RoadVitals

2012 Toyota Prius Visibility Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the visibility system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Visibility reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
30
Latest Sep 6, 2023
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
7%
of 421 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1

What this page shows

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2012 Toyota Prius submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 30 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming visibility

The 25 most recent of 30, in the owner's own words

Driver assistanceEngineVisibility
Filed Sep 6, 2023

There is no incident occurring to me .but I change some parts like head light.& whisper .engine .

NHTSA ID
11543027
Incident
Sep 6, 2023
Visibility
Filed Jun 10, 2023
1 injury reported

The glass sunroof spontaneously exploded or imploded. There was a loud popping sound and I looked up at the sunroof, and it was shattered. glass started falling on me as I was driving on the highway. There have been many reported cases of this happening found online. https://topclassactions.com/lawsuit-settlements/lawsuit-news/toyota-owners-should-be-aware-of-reported-exploding-sunroof-risk/ It has not been inspected yet. no warning messages.

NHTSA ID
11526364
Incident
Jun 10, 2023
Visibility
Filed May 1, 2022

The front windshield wiper no longer performs on high but does perform on the lower settings. We experienced very heavy rain yesterday for the first time in a while and needed the high setting to adequately visualize the road and vehicles. It once switched to high the wipers were inoperable and had to be reduced in speed to even function. This is a significant safety concern as it drastically compromises your visibility in heavy rain conditions, such as those we experienced. Yes it is available for inspection upon request.

NHTSA ID
11462921
Incident
Apr 30, 2022
Visibility
Filed Dec 12, 2015

WIND SHIELD WIPER SWITCH QUIT WORKING AT 62,500 MILE.THE WIND SHIELD WIPER MOTOR IS NOW MAKING GRINDING NOISES AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED(74,000 MILES). BOTH PARTS BROKE WHEN WE WERE TRAVELING OUT OF STATE,DURING RAIN STORMS.

NHTSA ID
10809808
Incident
Aug 1, 2015
Mileage
625,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Feb 10, 2014

2012 TOYOTA PRIUS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE WINDOW EXPLODED. *SMD WHILE DRIVING 35-40 MPH ON A PAVED ROAD, THE CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD POP. HE THOUGHT IT WAS A TIRE BLOW OUT, BUT HE SOON REALIZED, THE REAR WINDOW HAD CRACKED, FOR NO APPARENT REASON. *JB

NHTSA ID
10564085
Incident
Dec 23, 2013
Visibility
Filed Dec 23, 2013

I BOUGHT A 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS PLUG-IN. THE WINDSHIELD CREATES A GHOSTING EFFECT ON LIGHTS, ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT. LIGHTS FROM OTHER CARS AND STREETLIGHTS ARE GLARING THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD WITH A GHOSTED IMAGE ABOVE AND BELOW SO I SEE THREE LIGHTS. THE EFFECT IS SO PRONOUNCED THAT IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO READ LIT HIGHWAY SAFETY SIGNS AT NIGHT BECAUSE THE GHOSTING OBSCURES THE LETTERS COMPLETELY. THE LIGHTS LOOK FINE THROUGH THE SIDE GLASS, SO IT IS CLEARLY AN ISSUE JUST WITH THE WINDSHIELD. I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THEY DISMISSED MY COMPLAINT. HOWEVER I SEE THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE MENTIONED THE EXACT SAME THING ONLINE AND OUR LOCAL NEWS CHANNEL IN THE SAN FRANCISCO AREA KABC CHANNEL 7 HAS BEGIN A "7 ON YOUR SIDE" INVESTIGATION. PLEASE URGE TOYOTA TO RECALL THESE DANGEROUS WINDSHIELDS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10557011
Incident
Nov 11, 2013
Mileage
8,500 mi
Visibility
Filed Dec 8, 2013

