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2010 Headlight issue.

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by jamieoz, Nov 22, 2016.

  1. jamieoz

    jamieoz Junior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2014
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    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    I bought my Prius about 4 years ago and over the last 2 years I have had to replace the low beam headlights at least 6 times now. I replace them myself, even after destroying my hands on the passenger side light, and I make sure to wear brand new vinyl gloves. The bulbs touch nothing and are pretty easy to change so it is not from me touching the bulb that is causing them to burn out prematurely.
    I have tried expensive bulbs and cheap bulbs to see if there is a difference and there is not. I just replaced the passenger bulb 3 weeks ago and now the drivers side just went. I last changed them both just before the summer.
    I do not drive with my lights on during the day so they are not getting the "extra" workload. I am hoping before I go out and buy MORE bulbs if there is a repair for this. I have seen the 36k warranty that toyota put out but I am WAY over that now and many of the discussions list wiring kit replacement. It is just a little confusing to what will actually work so any help is appreciated. Thank you.

    Jamie OZ
     
  2. PriusNP

    PriusNP Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2013
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    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Hi. Perhaps there is moisture inside the headlight housing causing this problem if it's wiring I am not familiar with that issue.

    You could get hid off the Internet or Led.

    The Led is very bright and durable and better made vs hid.
     
  3. IMkenNY

    IMkenNY Im just being nosy

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2012
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    Location:
    Tropical Buffalo NY
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four Touring
    There is a technical service bulletin addressing this issue:

    • Date Reported OCTOBER 17, 2012
    • NHTSA Reference #10050839
    • TSB Reference #TSB-0204-12
    Description: TOYOTA: TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF HALOGEN LOW BEAM HEADLAMP BULB SHORTAGE OF LIFE, THE WIRING HARNESS WAS MODIFIED AND IS AVAILABLE. MODELS 2010-2011 PRIUS.
     
  4. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2008
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    Location:
    Indiana, USA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    There's also been more extended discussion here on PC of the details of the issue and the fix, summarized here.

    -Chap
     
  5. shpToy

    shpToy Junior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 19, 2014
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    Location:
    Chicago
    Vehicle:
    2003 Prius
    Model:
    Persona
    With your help I discovered I wasn't losing my mind and there is a Headlight issue. So now what to do about it. I'm really ticked. I replaced the headlight bulbs.....AGAIN. Burned my finger on it, in fact. The burn hasn't healed yet and would you believe it, the light is out again. Worked for all of 2 days maybe. I've had it! I know you have too. I reached out to two dealerships, but not being on drugs or have won the lottery, I wouldn't take it there because it's $140 an hour. All they tell me is well it's not on recall. I reached out to Toyota Corporate and had an EXTREMELY nasty call from someone who could basically care less. Told me since I don't have a record of service with the dealer (because I'm not insanely stupid) they can't do anything. Yeah, really.

    So here's the thing. I've got the emails of all the execs at Toy Global and N.A. I'm going to escalate this and if that doesn't work I'm going to find a lawyer. I can't drive the car at night. It's not road-safe. They need to do something. It wouldn't have gotten this far if they had just dealt with it. But this phone call was the tipping point, it was that bad. So what does this have to do with you. If you would like to be cc'd on my correspondence with them and, if need be, join up with a lawyer, please get in touch. This has got to stop.
     
    #5 shpToy, Apr 25, 2018
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 25, 2018
  6. shpToy

    shpToy Junior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 19, 2014
    2
    0
    0
    Location:
    Chicago
    Vehicle:
    2003 Prius
    Model:
    Persona
    With your help I discovered I wasn't losing my mind and there is a Headlight issue. So now what to do about it. I'm really ticked. I replaced the headlight bulbs.....AGAIN. Burned my finger on it, in fact. The burn hasn't healed yet and would you believe it, the light is out again. Worked for all of 2 days maybe. I've had it! I know you have too. I reached out to two dealerships, but not being on drugs or have won the lottery, I wouldn't take it there because it's $140 an hour. All they tell me is well it's not on recall. I reached out to Toyota Corporate and had an EXTREMELY nasty call from someone who could basically care less. Told me since I don't have a record of service with the dealer (because I'm not insanely stupid) they can't do anything. Yeah, really.

    So here's the thing. I've got the emails of all the execs at Toy Global and N.A. I'm going to escalate this and if that doesn't work I'm going to find a lawyer. I can't drive the car at night. It's not road-safe. They need to do something. It wouldn't have gotten this far if they had just dealt with it. But this phone call was the tipping point, it was that bad. So what does this have to do with you. If you would like to be cc'd on my correspondence with them and, if need be, join up with a lawyer, please get in touch. This has got to stop.
     
  7. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2008
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    Location:
    Indiana, USA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    What kind of headlights are you installing? My 2010 is supposedly one that has the issue, but I've had it two years this month and haven't changed the headlights yet. That's with Sylvania H11 "basics".

    I still have the headlight repair harnesses sitting right here ready to install, but I don't know that I'll ever bother; I was worried I might be changing bulbs a lot more often than this. I can only surmise the previous owner was using aftermarket "extra bright" bulbs, which start out with a heavy tradeoff of longevity for brightness.

    -Chap
     
  8. 04priusnow

    04priusnow Active Member

    Joined:
    Apr 30, 2013
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    Location:
    USA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    i installed aftermarket hids. about 4 years ago in my 2010... no issues.. also leave the lights on 90% of the time.. no auto lights but they turn off when the car shuts off.

    PH-1 ?