NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Exterior Lighting complaints
209 reportsClear category filter97,000 miles · Oct 14, 2015
Exterior Lighting
TOOK MY CAR TO THE LOCAL DEALER TOO HAVE HEADLIGHTS LOOKED AT BECAUSE A POLICE OFFICER PULLED ME OVER FOR "NO HEADLIGHT PASSENGER SIDE". WHEN I TURNED THE LIGHTS ON FOR HIM, IT CAME BACK ON. THEN I FOUND BOTH HIGH BEAMS BURNED OUT AND THE DRL'S ALSO DID NOT WORK. SO, OFF TO THE DEALER. THEY FOUND BOTH HIGH BEAM BULBS EXPLODED, A…
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TOOK MY CAR TO THE LOCAL DEALER TOO HAVE HEADLIGHTS LOOKED AT BECAUSE A POLICE OFFICER PULLED ME OVER FOR "NO HEADLIGHT PASSENGER SIDE". WHEN I TURNED THE LIGHTS ON FOR HIM, IT CAME BACK ON. THEN I FOUND BOTH HIGH BEAMS BURNED OUT AND THE DRL'S ALSO DID NOT WORK. SO, OFF TO THE DEALER. THEY FOUND BOTH HIGH BEAM BULBS EXPLODED, AND COULD NOT REPRODUCE ANYTHING ELSE / FIND ANY OTHER PROBLEM. THEY REMOVED THE HIGH BEAM BULBS BUT NEGLECTED TO INFORM ME. NOW AFTER SOME RESEARCH I FOUND OUT THESE PROBLEMS ARE KNOWN TO TOYOTA. THEY EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO 72,000 MILES, BUT, WOULD NOT COVER MY CAR THAT I BOUGHT FROM THEM WITH 82,000 MILES ON IT... MY CAR NOW HAS 97,000 MILES ON IT BUT NOTHING DOES ME ANY GOOD WHEN THE LIGHTS GO OUT CROSSING THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT... TALK ABOUT A AHA MOMENT. IT IS A COMPLETE SAFETY ISSUE WETHER THEY ADMIT IT OR NOT.. I HAVE BOUGHT MY 3 CARS FOR THE SAME DEALERSHIP / SALESMAN... MY LIFE AND THE LIVES OF MY FAMILY ARE WAY MORE IMPORTANT THAN A HEADLIGHT ISSUE. I HAVE REPLACED THE HIGH BEAM BULBS MYSELF, NOW WORKING ON THE LOW BEAMS BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN TOLD THEY WILL GO OUT SOON.
NHTSA ODI #10782220
51,000 miles · Oct 13, 2015
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
ALL OF A SUDDEN THE HIGH-BEAM HEAD LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING WHEN THE CAR WAS IN MOTION ON THE FREEWAY. LOW -BEAM LIGHTS WORK. THIS IS A REAL SAFETY HAZARD AND IS OBVIOUSLY A TOYOTA ENGINEERING FLAW. TOYOTA DID HAVE A WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT FOR THIS VEHICLE - 75,000 MILES OR 5 YEARS, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST. MY CAR HAS 52,000 MILES B…
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ALL OF A SUDDEN THE HIGH-BEAM HEAD LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING WHEN THE CAR WAS IN MOTION ON THE FREEWAY. LOW -BEAM LIGHTS WORK. THIS IS A REAL SAFETY HAZARD AND IS OBVIOUSLY A TOYOTA ENGINEERING FLAW. TOYOTA DID HAVE A WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT FOR THIS VEHICLE - 75,000 MILES OR 5 YEARS, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST. MY CAR HAS 52,000 MILES BUTS IS OVER 5 YEARS OLD. TOYOTA IS WELL AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO FIX THIS, FREE OF CHARGE AND I SHOULD NOT BE REQUIRED TO PAY FOR THE FIX OF $2,500 PLUS LABOR, WHICH IS OUTRAGEOUS.
NHTSA ODI #10781786
31,000 miles · Sep 7, 2015
Exterior LightingUnknown Or Other
WHEN COMING BACK FROM A SHORT TRIP I NOTICED THAT THE RIGHT SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLAMP WAS OUT. THEN ONE DAY THE LIGHT WAS ON AGAIN THEN THE NEXT IT IS OUT. NOW IT RARELY COMES ON SO I.CALLED MY TOYOTA DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WOULD BE AT LEAST $200 FOR NEW LOW BEAM LIGHT BULB. I THEN TOOK IT TO A REPUTABLE REPAIR SHOP AND THEY SAID…
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WHEN COMING BACK FROM A SHORT TRIP I NOTICED THAT THE RIGHT SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLAMP WAS OUT. THEN ONE DAY THE LIGHT WAS ON AGAIN THEN THE NEXT IT IS OUT. NOW IT RARELY COMES ON SO I.CALLED MY TOYOTA DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WOULD BE AT LEAST $200 FOR NEW LOW BEAM LIGHT BULB. I THEN TOOK IT TO A REPUTABLE REPAIR SHOP AND THEY SAID THAT THE BULB WAS NOT BAD BUT THE BALLAST WAS BAD. THEY SHOWED ME A LIST OF COMPLAINTS FROM ON LINE AND THEY SAID THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THAT PROBLEM. TOYOTA SAYS THERE IS NO RECALL. IF THIS IS SUCH A COMMON AND EXPENSIVE PROBLEM THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL. I RESEARCHED SEVERAL WEB SITES AND THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT HEADLIGHT PROBLEMS ON THE 2008 AVALON. SOME PROBLEMS EXACTLY LIKE MINE OTHERS A LITTLE DIFFERENT BUT ALL ARE ABOUT MALFUNCTIONING HEADLIGHTS.
