Fog Light Switch problems of the 2006 Toyota Prius

While driving on a dark unlit windy road, the headlights seemed to be getting dimmer, then both spontaneously turned off. I had absolutely zero visibility of the road and I instinctively slammed the brakes. I was approaching a sharp turn with a guard rail and a steep ravine into a river. The car came to rest about 8 inches from the guard rail. Upon cycling the headlights on and off, they both lit up again. I turned in the fog lights as a back up and continued my drive, slowly. Since then, I have observed the lights fading and then turning off, usually only one light at a time, but sometimes both.

The right headlight turned off while the vehicle was in use and now the fog lights aren't working. Sometimes it would turn on and sometimes it wouldn't work at all. You just don't know when it will happen.

Customer states while driving at night, with low-beams, left light went out. Customer switched to hi-beams and all the headlights went out. Customer reports this is the second time the car has done this. On first inspection unable to verify complaint, all lights functioning as they should. Inspected fuses and wiring and all good. While inspecting lights, lights failed after being on only 10 minutes, and turned off. This was a double light failure with both hi & low beam failure, on both left & right lights! located a technical service bulletin related to this condition. Performed all tests outlined in technical service bulletin and located both front headlamps defective with swollen center fogged over causing lights to overheat and ecm for headlights going into fail safe mode and shutting headlights off. Replaced both front headlight bulbs and verified repairs. After repairs, ran headlights for 30 minutes with no furhter failure. Returned vehicle to customer.

Bought a used 2006 Toyota Prius on March 29, 2010, with 50,000 miles. The first time I drove it at night, the right headlight went out, followed shortly by the left headlight. I turned on my fog lights and proceeded to drive the 25 miles to my home. I turned off the headlights and turned them back on and they both worked. This time the left headlight went out, and I turned off my fog lights and turned on the high beams, then all the lights went out and I turned the fog lights back on. This occurred four times before I finally made it home on one headlight. Dealer replaced the bulbs. Toyota said they were high intensity bulbs that heated up and burned out, and suggested not using them except at night. The bulbs cost $150 or $350 and cost an additional $150 to install. Was told if it happens again, to let them know and they'll swap the bulbs to see if it's the headlight computer that has the problem. No idea what that would cost to replace. Wasn't happy with the situation, traded up to a 2008 Prius with 25,000 miles and tonight, April 6, 2010, the same thing has happened. There is something wrong with this scenario. One the headlight bulbs shouldn't consistently blow, and, two, no headlight bulb should cost $150 or more. Back to the dealer tomorrow or the next day to see what they'll do.

I own a 2006 Toyota Prius. The headlights go out intermittently. First the drivers side next the passenger side. If I turn off the lights they will come back on. Sometimes I can't tell if a headlight is out until I pull up to a window or behind another auto. Last night both headlights went out. I turned off the lights and they came back dim. Thank god I have fog lights as it was late and needed to get home ASAP. I don't know when my lights will work and when they wont. Toyota dealership says they are aware of this problem and I need the bulbs replaced (cost of $300. 00) and from my internet research I have found this to be a common (scary) problem. Most people replace the bulbs only to have the problem persist (leading to other expensive repairs) and not feeling confident and safe in their auto. Again, the lights just go off suddenly which is a huge safety issue.

I've been having problems with my '06 (94k miles) for a couple of months. The headlights seem to go out intermittently. It was always the drivers side. It will work just fine when I start the car. If I make a stop (to get gas, etc. ) and then turn the car back on, the light will work for a few miles, then it just cuts out. Yesterday (1/21/09) morning when I left the house, both headlights were working. I stopped and got gas. When I left the gas station, the lights were working. At some point about 10 miles down the road, I realized I had no headlights!! I was on I-66 at 5am (in the dark) with no headlights!!! luckily I had fog lights b/c I still had another 25 miles to go to get to work. I was able to get to the dealership later in the morning and they replaced my bulbs ($318 for the pair. . . . . . . . . . . . And $147. 15 for labor). I am not happy to say the least. My husband found a website (priuschat. Com) and showed it to me. I find it quite interesting to see how many others are having this problem. I found out my mom had the same problem with her Prius. She fought it and Toyota paid for the bulbs and the labor costs. My boss had the same problem with her '06 Prius, too. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . And Toyota paid for it.

I have a 2006 Toyota Prius and my headlights go out randomly,quite often while driving. While driving you can start off with all lights on and then while in low beam the headlights will go off leaving you with fog lights and while in high beam all of the lights go out. The car was taken to a Toyota dealer who said "Toyota knows this is a problem" but we still have to pay. I have children and when my lights went totally out I was lucky enough not to have had an accident. I have read others complaints on an internet blog site and there have been several other owner's with this problem. What does it take to have a recall on these vehicles and have Toyota held responsible for faulty equipment before an accident happens and people are injured due to this.

2006 Toyota Prius with hid lights. At 30,000 miles, in December 2007, the passenger side light began to turn off by itself. It would turn back on if we turned the lights completely off, then on again (dangerous at night, of course). At 35,000 miles, the dealership estimated $350 to replace the bulb, but then replaced bulb under warranty. At 50,000 miles the drivers side headlight began to do the same thing. We could not afford to pay for the replacement so have been turning off and on to remedy. Last week the passengers side headlight started doing it again, even though it is only 1 year old. There are times we have one headlight, and times we have no headlights other than the fog lights. We have been stopped by police and given a warning about a headlight being out. This is a dangerous situation and we think that it cannot be the hid lamps themselves, as they come back on again when we recycle the switch. It must be a computer or relay. . Read more...