I have the exact same problem as the plastic surgeon with his 2006 Prius headlights. Passanger side will go out. I can turn the lights off and it will come back on. If I turn on the brights, after a few minutes, all the lights will go out but then come back with a flick of the switch. The dealer says I need to replace the bulbs at $300 plus labor. I too am suspect. I’ve also been told that there is a computer that could be at fault which costs $1600 to replace. I’m afraid to be caught without headlights but I feel no one is diagnosing, just guessing. What do I do??
Headlights are a safety issue. Your Prius is having the same issue as at least one other Prius, so there are perhaps more Prius’s with problems. Do some research and see if this is a problem with the car, tech bulletins, web sites of Prius owners is a good place to start.
As a safety issue I don’t think Toyota is going to be happy if Prius owners start writing letters the National Highway and Safety Dept. saying that their headlights suddenly go out and then come back on when you fiddle with the switch. This could be a bulb problem but just as likely a relay, switch, or other electrical problem. The fact that the bulbs come back to life does not line up with you need new ones.
Tell Toyota that you will pay for new bulbs, but if the problem recurrs that shows the bulbs were not the problem and you are to get a full refund and get the real problem fixed under warranty, no charge.
There Exists A Toyota TSB (Technical Service Bulletin) Addressing This Issue.
Apparently there is a problem: “low beam does not turn on (one side)” and this bulletin T-SB-0030-08 (April 11, 2008) helps Toyota Technicians diagnose the problem. It helps the technician determine if the problem is a bulb, connector/harness, or HID ECU (electronic control unit) in a 2004-2008 Prius.
Check out a prius owner’s forum. Try
http://priuschat.com/forums-main-forum/
I have had six headlights replaced in my 06 Prius! It is a high mileage situation (120K) but you’ve got to be kidding, 6 headlights at 400 each…that’s 10% of the cost of the car. They have replaced both headlight assemblies, to no avail. To their credit Toyota has paid for all of the replacements to date. I was lucky that the first two went bad while still in warranty. This last one, which happened last week, the dealer made me pay for. However after a call to toyota they have agreed to reimburse me for it. Does anyone know what the real problem is here? I love the car otherwise, but this seems like a serious issue.