PRIUS IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT. THE WINDSHIELD DISTORTS LIGHT SOURCES AND CAUSES A GHOSTING/MULTIPLYING EFFECT. TRAFFIC SIGNALS IMAGES ARE DOUBLED, TRIPLED OR MORE - NOT SAFE AS IT IS DISTRACTING AND CONFUSING. THIS ISSUE IS VERY PROMINENT AT NIGHT. IT IS NOT JUST TRAFFIC SIGNALS BUT OTHER LIGHT SOURCES AS WELL. IN DECEMBER 2012, I CONTACTED TOYOTA AND WAS REFERRED TO DEALER. SERVICE MANAGER CONFIRMED ISSUE AND SAID THAT HE IS WAITING ON TOYOTA ON HOW TO FIX - NO RESOLUTION AFTER ONE YEAR OF WAITING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10555224
Incident
Nov 1, 2012
Exterior lightingVisibility
Filed Oct 25, 2013

I HAVE NOTICED GHOSTING OF IMAGES MOST OBVIOUS WHILE NIGHT DRIVING. PARTICULARLY NOTICEABLE IN LED LIGHTS. IT LOOKS LIKE A DUPLICATE IMAGE OF THE LIGHTS CREATED. IT CAN BE VERY GLARING AND HARD TO JUDGE DISTANCE OF OTHER VEHICLES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10549531
Incident
Nov 19, 2012
Mileage
400 mi
Visibility
Filed Oct 23, 2013

ON OCT. 23, 2013 AT 6AM IN THE MORNING IN ABOUT 45 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT, MY TOYOTA PRIUS 2012 REAR WINDOW EMITTED A LOUD PUNCHING SOUND AND THEN SHATTERED WHEN I TURNED ON THE REAR WIPER. I GOOGLED THE INCIDENT AND WE'RE NOT THE ONLY ONES WHO EXPERIENCE THIS. THERE HAVE BEEN SIMILAR INCIDENTS ON OTHER PRIUS IN OTHER YEARS AS WELL. THUS, WE ARE REPORTING IT AND HOPE THIS WILL BE LOOKED INTO. OUR CAR IS BARELY A YEAR OLD AND UNDER WARRANTY BUT OUR LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER SAID WARRANTY WILL NOT COVER THIS. THANK GOODNESS OUR AUTO POLICY WILL AND WE DON'T HAVE TO PAY A DEDUCTIBLE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10549196
Incident
Oct 23, 2013
Mileage
17,570 mi
Body & structureVisibility
Filed Sep 9, 2013

THE WINDSHIELD CAUSES MOST LIGHT SOURCES, PARTICULARLY LED LIGHTS, STREET LIGHTS, AND ONCOMING HEADLIGHTS (BASICALLY ANY BRIGHT LIGHT SOURCE), TO APPEAR WITH A "GHOSTING" IMAGE. THE "GHOSTING" APPEARS IN THE WINDSHIELD VERTICALLY BELOW THE LIGHT SOURCE AS ONE, TWO, OR EVEN THREE IMAGES. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD TWICE ALREADY, BUT THERE HAS BEEN NO IMPROVEMENT. IN FACT, THE FIRST AND SECOND REPLACEMENTS ARE WORSE THAN THE ORIGINAL. I ALSO OWN A 2008 TOYOTA SIENNA, AND I DRIVE VARIOUS CHEVY EQUINOXES AND FORD ESCAPES WHERE I WORK - I DO NOT EXPERIENCE THE "GHOSTING" EFFECT IN THOSE VEHICLES. PERSONNEL FROM THE DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT AS WELL AS REPRESENTATIVES FROM TOYOTA HAVE ALSO OBSERVED THIS PHENOMENA WITH THE WINDSHIELDS IN MY PRIUS PLUG-IN. I WAS TOLD BY A REPRESENTATIVE IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AFTER THE LAST REPLACEMENT THAT EVEN THE TOYOTA ENGINEERS WEREN'T HAPPY WITH THE REPLACEMENT. IT HAS NOW BEEN TWO WEEKS SINCE THE LAST WINDSHIELD WAS INSTALLED. I NOTIFIED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT (DURING MY DRIVE HOME THAT SAME DAY) AT THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE WINDSHIELD WAS UNSATISFACTORY, AND I WAS TOLD THAT THEY WOULD NOTIFY ME WHEN TOYOTA DECIDED WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT NEXT. TO DATE NOT ONLY HAVE I HEARD NOTHING, BUT THE LAST THREE PHONE CALLS TO THE SERVICE ADVISER HAVE GONE TO VOICE MAIL, AND I RECEIVED NO REPLY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10542760
Incident
May 4, 2013
Mileage
72 mi
Body & structureVisibility
Filed Aug 13, 2013

