2011 Prius - Windshield triples light source images

Just purchased a CPO 2013 Prius 2, from Hertz car sales.
First time I drove it at night, I noticed the triple vision problem.
Most noticeable with left turn arrows on traffic signals.
You can clearly see 3 arrows.
The problem also visible with other bright light sources at distance.
It bugs me a lot at night, depending on driving conditions.
No problem during the day.

No improvement after washing window inside and out.
Searched on line and found many references to the "triple vision problem".
Seems to have started with 2011 model year.

The only solution I have seen on line, is to replace windshield with aftermarket windshield from another vender.
Toyota replacements seem to all have same problem.
Local vender (Safelite) with on line coupon, is under $300.
Will do more reaserch.
Will probably wait until current windshield dings/cracks before replacing.
Has anybody heard positive reply from Toyota?

Best wishes for successful resolution of this problem...
DA
VE

 

Sorry, I meant to reply to this thread earlier, to say:

I took my car to the dealership where I had purchased it (CPO)

I took the car in on a Monday morning. Since it was daylight, the problem was not as pronounced as at night. But, fortunately, they have a large covered drive-through area in the Service Department, and I was able to show the Service Manager the triple images around some of the artificial lighting and around the tail-lights of some other cars.

The Service Manager said he would investigate with Toyota and call me back within 24 hours.

Well, 24 hours came and went, and I began psyching myself up to open up a can of whoop-a$$.

But, within 36 hours, the Service Manager called and said they would replace the windshield for free! Yay!

The dealership replaced my windshield - free of charge - with a genuine Toyota part.
I no longer have triple images.

I couldn't be happier with the service I received from the dealership - so a big shout out to Sterling McCall Toyota in Houston, Texas.

THANK YOU for all the excellent information that was posted about this issue on PriusChat.

To anybody else experiencing this problem, I would strongly suggest taking your car into your dealership and asking for a new - free - windshield.

 

As the previous poster stated, current Toyota windshields seem to have fixed the problem. But unless your car still has the factory warranty, you may need to take this up with Hertz where you bought the car.

Toyota seemed to take care of some people and give others the cold shoulder. I went through three Toyota OEM windshields prior to lemon'ing the entire car back to Toyota in mid 2013. Apparently that was before they fixed the problem in the glass.

 

This is a serious safety hazard that could result in deaths.
I would think reporting this to NHTSA would be a concern for Toyota.
Who knows, maybe there is a silent recall-replacement with Toyota right now.
Check it out.

 

why is this not a lemon law issue?

 

I've had my prius for a little over a week. The drive at night is pretty annoying. At first I thought it was my eyes, but while driving my other car everything was fine. I did buy pre-owned with a expired warranty. Any suggestions on trying to get this issue fixed without spending $300?

 

I am not sure about NY inspections laws however I will tell you that if it was NH it would not pass our state safety inspection. Therefore the windshield would have to be repaired.

In the case of a vehicle sold with the understanding it is safe and (if applicable) passes state inspection, the selling dealer would have to figure out how they were going to fix it.
Or the NH State Police would be paying them a visit.

 

I switched to a Toyota Camry Hybrid a little less than a month ago. I've noticed a marked difference in eye fatigue since then. Not saying there is a correlation but coincidental.

 

If you carry full coverage insurance, most of the policies will cover accidental breakage of the windshield for free. So there's one way you can get your glass replaced

 

Got a stone hit on my windshield that cracked the glass and the cracks spread about 15 inches. The windshield needs to be replaced. This is the second replacement windshield. Basically, the same thing happened about 2 years ago. When the windshield was replaced the first time, the shop told me they would have to use non-oem glass if it was available. Fortunately, they had to use oem glass since it was the only glass they could get. I recall the cost was about $1300. I had to pay a $100 deductible.
Has anyone had the windshield replaced, recently, with non-oem glass? How did it work out? Who was the manufacturer.

I don't want problems with distortion, triple images or whatever.
Thanks.

