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The owner of a Toyota Prius says the company has failed to address a defect that causes the car’s headlights to burn out prematurely.
Plaintiff Michael Robey says the low-beam headlights in 2010 and 2011 models of the Toyota Prius have a defect that can cause them to die suddenly, even while the vehicle is in operation.
“The Headlight Defect has been documented to occur without warning during vehicle operation and poses an extreme and unreasonable safety hazard to drivers, passengers and pedestrians,” Robey states.
“Numerous Class Vehicle owners have reported suddenly losing one or both low beam headlights while driving at night in dimly lit areas, on the highway and/or under other circumstances where properly functioning headlights are crucial.”
Several affected owners and renters have filed online complaints with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, according to this Toyota Prius class action lawsuit. One reviewer claims their low beam headlights burned out while driving on the interstate and that they had to replace their headlights five times in the last three years.
Another reviewer reports having to replace the headlights in their Toyota Prius three times in a single year. Still another reports having to buy new bulbs every two months or risk having to drive with their high beams on constantly.
According to Robey, Toyota should have been fully aware of the alleged Toyota Prius headlight defect even without these agency complaints to put the company on notice. He alleges the company must have known about the problem through pre- and post-production testing and analysis.
Robey says he bought a 2010 Toyota Prius from a Berkeley, Calif. dealership in December of that year. He claims that by April 2014, the headlights were not functioning properly.
A dealership representative allegedly told Robey that not only were both low-beam headlights burned out but also that the driver’s side headlight assembly had melted. Repairs cost Robey more than $720 out of pocket, he says.
Robey seeks to represent a proposed plaintiff Class defined as “[a]ll persons who purchased or leased any 2010 through 2011Toyota Prius vehicle in the United States.” He is also proposing a subclass consisting of Class Members who made their purchase in California.
Robey is asking the court for a remediation program that would require Toyota to repair the alleged headlight defect in all affected Toyota Prius vehicles without charge, and to extend the warranty on those vehicle’s headlight systems to 10 years or 120,000 miles. The program would also reimburse affected owners for expenses already incurred as a result of the headlight defect.
He also seeks an award of damages, restitution, court costs, attorneys’ fees, and any other available statutory remedies, all with pre- and post-judgment interest.
Robey is represented by attorneys Mark S. Greenstone and Lionel Z. Glancey of Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP.
The Toyota Prius Headlight Defect Class Action Lawsuit is Michael Robey v. Toyota Motor Sales USA Inc., Case No. 3:16-cv-07212, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.
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45 thoughts onToyota Prius Class Action Says Headlights Burn Out Prematurely
I bought my, otherwise nice, 2013 Prius in Feb. 2022. It is barely over a year later and I will be replacing my 5th headlight bulb today?!?!?!
I own a 2012 Toyota prius and been replacing the light bulbs on the passenger side every 1 to 2 months and on the driver’s side about every 6 months. If I take the car to Toyota to get this issue fixed they will charge me an arm and a leg, so I haven’t done that yet. I think I’d rather have a regular mechanic look at this issue. It’s extremely frustrating having to buy headlights every month or two and they are not exactly cheap
I own a 2010 Prius and have burned through 4 sets of bulbs in last 1.5 years. Even went so far as to replace both headlight housings for $500 (at recommendation of my mechanic) and still burning bulbs!
My 2012 Prius C has been having this issue for the past several years. Since the original ones burnt out I replace the new ones every Six months!
I am replacing headlights both sides in less than 2 months. Twice both lights have gone out at night at the same time. Before now I wasn’t sure though it seemed like I was replacing them excessively. Now I am certain, like all of you above, something is wrong with the Prius headlight system.
What about the known issue with headlghts that burn out prematurely and the design to make it near impossible to replace bulbs independently by Subaru owners.
Wow! I have a 2015 Toyota Prius and have had the replace the bulb 4x. I thought it was just my car. Who knew!
I’ve got a 2010 that I bought new and have been battling the headlight problem for the last 8 years. I thought it was just me….irritates the heck out of me that Toyota’s known about it the whole time.
i just bought this car had it 2 days and for the first time drive it at night and find out my headlights dont work at night. if they do come on then my everything on my dash cluster dont work and shuts off,. so when you turn on headlights are shorting out the dash cluster when i turn on the headlights.
im very upset. i had a toyota baxter dealer in lavisa nebraska check everything out and they said only the plate bulb was out never said my headlights are out. so im very upset right now with toyota dealer that checked this for me and didnt tell me the headlights are burned out and have a short that turns off the dash cluster when they are turned on.
..OH> i forgot to add, my headlights are currently out RIGHT NOW! It really is ridiculous. All the technology in these cars, and they fail at the headlight area!? Currently my right headlight is working, but the right high beam went out, and on the left side the high beam works, and the headlight is out! This is when I know they are all going out soon, because it starts with one, either high or low beam, and then the other side goes,…just a short matter of time before I lose all lights again! C’mon Toyota!