Quick Fix: Changing HID Headlights on a 2nd Gen Toyota Prius (2004-2009)

In this video I show you how to replace HID headlights on a 2009 Toyota Prius.
The same process should work for any 2nd generation Prius from 2004-2009.
Please feel free to ask any questions in the comment section below.

[@bcs2481]

I tried replacing a headlight bulb without removing the bumper and found it ten times harder than this way, including scraped knuckles. This is incredibly easy and straight forward. Did the whole job in 20 minutes. Thank you for the great video!

[@7625e]

I love the professional shooting cuz these type of video need to be as clear and simplified as can be so a big THANK YOU from me.

[@AustinTillison]

thank you! I'm glad you liked it

[@staceyfabian5118]

Great video! I'm a lady who likes to work on my own Prius. Your instructions were excellent! Thank you for taking the time to make this video and also for taking the time to explain everything so thoroughly. Much appreciated!

[@AustinTillison]

Thanks Stacey!

[@funlife51]

Your process is excellent! Changed both bulbs and got the lights going perfectly again ! Thanks so much for clear , easy to follow directions.

[@AustinTillison]

I'm so glad you found the video to be helpful! You're so welcome!

[@garybullard9281]

Having tried this all ways, this method ia by far the easiest and most reliable. Thank you for the video!

[@AustinTillison]

i'm glad it worked well for you Gary! cheers

[@kevindblew6822]

I watched a couple of “simpler” videos that bypassed the bumper loosening process. Well, on an older car these bulb covers are a beast to get to. So-o-o-o the actual fastest way to do the job is just like this video shows. Huge thanks for the version that works best for these older, fat hands!

[@AustinTillison]

I wish they'd made these bulbs easier to access from the factory but I'm glad this method worked for you Kevin! cheers

[@idmhead0160]

Even if you have skinny hands it's a PITA

[@ericwashington6037]

This was EXTREMELY HELPFUL‼️‼️ Way easier than all the other videos saying “you don’t have to take the bumper off” and just to squeeze your hand in tight spaces 🙃🙃. THIS IS THE EASIEST WAY!!

[@AustinTillison]

Thanks Eric! I'm glad it helped!

[@rileyberger]

I have never fixed a single thing on my 2007 Prius and was able to successfully replace both headlights today. Your video was incredibly helpful and thorough - THANK YOU SO MUCH!!

[@AustinTillison]

I'm so glad this was helpful. Thanks for the feedback!

[@AttkBeast]

Great video! Saved me $150 in labor! I found I had to un-bolt the bottom corners of the bumper in order to get to the bottom headlight bolt (2008). Easy! Took me less than an hour to finish, even while consulting your video! Thank you!

[@AustinTillison]

good stuff Scott! I'm glad this video was able to help!

[@nikolaikostka7632]

This video helped me so much putting my headlights in. You sir are a lifesaver

[@AustinTillison]

I'm glad it helped you!

[@mikesherman81]

While I absorbed useful information from several videos for this job, this one showed the entire process clearly from start to finish. Considering it was my first time, I found it easy enough that I'd encourage anyone to have a go at it. For sure, there was no way that boot covering the light was going to come off without significant leverage. I applied some silicone grease to that gasket so it might be possible next time. A little over an hour start to finish for this rank amateur with a very good tool selection. Thanks for the great video. I am now subscribed.

[@deantagawa388]

Great job! This was definitely helpful. Taking a little time to loosen the bumper made the job so much easier.

[@AustinTillison]

I'm glad it helped! :)

[@chrisvsevil9790]

I just did my mothers 08, passenger side. Only loosening 1/2 of the bumper worked perfectly, it was a very easy job. Thank you for your video, especially for telling the location of the headlight assembly bolt that is under the bumper cover. There are a few bolts in the area, so it’s easy to know exactly which one to loosen.

[@AustinTillison]

I'm glad you got it fixed and found the video helpful! Happy wrenching!!

[@DCDura]

Always always replace these headlight bulbs at the same time. If not you'll find the color of the new and old different and you'll have to do the whole process again when the other one fails.

[@FernandoGonzalez-Nova]

By far the best video out on replacing headlight bulbs on a Prius!

[@AustinTillison]

thanks Fernando Gonzalez!!

[@cityinthesky1341]

Great work! This helped me tremendously when the time came for me to change my HID lamps. In my opinion this is the best tutorial for the second generation Prius that I have seen. It's the most elaborate bulb changing process I've had to deal with and this video was phenomenally useful. Thank you, Austin!