NHTSA ODI #10762006
48,000 miles · Aug 29, 2015
Exterior Lighting
DISCOVER THAT BOTH HIGH BEAMS DO NOT FUNCTION. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH THE AVALON, AND TOYOTA HAD ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN, BUT HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL. WHILE THIS ISSUE IS NOT AN DIRE ONE, IT IS A VERY EXPENSIVE FIX. I THINK THE NUMBER OF VEHICLES INVOLVED MY REQUIRE A RECALL.
NHTSA ODI #10760127
22,919 miles · Jul 7, 2015
Exterior Lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT WAS COMPLETELY DISTORTED AND INOPERATIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE PASSENGER SIDE BULB HOUSING ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT WAS COMPLETELY DISTORTED AND INOPERATIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE PASSENGER SIDE BULB HOUSING ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN THE MANUFACTURER'S RECALL: CSC-10042925-9889 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING), BUT IT WAS EXPIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,919. MA 09/03/15 THE CONSUMER STATED THE RIGHT SIDE HEADLAMP IMPLODED. UPDATED 12/10/15 *JS
NHTSA ODI #10732476
78,000 miles · Jun 24, 2015
Exterior Lighting
TOYOTA SENT OUT A WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT NOTICE ABOUT JUNE 2012 THAT IF YOU HAD PROBLEMS WITH HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS ON MY MODEL VEHICLE TO TAKE THE CAR TO A DEALER. CAR HAD TO BE LESS THAN 5 YEARS OLD A UNDER 72,000 MILES. I ASK ABOUT MY CAR AND THEY SAID MY MILEAGE WAS TO HIGH. WITHIN A MONTH I FOUND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. THE…
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TOYOTA SENT OUT A WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT NOTICE ABOUT JUNE 2012 THAT IF YOU HAD PROBLEMS WITH HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS ON MY MODEL VEHICLE TO TAKE THE CAR TO A DEALER. CAR HAD TO BE LESS THAN 5 YEARS OLD A UNDER 72,000 MILES. I ASK ABOUT MY CAR AND THEY SAID MY MILEAGE WAS TO HIGH. WITHIN A MONTH I FOUND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. THE HIGH BEAM BULBS WOULD EXPLODE AS MINE DID. I WENT BACK TO TOYOTA TO ASK FOR A WAVER FOR THE REPAIR TO BE DONE. THEY AGAIN SAID NO. BUT WOULD BE HAPPY TO REPAIR IT FOR $2284.66. THE COST OF NEW HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES. IT SEEMS THAT THE ORIGINAL BULB WAS NO LONGER MADE AND THERE WAS NO DIRECT REPLACEMENT FOR IT. SOLUTION WAS THE $2284.66 REPAIR. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE COVERED NO MATTER THE AGE OR MILES OF A VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO MENTION IN THE NOTICE OF BULBS EXPLODING OR THAT THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. VERY MISLEADING ON THE PART OF TOYOTA.
NHTSA ODI #10730142
77,000 miles · Mar 17, 2015
Exterior Lighting
TOTAL FAILURE OF BOTH HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS. TOYOTA REFUSES TO CONSIDER THIS A WARRANTY ITEM. ALTHOUGH THIS IS A SAFETY ITEM IN N.Y. STATE, TOYOTA DOES NOT FEEL THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. UPON CHECKING THE INTERNET, I FIND THAT MY PROBLEM IS NOT AN ISOLATED CASE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10694867
Mileage unknown · Feb 12, 2015
Exterior Lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE LOW BEAM HEAD LAMPS FUNCTIONED INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA ODI #10682996
90,000 miles · Jan 20, 2015
Exterior Lighting
TOYOTA HAS ISSUE WITH DAY TIME RUNNING LIGHTS AND HIGH BEAMS. THEY WILL ONLY WARRANTY IF UNDER 72000 MILE OR 5 YEARS. IF THEY HAVE A PROBLEM THEY SHOULD STAND BEHIND. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10676639
60,000 miles · Jan 19, 2015
Exterior Lighting
LIGHTS JUST STOPPED WORKING. TOYOTA ACKNOWLEDGED THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE HEAD LIGHTS AND WROTE SEVERAL DEALER SERVICE MEMOS CONCERNING THIS PROBLEM. AFTER TALKING WITH TOYOTA CONSUMER AFFAIRS THAT THIS WAS THEIR PROBLEM AND THEY SHOULD FIX IT, THEY SAID IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THEY EVEN ADVISED ME THAT THE LOW BEAMS MAY…
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LIGHTS JUST STOPPED WORKING. TOYOTA ACKNOWLEDGED THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE HEAD LIGHTS AND WROTE SEVERAL DEALER SERVICE MEMOS CONCERNING THIS PROBLEM. AFTER TALKING WITH TOYOTA CONSUMER AFFAIRS THAT THIS WAS THEIR PROBLEM AND THEY SHOULD FIX IT, THEY SAID IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THEY EVEN ADVISED ME THAT THE LOW BEAMS MAY FAIL. THEY WERE NOT CONCERNED ABOUT MY SAFETY AND TOLD ME JUST ABOUT TO POUND SAND. THEY COULD CARE LESS ABOUT THIS, EVEN THOUGH THEY'RE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. MY SAFETY MEANS NOTHING, EVEN AFTER OWNING 5 TOYOTA VEHICLES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10676439
Official recalls
6Jun 2, 2016
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.
Nov 19, 2014
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, Camry, Highlander, Tundra 4x2 and 4x4, and 2007-2011 Rav4 and 4Runner. The affected vehicles may experience compression of the seat cushion which may damage the seat heater wiring.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge. The recall is expected to began in January 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.
Feb 3, 2010
GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 AND JUNE 2, 2008 WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. DEALERS WILL ALSO CORRECT THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GULF STATES TOYOTA AT 713-580-3300.
Feb 3, 2010
SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.
Jan 21, 2010
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 AVALON, MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 CAMRY, MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 COROLLA, COROLLA MATRIX, RAV4, MODEL YEAR 2010 HIGHLANDER, MODEL YEAR 2008-2010 SEQUOIA, AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 TUNDRA VEHICLES. DUE TO THE MANNER IN WHICH THE FRICTION LEVER INTERACTS WITH THE SLIDING SURFACE OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL INSIDE THE PEDAL SENSOR ASSEMBLY, THE SLIDING SURFACE OF THE LEVER MAY BECOME SMOOTH DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. IN THIS CONDITION, IF CONDENSATION OCCURS ON THE SURFACE, AS MAY OCCUR FROM HEATER OPERATION (WITHOUT A/C) WHEN THE PEDAL ASSEMBLY IS COLD, THE FRICTION WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS OPERATED MAY INCREASE, WHICH MAY RESULT IN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECOMING HARDER TO DEPRESS, SLOWER TO RETURN, OR, IN THE WORST CASE, MECHANICALLY STUCK IN A PARTIALLY DEPRESSED POSITION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY BECOME HARD TO DEPRESS, SLOW TO RETURN TO IDLE, OR, IN THE WORST CASE, MECHANICALLY STUCK IN A PARTIALLY DEPRESSED POSITION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REINFORCEMENT BAR IN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WHICH WILL ALLOW THE PEDAL TO OPERATE SMOOTHLY. GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS FOR THE PONTIAC VIBE PLEASE SEE 10V-018. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON FEBRUARY 5, 2010 AND WILL BE COMPLETED ON MARCH 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
Oct 5, 2009
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CAN GET STUCK IN THE WIDE OPEN POSITION DUE TO ITS BEING TRAPPED BY AN UNSECURED OR INCOMPATIBLE DRIVER'S FLOOR MAT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A STUCK OPEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY RESULT IN VERY HIGH VEHICLE SPEEDS AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH, SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
Remedy: TOYOTA FILED AN AMENDED DEFECT REPORT ON NOVEMBER 25, 2009, STATING THAT DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND, ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, ALTER THE SHAPE OF THE FLOOR SURFACE UNDER THE PEDAL. THESE CHANGES ADDRESS THE RISK OF PEDAL ENTRAPMENT DUE TO INTERFERENCE WITH THE FLOOR MAT. REDESIGNED ACCELERATOR PEDALS WILL BECOME AVAILABLE BEGINNING IN APRIL 2010 AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY MODIFIED PEDAL WITH THE NEW PEDAL IF DESIRED. ALSO, DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY GENUINE TOYOTA OR LEXUS ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MATS WITH REDESIGNED ALL-WEATHER MATS, OR REPURCHASE THE PREVIOUS MATS FROM OWNERS WHO DO NOT WANT THE NEW ONES. ADDITIONALLY, SOFTWARE MODIFICATIONS WILL BE INSTALLED ON CAMRY, AVALON AND LEXUS ES 350, IS 350 AND IS 250 MODELS THAT WILL ENSURE THAT THE BRAKE OVERRIDES THE ACCELERATOR IN THE EVENT BOTH BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS ARE APPLIED. TOYOTA WILL BEGIN MAILING LETTERS TO OWNERS ON DECEMBER 31, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331, LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