2011 Prius - Windshield triples light source images

Yes - there are some 2011+ that do not have the problem. We saw that about 20-25% do not have it, its just a matter of test driving at night to see if the problem exists or not, or to what degree. I would not continue to go down the repair path... as it is, I was very reluctant to try another windshield because I did not want to run the risk of having a bad seal on the replaced windshield and ultimately have to deal with the possibility of rust or leaks.

The only Honda I noticed it in was the Accord Plug-in. The Nissan Leaf also has it. I am still without a car for now (using a motorcycle as I am in CA where it never rains), however I helped my friend pick out a Honda Civic, which did not have the problem. The Accord Plug-in and Nissan Leaf both have AGC windshields, so go figure.

Sorry for the late reply. I no longer follow this situation as closely anymore. Toyota can KMA.

 

KGO-TV, San Francisco did a feature on this problem (you can google/bing it) which I too am experiencing with my 2012 Plug-In Advanced. The windshield has been replaced twice, and even Toyota engineers who supposedly flew in to monitor and evaluate the last replacement said that they were not happy with the outcome. So now Toyota (corporate) says two days ago that there is nothing else that can do, and asked me how/if I wanted to proceed. I told them that it is unacceptable to be expected to drive a vehicle whose nighttime vision is distorted. They told me to either request arbitration or file a lemon law complaint. What?! A potentially serious problem exists which they acknowledge, and I'm supposed to just let it go or jump through hoops to get them ORDERED to take the car back?! I have already sent an arbitration request via certified mail, and I will sue Toyota under the lemon law if that is not successful. This was the fourth Toyota that I bought brand new. It is also THE LAST.
Incase you were wondering (since it has come up earlier in this thread) I also have a 2008 Toyota Sienna and I drive Chevy and Ford SUVs where I work. None of these vehicles have this defect, nor did my previous Priuses, a 2007 II snd a 2010 IV.

 

NOOOOOO - DO NOT FILE AN ARBITRATION REQUEST AT THIS POINT - That is a stall tactic. Toyota will always tell you that you must file arbitration first, yet this is completely FALSE. You need to get a lemon law lawyer IMMEDIATELY - These guys will take your case with no retainer fee because they will get paid by the auto manufacturers to represent you. Contact the arbitration center and tell them to cancel the arbitration request!! I was one of the people involved in the KGO feature and have already been through all of this. DO NOT under any circumstance go the arbitration route if you have already had TWO or more repair attempts. LAWYER UP - that is the only way to get anywhere at this point because Toyota will not do anything unless compelled to under the threat of legal action.

:majorsadface:

 

Ok. I'll be on the phone first thing tonorrow morning. Thanks!

 

Yes phvdriv3r is correct. Threaten/file lawsuit will get you places the fastest. Check out my posts. I am also on the 2nd windshield replacement.

Going down replacement car path right now. Will see what happens.

 

Ok, I canceled the arbitration request and lawyered up today.

 

Hi everyone,
the service mgr has acknowledged the windshield defect issue. He offered me a safelight windshield. I said I would rather not put in a aftermarket windshield. He said a windshield is a windshield. i said it's a new car i would like toyota parts . 2012 12000 miles. he called me back and said putting a toyota windshield in would not solve the problem, from what the regional rep told him. Is it wrong I don't want aftermarket? do i have any argument if they will replace it? As i was writing this the dealer rep called me and said the same thing as the service rep.

 

I don't think I would worry about an aftermarket glass especially from a reputable company. It's pretty standard to use them if you are replacing broken/cracked windows out of warranty. I'm tempted to ask Toyota about the same solution as an aftermarket Safelite glass if it solves the problem. I'm disappointed that Toyota Corp/Engineering isn't testing this as a potential solution.

 

Honestly - I would refuse it. Their warranty covers OEM parts and they are trying to weasel their way out of another Lemon Law case.

Also, are you all still reporting these issues to NHTSA?

Way to go! Yeah, they will definitely settle out... they'll sit on it for a bit after the suit is filed in court and might try to get you to take another windshield/etc, but ultimately they'll settle. Maybe the new Accord Hybrid will be out by the time you get your $$$$ back I've already been in one, and its the one I am holding out for. Freakin' Sweet.

