSHIP MENTIONED THAT TO ME BACK IN JANUARY WHEN I CALLED THEM AND NOW I WAS OVER 50,000 APPROX AT 53, 000 MILES AND INELIGIBLE FOR FREE REPLACEMENT. MY WHOLE POINT IS THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS ENOUGH ISSUE TO QUALIFY FOR A RECALL AND NOT JUST EXTENDED WARRANTY AS SOMEONE COULD GET KILLED BECAUSE OF TOYOTA'S NEGLIGENCE. BEFORE REGISTERING THIS COMPLAINT I CALLED THE TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE EXPLAINING THEM EVERYTHING BUT GOT NO HELP FROM THEM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS EQUIPPED WITH YOKOHAMA AVID TIRES, SIZE: 185/65R/15. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE BLEW DUE TO A ROAD HAZARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS ADVISED TO THE CONTACT THAT THE TIRE TREAD WAS CRACKED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000. *TR

DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY WITH HEAD ON IMPACT WITH CONCRETE MEDIAN. PRIUS WAS TRAVELING AT 70 MPH AND WAS HIT FROM BEHIND AT HIGH RATE OF SPEED, SENDING IT INTO THREE, 360 DEGREE SPINS ENDING WITH HEAD FIRST IMPACT INTO MEDIAN. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. AIRBAGS CHECKED BY INSURANCE COMPANY INSPECTOR. INSPECTOR SAID THE AIRBAG SENSORS WERE IMPACTED AND SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED THE AIRBAGS IF THEY WERE WORKING PROPERLY. *TR

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 MILEAGE WAS 57,000.

I WAS IN A 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS CAR ACCIDENT ON THE FREEWAY WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED JERKING (TO THE POINT OF NO CONTROL), THE BRAKES STOPPED WORKING AND THE CAR KEPT ACCELERATING. CAR LOST CONTROL.*DT*JB CAR WAS TOTALED, TWO WITNESSES AND A POLICE REPORT. I WAS SENT THE EMERGENCY ROOM. NO RESPONSIBILITY WAS ASSUMED BY TOYOTA, WHICH COMPLETED THEIR "INSPECTION" ON MARCH 9TH, 2012. THEN EIGHT MONTHS LATER ON NOVEMBER 14, 2012 THEY COME OUT WITH TWO RECALLS: A STEERING RECALL & AN ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM RECALL, PROBABLY AS PART OF WHAT THEY SAW HAPPENED TO ME. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED AFTER ABOUT THESE RECALLS THAT MY CAR POTENTIALLY COULD'VE BEEN DEFECTIVE FROM AND PART OF.

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 PROBLEM, I FIND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY STATING THAT PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM- HEADLIGHTS RANDOMLY GO OUT WITHOUT ANY KIND OF RHYME OR REASON. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD! WHAT IF I WAS DRIVING IN THE RAIN AT NIGHT- I NEED ALL THE LIGHT I CAN GET! WHAT IF I WAS PULLED OVER AND GIVEN A CITATION BECAUSE MY HEADLIGHT WAS OUT, AND IT'S NOT EVEN MY FAULT! I SEE THAT TOYOTA RECALLED PRIUS MODELS FROM 06-09 FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE, BUT WHY NOT THE 05'S!? WE'RE HAVING THIS PROBLEM TOO! WHETHER THIS IS A BALAST ISSUE OR A HID CONTROLLER ISSUE HEADLAMPS SHOULD NOT RANDOMLY SHUT OFF AND THEN BACK ON FOR NO REASON. SAFETY! *TR

HID HEADLIGHTS FAIL INTERMITTENTLY. LIGHTS WILL WORK AGAIN IF TURNED OFF AND BACK ON. LIGHTS WILL GO OUT AGAIN WITH NO APPARENT CAUSE. *TR

COMBINATION METER FAILED, THERE WAS NO DASH DISPLAY, NO SPEED DISPLAY, AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHUT DOWN. FORTUNATELY WE WERE NOT OUT OF TOWN SO WE DROVE THE VEHICLE TO OUR REGULAR TOYOTA DEALER,OURISMAN FAIRFAX TOYOTA, FAIRFAX, VA, AND LEFT IT THERE. *TR

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 NEW BULBS LASTED ABOUT 3 COMMUTES BEFORE ONE, THEN THE OTHER STARTED TURNING OFF ON ME. NOW THE HEADLIGHTS ACT THE SAME AS BEFORE, HEADLIGHTS RANDOMLY TURNING OFF AFTER 2-5 MINUTES ON THE DARK ROAD. RE-CYCLING THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH BRINGS THEM BACK TO LIFE FOR ANOTHER 3-5 MINUTES. NOW I AM FACED WITH REPLACING ONE OR BOTH BALLAST UNITS THAT DRIVE THE BULBS. THIS WILL REQUIRED REMOVING BOTH HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES TO ACCESS THE BALLAST BOXES WHICH ARE MOUNTED TO THE SIDES OF THE ASSEMBLIES FACING OUTWARD TOWARDS THE FENDERS ! THIS WILL REQUIRE BUMPER FACIA REMOVAL TO REMOVE THE LIGHT ASSYS. LOVELY & EXPENSIVE. IF AFTER REPLACING BOTH BALLAST ASSEMBLIES DOESN'T WORK, I WILL BE FORCED TO REPLACE THE VEHICLE'S ECU, OR BRAIN ! ANOTHER EXPENSIVE CHECKLIST ITEM. GOOD THING I AM CAPABLE OF DOING THIS MYSELF AS I CAN SAVE THE GREEDY LABOR CHARGES, BUT ITS NOT RIGHT THAT TOYOTA GETS OFF SCOTT FREE. THEY SHOULD RECALL ALL PRIUS' NO MATTER THE MILEAGE OR AGE. THIS IS A HIGHWAY SAFETY MATTER AND THE LATEST OLIVE BRANCH FROM THE JUDGE WAS NOTHING MORE THAN A WRIST SLAP. *TR

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 PROBLEM. REALLY? BASIC SAFETY ON A VEHICLE SHOULD BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE MANUFACTURER. THIS WASN'T A ONE LIGHT FAILED AND THEN MONTHS LATER ANOTHER FAILED. THEY BOTH QUIT AT THE EXACT SAME TIME. I GUESS SOMEONE NEEDS TO BE KILLED BEFORE TOYOTA TAKES RESPONSIBILITY. THEIR WEBSITE SPEWS HOW COMMITTED THEY ARE TO SAFETY. SURE, AS LONG AS THE CONSUMER HAS TO PAY THOUSANDS FOR IT (THE COST OF THIS REPAIR CAN BE OVER A THOUSAND DOLLARS), THEY ARE COMMITTED. IF THEY HAVE TO PAY FOR THEIR DESIGN FLAW...WELL...THEN THEY AREN'T SO HELPFUL. APPARENTLY THIS IS A RECURRING THEME WITH TOYOTA AND THEY NEED TO BE FINED HEAVILY AND FORCED TO FIX THIS. TAKE ACTION NOW BEFORE SOMEONE DIES, PLEASE! *TR

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 COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL OF PRIUS JUSTIFYING A RECALL. THANK YOU *TR

THE STANDARD ENGINE WATER PUMP WAS FOUND TO BE LEAKING AND HAD TO BE REPLACED ON 10/1/11 AT 32553 MI. THE ELECTRIC HYBRID WATER PUMP WAS REPLACED UNDER RECALL ON 04/02/11 AT 30222 MI. *TR

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 TEMPORARILY, BUT WITHIN 1 YEAR THE SAME PROBLEMS ARE OCCURRING AGAIN. SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH THE REAR LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS; ONE WILL BE OFF RANDOMLY, BUT SHUTTING THE TRUNK HARD SEEMS TO APPEASE THE PROBLEM. THIS MAY BE A WIRING PROBLEM, BUT THE FRONT LIGHTS SHOULD NOT BE TURNING OFF RANDOMLY. *TR

2006 TOYOTA PRIUS. LETTER FROM RE ONSTAR FMV DEFECT *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE SYSTEM LIGHT FAILED TO LIGHT, EXCEPT WHEN ONE WAS TALKING TO THE ONSTAR ADVISOR. THEN IT FLASHED GREEN ON AND OFF AS ADVERTISED. HOWEVER, WHEN THE SYSTEM WAS ON AND PRESUMABLY READY FOR USE, THE GREEN LIGHT DID NOT ILLUMINATE. SO FAR, THE CONSUMER WAS TO CONNECT TO THE ONSTAR ADVISOR WHEN THE LIGHT WAS OFF. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED SEVERAL ANSWER AS TO WHY THE SYSTEM WAS NOT WORKING AS ADVERTISED. THE CONSUMER STATED THE UNIT IS MALFUNCTIONING AND MAY NOT WORK IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION. *JB THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A CALL FROM ONSTAR STATING THE PROBLEM HE WAS HAVING, WAS DUE TO IMPROPER INSTALLATION, BECAUSE OF AN INTERNAL BATTERY THAT REQUIRED A CONNECTION BEFORE USE. THE PROBLEM HAS SINCE BEEN RESOLVED. UPDATED 10/19/11. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED THE ONSTAR DEVICE MALFUNCTIONED AGAIN. UPDATED 08/15/12.*JB UPDATED 09/06/12. *JB UPDATED 09/18/12 *JB UPDATED 02/11/13. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED A DEFECT MANIFESTED ITSELF BY A PARTIAL LOSS OF INFORMATION ON THE CENTER CONSOLE DISPLAY AND THERE WAS A COMPLETE LOSS OF THE DIGITAL INFORMATION DISPLAYED ABOVE THE DASHBOARD. THE INFORMATION INCLUDED THE SPEED, ETC. THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN DEFECT OCCURRED, THE POWER BUTTON BECAME INOPERATIVE, WHICH RESULTED IN THE INABILITY TO TURN THE VEHICLE POWER OFF OR REMOVE THE ELECTRONIC KEY. UPDATED 06/22/15.*JB UPDATED 07/08/15. *JB

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED SHE STOPPED SUDDENLY AND A VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF HER VEHICLE CAUSING HER TO CRASH INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HER. THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN HER NOR DID THE AIR BAGS DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK AND BACK INJURIES. THERE WERE NO PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE. THE FRONT AND REAR END HAD EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,900. UPDATED 10/14/11 *BF UPDATED 11/07/11

AFTER ONLY ABOUT 4 YEARS USE, THE RUBBER COVER ON THE HATCH RELEASE HANDLE (THE EXTERIOR HANDLE OF THE REAR HATCH) OF OUR 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS, MELTED INTO A STICKY TARRY BLACK RUBBERY GOOEY MESS. I CAN BEST DESCRIBE IT AS BEING A VISCOUS BLACK GLOB LIKE ROOFING TAR. TO OPEN THE HATCH, YOU HAVE TO TOUCH THIS BLACK GOO EACH TIME, WHICH MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO OPERATE THE HATCH RELEASE. WE BELIEVE THIS MELTING PROCESS STARTED AT ABOUT THE 2 YR. MARK. I THOUGHT THAT THIS MIGHT BE A SINGULAR ISSUE, BUT HAVE FOUND THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO SEVERAL CAR OWNERS, PARTICULARLY IN FLORIDA. WE ALSO LIVE IN FLORIDA. TOYOTA KNOWS ABOUT THIS, AND IS SELLING THE ENTIRE WIRING HARNESS FOR $96 PLUS REPAIR COSTS(200.00), AND HAS DONE NOTHING ABOUT RECALLING THIS. FROM A SAFETY PERSPECTIVE, THIS MEANS YOU CAN EXPERIENCE EXTREME DIFFICULTY OPENING THE REAR HATCH (A LIFE SAFETY ACCESS POINT), AND WILL GET STICKY BLACK TAR ON YOU FROM THE MELTED DOWN RUBBER COVER OF THE EXTERIOR HATCH RELEASE HANDLE. TO ME, THIS IS BOTH A SERIOUS LIFE SAFETY ISSUE AND A SERIOUS QUALITY DEFECT THAT TOYOTA IS OPTING TO IGNORE AND ONLY FIXING ON VEHICLES WITH EXTENDED WARRANTIES, SINCE THE FAILURE APPEARS TO OCCUR AT AROUND THE 3 YEAR MARK (IE AFTER 3 YEARS OF EXPOSURE TO THE BRIGHT SUN IN FLORIDA FOR EXAMPLE). I AM AWARE OF THE OUTSTANDING WORK DONE BY NHTSA ON OTHER SAFETY ISSUES, INCLUDING THE PROBLEM WITH RUSTY FRAMES ON 02 ISUZU AXIOMS, AND I FIND THIS PROBLEM TO BE SIMILAR IN NATURE, SO I AM ASKING FOR YOUR AGENCY TO TAKE A LOOK AT THESE INSTANCES AND ALSO TO INQUIRE FROM TOYOTA WHY THEY ARE NOT RECALLING THESE HANDLES THAT ARE MELTING IN THE SUN!!! IT'S OUTRAGEOUS. I THINK A DOOR HANDLE OR HATCH HANDLE SHOULD BE MADE TO LAST MORE THAN 3 YEARS. PLEASE REVIEW THESE FORUM COMMENTS OF OTHER INCIDENTS: *TR

