Toyota Prius HID Trouble...

... or how hybrids get a beating these days. After yesterday Consumer Reports trashed the Honda Insight, deeming it as the "most disappointing Honda Consumer Reports has tested in a long time," today it's Prius' turn to face critics.

Actually, Prius' problem started a while back, with its previous generation. With the release of the third generation on the way, Toyota finds itself in the middle of a... headlamp dispute. The company is engaged in a class action lawsuit due to faulty headlights which cost more some $1,000 to replace, Autonews reported.

Even more, owners have complained to federal safety officials that Prius' upgraded optional lights (high-intensity discharge headlamps - HID) have an inclination towards failing. In all, 338 complaints have been submitted.

In a separate lawsuit in the US District Court in Los Angeles, Girard Gibbs filed court action on behalf of Putnam County Prius owner, citing the same HID issue. This time though, Toyota is accused of "concealing the problems from owners".

Not clear how this problem affects the launch of the new Prius? Well, "the danger to Toyota is the effect on Prius owners and non-Toyota owners, many of whom are starting to evaluate why they weren't a Toyota owner before," as Andy Fletcher, communications firm Fletcher-Martin CEO, was quoted as saying by the source.

Still, if "Toyota moves quickly, the whole thing will blow over," Fletcher added. The HID problem, if treated accordingly, may not turn out to be as much of a problem to possible Prius customers.

And, if we stirred your curiosity, here's how HID should work...