ABC 7 - Potential safety hazard in popular car...

Millions sold, "dozens" of complaints... Sounds like a real problem, not.

Toyota should just replace the windshields, but this is not news worthy.

24 / 1000000 = 0.0024%

 

FYI: This San Francisco ABC *7 on your side* report references a
PriusChat *GenII2010+ Prius Care, Maintenance and Trouble*
Forum

The main thread appears to be:
...
dated: Nov 11, 2011
subject: 2011 Prius - Windshield triple light source images
original poster: Srevelation

2011 Prius - Windshield triples light source images | PriusChat

other threads found:

2012 Prius front windshield bifocal effect issue
2012 Prius front windshield bifocal effect issue | PriusChat

2012 Prius front windshield ghost image issue
2012 Prius front windshield ghost image issue | PriusChat

How are the optics through your windshield?
How are the optics through your windshield? | PriusChat

2011 Prius, windshield problems
2011 Prius, windshield problems | PriusChat

 

ABC 7 news is local for me in California. Saw the story...

Yep, esp. given that the Prius is the top selling car in CA per http://www.cncda.org/secure/GetFile.aspx?ID=2444.

 

May not be an issue for you guys but my wife has had her eyes checked twice since buying the car in July never thinking that the windshield could be the cause of her blurry night vision. Until Toyota acknowledges the issue it is newsworthy. I would guess that there are a lot of people experiencing the same issue without making the connection so the number actually having the problem is artificially low.

 

I think the angle/coatings on the wind shield is worse than any other car I've driven for visibility. I could fairly easily adjust, and thought its just the car. I guess some people either have worse windshields or more trouble adjusting. I agree with LeoArt this is definitely newsworthy. It just isn't a big deal for most of us, but it must be for some.

 

I don't think we know the extent of the problem. the general population may not be aware of the issue and/or not reported it. Had I not seen it here first, it may not have been top of mind. Also, it wasn't until the darker winter months that it became apparent.

Based on the feedback from members, this appears to be an issue that hasn't really started until later 2011/2012 model years. Also some cars seem to be affected and others not. This would indicate some flaw, likely due to manufacturing variation of some sort. However, it appears to be occurring with greater frequency. In fact, my dealer drove all of the cars on the lot and experienced the same affect.

The problem with just replacing the windshields is that it may not fix the issue. To our knowledge no root cause nor corrective solution has been identified so the 'repair' has a high probability of failure.

 

I have never noticed such a problem with my 2011 but now I'll be looking for it. Can't believe a simple replacement of these problem windshields from a different supplier wouldn't solve the problem.

 

I've noticed some problems with visibility with my 2012 Prius Plug-in windshield too, but thought it had more to do with the angle of the windshield causing reflections from the car interior that make it hard for the eyes to focus. Will be curious to know what Toyota and the 'investigators' find out.

 

Since buying my Prius (just over a week ago) my eyes are having problems focussing. Not just while driving, but everywhere throughout my day. While sitting in the car everythign is out of focus through the windshield. This isn't just a problem at night. It's simply more obvious at night. Light doesn't choose what time of day it decides to tripplicate itself.

 

That sucks. I wonder if the V wagon has similar issues.

 

no need to wonder. Mine is a v and has the issue.

 

So far, I haven't noticed anything like that at all. I'll be putting about 140 miles of night driving this weekend, I'll look for it.

 

I've actually went to the optometrist last month because I thought my eyes were becoming an issue. I never gave it a thought about the windshield being the issue. BTW, the my eyes turned out fine.

 

I looked for this effect tonight driving in heavy slush. I failed to see anything unusual. I even accidently drove through a red light because my focus was 50 ft. ahead looking for lights with triple images. So, at least for me I am safer by ignoring this discussion.

 

Which car do you have? A 2012 PiP?

 

Toyota/NHTSA is waiting for someone to die from this before they decide to fix it. Hope it gets recalled before that happens. Good luck to you guys. This would bother me so much...