Suppliers of HID headlight bulbs for 2006?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by dstrevel, Nov 6, 2008.

  1. dstrevel

    dstrevel Junior Member

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    With 35 months and just over 36,000 miles, my 2006 with HID headlights has its first need for repair. The left headlight still lights when turned on but consistently goes out after a few minutes. Leith Toyota says my warranty has just expired and wants $332. just for the replacement D4R bulb.
    I see plasmagarage.com offers a pair of D4R bulbs at $229 with choice of 5000, 6000, or 8000 degree temperature. XtraLights - 888-954-4482 Shop for HID Xenon Light Kits, Headlights, Tail & Corner Lights, LED, Mirrors offers D4R bulbs at $109.50 each.
    Question 1: should I assume the other headlight bulb will fail soon and replace both now?
    Question 2: any experience with these two suppliers - can I trust they sell quality bulbs?
     
    #1 dstrevel, Nov 6, 2008
  2. firepa63

    firepa63 Former Prius Owner

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    You and hundreds of other 06 owners have had HID problems. You should contact Toyota to open a case and ask that they pick up the cost. The problem may not be the bulb, but the controller. Is you problem intermittent as others have reported?
     
    #2 firepa63, Nov 6, 2008
  3. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    Replace both capsules at the same time. If you decide to do it yourself, the following search results list all of the PC threads relating to bulb replacement:

    - Google Search

    Tom
     
    #3 qbee42, Nov 6, 2008
  4. dstrevel

    dstrevel Junior Member

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    firepa63,
    I'm certainly willing to contact Toyota as possibly it is not a bulb problem. Do you know how to make the contact? The Leith Toyota service advisors have not been inviting, suggesting, or informing me of how to do such a thing.
     
    #4 dstrevel, Nov 6, 2008
  5. firepa63

    firepa63 Former Prius Owner

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    You can contact Toyota at (800) 331-4331.

    I would also file a complaint with the NHTSA as it is a safety issue. If everyone who has had the problem filed a complaint with them, maybe they would force a recall. You can file a complaint here IVOQ - File a Complaint.
     
    #5 firepa63, Nov 6, 2008
  6. tecrench

    tecrench Junior Member

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    There are only 10 records of complains there (plus mine), I have talked to 6 people in the last week with same problem:confused:
     
    #6 tecrench, Nov 6, 2008
  7. dstrevel

    dstrevel Junior Member

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    tecrench,
    Since my first post this morning, I have made several more trips in my car. Now I see that sometimes the left headlight "winks off" while driving, sometimes the right one "winks off", and sometimes I can drive for 20 minutes and neither one will fail. So far, only one at a time has failed. Turning the light switch off and then back on temporarily makes both lights come back on. Now my guess is that the bulbs are fine but the light control system is failing.
    I will send in the NHTSA complaint tomorrow and call Toyota.
     
    #7 dstrevel, Nov 6, 2008
  8. firepa63

    firepa63 Former Prius Owner

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    David you definitely have the classic symptoms of the 06 HID failure. When you talk to Toyota, let them know you are filing a complaint with the NHTSA as you believe this is a serious safety issue. However, don't make it sound like a a threat. From other posts I have seen, many people have been sucessful in getting Toyota to pick up the tab, especially since your warranty recently expired. If the dealer claims that the bulbs must be replaced also, be prepared to pick up that portion of the bill as no warranty covers bulbs.

    Keep us posted as to how you make out.
     
    #8 firepa63, Nov 7, 2008
  9. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    Keep in mind that Toyota charges way to much for HID capsules (bulbs). For most owners with this problem, replacing the capsules is all that is required. Toyota has paid for many of these replacements, regardless of the fact that warranties normally don't cover bulbs. In this case Toyota used a bunch of defective capsules, so it is a bit different than normal "wear and tear".

    Tom
     
    #9 qbee42, Nov 7, 2008
  10. dstrevel

    dstrevel Junior Member

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    firepa63,
    I have filed an NHTSA complaint today (November 7th 2008). I went in and looked at their database and found 225 complaints against the 2006 Toyota Prius. I carefully read over the first 100 or so and noted that about 95% of them are for the exact HID headlight failure problem we are discussing here! So in fact, it appears that about 200 individuals have filed a complaint with the Office of Defects Investigation (NHTSA). Most of the compliants were dated between June, 2008 and today. In his statement above, maybe tecwrench only searched the database for the 2007 Prius which he owns, in stating that there are only 10 or 11 headlight failure complaints on file.
     
    #10 dstrevel, Nov 7, 2008
  11. kohnen

    kohnen Grumpy, Cranky Senior Member

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    HID Xenon Kits, HID Bulbs, HID Accessories

    is where I got a pair of the D4R bulbs for $80 plus tax & shipping. The grand total for me was $102.93.

    I got the bulbs last July, and have been using them ever since with no problems.

    I wanted to get a pair and swap them in so that in case they go out, I can go back to the factory bulbs and have time to shop.

    Am pleased with the bulbs - work just fine so far.

    Hope this helps.
     
    #11 kohnen, Nov 7, 2008
  12. tecrench

    tecrench Junior Member

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    ds, You are correct, I didn't notice the year filter. This is interesting:

    2004 8 Complaints Ext Lighting H/L
    2005 9
    2006 62 (97 Ext Lighting)
    2007 10
    2008 3

    Mine is 11/06 build w less than 18 months in service, maybe the acid rain effected the grape crop that year:suspicious:.
     
    #12 tecrench, Nov 7, 2008
  13. dstrevel

    dstrevel Junior Member

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    tecwrench,
    As someone suggested, I called Toyota Customer Server at 800-331-4331. I got a case number and "Heather" called back the next day. I explained that I had intermittently failing headlights and my car had just over 36,000 miles on it. Heather said they might be able to help.
    She called back two days later to say Toyota would pay for all parts and labor to fix the problem. I have an appointment for tomorrow (11/18/2008) and hope that my car will be fixed.
    I have reported my problem to the NHTSA Defects site (Office of Defects Investigation - Safety Recalls) and see that of 240 defect reports currently on file for the 2006 Prius, almost all are for intermittently failing headlights.
    I will submit a further post after I see how the dealer does at fixing my problem.

    David
     
    #13 dstrevel, Nov 17, 2008
  14. barbaram

    barbaram Active Member

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    After finding this info in another thread, I also filed a complaint.
    I called my dealer and mentioned the fact I knew there was a service bulletin. The rep came back after speaking to the manager and said they will pay for the repair even though my car is past the 36,000 miles. taking it in tomorrow.
    (turned 50,000 today!) thank you prius chat experts!!!!!
     
    #14 barbaram, Nov 17, 2008
  15. MRattu

    MRattu New Member

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    Here are some directories from where you can find the information about traders, Dropshippers, buyers, sellers and wholesalers are as follows:
     
    #15 MRattu, Apr 3, 2009
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