2011 Toyota Prius Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 48about this part
- Share
- 9%of 522 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 68,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 48 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2011 Toyota Prius, 9% of the 522 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 68,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I'm trying to complain about this long time ago,but now I found that out.I can't drive my car long time ago because this problem. I don't my miles to drives and I can't see my gas miles. All my dashboard gone and my windows they can't open at all. I can believe to have a future car.they have so many problems with the electric systems.”
NHTSA complaint #11324854, filed 2020-05, 17,500 miles“My headlight on the passenger side keeps dying out of nowhere after about three or four months of use (about 6,000 miles of driving). It has been doing this for the past year now and occurs about three of four times a year. It would happen out of nowhere. Today it occurred while driving in the rain during work (I deliver food, needing my car to drive).”
NHTSA complaint #10876301, filed 2016-06, 69,000 miles“My Prius 2011 hybrid burning low beam headlight every one or two month. It is hard because no one have solution for this issue. The problem is not just changing the headlight every one or two months but the problem is safety, on highway once the light goes down. It happened to me! It was unbelievable.”
NHTSA complaint #11133428, filed 2018-10, 140,000 miles“Headlamp, 2011 Prius 5 door hatchback, I have replaced the right headlamp 5 times since purchasing the vehicle in 2012. Recently the lamp above the the headlamp has also gone out. If you move the wiring I noticed the lights will work for a while then go out. The headlamps will work for a while when replace but with the last replacement the right new headlamp will not work.”
NHTSA complaint #10876013, filed 2016-06, 20,000 miles“I replaced both headlights several times at a much faster time period than any other vehicle I have ever owned. Once I even had to replace the headlamp assembly when one of the headlights generated so much heat that the headlamp assembly plastic melted.”
NHTSA complaint #11278809, filed 2019-11, 85,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10169423Nov 8, 2019Dealer Package: Customer Support Program ZHB Expired October 31, 2019. Toyota has received a number of reports regarding the halogen head lamps on certain 2010 ? 2011 model year…
- 10161519May 8, 2019Dealer Package: May 8, 2019 The interim repair Op Codes have been removed as Toyota now has sufficient inventory of repair kit part number 04007-52147. Toyota has received a…
- 10161518May 6, 2019Customer Support Program Bulletin: Toyota has received reports of customer concerns in which their vehicle?s halogen low beam headlamp bulbs lifetime is shorter than expected.
- 10142900Jun 20, 2018Warranty Policy Bulletin: Toyota has received reports of customer concerns in which their vehicle's halogen low beam headlamp bulbs lifetime is shorter than expected.
- 10129997Feb 21, 2018TSB: REVISION NOTICE February 21, 2018 Rev2: ? Applicability has been updated to include 2012 model year Prius vehicles. ? The Required Tools & Equipment section has been…
- 10131755Feb 6, 2018Warranty Policy Bulletin: Toyota has received reports of customer concerns in which their vehicle?s halogen low beam headlamp bulbs lifetime is shorter than expected.
- 10129973Feb 6, 2018Warranty Policy Bulletin: Toyota has received reports of customer concerns in which their vehicle?s halogen low beam headlamp bulbs lifetime is shorter than expected.
- 10129217Jan 25, 2018Dealer Daily Message: **UPDATED Dealer Letter Available on TIS** Customer Support Program ZHB Certain 2010- 2011 Model Year Prius Coverage for Halogen Low Beam Headlamp Bulbs…
- 10129216Jan 25, 2018Warranty Policy Bulletin: Toyota has received reports of customer concerns in which their vehicle?s halogen low beam headlamp bulbs lifetime is shorter than expected.
- 10129215Jan 25, 2018Dealer Package: The attached Dealer Letter has been updated. Refer to the details below. January 25, 2018 The claim filing details have been updated to clarify remedy OP Codes…
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 2011 Toyota Prius
278 complaintsElectrical system
68 complaintsEngine
47 complaintsAir bags
46 complaintsOther or unknown
30 complaintsVehicle speed control
28 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
18 complaintsElectronic stability control
16 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
13 complaintsFuel system
11 complaintsHybrid propulsion system
10 complaintsBody and structure
9 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2011 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