Poorly sealed headlamp cause HID, Adaptive Headlight Failure
11-03-11, 10:31 PM
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Poorly sealed headlamp cause HID, Adaptive Headlight Failure
I noticed condensation on my 2008 RX350 driver's side headlamp. It started forming shortly after purchasing in 2008. The owners manual states it may not be a defect to see the dealer. I call the dealership and the service adviser said that as long as it was functioning correctly it should be okay. In February 2011 @ 68,000 miles the low beam went out. I replaced the bulb some $130 bucks later and the light still did not work but would flicker a little then go out. Took to the dealership and was told to repair the headlamp would be $2,072.43....I was floored! I immediately wrote Lexus Customer Satisfaction Department in Torrance, CA and asked for assistance. Two months later no reply so I sent a second letter and still no reply....certainly not what I expected from the company. Searching the net I have read other RX owners having the same problem. Has any other members had this problem and if so did Lexus assist in the expense? Thanks!!!! Pete
Last edited by Peterpan; 11-03-11 at 10:33 PM. Reason: should be sealed not seal
11-04-11, 07:20 AM
#4
I noticed condensation on my 2008 RX350 driver's side headlamp. It started forming shortly after purchasing in 2008. The owners manual states it may not be a defect to see the dealer. I call the dealership and the service adviser said that as long as it was functioning correctly it should be okay. In February 2011 @ 68,000 miles the low beam went out. I replaced the bulb some $130 bucks later and the light still did not work but would flicker a little then go out. Took to the dealership and was told to repair the headlamp would be $2,072.43....I was floored! I immediately wrote Lexus Customer Satisfaction Department in Torrance, CA and asked for assistance. Two months later no reply so I sent a second letter and still no reply....certainly not what I expected from the company. Searching the net I have read other RX owners having the same problem. Has any other members had this problem and if so did Lexus assist in the expense? Thanks!!!! Pete
11-05-11, 11:16 PM
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I have Lexus RX330 with the same issue. I did lot of search online about this issue. I found that Lexus RX 330 models had bad headlight design and water goes inside the headlight. Lot of people complained about this to Lexus. Some of them even filed the law suites. But Lexus did not address anything.
I even called Lexus Torrance Head Office and explained them the issue. They asked me to take it to dealer. They worked with dealer and at the end they said since my car is no longer in warranty, they cannot fix this.
So regarding the issue, there could be two possibilities -
1. Your light bulb could be gone bad. If this is the problem, very easy to replace. Any auto shop can fix it for you.
2. Or Ballast, below the light assembly, is gone bad. Yes. Ballast can also go bad. Water leaks from the headlight and goes all the way to ballast. And then it will short circuit the ballast. Note: Ballast is supposed to be waterproof. But same issue - bad design by Lexus.
In my Lexus RX 330, ballast was gone bad. It had a big corrosion on it. So no wonder it can go bad. I can even send you the picture of my ballast. You will be surprised how bad it looks now.
Regarding purchasing a new one, I called Lexus dealer about the part. And you will be surprised to know that they told me $1010 for ballast. I cannot afford buying such an expensive part from dealer. So I searched on ebay. I found one similar to mine - Denso (Koito) original one from Japan for $86. I purchased it. I am waiting for it to arrive now. Below is the link on ebay. http://www.ebay.com/itm/230516035535...ht_1423wt_1060
I am going to take it to a auto shop next week after part arrives. So I can get it fixed.
I hope this helps.
Dont worry. It is poor design by Lexus. And you are not the only one who is facing this problem. We are all in the same pool...By the way, I am surprised. I thought Lexus might fix this issue in new generation i.e. RX 350. But looks like they did not. They are still making the poor design.
I even called Lexus Torrance Head Office and explained them the issue. They asked me to take it to dealer. They worked with dealer and at the end they said since my car is no longer in warranty, they cannot fix this.
So regarding the issue, there could be two possibilities -
1. Your light bulb could be gone bad. If this is the problem, very easy to replace. Any auto shop can fix it for you.
2. Or Ballast, below the light assembly, is gone bad. Yes. Ballast can also go bad. Water leaks from the headlight and goes all the way to ballast. And then it will short circuit the ballast. Note: Ballast is supposed to be waterproof. But same issue - bad design by Lexus.
