2009 Toyota Prius Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 111about this part
- Share
- 22%of 502 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 80,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 111 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2009 Toyota Prius, 22% of the 502 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 80,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Driver side headlight problem. Lights turn on when starting to drive but after a while into driving ...13 minuets (is when I noticed) headlight goes out. I drive home afraid to get a ticket. Home is 5 minutes away. I pull in driveway and headlights come back on again. This happens every night when using headlights.”
NHTSA complaint #11109575, filed 2018-07, 176,130 miles“My headlights intermittently shut off for no reason while driving down the street. Some times it's only one, other times it's both. If I turn the headlights off and then back on they work again for a short time. This is very scary to have happen when driving down the interstate at night. It happens almost every time I drive.”
NHTSA complaint #10949182, filed 2017-02, 150,000 miles“During the winter months when it gets below 30 the lights on the vehicle dashboard go out when the vehicle is turned on and remain off while driving and you can't see how fast you are driving or any of the instrument panel or warning lights to know if you need gas, tires are low, etc. I took into a dealership and they said there had been a recall on it but I do not see it listed.”
NHTSA complaint #11023312, filed 2017-09, 60,000 miles“First the driver's side headlight went out, and then back on after a day or two. Then the passenger side headlight did the same thing. I never know until I start up the car whether or not I am going to have both headlights working. This happens when I first start up the vehicle. I don't know if it also happens while driving.”
NHTSA complaint #10871161, filed 2016-05, 68,602 miles“My headlight passenger side keeps going out after a few seconds of turning on. This keeps me from driving at night. My computer controls on my dash board that works the AC. And displays the information about the car does not work. My ABS break light will not go off. This has affected my breaking system on my car. All of these items I have mentioned all occurred while I was driving the car.”
NHTSA complaint #11056249, filed 2017-12, 215,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10150010Sep 11, 2018Dealer Package: September 11, 2018 A watermark has been added to the Dealer Letter to indicate that ZTJ expired on September 10, 2018. Unlike halogen light bulbs which simply…
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 33% |
| 2025 | 1 | 6% |
| 2024 | 4 | 15% |
| 2018 | 5 | 14% |
| 2017 | 2 | 2% |
| 2016 | 3 | 2% |
| 2015 | 7 | 4% |
| 2014 | 6 | 3% |
| 2013 | 12 | 3% |
| 2012 | 36 | 8% |
| 2011 | 48 | 9% |
| 2010 | 149 | 5% |
| 2009 | 111 | 22% |
| 2008 | 579 | 39% |
| 2007 | 1,060 | 53% |
| 2006 | 941 | 65% |
| 2005 | 346 | 33% |
| 2004 | 184 | 30% |
| 2003 | 1 | 1% |
| 2002 | 3 | 2% |
| 2001 | 2 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2009 Toyota Prius
199 complaintsVehicle speed control
71 complaintsElectrical system
60 complaintsOther or unknown
36 complaintsFuel system
24 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
22 complaintsEngine
19 complaintsBody and structure
19 complaintsAir bags
17 complaintsSteering
13 complaintsElectronic stability control
12 complaintsEngine cooling
7 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2009 Toyota Prius
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology