NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Exterior Lighting complaints
26 reportsClear category filter65,000 miles · Jan 31, 2014
Exterior Lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA SOLARA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEAD LIGHTS WOULD SPORADICALLY FAIL, MAKING IT DIFFICULT FOR THE CONTACT TO SEE THE ROADWAY WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT TURNING THE HEAD LIGHT SWITCH OFF AND ON WOULD CORRECT THE DEFECT TEMPORARILY BEFORE RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA SOLARA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEAD LIGHTS WOULD SPORADICALLY FAIL, MAKING IT DIFFICULT FOR THE CONTACT TO SEE THE ROADWAY WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT TURNING THE HEAD LIGHT SWITCH OFF AND ON WOULD CORRECT THE DEFECT TEMPORARILY BEFORE RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO REPLACED THE LIGHT BULBS FOR THE HEAD LIGHTS BUT THE DEFECT WAS NOT REMEDIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
NHTSA ODI #10562426
56,887 miles · Jan 19, 2014
Exterior Lighting
HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT WHILE TRAVELING AT NIGHT AT HIGHWAY SPEED. LIGHTS ALTERNATELY FLICKERED ON AND OFF WHILE SWITCHING BETWEEN AUTO MODE AND ON MODE OF HEADLIGHT SWITCH. ONE HEADLIGHT FINALLY WENT OUT AGAIN COMPLETELY AND BOTH ACTING SPORADICALLY. VEHICLE IS THE SPORT MODEL WITH THE HID HEADLIGHT SYSTEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10560566
40,000 miles · Mar 14, 2013
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
DRIVER SIDE LOW BEAM (HID) HEADLIGHT TURNS OFF BY ITSELF IN MANUAL AND AUTO MODES. TURNING THE LIGHT SWITCH OFF AND BACK ON BRINGS THE HEADLIGHT BACK ON BUT ONLY FOR A SHORT PERIOD, THEN IT GOES OUT AGAIN. THE PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT AT FIRST BUT IS BECOMING MORE FREQUENT AND AT TIMES BOTH HEADLIGHTS WILL FLICKER INTERMITTENTLY…
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DRIVER SIDE LOW BEAM (HID) HEADLIGHT TURNS OFF BY ITSELF IN MANUAL AND AUTO MODES. TURNING THE LIGHT SWITCH OFF AND BACK ON BRINGS THE HEADLIGHT BACK ON BUT ONLY FOR A SHORT PERIOD, THEN IT GOES OUT AGAIN. THE PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT AT FIRST BUT IS BECOMING MORE FREQUENT AND AT TIMES BOTH HEADLIGHTS WILL FLICKER INTERMITTENTLY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10503068
157,650 miles · Feb 28, 2013
Exterior Lighting
THE RIDERS SIDE FRONT LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHT OPERATES INTERMITTENTLY. WE RECEIVED A FIX IT TICKET; BUT THE LIGHT WORKED THE NEXT DAY AND GOT THE TICKET SIGNED OFF. HOWEVER THE RIDERS SIDE LOW BEAM LIGHT CONTINUES TO WORK AND NOT WORK INTERMITTENTLY. OUT MECHANIC TOLD US THE HIGH INTENSITY LIGHT MODULE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. …
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THE RIDERS SIDE FRONT LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHT OPERATES INTERMITTENTLY. WE RECEIVED A FIX IT TICKET; BUT THE LIGHT WORKED THE NEXT DAY AND GOT THE TICKET SIGNED OFF. HOWEVER THE RIDERS SIDE LOW BEAM LIGHT CONTINUES TO WORK AND NOT WORK INTERMITTENTLY. OUT MECHANIC TOLD US THE HIGH INTENSITY LIGHT MODULE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. IT SEEMS TO ME THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE TOYOTA SHOULD ADDRESS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10500878
72,000 miles · Dec 20, 2012
Exterior Lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA CAMRY SOLARA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD RANDOMLY FAIL WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE HEADLIGHTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER DID NOT PROVIDE A REASON FOR THE HEADLIGHTS SPORADICALLY FAILING. THE HEADLIGHTS WERE NOT REPLA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA CAMRY SOLARA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD RANDOMLY FAIL WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE HEADLIGHTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER DID NOT PROVIDE A REASON FOR THE HEADLIGHTS SPORADICALLY FAILING. THE HEADLIGHTS WERE NOT REPLACED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,000.
NHTSA ODI #10489402
39,495 miles · Oct 10, 2012
Exterior Lighting
I WAS NOTIFIED MY RIGHT FRONT HEADLIGHT WAS OUT EARLY IN JULY, 2011. I TOOK IT TO BE REPAIRED AND WAS INFORMED THAT A "MODULE" NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THESE WERE 'HIGH INTENSITY" LIGHTS. ON JULY 12,2011 THE MODULE WAS ORDERED BY MY MECHANIC AND INSTALLED ON JULY 13, 2012. IN FEB, 2012 MY LEFT FRONT HEADLIGHT WENT OUT. MY …
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I WAS NOTIFIED MY RIGHT FRONT HEADLIGHT WAS OUT EARLY IN JULY, 2011. I TOOK IT TO BE REPAIRED AND WAS INFORMED THAT A "MODULE" NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THESE WERE 'HIGH INTENSITY" LIGHTS. ON JULY 12,2011 THE MODULE WAS ORDERED BY MY MECHANIC AND INSTALLED ON JULY 13, 2012. IN FEB, 2012 MY LEFT FRONT HEADLIGHT WENT OUT. MY MECHANIC ORDERED A NEW MODULE ON FEB 15, 2012 AND WAS INSTALLED ON MARCH 1, 2012. IN JUNE, 2012 I WAS STOPPED BY POLICE FOR HAVING ONLY ONE HEADLIGHT. AT THAT TIME MY LEFT HEADLIGHT WAS OUT AGAIN (ONLY 3 MONTHS LATER). WITHIN THE NEXT FEW DAYS I NOTICED THAT INTERMITTENTLY MY HEADLIGHTS WOULD TURN OFF WHILE DRIVING, SOMETIMES THE RIGHT, SOMETIMES THE LEFT, AND SOMETIME BOTH AT THE SAME TIME. IF I SWITCHED FROM AUTO TO ON, BOTH HEADLIGHTS WOULD TURN BACK ON FOR ABOUT 5 MINS THEN EITHER ONE OR BOTH WOULD SHUT OFF. IF I SWITCHED FROM ON TO AUTO, THE SAME WOULD HAPPEN FOR A COUPLE MINUTES.I RETURNED TO MY MECHANIC, BUT UPON DRIVING AND KEEPING THE LIGHTS ON HE COULD NOT GET THE SAME THING TO HAPPEN.THAT WAS ON JULY 20, 2012. SINCE THAT TIME, I HAVE HAD TO REFRAIN FROM USING MY CAR AFTER DARK, BECAUSE FOR NO APPARENT REASON, THE LIGHTS WILL SHUT OFF. THERE ARE TIMES I HAVE ALL LIGHTS AND THEN ANOTHER DRIVER WILL INFORM ME THAT I HAVE NO HEADLIGHTS AT ALL. I AM AWARE THAT THE TOYOTA PRIUS HAD AN ISSUE WITH THIS HAPPENING AND AM CONCERNED THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR AS WELL.THESE LIGHTS AND MODULES ARE EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE AND HAVING TO REPLACE THEM EVERY 6 MONTHS OR ON A CAR THAT IS LESS THAN 5 YEARS OLD SEEMS RIDICULOUS WHILE AFTER REPLACING, THE PROBLEM CONTINUES.THE LACK OF HEADLIGHTS AND NOT KNOWING WHEN THEY GO OUT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND PUTS ME AND MY FAMILY AT RISK FOR INJURY AS WELL AS OTHERS. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THIS IS A GENERAL PROBLEM WITH TOYOTA CARS WITH THESE TYPE OF LIGHTS OR AN ISOLATED CASE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10479657
85,367 miles · Sep 7, 2012
Exterior Lighting
ONE OR BOTH HEADLIGHTS GO OUT EVERY MINUTE OR TWO. MOST OFTEN IT IS THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT, OCCASIONALLY IT IS THE LEFT, AND THEN A COUPLE OF TIMES BOTH WENT OUT AT THE SAME TIME. THIS OCCURS WHEN THE SELECTOR IS SET OR AUTOMATIC AND MANUAL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10474179
75,000 miles · Jul 11, 2012
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
I WAS DRIVING IN CITY IN THE EVENING AND NOTICED THAT THE STREET APPEARED TO DARKEN. THE PASSENGER IN MY CAR TOLD ME TO PULL OVER SO WE COULD CHECK THE HEADLIGHT. THE DRIVER HEADLIGHTS OUT. I WENT TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. THEY TOLD ME IT MIGHT BE THE BULB BUT COULDN'T GUARANTEE IT. I COULD TRY IT OUT FOR 160.00. AND IF IT DI…