In my Lexus RX 330, ballast was gone bad. It had a big corrosion on it. So no wonder it can go bad. I can even send you the picture of my ballast. You will be surprised how bad it looks now.
Regarding purchasing a new one, I called Lexus dealer about the part. And you will be surprised to know that they told me $1010 for ballast. I cannot afford buying such an expensive part from dealer. So I searched on ebay. I found one similar to mine - Denso (Koito) original one from Japan for $86. I purchased it. I am waiting for it to arrive now. Below is the link on ebay. http://www.ebay.com/itm/230516035535...ht_1423wt_1060
I am going to take it to a auto shop next week after part arrives. So I can get it fixed.
I hope this helps.
Dont worry. It is poor design by Lexus. And you are not the only one who is facing this problem. We are all in the same pool...By the way, I am surprised. I thought Lexus might fix this issue in new generation i.e. RX 350. But looks like they did not. They are still making the poor design.
11-07-11, 08:15 AM
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Condensation Causing Headlight Failure
Already talked to service mgr....no luck. However, there is another dealer here in Atlanta that I am going to see this week...Thanks!
11-07-11, 08:27 AM
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Headlamp Failure Due to Condensation
I have Lexus RX330 with the same issue. I did lot of search online about this issue. I found that Lexus RX 330 models had bad headlight design and water goes inside the headlight. Lot of people complained about this to Lexus. Some of them even filed the law suites. But Lexus did not address anything.
I even called Lexus Torrance Head Office and explained them the issue. They asked me to take it to dealer. They worked with dealer and at the end they said since my car is no longer in warranty, they cannot fix this.
So regarding the issue, there could be two possibilities -
1. Your light bulb could be gone bad. If this is the problem, very easy to replace. Any auto shop can fix it for you.
2. Or Ballast, below the light assembly, is gone bad. Yes. Ballast can also go bad. Water leaks from the headlight and goes all the way to ballast. And then it will short circuit the ballast. Note: Ballast is supposed to be waterproof. But same issue - bad design by Lexus.
In my Lexus RX 330, ballast was gone bad. It had a big corrosion on it. So no wonder it can go bad. I can even send you the picture of my ballast. You will be surprised how bad it looks now.
Regarding purchasing a new one, I called Lexus dealer about the part. And you will be surprised to know that they told me $1010 for ballast. I cannot afford buying such an expensive part from dealer. So I searched on ebay. I found one similar to mine - Denso (Koito) original one from Japan for $86. I purchased it. I am waiting for it to arrive now. Below is the link on ebay. http://www.ebay.com/itm/230516035535...ht_1423wt_1060
I am going to take it to a auto shop next week after part arrives. So I can get it fixed.
I hope this helps.
Dont worry. It is poor design by Lexus. And you are not the only one who is facing this problem. We are all in the same pool...By the way, I am surprised. I thought Lexus might fix this issue in new generation i.e. RX 350. But looks like they did not. They are still making the poor design.
I even called Lexus Torrance Head Office and explained them the issue. They asked me to take it to dealer. They worked with dealer and at the end they said since my car is no longer in warranty, they cannot fix this.
So regarding the issue, there could be two possibilities -
1. Your light bulb could be gone bad. If this is the problem, very easy to replace. Any auto shop can fix it for you.
2. Or Ballast, below the light assembly, is gone bad. Yes. Ballast can also go bad. Water leaks from the headlight and goes all the way to ballast. And then it will short circuit the ballast. Note: Ballast is supposed to be waterproof. But same issue - bad design by Lexus.
In my Lexus RX 330, ballast was gone bad. It had a big corrosion on it. So no wonder it can go bad. I can even send you the picture of my ballast. You will be surprised how bad it looks now.
Regarding purchasing a new one, I called Lexus dealer about the part. And you will be surprised to know that they told me $1010 for ballast. I cannot afford buying such an expensive part from dealer. So I searched on ebay. I found one similar to mine - Denso (Koito) original one from Japan for $86. I purchased it. I am waiting for it to arrive now. Below is the link on ebay. http://www.ebay.com/itm/230516035535...ht_1423wt_1060
I am going to take it to a auto shop next week after part arrives. So I can get it fixed.
