Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 Toyota Prius owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Prius. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed on dark roads, the contact became aware that the headlights were extremely dim. The illumination was inadequate while driving. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact became aware of a six-year Extended Warranty letter from the manufacturer. The contact stated that the harness needed to be replaced. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 129,000.
Attached is a report from the Florida Attorney General's project office. Vehicle front headlight bulbs burn out prematurely and frequently and without warning causing reduced visibility at night on dark roads. This is a common and on-going problem for Toyota and other manufacturers and me. Toyota recognized this and issued its own recall ending in 2019, but my car was missed. The 'fix' for me is advice that I should drive my car with high beams on, but in bad weather or on-coming traffic this fix is also a safety hazard. My fear is that one night both bulbs will go out and I will be unable to see the roadway. My car is available for inspection. Constantly replacing bulbs has been and continues to be an expensive issue.
The low-beam headlamps on thousands of 2011 Toyota Priuses were burning out very prematurely (a matter of weeks, not months). Toyota Corporate said they created a customer support program to replace the headlight wiring harness free of charge, but this program ended in 2019. I believe that Toyota should be compelled to issue a recall to replace the wiring harnesses on all 2011 Toyota Priuses, because working headlights are a critical component of a safely traveling vehicle. The cost of replacing the wiring harness is more than $700, a real dent in a working family's budget. For now, we are replacing the burned-out bulbs. However, we believe a recall initiated by NHTSA is warranted in this case.
I have had this car since 2021 and have had to replace both the high and low beams multiple times a year. Each time they go out at the same time with no warning. This is deadly as I have. been on the freeway at night and almost crashed. I counted 4 times just in 2023 this has happened to me. This is more then any other car ive owned, along with any car my siblings and parents have owned. This is deadly and needs to be recalled ASAP
The right low beam bulb goes out every 10-15k miles. This is a known issue by Toyota that addressed it with a "Warranty Enhancement Program" that worked to address the defect, but expired in 2019. I believe that headlamps are critical safety issues, and this should be subject to a recall, not a "Warranty Enhancement Program".
VIN # [redacted] Toyota Prius 2011, driving on interstate 80 east, at 65 MPH, smoke came out of the hood, headlight and wire smelled and burned, car was almost in fire. Shut off car and headlight and smoke stop. Both headlight are damage due to fire. Kept both head light off, got home and did not use the car for a few months. Car is still under warranty but dealer refuse to repair the problem, telling me I have use an aftermarket bulb. The bulb that cause the problem was the bulb that came with the car as new. I tried to tape up the burned wire to get the car safety home.
I own a 2011 Toyota Prius which I purchased in November of that year from arlington Toyota in arlington, va. Since that time I have had to replace the headlights three times. As of nov 2015, the car had 29,105 miles on it which indicates I do not put a lot of miles on the car. On all three occasions, both low beams were inoperable when I started the car. Fortunately, I was not on the road driving. On every occasion, the dealer told me the bulbs were burned out. The most recent occurrence was the night of sept 10, 2015. This time the dealer told me Toyota has a wiring solution that would extend the life of the headlights, but that I would have to pay for it. The "solution" would be expensive. I told them that statement tells me there is a defect in the wiring or electrical system, and the fix should be paid for by Toyota under a recall notice. …
Both of my Prius low beams went out at the same time, I thought it was unusual as both headlights should not go out simultaneously. It was late at night and I was returning from church. I either had to drive without the low beams which is very dangerous or drive high beams which blinds oncoming traffic. I looked online and read several people had both low beams go out simultaneously. This is obviously a problem and should not be happening as it clearly presents a safety risk at night and puts others at risk because I had to use the high beams. This is an ongoing issue with Toyota and they should be held liable for putting the motoring public at risk. Dealer inspected vehicle and claimed both low beams burned out simultaneously. I was advised of a service bulletin that expired on October 2019 that addressed this issue but they said it didn't apply and that it had expired. …
The headlights in my 2011 Toyota Prius have burned out 3 times in the last 6 months, two of the times being at night and I've had to use my high beams so that I can see. When I brought it to my mechanic, I was told that it's a defect with the 2010 and 2011 Prius and that the only way to repair the issue is to install an enhancement kit, which cost me over $500. When I called Toyota about this problem, I was told that my extended warranty does not cover burned out headlights. I keep trying to tell them that I don't expect them to cover burned out headlights, but that they are burning out because of a defect with the car. They keep brushing me off. I am very upset by the fact that it's a known problem with the car and Toyota is not standing by it.
Toyota Prius 3 headlights quit working on low beam without any indication upon starting car. It appears that if one bulb burns out, both headlights fail to work, possibly due to the other headlight shorting out the working headlight. Each time the lights have worked just a few hours before and when we return to car, they will not turn on.this has occurred approx 3 times now forcing us to drive significant distances with high beams on. Lights appear to work OK after replacement of both bulbs. Please issue a repair recall to fix this issue which leaves a driver with absolutely no lights.
Headlight complaints in other Prius years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2011 Toyota Prius?
NHTSA has 49 complaints about the lights of the 2011 Toyota Prius, 9% of the model year's 521 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2011 Toyota Prius headlight problems?
No. NHTSA lists no lights recall for the 2011 Toyota Prius, though it has 6 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2011 Toyota Prius headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 69,000 miles, and 11% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to lights problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.