Toyota stung by possible Prius HID headlight defect
by Jeremy Korzeniewski on Jun 30th 2009 at 2:57PM 
2009 Toyota Prius - Click above for high-res image gallery
We'd wager that the last thing Toyota wants in the midst of the super-important launch of its new third-generation Prius is a negative stigma attached to the previous model. Unfortunately, that's exactly what the Japanese automaker may have on its hands right now as a number of owners of 2005-2008 Toyota Prius hybrids with the "high-intensity discharge" (HID) headlight option are banding together on online forums, message boards and in possible class action lawsuits against the automaker in relation to failing headlamps.
According to Advertising Age, these HID headlight bulbs and their associated electronics can sometimes cost well over $1,000 to replace after they've gone faulty, and Toyota is unwilling to pick up the tab. At least one lawsuit was filed last month by Girard Gibbs in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles on behalf of a Putnam County, N.Y., Prius owner. The suit contends that the problem is a "dangerous but undisclosed safety defect" and alleges that "Toyota is concealing the problems from owners" despite having been "long been aware of Prius' HID headlight problem." It's possible that the suit will get class-action status.
The NHTSA has reportedly filed a preliminary investigation into the issue and contacted Toyota on May 13 regarding the 338 complaints it has received so far from Prius owners regarding the HID headlamps. Spokesmen from Toyota have said the automaker is cooperating with the NHTSA in its investigation, which may or may not end up calling for an official recall.
Gallery: 2009 Toyota Prius
[Source: Advertising Age]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
ShaunneyCakes 3:36PM (6/30/2009)
Toyota does not have a truckload of money at its disposal and not very many assets to sell. They burned through one third of their available cash last quarter and did not make a profit.
They need to handle this with class and speed. They don't need an image hit from something like this. A small problem like this can turn into a HUGE issue and before you know it, the Prius Gen3 is the new Playstation 3... an embarrasing sales failure.
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ShaunneyCakes 3:37PM (6/30/2009)
For the record, I own a 2009 Black Prius without the HID and have NEVER had any issues with it. :-)
win39 3:54PM (6/30/2009)
"They burned through one third of their available cash last quarter and did not make a profit."
And yet Fortune calls it the largest and richest auto manufacturer in the world.
http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/mostadmired/2009/snapshots/6752.html
ShaunneyCakes 4:06PM (6/30/2009)
@win39
Toyota burned 6 billion of 18 billion in capital. This has not affected their market share or Fortune 500 ranking because it is mostly based on market share and product and every auto company is not doing well. But Ford is losing less and has more in savings as well as more assets (brands to sell) to raise capital. Toyota doesn't... it is simple economics. Look it up.
ShaunneyCakes 4:12PM (6/30/2009)
@win39
I think it is hilarious that you posted a link to the "most admired" portion of CNN Money, an entire section based on opinions and not economics... GM made it into the same "Most Admired List" and if I remember correctly, they are not doing so well financially.
Anonymouse 3:47PM (6/30/2009)
I wonder how they're dying. HIDs can be dangerous if the protective UV shield breaks.
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motoxo 1:55AM (7/01/2009)
for the record, i have a 2006 white prius and i've had two HID lights (left and right) replaced under warranty. toyota service has been very good about it.
once it was in seattle while i was on a trip and once in my hometown of berkeley.
each time the HID just stopped working and it wasn't just the blub but the whole unit.
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Knuckles 1:37PM (7/01/2009)
Toyota is addressing this problem the same way they did the Corrolla oil sludge issue - deny, deny, deny.
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Linda 11:10PM (7/22/2009)
Guess what! I'm one of the Prius owners with the problem mentioned above. It is a nightmare. The headlamps will literally just randomly turn off, sometimes one or the other, sometimes both. I am waiting for the recall...
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Rusty 2:09AM (8/28/2009)
I own a 2006 Prius with the HID lighting package and generally have to turn my headlamps off and on 2 times before they will remain on. I never had them replaced because Toyota told me they couldn't find a problem. They just never could get them to fail in their shop. I wonder what I should do to twist their arm to take care of this.
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MadPriusOwner 12:44PM (9/16/2009)
I have a 2006 Prius that, as of today, is starting on its THIRD set of headlamps. The car only has 40,000 miles on it! Dealer won't cover this set, so there goes $300...and that's just for a single lamp that was replaced today...I'm sure the other one will go soon. NHTSA needs to issue a recall and Toyota needs to man up and actually fix this problem.
You know what? If it acts like a lemon, drives like a lemon and COSTS like a lemon...
It's a LEMON.
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Inverse137 9:58PM (10/22/2009)
ShaunneyCakes, you will.
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JeffMiller 1:51AM (11/28/2009)
For automatic updates on Action taken against Toyota on the headlight issue, How to do it yourself, Class Action updates, and other info become a Fan of this page
- http://www.facebook.com/pages/Prius-HID-Class-Action/195351592664?ref=ts
To see a Video on how to change the your headlights yourself for only 50 bucks go to the Facebook Page and watch this video
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QPvUgs9Bgo
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