MOMENTARY LOSS OF BRAKING WHILE DRIVING OVER A BUMPY SURFACE, OVER SMALL POTHOLES, ROUGH PATCHES ETC., THE CAR LUNGES FORWARD AT THE SAME TIME MY TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT WILL FLASH ON AND OFF UNTIL THE ROAD SMOOTHS OUT.

THE EXTERIOR HANDLE OF THE REAR HATCH ON OUR 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS, MELTED INTO A STICKY TARRY, RUBBERY, GOOEY SUBSTANCE. IT'S LIKE A VISCOUS BLACK GLOB LIKE ROOFING TAR. WHEN OPENING THE HATCH, IT IS SOFT AND GETS UNDER MY FINGERNAILS. I BELIEVE THIS MELTING PROCESS STARTED A COUPLE YEARS AGO, BUT IT'S BEEN WORSE THIS YEAR WITH THE TRIPLE-DIGIT TEMPS. MY DEALER, LOU FUSZ TOYOTA (IN MISSOURI) SAID THEY HAVE NOT HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING BEFORE, BUT WHEN I RESEARCH IT ON-LINE, I FOUND THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO SEVERAL CAR OWNERS. TOYOTA KNOWS ABOUT THIS, AND IS SELLING THE ENTIRE WIRING HARNESS FOR $250 PLUS REPAIR COSTS, AND HAS DONE NOTHING ABOUT RECALLING THIS. FROM A SAFETY PERSPECTIVE, THIS MEANS YOU CAN EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTY OPENING THE REAR HATCH (A LIFE SAFETY ACCESS POINT), AND WILL GET STICKY BLACK TAR ON YOU FROM THE MELTED DOWN RUBBER COVER OF THE EXTERIOR HATCH RELEASE HANDLE. TO ME, THIS IS BOTH A LIFE SAFETY ISSUE AND A QUALITY DEFECT THAT TOYOTA IS OPTING TO IGNORE, AND ONLY FIXING ON VEHICLES WITH EXTENDED WARRANTIES, SINCE THE FAILURE APPEARS TO OCCUR AT AROUND THE 4 YEAR MARK. I AM AWARE OF THE OUTSTANDING WORK DONE BY NHTSA ON OTHER SAFETY ISSUES, INCLUDING THE PROBLEM WITH RUSTY FRAMES ON 02 ISUZU AXIOMS, AND I FIND THIS PROBLEM TO BE SIMILAR IN NATURE, SO I AM ASKING FOR YOUR AGENCY TO TAKE A LOOK AT THESE INSTANCES AND ALSO TO INQUIRE FROM TOYOTA WHY THEY ARE NOT RECALLING THESE HANDLES THAT ARE MELTING IN THE SUN. I THINK A DOOR HANDLE OR HATCH HANDLE SHOULD BE MADE TO LAST MORE THAN 4 YEARS! *TR

