Driver's side headlamp turns off intermittently. No pattern identified. No solution except cycling headlamp switch sometimes works, sometimes not. This began after headlamp was replaced after it began dimming noticeably and producing light of a pinkish color. No further repairs attempted because can't reproduce problem reliably e.g. when in repair shop.

- Mission Viejo, CA, USA

Toyota Prius headlights- the replacement cost for one bulb is ridiculously high- about $199 plus labor ($110). The new lightbulb overheats after two minutes and turns off. If I turn the lights on and off again the bulb will come back on--for two minutes at a time. This is incredibly dangerous. I hear a new bulb is coming out to remedy the problem, but since mine was "used" I cannot return it for an exchange when the new bulbs come in. Because it is halogen, they will only guarantee the bulb if they install it. It's a monopoly. We are stuck paying their high prices for the bulb-- and are required to go to the dealership to change a simple headlight. (although I dare not mention the installation process, which is anything but simple-- including removing the bumper!)

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

My headlight on the right side of my Prius goes out intermittently, then when I cycle the switch (not safe to do at night) it turns back on. I have had it in to the dealer for repair, at a large cost, with no improvement. Online forums tell me this is a problem not solved by light replacement or by replacing the computer board that controls the lights. This is a problem for multiple cars on the road, and according to the online forums is starting to show in other Toyota.

- Creswell, OR, USA

2005 Toyota Prius, repeated headlight failure. I have been issued three police summonses for headlight failure and have only owned this vehicle for two years. I replaced both headlights three weeks ago and the passenger headlight is out again.

- Newfane, NY, USA

Sudden headlight failure, if I turned off the headlight and turned it back on again it will turn on again. But it will randomly turn off again.

- American Canyon, CA, USA

My 2005 Prius' right headlight (hid) turns off. After turning the lights off and back on, it lights up again. It's very strange because if the bulb was dead, it wouldn't come back on. Just recently, someone made me aware of the issue. But, who knows how long it has been going on. There is no pattern or unique incident that causes the bulb to turn off and on. It happens multiple times on trip between 2-4 miles (sometimes more than 2 or 3 times on a short trip). Since I became aware of the issue, I don't take the car on long trips. My local mechanic said "dead bulbs don't turn on and off, they just stay off." Sometimes my bulb will stay on for 10-20 minutes, then go out. Doesn't sound broken to me. The mechanic told me the ballast could have a problem, but that costs several thousand dollars to fix (not to mention replacing one bulb is like 200 dollars)..

- Hemet, CA, USA

We purchased a Toyota 2005 Prius in August of this year. It had 92,000 miles on it but was in exceptional condition. Just this week October 15 the passenger side headlight started blinking and one day later went out.

- Lohrville, IA, USA

2005 Toyota Prius w/ hid headlights. Automatic aiming sensor has suffered premature failure because of a design flaw that allows the under-vehicle mounted sensor to corrode and fail. Safety issues include a driver unknowingly overdriving his headlights at speed, and potential temporary blinding of oncoming traffic from aiming failure. Failed part # is 89408-47010. Toyota has not notified owners of this safety issue.

- Ocean City, MD, USA

2005 Toyota Prius: Headlights turn off intermittently. Happens each time vehicle is driven, even on very short drives. It is necessary to turn headlights off, and on to get lamps to work again. Occasionally, both lamps go out at the same time. Very dangerous! I have children, and am fearful of driving with them in this vehicle at night because of this issue. I have told my Toyota dealership about this issue, and was told they are aware of the issue, and I should turn them off and on to resolve. They also told me to replace would be over $400/each. Additionally, I'm fearful I will get a moving violation while driving at night.

- Herndon, VA, USA

The headlights on our 2005 Toyota Prius turn off while we are driving. Sometimes it is the right headlight, sometimes the left, and once in awhile both turn off. If I turn off the lights and then turn them back on they both work, for a while. The problem is intermittent; there is no predicting when the lights will malfunction. Sometimes it's while driving and then sometimes while stuck in traffic.

- Port Orchard, WA, USA

2005 Toyota Prius experienced headlamp failure at 90,000 miles. Since both headlamps failed at the same time, and N both regular and high-beam modes, the problem seems to be with the electrical circuit for the headlamps. Dealer quotes $1200 to fix. Seems like a rip-off.