WHILE DRIVING, A LOUD POPPING NOISE (CRACKING) WAS HEARD WITH NO OBSERVED DAMAGE, AND LATER THAT DAY THE WINDSHIELD GREW A LONG CRACK IN WINDSHIELD WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKED. AN EDGE CRACK FORMED ON THE WINDSHIELD EXTREME OUTER EDGE IN THE CHAMFER ABOUT 2/3 OF THE WAY UP ON THE DRIVER?S SIDE A-PILLAR. THE WINDSHIELD BY IT?S DESIGN APPEARS TO BE RATHER THIN, AND THE WINDSHIELD EDGE IS EXPOSED, NOT COVERED OR EMBEDDED IN PLASTIC OR RUBBER OR TRIM MATERIAL. THE WINDSHIELD EDGE AS OBSERVED HAS A VERY SMALL CHAMFER AND DOES NOT HAVE A GENEROUS BEVEL (ROUND) THAT IS HIGHLY POLISHED SUCH AS FOUND ON THE PASSENGER WINDOW EDGES OR OLDER WINDSHIELDS I AM FAMILIAR WITH. I TOOK THE CAR TO TOYOTA OF BOWIE AND WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE MANAGER, HE BELIEVES THERE WAS AN IMPACT TO THE WINDSHIELD AT THE VERY EXTREME EDGE OF THE WINDSHIELD WHERE THE CRACK ROOT IS ON THE CHAMFER AND THEIR DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT REPLACE IT UNDER ANY WARRANTY. THE SERVICE MANGER DID NOT LOOK AT THE CRACK WITH ANY TOOLS, FOR EXAMPLE, A MAGNIFYING CLASS OR THE USE OF A BALL POINT PEN TO DETERMINE ANY IMPACT LOCATION OR IF IT IS IN FACT A STRESS CRACK THAT HAS FORMED. THE SERVICE MANAGER DID NOT OFFER TO ARRANGE TO HAVE THE CAR REPAIRED AND TOLD ME TO GO TO A GLASS COMPANY. WHEN THE SERVICE MANAGER WAS ASKED ABOUT ANY PROBLEMS OR CONCERNS WITH TOYOTA WINDSHIELDS OR EXPOSED GLASS EDGE WINDSHIELDS WITH A SMALL CHAMFER, HE SAID THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS OR RECALLS. I HAVE ONLY OWNED THE CAR EIGHT MONTHS AND PLAN TO WRITE TOYOTA TO LEARN WHEN A MORE ROBUST CRACK RESISTANT WINDSHIELD CAN BE MADE AVAILABLE. NOTE: PICTURES CAN BE MADE AVAILABLE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10535048
Incident
Aug 13, 2013
Mileage
15,815 mi
Body & structureVisibility
Filed Aug 13, 2013

THERE IS A NOTICEABLE HALO EFFECT IN THE WINDSHIELD WHEN VIEWING ONCOMING LIGHTS. IT IS BOTHERSOME AND IRRITATING ON THE EYES ESPECIALLY WHEN DRIVING FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME. I AM WRITING TOYOTA DIRECTLY TO LEARN WHEN A DIFFERENT WINDSHIELD CAN BE PROVIDED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10535045
Incident
Aug 12, 2013
Mileage
15,600 mi
Visibility
Filed Apr 29, 2013

HEAD LIGHTS FROM ONCOMING TRAFFIC AT NIGHTTIME HAVE A "HALO" AND "PRISM" APPEARANCE. ADDITIONALLY, REFLECTIVE ROAD SIGNS ARE ALSO VERY DISTORTED, SEEING WHAT APPEARS TO BE MULTIPLE SIGNS. SINCE THAT TIME EYES HAVE BEEN TESTED WITH NO CHANGE FROM LAST EXAM AND NEW GLASSES ARE NOW BEING WORN. THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE. MY WIFE STATES SHE SEES THE SAME DISTORTION WHEN DRIVING AFTER DARK. THIS HAS BEEN A CONTINUAL PROBLEM SINCE WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED IN AUGUST, 2012, AS A RESULT OF HAIL DAMAGE. IT WAS REPLACED WITH GENUINE TOYOTA PARTS. THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10509908
Incident
Apr 18, 2012
Mileage
700 mi
Visibility
Filed Mar 29, 2013

