At the shop, Toyota lighting issues have a recognizable signature. 3,665 documented complaints across 101 year-model entries from 2005 to 2025 is consistent with what we see come in. 2007 Toyota Prius tops the list, but the pattern repeats across years. Multiple generations are affected. 30 fire reports on the federal record — not common in this category but documented and worth weight. Across the 2,821 complaints reporting odometer mileage, the median failure lands at about 56,549 miles. Repair cost runs around $250 on average — relatively low for an aggregated category. Check the headlight assemblies in daylight for moisture or hazing. Sealed-beam swaps are cheap; matrix LED replacements run four figures.
ProblemsByVin TOYOTA / LIGHTING
101 model-year entries · 2005–2025
Toyota lighting problems
3,665 owner complaints filed with NHTSA against Toyota vehicles for lighting issues. 3 active recall campaigns. See lighting across all makes →
Complaints
3,665
Recalls
3
Year-models
101
Avg fix
$250
34crashes
30fires
5injuries
Worst-affected Toyota model-years for lighting Top 25 by complaint volume
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
2007 Toyota Prius
957 complaints · ~$250 moderate
2006 Toyota Prius
866 complaints · ~$250 moderate
2008 Toyota Prius
494 complaints · ~$250 moderate
2005 Toyota Prius
303 complaints · ~$250 moderate
2008 Toyota Avalon
179 complaints · ~$250 moderate
2009 Toyota Prius
98 complaints · ~$250 moderate
2009 Toyota Tacoma
84 complaints · ~$250 severe
2011 Toyota Prius
43 complaints · ~$250 moderate
2012 Toyota Prius
36 complaints · ~$250 moderate
2017 Toyota RAV4
27 complaints · ~$250 moderate
2011 Toyota Tacoma
27 complaints · ~$250 severe
2016 Toyota RAV4
26 complaints · ~$250 moderate
2009 Toyota Avalon
21 complaints · ~$250 moderate
2018 Toyota RAV4
20 complaints · ~$250 moderate
2016 Toyota Tacoma
17 complaints · ~$250 moderate
2023 Toyota Corolla Cross
15 complaints · ~$250 moderate
2021 Toyota Venza
13 complaints · ~$250 moderate
2009 Toyota Camry
13 complaints · ~$250 severe
2008 Toyota Camry
13 complaints · ~$250 moderate
2010 Toyota Camry
12 complaints · ~$250 severe
2023 Toyota Corolla
10 complaints · ~$250 moderate
2015 Toyota Corolla
10 complaints · ~$250 severe
2013 Toyota Prius
10 complaints · ~$250 moderate
2006 Toyota Avalon
10 complaints · ~$250 moderate
2016 Toyota Tundra
9 complaints · ~$250 moderate
Active recalls — Toyota lighting 10 on file
Subaru of America, Inc
Inoperative rear turn signals may not notify other drivers of a turning vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace both rear combination lamp assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 8, 2024. Subaru owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Subaru's number for this recall is WRM-23.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 Z4 M40i, Z4 sDrive30i, 330i and 330i xDrive vehicles as well as 2020 Toyota Supra vehicles
Headlight failure can reduce the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the headlight control units, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 17, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Z4 sDrive30i, Z4 M40i and 2020 Toyota Supra vehicles
Should the headlamps be adjusted horizontally, there could be increased glare and reduced visibility for oncoming drivers, or reduced visibility for the vehicle operator, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the headlamp vertical and horizontal adjustment plugs, correcting them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 23, 2020. BMW owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.
Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2007-2013 FJ Cruiser vehicles manufactured January 25, 2006 through February 23, 2013 and equipped with a Toyota Auxiliary Driving Lamp Kits mounted to the front bumper
Light intensities above the maximum allowable limit could cause increased glare for oncoming traffic and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the 55 watt bulbs with 35 watt bulbs, free of charge. The recall began on June 6, 2013. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Toyota Tundra vehicles equipped with LED headlight assemblies
If the turn signals or hazard lamps do not flash brightly enough, other drivers may fail to see that the turn signal or hazard lamp functions have been activated, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will modify the wire harness connected to the front turn signal bulbs free of charge. The recall began August 17, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TB12/20TA12.
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022-2025 Toyota Tundra and Tundra Hybrid vehicles
Reverse light failure may reduce visibility, and not alert pedestrians and other drivers that the vehicle is backing up, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace both reverse light assemblies and repair the wire harnesses as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed May 23, 2026. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331.Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB06 and 24TA06.
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2022 Toyota 4Runner vehicles
An inoperable driver's side high beam may reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will install an updated wiring harness, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 11, 2022. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET21A.
Genera Corporation (Genera) is recalling certain aftermarket replacement tail lights, model 11-6468-00 (driver-side), and model 11-6467-00 (passenger-side), sold for use on 2012-2013 Toyota Prius V vehicles
The reversed tail lamp function reduces the ability to warn other motorists of the driver's intentions, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Genera will notify owners and provide replacement aftermarket tail lamps, free of charge. The recall began on January 23, 2014. Owners may contact Genera at 1-888-963-9888. This recall is being conducted by Genera Corporation, not by Toyota Motor Corporation.
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2009 camry vehicles manufactured from july 1, 2008, through february 28, 2009, and model year 2009-2011 venza vehicles manufactured from october 20, 2008, through january 4, 2011
Inoperative brake lights would not warn other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. The safety recall began on april 12, 2012. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Tundra vehicles
An overheated electrical connector can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will modify the engine wire harness assembly and replace any damaged bulb, bulb connector, and/or headlight assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 25, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 21TB06 and 21TA06.
Common questions
How many Toyota lighting complaints are on file with NHTSA?
3,665 complaints across 101 model-year entries from 2005 to 2025. 3 active recall campaigns cover lighting issues across the Toyota lineup.
Which Toyota model has the most lighting complaints?
The 2007 Toyota Prius leads with 957 complaints in this category. Next: 2006 Prius (866) and 2008 Prius (494).
What does it cost to fix Toyota lighting problems?
Independent shops average $250 for lighting repairs across the Toyota lineup. Dealer pricing tends to run twenty to forty percent higher. Specific cost depends on the failure mode and parts availability.
Are there Toyota lighting recalls?
Yes — 10 active recall campaigns cover lighting on Toyota vehicles. Recall fixes are free regardless of mileage or warranty status. The list below shows current campaigns with their NHTSA numbers.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database.
Editorial commentary written by Shop Foreman, an independent contributor to ProblemsByVin
and not affiliated with Toyota.
Severity ratings derive from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities on the NHTSA complaint and recall record.
Repair cost averages reflect independent-shop pricing and may differ in your area.