$21 to change the brake light bulb!

Move in with someone? (sorry, I couldn't resist)

$21 does seem like a lot of coin for a brake light. I wonder if it can be had cheaper? I'm sure one of the experts on this board can tell us.

... Brad

 

The rear combination light assembly has four functions:

• brake light is LED; if this fails, this requires replacing the entire light assembly, IIRC is priced ~$200
• tail light is a cheap incandescent bulb
• turn signal light is also incandescent
• backup light is also incandescent

For $21, it seems likely that one of the incandescent bulbs was replaced. If you can DIY and visit your local auto parts store, you can probably buy two bulbs for $5.

 

Wow, I'm surprised it was as cheap as it was. I thought the LED brake lights were non-replaceable except as part of the entire taillight assembly.(or as a unit if it's the light in the spoiler). It should last the life of the car. Wouldn't it be part of the main warranty?

 

It can't be the LED assembly. The OP must have been confused.

Tom

 

How did you find out a brake light was out?

Only the center spoiler cluster is LED. The side ones are regular bulbs and easy to get to . The book tells you that too.

 

that had to be a tail light. i replaced mine last month, the bulbs cost me $4 and it took me about a minute.

about knowing when they go out, i routinely check all the lights now that i'm reaching higher mileage on my car. i leave the headlights on at all times, so i check the tail lights and side markers with a quick walk around the car. i hit the hazard flashers to check all 4 corner bulbs. and the only reason i like a big chromed grill getting too close to the back of my car is because i can use that to check my brake lights. the chrome reflects nicely.

 

Then you haven't got the right book because in mine the brakes lights are LED (all of them) and non user replaceable...
Or you don't have a Prius II.

 

Sorry, but ALL the brake lights are LED clusters. Take a good look while someone is stepping on the brake pedal. The tail, turn, and backup lights are incandescent, the brake is an LED cluster.

 

Mr. Goodwrench replaced a fog light under warranty for me. Has the industry changed so much since 2000 or is Toyota particularly cheap?

 

It's your imagination

 

I wonder if Prius owners are more likely than others to ride the brakes--with the idea that you're recharging the battery and not wearing the friction brakes. That would reduce the life of the light, wouldn't it?

 

Not with an LED, at least not enough to make any difference. You should get something like 10,000 hours out of the stock LED brake lamps. If it's the old Prius without the LEDs, then yes.

Tom

 

ill have to drive around and take a picture of one

ive seen some nhw20 cars with a rear brake light on the bottom of the light stack, maybe even forming a giant O shape when the brake light was applied, and the top stack was a turn signal

ive seen some pictures of a 2004-2005 tail light and the top brake light portion was tinted darker too

 

All stock 2004 - 2005 Prius have the dark brake lights. It is done that way to match the dark lower rear window.
If you saw a NHW20 Prius with the brake light at the bottom it was modified, or were you looking at a Civic Hybrid? The Civic has round lights in a horizontal cluster.

 

You should consider yourself lucky. A Saab or Land Rover dealer would have charged $50

Rob

 

Another easy way to check all of your rear lights is to back up to a store window at night. Then make all the lights work and watch the results in your rear-view mirror.

Also works for the front and side lights too, and you can do it without help and never get out of the car.