- Washington, DC, USA

I drive a 2005 Toyota Prius and the headlights have started going off intermittently without warning. When I start the car (light switch is always in the on position), sometimes both lights are on, sometimes one, sometimes none. While driving the car, the lights will suddenly go out, usually one or the other, but there have been times where both went out. I have researched the problem and there doesn't appear to be a known solution. I plan to purchase a replacement bulb to see if that solves the problem.

- Bolton, CT, USA

At about 104K miles the hid headlights, along with the dash dashboard lights, went out while my daughter was driving on a country road at night. The sudden darkness resulted in a collision with a guard rail while braking. After putting the car in park, turning off the power button and restarting the car everything came back on. While we were shaken up, no one was hurt. The car sustained $2K damage to the body, but not to the headlights. The local dealer didn't express any knowledge of headlight failures in priuses, inspected the lighting system and pronounced everything fine. I did have to pay for the inspection as the lights weren't damaged and not covered by the collision claim. Internet research has brought up many similar cases of this occurring with other priuses; with no acknowledgement by Toyota. My daughter is now terrified of driving this car. I also own a 2007 Prius with hid lights and 55K miles. I'm monitoring it's headlights whenever possible as it is driven mostly during the day with the headlights on.

- Petoskey, MI, USA

2005 Prius. Lights go off without warning. When lights are turned off and then on again they come back on.

- San Rafael, CA, USA

Toyota Prius headlight leveling sensor when it fails, headlight can point downward limiting visibility.

- Endicott, Ny, NY, USA

Sudden warning light indicating headlight leveling failure. Occurs intermittently under various circumstances. Consequences: Headlights either aimed too high blinding oncoming drivers or slanted downward making car impossible to drive at night. Part has not been replaced and car is not driven at night. Old part still available. There was a technical service bulletin in early 2006 indicating that the headlight leveling sensor was not watertight and prone to failure due to water entering the system and corroding the electrical contacts. Toyota improved the integrity of the unit and sold it using the same part number with the added suffix "G". while Toyota will cover the replacement cost of the sensor under the 3 yr/36,000 mile warranty there is no coverage for vehicles out of warranty. A recall was never issued. Again, this is only a problem that occurs with the hid headlight system in the earlier generation II Prius (2004 - 2005). Service bulletin:00406 NHTSA item number:10019992 my car is out of warranty and I was unaware that there was a problem with the system when it could have been remedied while the car was under warranty. Mileage at failure 72,000. This is a safety issue and a recall should be issued ! cost of part $370 + tax. Labor is another $210 + tax.

- Peru, NY, USA

The passenger front headlight goes out. Toyota has replaced various parts 4 times and it still doesn't work.

- Miami, FL, USA

Toyota Prius 2005 headlight leveling control sensor fails due to corrosion in the sensor. Result is inadequate night drive due to improperly positioned headlights. Safety issue.

- Eden Prairie, MN, USA

Dear NHTSA: 2005 Toyota Prius. Headlights. The car is equipped with a headlight leveling device. At present my low beams only show about 14 feet in front of the vehicle. When the high beams are on they shine where the normal low beams would shine. I have contacted my dealer, this is a $500 dollar fix. The car has 48K miles. This is a safety hazard. I am not safe driving this vehicle at night. This is a serious condition and affects lots of Toyota Prius as I have found out on the blogs. Appreciate you guys looking into this problem, the device should be replaced by Toyota as it has failed through normal use and not from abuse. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Media, PA, USA

Over the past two months, my 2005 Prius has developed an intermittent headlight failure. The headlight in question is on the passenger side of the vehicle. Turning off the headlights and turning them back on resolves the issue, thus the bulb is not the issue. This defect makes the vehicle less safe to operate and holds me civilly responsible for "fix it" damages. The "fix" for this defect is a replacement should not be my responsibility for it is not a failure of obsolescence. I will cheerfully accept the bulb ending life, but for the sensors, switches, and computing behind the headlamp switch to have this level of dependability is not my problem to fix.

- Eden Prairie, MN, USA