WINDSHIELD OPTICS CAUSE LIGHT SOURCES TO TRIPLE WITH GHOSTING ABOVE AND BELOW THE SOURCE OF LIGHT. THIS IS CAUSING DIFFICULTY IN JUDGING DISTANCE, DISTRACTION AND EYE STRAIN WHILE DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10504961
Incident
Oct 22, 2012
Mileage
1,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Mar 27, 2013

THE WINDSHIELD HAS A VERTICAL "PRISM" EFFECT WITH ANY LIGHT SOURCE COMING THROUGH IT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10504667
Incident
Mar 19, 2013
Mileage
10 mi
Visibility
Filed Mar 8, 2013

WINDSHIELD PRODUCES BLURRY VISION OR DUPLICATED IMAGES AT NIGHT. TAILLIGHTS AND STREET LIGHTS ARE SHOWN IN MULTIPLES OF TWO OR THREE. EXTENDED DRIVING BEYOND 20 MINUTES CAUSES EYE FATIGUE AND ALSO DISTORTED GAUGE OF DISTANCE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10502134
Incident
Feb 25, 2013
Mileage
6,232 mi
Visibility
Filed Mar 4, 2013

NEW 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS PLUG-IN. VISIBILITY THROUGH FRONT WINDSHIELD IS BLURRY - PARTICULARLY NOTICEABLE AT NIGHT WHEN LIGHT SOURCES ARE VIEWED THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. LIGHT SOURCES PRODUCE MULTIPLE IMAGES (UP TO TWO ADDITIONAL) BELOW THE ORIGINAL LIGHT SOURCE. PROBLEM IS ALSO NOTICEABLE DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS, PARTICULARLY DURING CLOUDY CONDITIONS. GHOSTING EFFECT WORSE AT A DISTANCE, DOES NOT SEEM TO OCCUR WHEN LIGHT SOURCE IS VERY CLOSE TO VEHICLE (FOR EXAMPLE WITHIN 10 FEET). GHOSTING EFFECT IS QUITE NOTICEABLE AT NIGHT. I AM WORRIED THAT THE PROBLEM MAY CAUSE HEADACHES, VISUAL FATIGUE, AND ACCIDENTS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10501199
Incident
Mar 3, 2013
Mileage
300 mi
Visibility
Filed Feb 14, 2013

2012 PRIUS HAS SERIOUS DEFECT IN THE WINDSHIELD LAMINATION. BRIGHT LIGHT SOURCES ARE TRIPLED AT NIGHT. A GHOST IMAGE APPEARS ABOVE AND BELOW THE ORIGINAL LIGHT SOURCE. LIGHT SOURCES MAY BE, HEADLIGHTS, TAILLIGHTS, SIGNAL LIGHTS, AND EVEN REFLECTED LIGHTS OFF CERTAIN ROAD SIGNS. AS YOU APPROACH THE LIGHT SOURCE, THE TWO GHOST IMAGES WILL MERGE INTO THE PRIMARY LIGHT SOURCE. THE SAFETY HAZARD ARE EXTREME EYE FATIGUE AT NIGHT, AND SEVERE VISUAL DISTORTION THAT IS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE BRIGHTNESS OF THE LIGHT SOURCE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10498150
Incident
Dec 3, 2012
Mileage
200 mi
Body & structureVisibility
Filed Feb 5, 2013