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I WAS DRIVING IN CITY IN THE EVENING AND NOTICED THAT THE STREET APPEARED TO DARKEN. THE PASSENGER IN MY CAR TOLD ME TO PULL OVER SO WE COULD CHECK THE HEADLIGHT. THE DRIVER HEADLIGHTS OUT. I WENT TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. THEY TOLD ME IT MIGHT BE THE BULB BUT COULDN'T GUARANTEE IT. I COULD TRY IT OUT FOR 160.00. AND IF IT DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM TO COME BACK AND THEY'D CHECK ELECTRICAL. I WAS NOT FOOLISH ENOUGH TO DO THAT. I TRIED THE LIGHTS AGAIN FOR THE NEXT YEAR AND NOW BOTH LIGHTS GO ON AND OFF AT WILL. AT TIMES I HAVE HAD BOTH GO OFF. IF I TURN THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH OFF AND THEN BACK ON AGAIN THEY LIGHTS RETURN ON SOMETIMES. OTHER TIMES I CHANGE THE SETTING AND USE THE OTHER SETTING TO GET BOTH LIGHTS. I'VE BEEN STOPPED BY THE LOCAL POLICE FOR HEADLIGHT OUT. I WILL BE FURIOUS IF I GET A TICKET OR HAVE TO PAY 2 K TO GET THIS FIXED WHEN IT'S A DEFECT FROM THE FACTORY. TOYOTA OWNS THIS! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10465333
48,000 miles · Nov 14, 2011
Exterior Lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA CAMRY SOLARA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED AND SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE. ONCE THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, THE HEADLIGHTS RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER ADV…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA CAMRY SOLARA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED AND SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE. ONCE THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, THE HEADLIGHTS RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE BULB AND COMPUTER MALFUNCTIONED AND CAUSED THE HEADLIGHTS TO FAIL. THE DEALER SUGGESTED REPLACING THE BULB AND THE COMPUTER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.
NHTSA ODI #10435589
68,500 miles · Nov 4, 2011
Exterior Lighting
HIGH-INTENSITY DISCHARGE (HID) HEADLIGHTS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. TURNING THEM OFF AND BACK ON TEMPORARILY ''FIXES'' THE PROBLEM, BUT ONE OR THE OTHER WILL GO OUT AGAIN AFTER DRIVING MORE THAN A FEW MINUTES. OCCASIONALLY BOTH GO OUT DURING THE SAME TRIP WHICH CAN BE A BIT OF A SHOCK WHEN IT IS DARK AND THE ROAD CURVES. ONLINE RE…
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HIGH-INTENSITY DISCHARGE (HID) HEADLIGHTS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. TURNING THEM OFF AND BACK ON TEMPORARILY ''FIXES'' THE PROBLEM, BUT ONE OR THE OTHER WILL GO OUT AGAIN AFTER DRIVING MORE THAN A FEW MINUTES. OCCASIONALLY BOTH GO OUT DURING THE SAME TRIP WHICH CAN BE A BIT OF A SHOCK WHEN IT IS DARK AND THE ROAD CURVES. ONLINE RESEARCH SEEMS TO INDICATE THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON SOLARA & PRIUS. REPLACEMENT BULBS ARE EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE AND MANY CUSTOMERS STATE THEY DON'T ALWAYS FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10434281
Official recalls
2Jun 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.
Dec 21, 2006
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CURTAIN SIDE AIR BAGS (CSA), THE CSA TETHER STRAP LOCATED IN THE FRONT PILLARS MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY ROUTED DURING THE ASSEMBLY PROCESS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE TETHER STRAP IS NOT CORRECTLY ROUTED, THE FRONT SIDE OF THE CSA MAY NOT DEPLOY AS DESIGNED, WHICH MAY RESULT IN INSUFFICIENT OCCUPANT PROTECTION DURING A SIDE IMPACT CRASH OR ROLLOVER EVENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT BOTH CSA FRONT TETHER STRAPS, AND IF NECESSARY, REROUTE THEM. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 21, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-888-270-9371.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