WHEN BRAKING QUICKLY USUALLY ON ROUGH SURFACES, WET ROADS, SLOPES BRAKES TEMPORARILY FAIL AS IF NO CONTROL OVER THE CAR GIVING ME AN ADRENALINE RUSH. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING LIKE THIS FOR 4 YEARS THINKING IS THE CHARACTERISTIC OF PRIUS. JUNE 30TH 2011, I STEERED INTO THE PARKING LOT AND WAS PARKING ON THE FIRST SPOT AT THE RIGHT IMMEDIATELY AFTER ENTRY TO PARKING LOT AT THE SPEED OF 5 MPH. APPROXIMATELY HALF WAY TO CURB I WITHDREW MY FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL AND PUT ON THE BRAKES SLOWLY. I WAS EXPECTING THE CAR TO HALT PRIOR TO THE CURB LINE AS USUAL. BUT IT DID NOT STOP ON THE CONTRARY IT ACCELERATED AND WENT OVER THE CURB AND RIGHT ON THE FENCE. THE FENCE WAS APPROXIMATELY 2 FEET FROM CURB; BEFORE IT WENT ON FENCE I LOOKED AT MY FEET AND MADE SURE IT WAS ON THE BRAKES AS COULD NOT BELIEVE WHAT WAS HAPPENING TO THE CAR AND YES I AM 100% SURE IT WAS ON BRAKES. I ALSO APPLIED PARKING BRAKES AND PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL AND SHUT OFF THE POWER, WHEN IT STOPPED OVER THE FENCE. I HAVE REPORTED THIS TO DEALER AS THE CAR HAD BEEN SERVICED 4 WEEKS PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT AT 32,431 MILES. THE DEALER DID HEALTH CHECK SCAN TWICE TAKING 6 HOURS FOR EACH SCAN. AFTER FIRST SCAN I WAS TOLD THE CAR HAD FRONT SPEED SENSORS CODES AND A LOW OR ABNORMAL HIGH BATTERY VOLTAGE. AND ADVISED TO DETECT SENSORS IN DETAILS AND REPLACE THEM AT NEXT APPOINTMENT. SECOND DAY AFTER THE MANAGER DID ANOTHER HEALTH CHECK FOR 6 HOURS, I DON'T KNOW WHY ANOTHER SCAN; AND REPORTED CODES FOR LOW BATTERY AND SPEED SENSORS AND ECU. NONE HAVE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE CUSTOMER CONCERN. THEY FINALLY BLAMED THE FLOOR MAT WHICH WAS DEFINITELY NOT THE PROBLEM. SURPRISINGLY WHEN I ASKED HOW DID THEY TAKE CARE OF THE CODES? IF SENSORS NEED TO BE REPLACED, THEY TOLD ME THE CODES ARE GONE NOW. THERE WERE NO DETAILS PROVIDED INSPITE OF ME ASKING SEVERAL TIMES WHY THE CAR MOVES AFTER APPLYING BRAKES. BEING A DOCTOR I AM CONCERNED WITH SAFETY AND PREVENTION MORE THAN ANYTHING. *TR

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

PRIUS UNDER ENGINE DUST COVER KEEPS TEARING AWAY FROM BOLTS ON BODY. PART REPLACED FOR THE 5TH TIME. CAR LOW TO GROUND. COMES IN CONTACT WITH PARKING BUMPERS, ETC. TOYOTA DENIES RESPONSIBILITY. A DESIGN FLAW WITH FRONT EDGE OF COVER EXPOSED TO LOW LYING OBJECTS CAUSING IT TO BE PUSHED BACK FROM ANCHOR BOLTS. CAN BE EASILY RESOLVED BY DESIGNING COVER TO FIT INSIDE LIP OF FRAME RATHER THAN OUTSIDE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS OPERATING THE VEHICLE APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH. AS SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP UNTIL CRASHING INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED, BUT NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE BODY DAMAGES REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000. UPDATED 07/26/11*LJ

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

I HAVE TWO SMART KEYS FOR 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS. ONE OF THEM LOSE SMART FUNCTION AND REMOTE FUNCTION. WHEN A BUTTON IS PRESSED, RED LIGHT IS NOT ON AT ALL. I HAVE TESTED FOB BATTERY AND IT IS OK. I BELIEVE THAT THE SMART KEY IS DEFECTIVE. *TR

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 20 MINUTE DRIVE WHEN DARK. DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REPRODUCE PROBLEM AND RECOMMENDED NO ACTION. *TR