I hope this helps.
Dont worry. It is poor design by Lexus. And you are not the only one who is facing this problem. We are all in the same pool...By the way, I am surprised. I thought Lexus might fix this issue in new generation i.e. RX 350. But looks like they did not. They are still making the poor design.
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11-07-11, 08:37 AM
#8
Lexus Test Driver
Actually, some dealers have a "Customer Relations Manager", in addition to the Service Manager, find out if your deal has one.
Last edited by redrocks; 11-07-11 at 08:43 AM.
12-01-11, 09:33 AM
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RX Lexus Headlight defect
I still have not got my headlight repaired and wanted to ask you did replacing the ballast correct your problem? I know the bulb is good and am considering replacin g the ballast. Thanks, Pete
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I have Lexus RX330 with the same issue. I did lot of search online about this issue. I found that Lexus RX 330 models had bad headlight design and water goes inside the headlight. Lot of people complained about this to Lexus. Some of them even filed the law suites. But Lexus did not address anything.
I even called Lexus Torrance Head Office and explained them the issue. They asked me to take it to dealer. They worked with dealer and at the end they said since my car is no longer in warranty, they cannot fix this.
So regarding the issue, there could be two possibilities -
1. Your light bulb could be gone bad. If this is the problem, very easy to replace. Any auto shop can fix it for you.
2. Or Ballast, below the light assembly, is gone bad. Yes. Ballast can also go bad. Water leaks from the headlight and goes all the way to ballast. And then it will short circuit the ballast. Note: Ballast is supposed to be waterproof. But same issue - bad design by Lexus.
In my Lexus RX 330, ballast was gone bad. It had a big corrosion on it. So no wonder it can go bad. I can even send you the picture of my ballast. You will be surprised how bad it looks now.
Regarding purchasing a new one, I called Lexus dealer about the part. And you will be surprised to know that they told me $1010 for ballast. I cannot afford buying such an expensive part from dealer. So I searched on ebay. I found one similar to mine - Denso (Koito) original one from Japan for $86. I purchased it. I am waiting for it to arrive now. Below is the link on ebay. http://www.ebay.com/itm/230516035535...ht_1423wt_1060
I am going to take it to a auto shop next week after part arrives. So I can get it fixed.
I hope this helps.
Dont worry. It is poor design by Lexus. And you are not the only one who is facing this problem. We are all in the same pool...By the way, I am surprised. I thought Lexus might fix this issue in new generation i.e. RX 350. But looks like they did not. They are still making the poor design.
I even called Lexus Torrance Head Office and explained them the issue. They asked me to take it to dealer. They worked with dealer and at the end they said since my car is no longer in warranty, they cannot fix this.
So regarding the issue, there could be two possibilities -
1. Your light bulb could be gone bad. If this is the problem, very easy to replace. Any auto shop can fix it for you.
2. Or Ballast, below the light assembly, is gone bad. Yes. Ballast can also go bad. Water leaks from the headlight and goes all the way to ballast. And then it will short circuit the ballast. Note: Ballast is supposed to be waterproof. But same issue - bad design by Lexus.
In my Lexus RX 330, ballast was gone bad. It had a big corrosion on it. So no wonder it can go bad. I can even send you the picture of my ballast. You will be surprised how bad it looks now.
Regarding purchasing a new one, I called Lexus dealer about the part. And you will be surprised to know that they told me $1010 for ballast. I cannot afford buying such an expensive part from dealer. So I searched on ebay. I found one similar to mine - Denso (Koito) original one from Japan for $86. I purchased it. I am waiting for it to arrive now. Below is the link on ebay. http://www.ebay.com/itm/230516035535...ht_1423wt_1060
I am going to take it to a auto shop next week after part arrives. So I can get it fixed.
I hope this helps.
Dont worry. It is poor design by Lexus. And you are not the only one who is facing this problem. We are all in the same pool...By the way, I am surprised. I thought Lexus might fix this issue in new generation i.e. RX 350. But looks like they did not. They are still making the poor design.
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