ES - 5th Gen (2007-2012) Discussion topics related to 2007+ ES350

Headlight Condensation

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Old 03-28-12 | 07:49 PM
  #1  
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shalou
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Default Headlight Condensation

Why isn't there a recall or class action against Lexus for this condensation issue? It's obviously a manufacturing issue that hasn't been addressed. 2nd year my Lexus 2008 ES 350 has had an issue with a strong rain. They 'supposedly' replaced it last year in Jan. 2011 because the car was under warranty. Now? the year long warranty on that part is up, finally CA received a strong rain 3 days ago. Does Lexus think it's a viable option for me to just deal with this issue year after year? Or take it in to have them 'wipe off the condensation and put it back together again' with no fix or solution? And from what I'm reading, the cost of replacement bulbs, which will erode with condensation, will fall on me, the consumer. I'll hear from the rep tomorrow and keep you posted. Anybody else feel that this is just wrong?
Old 03-29-12 | 04:59 AM
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Had a '99 Town Car that had same issues with condensation. Bought replacement lens on e-bay motors for a portion of dealer price.
Old 03-29-12 | 12:17 PM
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Most cars I've owned have had that problem. Although to me the lenses seemed to fog up with condensation more with high humidity rather then hard rain. I don't know if the Lexus will have this problem in the future, but I wouldn't be surprised if it did.

On my last car there were 3" diameter rubber caps on the back of the headlight assemblies. After I removed the caps I never had a problem. The humidity level inside the assembly would balance out with the outside air and condensation would not form.
Old 03-29-12 | 06:37 PM
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We don't have that problem here in Colorado, but humidity levels here are low compared to most other places--like 15% or so.
Old 03-29-12 | 07:25 PM
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Temporary moisture inside the lamp assembly can occur with high humidity and a rapid drop in temperature just as mentioned above. We get lots of such weather conditions here and so far haven't noticed my ES having really any issues but it may partly be because it's normally parked under cover. My other car which is parked in the open and a previous car at times had minor amounts of moisture in the headlamps but it would clear up after a short period of time, particularly when driven. One thing to check is to ensure that the headlamp assembly vent is not blocked. I haven't looked for the vents on the ES yet but some headlamps have a vent tube/hose (two cars that I've owned had the vent in the form of a U shaped hose) that has an inside diameter of about 1/4" - 5/16" which could easily be obstructed by a critter like a wasp/bee for example, or accidently get flattened or kinked.
Old 03-29-12 | 11:17 PM
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Its a known issue in many other makes and models. You'd be surprised at how common this occurrence is
Old 03-31-12 | 02:39 PM
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I had mine happen after the dealer prepped my 08 CPO (paint and interior protection package.) They replaced the headlamp assy at no charge. I don't know if this applied to the CPO warranty or if they just did it because it happened immediately after they did the paint prep.
Old 04-06-12 | 12:06 PM
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had the same issue with my 07 rx 350 but not yet on my 2011 es350 yet. dealer replaced assembly with no charge, per directive from head office, where i filed a complaint.
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