[@AustinTillison]

I'm so glad you found it helpful!

[@amiller8822]

BTW. The video said HID in the title, but you said LED in the intro! Which are these?? Thank you.

[@paulfenn940]

Have to echo others here and say that your video was a big help! I tried changing the bulb without removing the headlight lens but it’s almost impossible. Thanks for the great instructions!

[@AustinTillison]

Thanks for the kind comment Paul! I'm so glad you found this video helpful.

[@kfsamul]

Thank you! It did help me a lot. I was putting it in without taking the bumper off and got stuck on the clips part. I did not know you could pull them all the way down to fit the bulb. Great video!

[@AustinTillison]

I'm glad it was helpful! Thanks for the feedback! :)

[@elizabethperrin3439]

This is a great video. I will be going into replacement mode in a few. There is only one thing that I think you forgot to mention. Not to touch the bulb with your bare hands. I do see you wearing gloves so that may be why you did not mention it. Your video is very clear and the video is very clear also. Thank you.

[@AustinTillison]

Thanks Elizabeth!

[@idmhead0160]

Not to touch it because if you get it dirty it will blow up? Or, you mean burn your hands if the light was on?

[@elizabethperrin3439]

@@idmhead0160 the oil on your fingers will cause it to blow up when it gets hot and then you have to start all over.

[@idmhead0160]

@@elizabethperrin3439 Yeah, I remembered something about that today when I was replacing a bulb. I had nitrile gloves on at the time, but, got it dirty some. Luckily, it seems alright but I'm planning on getting some LED bulbs soon anyway. Still, it was a big enough PITA installing the temporary bulb that I wouldn't be happy if it blew up right away

[@zsoltkovacs2229]

Great! Somebody prefers change the bulb in place. I tried it. No more. This way The right way. Well done, nice film.

[@AustinTillison]

thank you!

[@SilentSkulk]

Very helpful video. All those other videos of people thinking they are taking the easy route by leaving the bumper and headlight assembly in... Epic fail haha. This way is much easier.

[@CamperGirl03]

Very professional video! Thank you for explaining each step as you did it. Great job!!

[@AustinTillison]

Thank you!! I hope it was helpful.

[@defaultname8587]

Thank you. I need to remove the headlight in order to change the ballast. This was helpful.

[@goombis1]

Fixed! Excellent tutorial and although taking the bumper off is a pain, it's infinitely easier than groping around behind the light housing.

[@AustinTillison]

Great, I'm glad it worked for you. The bumper is a pain but removing it definitely makes the bulb job easier.

[@ShahGAutos90]

This was super detailed and helpful! Just replaced both of mine on my 2006 prius!

[@AustinTillison]

Awesome! I'm so glad it helped :)

[@lounagy3392]

Despite having to remove the bumper, this looks much easier than doing it from behind by feel which I just did. I didn't even replace the other side because it was such a pain. I do have halogen lights on my Prius but it looks like the process is nearly identical. Thanks.

[@stephengordon8968]

That is the best way I've seen so simple alot less frustrating than trying to fish your fingers down around everything!

[@AustinTillison]

I really think it is the simplest way. Cheers!

[@davidlasrado4333]

Austin, this is by far the best I have seen, thanks a lot and keep doing what you do.

[@AustinTillison]

Thanks David! Cheers!!

[@marionlewis4703]

Great video thanks. Just one thing I'd like to note and that is the final screws for the facia have a rawl plug type fitting and needs to be reset or renewed before the final fitting.

[@AustinTillison]

Thanks Marion!

[@DunkRyan]

Great video, this way was definitely easier and maybe faster! One note was that my screws with the rubber stoppers were fully rusted out. I was able to pry the rubber off and get them with a locking pliers, but if you don't have a pair, you can try removing those pieces first to check they'll come off before you start the job!

[@davidcrabtreesr.4615]

Best vid for 2nd gen Prius HID headlamp replacement by far. Good audio as well.

[@AustinTillison]

thanks David

[@idmhead0160]

Thanks for the video. What a stupid design by Toyota. Who would think one would need to remove the front bumper in order to change a light bulb. I tried doing it without removing the headlight enclosure, but, couldn't get the rubber boot back in. Eventually had to take the bumper loose. What a PITA.

[@GreatDataVideos]

Seemed like a big job for changing headlights, but your way does seem best and wasn't as difficult as I thought. The plastic fasteners broke, but I had a good assortment of fasteners, so I would recommend that people get some first.

