2011 Prius - Windshield triples light source images

just filed a case with toyota as well..

 

I curious the circumstances in which you have had these near hits. How do you attest this to the windshield? I mean I hate the effect as much as anyone, but it doesn't cause me to nearly collide into other drivers.

 

Possible explanation - I have no idea if it is correct, but the optics is actual.
Windshields are made up of at least three layers. It is possible that you are getting internal reflections off the glass/plastic interface.

If the angle is slightly less oblique you get partial reflection.

 

you're looking at reflections of light that has entered the glass through it's edge, not light that hit the surface. I think a more reasonable explanation is each layer of the windshield produces it's own mirror image. ever look at the inside or outside lights through a triple pane window in a house? same effect but even more exaggerated as the house window panes have a significant gap between them.

This is totally a guess, but this is what I believe is exactly what I am seeing through my window since I see exactly 3 mirror images underneath any light source:


What's odd on my window is some areas of the glass are worse than others. Some areas have more significant noticeable distortion/refraction that can even be seen even in the daylight. Also if I move my head just slightly lower the mirroring goes almost completely away. There's a band in the window unfortunately at my eye level where it's the worst.

 

i have this issues on both of my 2012s. i actually had to replace the windshield on one of them a couple weeks ago and it still does the same thing. i do notice that the ghost images are only of the light source and not the light being emitted.

 

i have noticed this same issue on my one month old 2012 car. I will complain to dealer

 

You have 2 and one of them doesn't do it? Are they different glass manufacturers?

 

I had a rock hit my windshield and sent a crack up the drivers side so i had it replaced. The new windshield as well as the old windshield had the problem, and so does my other prius. I am assuming it is not an isolated problem.

 

Everyone file a claim with toyota. It is really simple and fast.. 1800-331-4331

 

Agreed,
Please file a case with Toyota if you see the issue.

Their response to me was clear. WE SEE THE ISSUE. Its due to the angle of the glass and the chassis.
AT THIS POINT there is nothing we can/will do. IF SOMETHING CHANGES IN THE FUTURE WE'LL LET YOU KNOW.

This tells me that they are expecting this issue to become mainstream at somepoint and will act if more people complain.

 

Thats me alight.

 

I've been quite for a few days on this. Still getting over the disappointing Toyota response. But I'm not going to stop now.

I have contacted a law firm that deals with auto issues. They've come back to me saying I have a case. Only thing I need is work orders showing proof that I took the car in atleast 3 times. Issue now is that the dealership did not issue any workorders for any of the inspection, drive throughs etc. I've been in about 5-6 times for this issue already and have no way to prove it. Any suggestions?

I'll also start making calls to local news agency starting monday next. This is hard work, but I'm willing to take up the fight. If anyone has any news contacts please drop me a mail.

 

An edge is just a very short surface!
It doesn't matter what it's called, both my image and yours show the same phenomenon. The important factor is the angle of incidence. The shallower the angle the greater the amount of reflection.

 

Try going to a different dealer a few times

 

Here's why the near misses were caused by the windshield...

When a bright enough light passes through and creates these ghost effects above and below, whatever is behind the ghost image is either distorted or completely hidden. In one case, a supermarket parking lot - the lights from the overhang in front of the store were bright and caused a triple-ghosting effect above and below, because this overhang was fairly low, it caused a pedestrian to be "cloaked" by the light that was being replicated in the windshield.

In another case, sunlight passing through during early morning or evening hours is amplified and can create a blinding effect. Because of this, in one case, one could not see what was in front of them until they rolled down the driver's side window and looked out.

 

I just purchased a 2012 Prius and have noticed the "ghost" image above and below stop lights at night and it seems to happen with cars in front of me with led tail lights.

 

File a complaint with toyota. It is very fast to do. 1800-331-4331

 

Im having the same issue on my one week old 2012 Prius III, Just started noticing it tonight actually. I hope this will be resolved soon because its getting pretty annoying .

 

File a complaint with toyota. It is very fast to do. 1800-331-4331​

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Folks - PLEASE FILE A CASE WITH TOYOTA, NHTSA, and the Center for Auto Safety. Toyota is NOT taking this problem seriously and believes it is simply a "characteristic" of the car. Even though 99% (based on my experience at least...) of other cars on the road do not exhibit this behavior, they see it as normal somehow...? They are not denying the problem, yet they are denying its a safety issue. Its like me reporting my house is on fire, the fire dept comes by, inspects the house, and says, "yep - it sure is!" and then leaves. Wth?

Also, apparently this issue shows up on one model of their Trucks and one model of Lexus.

I'm feeling they are stalling or trying to prevent a recall.

Either way, get it in, get it documented, and if it bothers you enough, file for arbitration and get rid of it. Maybe then, Toyota will take it seriously.