DESIGN OF CAR INCLUDES A FLAW CAUSING A HUGE VERTICAL BLINDSPOT ON BOTH THE RIGHT AND LEFT SIDE OF THE CAR. BECAUSE THERE IS A BAR THAT RUNS VERTICAL ON BOTH SIDES AT THE BEGINNING OF THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGERS' WINDOWS, THIS, ALONG WITH THE PILLAR COMING DOWN THE WINDSHIELD CONTRIBUTE TO AN EXTREMELY LARGE SPOT WHERE OBJECTS IN ROAD CANNOT BE SEEN. THIS IS ESPECIALLY HAZARDOUS FOR PEDESTRIAN FOOT-TRAFFIC CROSSING PERPENDICULAR TO THE CAR. PEDS IN CROSSWALKS OR IN PARKING LOTS ARE AT TIMES, COMPLETELY MASKED BY THIS BLIND SPOT BY THE COMBINATION OF THE FRONT WINDSHIELD PILLARS AND FRONT WINDOW SUB-PILLARS. OTHER CARS (SUCH AS HONDA INSIGHT) WITH A DRAMATICALLY ANGLED WINDSHIELD AVOID THIS BY USING A SMALLER SUB-PILLAR ON THE FRONT WINDOW, ALLOWING FOR THINGS TO BE SEEN FAR MORE EASILY. THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BEFORE IT CAUSES A PEDESTRIAN INJURY OR DEATH. THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT CAN BE REPAIRED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10496529
Incident
Nov 30, 2012
Mileage
12,400 mi
Visibility
Filed Jan 15, 2013

BRAND NEW PRIUS 2012 WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, LIGHTS, ESPECIALLY RED IN COLOR, WHEN VIEWED FROM FRONT WINDSHIELD, APPEAR AS THREE DISTINCT IMAGES. ONE DARK IMAGE ALONG WITH TWO FAINT IMAGE ONE ABOVE AND ONE BELOW THE DARK ONE. I GOT THE CAR IN NOV END, REPORTED THE ISSUE IN DEC 17 TO TOYOTA, THEN WENT TO DEALER BEFORE CHRISTMAS. TECHNICIAN THERE ACKNOWLEDGED THE ISSUE AND ORDERED A NEW GLASS. WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED ON 11 JAN BUT SAW THE SAME ISSUE, TECHNICIAN TEST DROVE THE CAR AND ACKNOWLEDGED THE ISSUE IS STILL THERE. TOYOTA REP WILL COME AND LOOK INTO THE ISSUE. IT IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AS SOMETIMES THERE ARE LOTS OF RED TAIL LIGHTS AHEAD. I SEE LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED THE ISSUE ......BELOW ARE ODI ID NUMBER FOR PRIUS 2012. SEEMS LIKE COMMON PROBLEM. NOT SURE IF TOYOTA IS WAITING FOR ACCIDENTS TO HAPPEN BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE BEFORE FIXING IT. ODI ID NUMBER : 10490622 ODI ID NUMBER : 10485390 ODI ID NUMBER : 10485239 ODI ID NUMBER : 10483605 ODI ID NUMBER : 10483561 ODI ID NUMBER : 10482102 ODI ID NUMBER : 10479684. *TR

NHTSA ID
10493124
Incident
Dec 10, 2012
Visibility
Filed Nov 21, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE NOTICED THAT WHEN THE LIGHTS WERE VIEWED THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL PRISM EFFECT. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS AN IMAGE LOCATED ABOVE AND BELOW THE ACTUAL LIGHT SOURCE THAT OCCURRED WITH ALL LIGHT SOURCES SUCH AS HEADLIGHTS, TAIL LIGHTS, STREET LIGHTS, TRAFFIC LIGHTS, ETC. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE A TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT NO REPAIRS WERE NEEDED AND THAT THE ISSUE WAS NOT A DEFECT BUT RATHER A CHARACTERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 7,200. UPDATED 12/10/12 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE'S WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED ONCE. THE REPLACEMENT WINDSHIELD HAD THE SAME DEFECT THE CASE WAS TAKEN TO ARBITRATION WHEN TOYOTA REFUSED TO FIND A REMEDY FOR THE SAFETY DEFECT. ARBITRATION WAS LOST DUE TO "LACK OF EVIDENCE". UPDATED 12/18/2012*JS