 

Safelite is good glass. If you like your car but the windshield is the only issue, give them a shot at a Safelite windshield. If that doesn't work then report back here so we all know and get them to replace the car. A good alternative would be a Camry Hybrid

Mike

 

Update...After I thought about a bit and did some more research, and weighed inputs (thank you), I called Toyota customer care and asked what they thought of the dealer offer. They were not aware of what the dealer said, but they were aware it was a "good will" replacement. When I asked what a good will replacement was the rep told me it was work which was not covered under warranty. ??? Then, Toyota informed me my reference number was not a case number and they would open a case for me, then I got a case number. On Friday I got a call back from my case manager, He is going to find out what the others said and get back to me.

 

If you do go with aftermarket, make damn sure it's in writing that it does not void your warranty. I could just see those jokers trying to pull something down the road (no pin intended) if you need warranty work on something else.

 

The Accord Hybrid is indeed coming back (rated at 50 MPG, however some preliminary real-world tests are showing far higher numbers); set to be at dealerships around the US starting on October 31st... no joke.

 

I have been driving a 2013 Prius Two rental the past 2 weeks and at night I can see bright lights and LED lights are thicker than they should be but this is not bad enough to cause eye fatigue. There is visible distortion in the daylight when looking off at steep angles through the windshield. Looking straight on as normal driving or passenger seated position and it is clear with no distortion.

Mike

Mobile on my SGH-i717 now Free

 

I just bought a 2013 Prius v Three and while the refraction problem is noticeable, it isn't strong enough of an effect to bother me. I would guess that this issue is caused by the glass company not using the appropriate setup in their autoclave to properly cure the resin. The thickness of the resin, the power, spectrum, distance from the resin and the arrangement of the lamps are all variables that must be carefully controlled.

In any case, if adding my vehicle to the list will help, please point me in the right direction. Great site!

 

My attorney has given me permission to let one of the local TV stations interview me this evening about the windshield issue. Since I have yet to get a response from Toyota (but the 30 days they have to respond to my attorney doesn't run out until October 25) I guess they like receiving negative, or at least eyebrow raising attention. At least two west coast markets are getting wind of the situation via media coverage.
Even if Toyota and NHTSA don't acknowledge this as a safety concern, it is still something covered under warranty that they are responsible for fixing. Since their replacement windshields have provided no relief, it's as if they're trying to wash their hands of it, or at least stall until they figure out what to do next. I don't see why I should have to tolerate that. They only seem to want to honor their warranty if it's convenient for them. As someone else mentioned earlier even an aftermarket windshield would be less expensive and less hassle for them as long as it wouldn't void the warranty. To me it seems ridiculous because a few years ago when we had problems with the transmission in our Sienna, Toyota (different dealer) didn't dick around. They stepped up to the plate, provided a loaner car at no charge, and replaced the transmission - a $3,500 job! - and we've had no problems with it since. But for a lousy Prius windshield I have to lawyer up?

 

Toyota is buying back mine. I have not even had to hire an attorney (just threaten). You have to tell them what you want. Be specific. They probably won't just offer things up for you to choose from. They are a big corporate behemoth and can be difficult to deal with, but they will also take care of their problems. They are definitely going to get back to you before the 30 day lemon deadline, trust me.

I do like the car, so I'm now hunting for one (Advanced model) that doesn't have the problem.

 

Thanks, cooljw. I did specify on the complaint sent to Toyota by my lawyer that the remedy is to either buy it back (full refund) or exchange it for a car of equal new value that doesn't have the problem. There's eleven days to go, so we'll see.

 

I did a test last night while driving a 2013 Prius One rental. Following vehicals that had LED taillights showed the slight thickening look thru the windshield. It was there but not causing any issues to me or my wife who was driving. I took out my phone which is a Samsung Galaxy Note which has a 8m pixel camera, and snapped a picture which seriously made the visual look of the light thickening much worse. I already had an idea that a camera taking pictures at night thru any glass would make bright lights look very distorted, and it did ;-)

Mike

Mobile on my SGH-i717 now Free

 

Perhaps this is where the old saying "cameras don't lie" came from..
We all see things a little different according to my eye Dr. Its in our perception.