# Prius headlamp replacement **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** prius, toyota\ **Created:** [January 7, 2011, 6:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/prius-headlamp-replacement/59665 "2011-01-07T18:38:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![teran4000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/977dab/32.png) [@teran4000](https://community.cartalk.com/u/teran4000)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2011, 6:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/prius-headlamp-replacement/59665/1 "2011-01-07T18:38:00Z")
Going on Autozone’s website, Prius HID headlamp is $176. Under that they have others, from $15 and up, but the local Autozone store couldn’t tell me if they would work. Anyone know and have a brand and part number for a reasonable cost replacement? ---
**Author:** ![Goldwing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@Goldwing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Goldwing)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2011, 7:47pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/prius-headlamp-replacement/59665/2 "2011-01-07T19:47:01Z")
What year Prius? Need HID? Regular headlamp assemblies are $70-$80 at Rock Auto. [http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,carcode,1443574,parttype,10762](http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,carcode,1443574,parttype,10762) ---
**Author:** ![jesmed1](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/jesmed1/32/2097_2.png) [@jesmed1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jesmed1)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2011, 10:08pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/prius-headlamp-replacement/59665/3 "2011-01-07T22:08:56Z")
Go to [www.amazon.com](http://www.amazon.com) and search under “prius headlight bulb” in the automotive section. They have an excellent selection, good prices, and free shipping for orders over $25. In addition, you’ll be able to read buyer’s reviews of various bulbs and avoid the bad ones. The “parts finder” feature will allow you to enter your year/make/model to verify that the bulbs you find will fit. ---
**Author:** ![teran4000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/977dab/32.png) [@teran4000](https://community.cartalk.com/u/teran4000)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2011, 11:28pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/prius-headlamp-replacement/59665/4 "2011-01-07T23:28:38Z")
Thank you for your replies, will check out those sources. Andrew Peck Woodstock, New York ---
**Author:** ![bscar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bscar/32/34_2.png) [@bscar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bscar)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2011, 4:53am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/prius-headlamp-replacement/59665/5 "2011-01-08T04:53:21Z")
If your Prius has actual HIDs, you’ll need the expensive set. The other bulbs are likely HID simulated(normal halogen light painted blue) or regular halogen. ---
**Author:** ![teran4000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/977dab/32.png) [@teran4000](https://community.cartalk.com/u/teran4000)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2011, 6:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/prius-headlamp-replacement/59665/6 "2011-01-08T18:24:24Z")
Well, after searching, I found the best deal on Amazon, $55. for a pair, free shipping - now that’s not too much more than the halogen. I am much relieved. But - how do I know if it’s something other than the bulb? - the ECU or ballast or whatever? I am assuming likely the bulb, as it always comes on for a minute before going dark. ---
**Author:** ![tardis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f0a364/32.png) [@tardis](https://community.cartalk.com/u/tardis)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2011, 6:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/prius-headlamp-replacement/59665/7 "2011-01-08T18:50:06Z")
Actually, on the Prius it often is the ballast (I think Toyota may call it the ECU) that fails. ---
**Author:** ![teran4000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/977dab/32.png) [@teran4000](https://community.cartalk.com/u/teran4000)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2011, 11:19pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/prius-headlamp-replacement/59665/8 "2011-01-08T23:19:33Z")
OK, Well, is there a simple test to determine if it’s the ballast or the bulb? ---
**Author:** ![tardis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f0a364/32.png) [@tardis](https://community.cartalk.com/u/tardis)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2011, 11:49pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/prius-headlamp-replacement/59665/9 "2011-01-08T23:49:13Z")
Unfortunately, no. I would swap the left and right bulbs. If the problem follows the bulb, then it is the bulb. If not, then it is the ballast. ---
**Author:** ![BadaBing2010](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c0e974/32.png) [@BadaBing2010](https://community.cartalk.com/u/BadaBing2010)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2011, 2:20am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/prius-headlamp-replacement/59665/10 "2011-01-09T02:20:11Z")
This is worth a read, before you shell out any money: > **[Prius HID D4R D2R Headlights - Luscious Garage | Hybrid Specialists](https://lusciousgarage.com/blog/prius_hid_d4r_headlights/)** > > Click here for the latest blog on this topic: “Prius Headlight Problem” — January 2010 Upgraded packages for 2004-2009 Prius include High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps that cast a crisper, brighter, cooler-colored light than conventional... and PriusChat is your friend 🙂 > **[PriusChat](https://priuschat.com/)** > > The largest online resource for the Toyota Prius offering discussion forums, research, and shopping for the Prius, Prius Plug-in, Prius v, and Prius c hybrids.