[@AustinTillison]

Good idea!

[@knuckle-head]

Great video, clear and easy. One question though, you keep referring to the lights as LED in the video as opposed to HID. What you show us matches what I ordered (HID).

[@AustinTillison]

You're right. I accidentally referred to the bulbs as LED throughout the video, when in fact, they are HID bulbs. My apologies for the confusion!

[@knuckle-head]

@@AustinTillison No problem. More importantly, your video was great and you displayed a natural awareness of the little things that can be unnerving, such as the phillip's screws that feel like they are stripped out. My first thought is they need to be replaced and I would have run off trying to find a ghost that didn't exist.

[@whatsit2ya247]

​@@AustinTillisonmore importantly, why didn't you replace those shit HID's WITH LED's?!! Just did my 08 and much better!

[@jsalahub2327]

Excellent video, as well as verbal instructions! Thanks

[@AustinTillison]

Thank you so much. I'm glad you found it helpful.

[@sergionoh3842]

Thank you sir. Your video set up is on the next level.

[@AustinTillison]

You're welcome! I hope it was helpful

[@normancorliss1212]

You forgot to mention that pry and twist cover TO POINT WHERE THE ARROW LINES UP WITH THE MARK and then pull the cover away from the housing -- unless arrow lines up with this mark it will not come off.

[@FishyAbody]

It will come out if you force it like he did. I just helped a friend replace his headlight assembly, and Norman is correct, you rotate the cover about an inch counter-clockwise and the cap pops out with minimal effort.

[@AustinTillison]

Thanks Norman! Great observation.

[@Joker58th]

Thanks for making this video. Great learning experience.

[@AustinTillison]

Thanks for the nice comment! I hope the video was helpful.

[@Donnabatical-0O]

Very helpful video! Question - Is it ok that I replaced the D4R with a D4S?? Installation was fine, and the headlights work great.

[@AustinTillison]

I think that's fine as long as it's working properly

[@studnts4elac]

The video refers to the bulbs as LED but they are actually HID? Also, tbe replacement OEM are only 4300k Is there another bulb we can install that are brigher?

[@AustinTillison]

I apologize for the confusion when referencing the bulbs, I was still learning the difference myself when we were recording lol. I imagine there might be some brighter options out there for a little bit more money.

[@bladerunner1458]

I did mine HID in place. Trained myself to do it by feel. Now it takes me 15 minutes to change. So far good. A defective design

[@AustinTillison]

Nice!

[@buetang]

I need to change out my entire headlight assembly dude to it being sun washed.... where does the plug/braided line go... and how do I swap all that hardware out? Is it just tucked into the housing?

[@thakurjangsai3529]

Thank u ! Saved me lot of money

[@AustinTillison]

Happy to help!

[@sarajamus]

I have both headlight bulbs, flickering, and inconsistently, turning off, sometimes by themselves or sometimes together… Will I have to change the ballast on both headlights along with the bulbs?

[@smendezchannel]

Yo! This is what I needed it!

[@terryclemence1599]

U hit 200 subs, very informative video

[@AustinTillison]

thanks terry! woooo!! finally hit 200

[@jimfurr6420]

I did not see you put the boot back on, the rubber seal. I was kind of waiting to see how that went back on, difficult or easy.

[@AustinTillison]

Apologies for not showing that part in the video

[@BXOG_]

This isn't a quick fix lol

[@sammynazz]

Thank you, it was very helpful !

[@AustinTillison]

You're welcome! I'm glad! :)

[@amiller8822]

…so why does the video title say HID headlights, if they were LEDs-? 🥴 Although what I really need to know, is how to convert my HID assembly to LEDs, as simple as possible. 😶 …because these HIDs are NOT worth the trouble and expense.

[@alumniduck]

First of all great video. I used to love Toyota's, but now i am disgusted with having to waste so much time on replacing a part that we all know will burn out and have to be replaced. Seriously, What is wrong with opening the hood, reaching in and replacing a bulb in 2 minutes.

[@geomundi8333]

all those videos that show doing it without removing the bumper are made by horses cousin the azz; this is the proper and best way to do things. I don't even think other ways work at all if you have bigger hands.

[@sanman187-]

Excellent video. Please ditch the unnecessary background music, which is distracting. Unless, of course, all through grade school, high school and college your instructors played background music while they were talking.

[@AustinTillison]

I need multiple forms of mental stimulation at all times otherwise I am left alone with my own thoughts. Sorry bout it!