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 WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO SEE YOUR CAR. REPLACED THE BULBS AND THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. THERE EXISTS A CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT GIRARDGIBBS.COM, AND WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE PROBLEM IS THE ECU. THEY ONLY ADDRESSED THIS CONCERN TO ME AFTER I BROUGHT THEM INFORMATION ABOUT THE SETTLEMENT ABOUT A MONTH AGO. IN THE PAST THEY'VE ONLY BEEN EITHER SAYING THEY CAN'T REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM OR THAT I NEED TO REPLACE THE BULB. I CAN TELL YOU RIGHT NOW THESE ARE MY THIRD PAIR OF BULBS AND ITS DEFINITELY NOT THE BULBS AS THE PROBLEM PERSISTS JUST DAYS AFTER THE NEW BULBS ARE INSTALLED. I FOUND OUT THAT THE SETTLEMENT EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO 5 YEARS AND 50,000 MILES HOWEVER MY CAR FALLS OUTSIDE THE MILEAGE RANGE. THEY WON'T PAY FOR THE ECU BECAUSE THE DEALERS HAVE NEVER SPECIFICALLY ADDRESSED THE ECU AS BEING THE PROBLEM WITH MY CAR WITHIN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY RANGE EVEN THOUGH THERE WERE NUMEROUS TIMES I WOULD COMPLAIN ABOUT THE LIGHTS WITHIN THAT RANGE. TOYOTA NEEDS TO RECALL THE ECU FOR 2006-2009 PRIUS MODELS. IT IS NOT THE BULBS. *TR

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 PROBLEM WITH THE PARTS AND HAS REFUSED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

COMBINATION METER OF 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING. THANKFULLY, PRIUSCHAT MEMBERS HAVE POSTED SIMILAR ISSUES. MY MECHANIC REMOVED THE COMBINATION METER. I SENT BOARD TO COMPANY IN CA TO RE-DO THE SOLDERS AND UPDATE THE TRANSISTOR ON THE CHIP. *TR

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

HEADLIGHTS QUIT WORKING ABOUT ONCE A YEAR. (EACH AT DIFFERENT TIMES) SEALS HAVE BEEN CHECKED; NO MOISTURE GETTING IN. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF FUEL ALTHOUGH THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATED THAT 1/4 TANK OF FUEL WAS IN THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT A FAULTY FUEL BLADDER CAUSED A FALSE FUEL GAUGE READING. THE COMPUTER WAS RESET, BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

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

I OWN A 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS WITH HID HEADLIGHTS. THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT IS INTERMITTENT. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD ESPECIALLY DRIVING DOWN A DARK ROAD AT NIGHT. *TR

2006 TOYOTA PRIUS. HEADLIGHTS KEEP BURNING OUT. I HAVE REPLACED THE HEADLIGHTS TWICE NOW AND THEY BURN OUT WITHIN THREE MONTHS. THERE HAS TO BE SOME PROBLEM WITH THE WIRING FOR THESE HEADLIGHTS. *TR

PURCHASED A USED 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS IN DECEMBER 2009. CURRENT MILEAGE IS 98K. RECEIVED A NOTICE LAST WEEK ABOUT A CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT WHICH WOULD PAY FOR PAST HEADLIGHT REPLACEMENT COSTS, AND EXTEND THE NEW VEHICLE LIMITED WARRANTY THROUGH THE EARLIER OF 5 YEARS OR 50,000 MILES. TWO DAYS AGO, AFTER DRIVING 30 MINUTES IN RAIN WITH THE HEADLIGHTS ON, I FOUND THE LEFT HEADLIGHT WAS OUT. TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE, AND TEN MINUTES LATER DROVE ONE MILE AND STOPPED, AND FOUND THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT WAS OUT. UPON RETURNING HOME, THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT WAS OUT AND THE LEFT HEADLIGHT WAS FLICKERING; I RECORDED THIS WITH VIDEO ON MY PHONE...AND WITHIN 20 SECONDS THE FLICKERING BULB ALSO WENT OUT. I HAVE TEENAGE DRIVERS - THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, NOT JUST A MAINTENANCE ISSUE! BOTH LIGHTS COULD BURN OUT ON A DARK UNLIT ROAD WITHOUT WARNING AND THE DRIVER -- ESPECIALLY AN INEXPERIENCED DRIVER -- COULD HAVE A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I HAVE NO IDEA IF THE PREVIOUS OWNER EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM WHEN THE CAR HAD LESS THAN 50,000 MILES OR NOT. BUT THE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT THIS IS AN UNPREDICTABLE SAFETY ISSUE WHICH CAN OCCUR AT ANY TIME AND AT ANY SPEED....AND THE CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT DOES NOT ENSURE THAT THIS UNSAFE SITUATION WILL BE CORRECTED FOR ALL PRIUS WITH HID HEADLIGHTS! NHTSA - WE REQUEST YOUR HELP WITH THIS SITUATION. *TR