NHTSA ID
10485390
Incident
May 21, 2012
Visibility
Filed Nov 20, 2012

BRAND NEW 2012 PRIUS DRIVING OUT OF THE DEALERSHIP AT NIGHT, NOTICED A RATHER BOTHERSOME TRAIT: LIGHTS VIEWED THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD HAVE A PRISM EFFECT WHERE THERE IS A "GHOST" IMAGE LOCATED ABOVE AND BELOW THE ACTUAL LIGHT SOURCE. I WANTED TO KNOW IF THIS WAS DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELD, OR JUST HOW THE PRIUS IS DUE TO THE VERY LOW ANGLE OF THE WINDSHIELD. IT IS DEFINITELY A PRISM TYPE EFFECT AS IT DIFFERS BY COLOR, AND AS YOU APPROACH THE LIGHT SOURCE, THE GHOST IMAGES MERGE INTO THE SINGLE IMAGE. THIS HAPPENS WITH ALL LIGHT SOURCES, THE SUN (WORST OF ALL), HEADLIGHTS, TAIL LIGHTS,STREET LIGHTS, TRAFFIC LIGHTS, ETC. WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT THIS GHOSTING OF THE LIGHT SOURCES IS REALLY DISTRACTING AND MAKES IT LOOK LIKE YOU ARE LOOKING AT A BLURRED IMAGE. NOTHING IS CRISP OR CLEAR. IT'S BAD ENOUGH THAT MY WIFE AND I ARE NOT DRIVING THE CAR AT NIGHT AND USING ANOTHER VEHICLE. WE HAVE HAD OTHERS IN THE CAR TO CONFIRM THE ISSUE. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALER WITH THE ISSUE AND THEY HAVE YET TO REPLY... *TR

NHTSA ID
10485239
Incident
Oct 25, 2012
Mileage
2 mi
Visibility
Filed Nov 7, 2012

THE WINDSHIELD HAS A SERIOUS OPTICAL ILLUSION DURING NIGHT TIME DRIVING. THE WINDSHIELD CREATES A GHOST IMAGE OF THE ORIGINAL LIGHT SOURCE - THE GHOST IMAGE APPEARS ABOVE AND BELOW THE ORIGINAL LIGHT SOURCE. FOR EXAMPLE, AT NIGHT THE RED TRAFFIC LIGHT WILL HAVE A GHOST IMAGE OF THE RED LIGHT ABOVE AND BELOW IT, ULTIMATELY SHOWING THREE RED LIGHTS (GHOST IMAGE(1), ORIGINAL LIGHT(2), AND ANOTHER GHOST IMAGE (3)). THIS CAN ALSO BE SEEN WITH THE YELLOW AND GREEN TRAFFIC LIGHTS, ONCOMING CAR HEADLIGHTS, BRAKE LIGHTS, STREET LIGHTS, AND PEDESTRIAN WALK SIGNS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10483605
Incident
Nov 1, 2012
Visibility
Filed Nov 7, 2012

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

NHTSA ID
10483561
Incident
Mar 8, 2012
Mileage
170 mi
Visibility
Filed Oct 24, 2012

THERE IS A GHOSTING IMAGE SEEN THROUGH THE FRONT WINDSHIELD ON MY NEW 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS II THAT IS AFFECTING NIGHT TIME DRIVING AND THE VISIBILITY OF LIGHTS, ESPECIALLY RED LIGHTS. WHEN YOU ARE OPERATING THE VEHICLE AT NIGHT AND YOU APPROACH A LIGHT THERE IS A GHOST IMAGE OF THE LIGHT ABOVE AND BELOW THE ACTUAL LIGHT SOURCE UNTIL YOU GET WITHIN A FEW FEET OF THE LIGHT SOURCE THEN IT DISAPPEARS. THIS IS BECOMING A SAFETY ISSUE FOR MYSELF AS WELL AS MANY OTHER 2012 PRIUS OWNERS THAT I HAVE TALKED TO ABOUT THIS. I HAVE 20/20 VISION WITH NO NEED FOR GLASSES AND THIS IS BEGINNING TO CAUSE A STRAIN ON MY VISION, AS I IMAGINE FOR OTHERS AN EVEN GREATER STRAIN. I HAVE HEARD OF MANY OTHERS EVEN HAVING TWO GHOST IMAGES BELOW AND ABOVE THE LIGHT SOURCE. BELOW IS HOW IT WOULD LOOK. GHOST IMAGE OF LIGHT ACTUAL LIGHT SOURCE GHOST IMAGE OF LIGHT *TR

NHTSA ID
10482102
Incident
Oct 24, 2012

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