[@jher168]

Great job explaning

[@AustinTillison]

Thanks!!

[@goombis1]

One thing to add, I live in New Zealand and the plug for the light is different to the US one in this video. I just had to unplug the power before removing the rubber boot.

[@AustinTillison]

Great tip! Thanks

[@JustTezFilms]

Dude you're a professional lol

[@AustinTillison]

i wish! thanks for the support though haha

[@MrSaamman]

Damn. King tier intro

[@deanstuder1775]

There is a ballast used with these light bulbs. You don't mention them at all. But it could be the bulbs are good and ballast has failed in which case after you get all done replacing the bulbs like you show , it remains inoperative. And twice you refer to these being led lights but they are not. Rather hid. I don't know why you wouldn't scrap this video and make a correct one. These details cause frustration for viewers that are looking to you to help them , but you don't completely or make mistakes identifying parts or leave out pertinent information. It may impress some but not me. I wish I could be more gentle but pleas remove this. Learn about ballasts and testing because these light bulbs cost $100 each and that is a lot to waste for nothing. Also I'm sure you mutant touch these with bare fingers. That is critical but not mentioned. They will quickly fail if finger oils touch the very high temperature light bulbs.

[@gabriel_kyne]

love to hear your thoughts about an LED conversion for 2nd gen prius

[@idmhead0160]

Will most likely be doing that shortly. Amazon has some Auxito ones for around $40 that I'm going to try

[@fayazaziz925]

Did you check the ballasts to make sure they weren’t burnt out?

[@AustinTillison]

I don't think I did :/

[@RobertGolden1952]

Some people say the HID bulbs burn out too frequently and you end up replacing bulbs 2 & 3 times per year. Another KZbin mechanic shows how to switch to LED bulbs by installing new wires & sockets. What about just replacing the HID ballasts? Would this be a good fix along with new HID bulbs? Or is switching to LED bulbs and trashing the ballast really a best fix?

[@AustinTillison]

Great points Robert. My friend has been driving the car for several years now with no issues since we replaced the bulbs.

[@RobertGolden1952]

@@AustinTillison So, try replacing the bulbs first and if the problem persists replace the ballast. Will switching to LED cause radio interference?

[@AustinTillison]

@@RobertGolden1952 That sounds right. We've experienced no radio interference so far.

[@samanthaswan-f1m]

Thank you!!!

[@kurtmiller7140]

Loved the vid. Like to see a brake video thanks

[@AustinTillison]

Thanks for the love Kurt! I'll be sure to record whenever we do the brakes.

[@azbeeson]

Great job.

[@AustinTillison]

Thanks Jacob!

[@DeltaXMusic]

Cool vid thanks

[@sadriadili2792]

Thanks

[@SyedAli-qz1cp]

2009 Prius headlight bulb keeps blowing out. I have changed it several times. only blow out the driver side . Tired of giving hundreds of dollars to my mechanic almost every two months Any suggestions where the problem is. BTW he changed connectors as well also the plastic cover.

[@AustinTillison]

make sure you're using the correct bulb. also trace the headlight wiring to see if there is any exposed wiring that could be coming in contact with metal and blowing the bulb. good luck!

[@GerstBladeworks]

Change the ballasts.. in this video he refers to them as LED’s but in fact they are HID’s. They rely on a ballast to supply them with the correct amount of power. If it’s faulty then you will keep either blowing bulbs (too much unregulated power) or they won’t work at all or will flicker (not enough or intermittent low power)

[@xx-of4il]

Follow this example if you want to do it the hard way

[@AustinTillison]

Do you have an easier way to do it?

[@cjjc4233]

Don’t forget to also adjust the headlights as well so the beams are aiming correctly.

[@AustinTillison]

That's right. Great tip!

[@mbongoyanguba2071]

Just saved me some money😀😀😀

[@AustinTillison]

I LOVE saving money

[@Vianney_eloisa]

How can I identify what headlight bulbs I need? I had bought the car but it didn’t come with original Prius headlights. I know this due to my mechanic informing me that it’s not the original headlight and/or bulb.

[@AustinTillison]

I would remove the current bulb, take it to the parts store, and make sure the plug and light intensity is the same on the new one that you purchase.

[@safffff1000]

my 2006 prius has a hard cover on the back of the headlight assembly and I can't get it off while in the car, not a rubber boot

[@fayazaziz925]

That’s not LED. They are HID Xenon D4R Bulbs.