I OWN A 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS WITH HID HEADLIGHTS. THE HEADLIGHTS TURN OFF BY THEMSELVES INTERMITTENTLY. SOMETIMES ONE, SOMETIMES BOTH. YOU CAN'T ALWAYS TELL WHEN THEY ARE OFF BECAUSE, IN GENERAL, THE HEADLIGHTS DO A VERY POOR JOB OF ILLUMINATING THE ROAD IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE CAR BUT HAVE BEEN CONSISTENTLY TOLD THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG, JUST THAT MAYBE THE CAR NEEDS TO HAVE THE HEADLIGHTS REPLACED. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING OFF AND ON SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN AUGUST 2006. *TR

2006 TOYOTA PRIUS. CONSUMER STATES BRAKE ACTUATOR ISSUES *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED NOISES STARTED TO OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, WHEN PARKED AND AFTER THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF.

DRIVERS SIDE HEAD LIGHT INTERMITTANTLY TURNS ON AND OFF

EVER SINCE I GOT MY 2006 PRIUS, THE BRAKES HAVE BRIEFLY STOPPED WORKING WHEN I TRY TO STOP QUICKLY OR ON A HILL WHEN IT IS WET OR ICY OUTSIDE. ON FEBRUARY 24, IT WAS VERY ICY, AND THE CAR COMPLETELY LOCKED UP WHEN I WAS GOING DOWN A HILL. I WAS GOING VERY SLOWLY WHEN I STARTED GOING DOWNHILL, BUT NOTHING HAPPENED WHEN I TRIED TO STEER OR PUSH DOWN THE BRAKES AND I GOT IN AN ACCIDENT. I CONTACTED TOYOTA, BUT THEY ONLY TESTED IT WHEN IT WAS DRY OUTSIDE, AND I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY TROUBLE WHEN IT WAS DRY. THEY TOLD ME NOTHING WAS WRONG. SINCE THEN, I HAVE HAD INCREASED TROUBLE STOPPING AT STOPLIGHTS WHEN IT IS WET. THE WHOLE CAR SEEMS TO LOCK UP AND I SLIDE TOWARD THE LIGHT FOR A FEW SECONDS BEFORE THE BRAKES RE-ENGAGE. I AM TRADING THE CAR IN, AS I AM AFRAID FOR THE SAFETY OF MY CHILDREN IN THIS CAR.

WAS DRIVING ON VERY DARK STREET. MY HEADLIGHTS SEEMED VERY DIM SO I SWITCHED THEM TO BRIGHT. BOTH IMMEDIATELY WENT OFF. MY SERVICE DEALER STATED THAT THEY BOTH WENT OUT AND WANTED TO CHARGE MORE THAN $300 TO REPLACE. AFTER MUCH DISCUSSION REPLACED FOR COST OF LABOR. I SUBSEQUENTLY RECEIVED A LETTER INFORMING ME OF A RECALL OR POSSIBLE PROBLEM WITH THE LIGHTS AND TOYOTA WOULD REPLACE. I SUBMITTED MY INVOICE AND RECEIVED A REFUND. HOWEVER, ONCE AGAIN THEY ARE NOT OPERATING PROPERLY. SOMETIMES THEY ARE ON, OTHERS THEY ARE OFF OR ONE WILL BE OUT AND THE OTHER WORKING. CONDENSATION HAS BUILT UP AND CHANGING THE BULB HAS NOT HELPED. I HAVE NOW BEEN TOLD IT WILL COST ME ABOUT $1000 TO HAVE LIGHTS REPAIRED. *TR

WHILE DRIVING IN THE DARK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT, THE HEADLIGHTS SPONTANEOUSLY WENT OUT WITHOUT WARNING. I DROVE IN PITCH BLACK DARKNESS UNTIL I COULD STOP THE CAR. THEN I TOOK IT TO A TOYOTA DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THE LIGHTS WERE OVERHEATING AND THEN FAILING. *TR

THE HID HEADLIGHTS ON THIS VEHICLE ARE INTERMITTENT. EITHER OR BOTH HEADLIGHTS FAIL WITHOUT WARNING, AND RE ILLUMINATE BY CYCLING THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH. SO FAR ONE DEALER REPAIR ATTEMPT HAS NOT BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN FIXING THE PROBLEM. REPAIRS FOR THIS HEADLIGHT SYSTEM ARE VERY EXPENSIVE, AND NOT ALWAYS SUCCESSFUL.