 

I purchased a 2013 Prius about 3 months now and I have the same problem. I stumbled upon this website trying to find a solution. I never really bother with it because I was mostly driving in daytime, but now that daylight savings ended, part of my 2 hour drive to work is at night. Its very annoying having 4 to 6 headlight images coming at you. It is also difficult for me to see pedestrians at night on the side walk due to the glaring light. So far all I did was call Toyota dealer locally and they said they have not heard of the issue. I went on the NHTSA website and there's only like 10 complaints.
I'm stupefied that so many Prius users are just turning a blind eye (pun intended) to this problem. So now today in 2015 I'm stuck with a defective 2013 Prius that one of you fools probably traded-in because of this. shm

I got my car from used car dealer CarMax, so I have no dealer warranty to back up with. Right now I'm thinking of just carrying it to Safelite auto to have it inspected. Safelite did work on my Ford a few years back and its good quality glass. Oh well, I haven't decided yet. Good to hear some of you persisted and had it fixed.

 

I see the ghost images on bright traffic lights at night. Ophthalmologist said cataracts in the eye can cause this effect but to fix requires surgery. Now I have a cracked windshield, so we will see what a replacement does.

 

I have revisited this discussion several times over the last 18 months.

It describes years of astoundingly bad corporate behavior by US Toyota, reports from last few months notwithstanding.

Has anyone, here on Priuschat, ever compiled a definitive list of instances of bad behavior by Toyota in the US?

On a lighter note:

rjparker: do you see ghost images when you view bright traffic lights at night without an interposed windshield?

 

The issue for me is almost non exhistent since they replaced my windshield. Anybody having issues push your dealer to replace it and don't take no for an answer.


iPhone ?

 

Any one see UFOs or the Mother Ship from the Prius ?

 

oh ya, they tried to snatch me, but i was too slow for them.

 

Well my windshield got a "crack" in it last week. Safelite replaced it with AGC glass. AGC is the same people who made the original glass on all windows in the vehicle. The "triple light" feature is gone, however the AGC is poor quality and the glass has lots of noticeable "ripples" while I'm driving and everything like road signs seem to wave at me. The reflections also seem to "glow" Search for prius ripple in windshield. I took it back to Safelite showed them the problem, then said it happens on all cars. Well I said I never seen it that noticable. So they showed me another AGC glass 2 days later, I asked to look at it before they put it on, and that one also had tonnes of ripples. I told them I dont want AGC glass. They are going to find me a glass from another manufacturer. They suggested Pilkington or Pittsburg glass. I am going to have it replaced for a second time and I will let you know which manufacturer they used. I have Pilkington glass replacement on my other vehicle and the quality is great so I hoping they find Pilkington glass. One thing DO NOT USE AGC replacement glass..they the ones who started this problem in the first place.
The people who got dealer to replace your glass, who was your manufacture??? I guessing its AGC and they are making a high quality for the dealer and low qualty

 

Went back to Safelite. They said Pilkington does not make the glass for my vehicle. They replaced the ripple glass with same brand AGC. This by the way goes by the name AP Tech Lamisafe on the glass itself. However the glass they put in according to the invoice cost $1400 compared to the cheaper $400 glass they first put in that had all the ripples. My prius has manual rear view mirror dimmer and no HUD according to Safelite they called toyota and they said I needed the glass for the plug-in versions even though my prius is not a plugin. In any case I did not have to pay for it. There are no ripples in this glass and no tripple light feature. I only drove it on early dawn hours not in dark of night yet. If I dont update it means its working fine. Again its still made by AGC but goes under the name AP tech Lamisafe. I think Safelite has the contract to use that glass manufacture but just dont get the cheap ripple version and make sure you request to look at the glass yourself first before they install it. Watch from about a 45 degree angle and move back and forth to look for the ripples through the windshield or wavy objects through glass. If it does, its the cheap glass. The Safelite part number thats good is FW04042 GTN only for manual rearview mirrors with NO HUD. problem solved!!!