[@AustinTillison]

Thanks for confirming!

[@Zzzzimm]

How do i adjust the headlights?

[@kplaza1]

👍👍👍

[@markdodd794]

Thank you Austin. Mark Dodd. How do I send it?

[@AustinTillison]

You're welcome Mark. What are you trying to send?

[@sandeep4817]

Great

[@AustinTillison]

Thanks!

[@dianamccandless7094]

Can anyone explain to me why my 2008 Prius low-beam light is burned out, but the Highbeam still works? Are there 2 bulbs in each headlight assembly? If so, why didn't he identify the high beam bulb? If *not* then how would a highbeam point in a different direction than the low beam?

[@AustinTillison]

hey diana, if i remember correctly, the hi beam and low beam operate through the same bulb. i'm not 100% sure, but compare the headlights by switching the hi beams on and off and seeing if any other bulbs illuminate

[@dc5duben96]

i have the same issue

[@stumpythedwarf8712]

My favorite part? Test the lights BEFORE you put the car back together. Wouldn't that be a pita if they didn't work....

[@jher168]

I want to know any big problem in 2008 pruis just purchase one.thank you

[@AustinTillison]

Thanks James! It's my friends car so I'm not aware of any major problems these cars might have but he's been daily driving it for 4+ years with no issues.

[@jher168]

@@AustinTillison great to here that.thats what I need it a car .with great mileage. N not many problems.thank you.

[@AustinTillison]

@@jher168 you're welcome! best of luck

[@todd4164]

How about the ballast

[@davidbostwick7878]

Ive always found finding someone with the hands of a 12 year old girl works best to reach inside the small area and change the bulb. I think toyota got plenty of complaints because the newer models bulbsare like any other car to get to.

[@riceburner4747]

U cant replace with an LED?

[@AustinTillison]

These are actually HID's not LED"s and I'm not sure if you can change them back and forth.

[@matt-i3r6w]

What if my headlight doesn't have the ballast (white) cable?

[@AustinTillison]

You probably have regular headlights and not HID's. Just make sure you get the correct bulb and I think the process is the same

[@SimpleSouls]

This is defo not the easiest way to do it. You can do it easily without removing the bumber or light in a few minutes.

[@AustinTillison]

It was my first time doing this so I didn't know. This way seemed to make sense to me. Cheers!

[@kevinchristian9372]

Type d4r hid?

[@AustinTillison]

Is that what they're called?

[@jonahbert111]

You keep calling them LED bulbs as in 6:45. These things are confusing, I know, but they are HID bulbs. From what I can tell, LED bulbs do not just plug into an HID system. There is modifications to be made and it looks like some are so long, they would not fit behind the dust cover. I guess there are also halogen bulb headlights on some models, at least one video showed changing that type. It has a different dust cover and different plug arrangement.

[@AustinTillison]

After we filmed I realized I was using some wrong names. My bad!

[@nsen-uq7rk]

At what timestamp for the actual fix

[@AustinTillison]

6:30

[@joshuanichols5679]

Not LED they are HID, and turn the housing on back of assembly it’s a locking cap don’t pry it.

[@AustinTillison]

Thanks Joshua

[@LordPillsbury1959]

My 2005 doesn’t look like that at all.

[@renmedia]

That`s not LED bulb. You keep saying that. That`s HID bulh. xenon.

[@memoli801]

Why so complicated!?!?? Since a law we have to drive all day long with lights on. Need to change 1-3 time a year each side. That is more access than to anything else. What are they thinking!

[@AustinTillison]

Yeah it's pretty crazy how they made it so hard to get to

[@ajbrown2013]

It says quick this is t the quick way this is the normal way

[@enriquegozalosaavedra6744]

that's exactly why toyota is an absolute shit. changing a normal light bulb on a car is also supposed to be simple and easy without disassembling the whole car!!!!

[@janvanderlinde3039]

it,s a hid inside , not a led !!!

[@AustinTillison]

thanks jan! i realized that after i filmed the video lol

[@laschell59]

I’m sorry but this is not DIY you like taking things apart 😂😂😂 and your hands are too big that’s why you must remove the front grill jeez funny entertainment though

[@bahaeddinaktepe9219]

Koltukları da sökseydin

[@coont-tracker-69]

Excellent guide! I often refer to it when I have to take this goddamn thing off

[@AustinTillison]

I'm so glad you found it helpful!

[@luigilombardi1783]

👍👍