Old problem, first time owner
01-14-16, 05:40 PM
#1
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Old problem, first time owner
OnApril 3, 2014, I purchased a 2007 Lexus RX350 with 60,000 miles. It wasfirst driven in June or July of 2006, and I was told by numerous Lexus ownersthat Lexus was absolutely great about any problems I might have, Lexus wasfabulous about putting customer service and care first.
Sometimein mid-July, when my mechanic was changing the oil, he noticed the rack and pinionsteering was leaking. I did someresearch and discovered the leak was relatively common in the 2007 RX350 Lexus’and most owners found they didn’t need to do anything about the leak unless itwas severe. I chose not to fix it atthat time.
Inlate November, early December 2015, I noticed condensation behind both headlamplenses. The headlamp on the driver’sside was beginning to rust and the ballast had already been ruined. To fix the headlamps would require a full headlampassembly. I called a local dealership andwas told there was a voluntary recall or warranty…I don’t remember the exactwords.
Icalled corporate to inquire, someone took my information and I received a callback from someone in the department that handles these issues, it was then I learnedthat the voluntary recall had expired. Itwas good for nine (9) years. So from thetime the car was first driven in 2006) and the date I called was 6 months afterthe expiration date and there was nothing they were willing to do.
Nothing,“I’m so sorry but there is nothing we can do!” Really? Six (6) months too late for a vehicle that had 60,000 miles onit.
Now a car that I’vehad less than two (2) years currently with 80,000 miles, will require severalthousand dollars to fix the headlamps.
Sometimein mid-July, when my mechanic was changing the oil, he noticed the rack and pinionsteering was leaking. I did someresearch and discovered the leak was relatively common in the 2007 RX350 Lexus’and most owners found they didn’t need to do anything about the leak unless itwas severe. I chose not to fix it atthat time.
Inlate November, early December 2015, I noticed condensation behind both headlamplenses. The headlamp on the driver’sside was beginning to rust and the ballast had already been ruined. To fix the headlamps would require a full headlampassembly. I called a local dealership andwas told there was a voluntary recall or warranty…I don’t remember the exactwords.
Icalled corporate to inquire, someone took my information and I received a callback from someone in the department that handles these issues, it was then I learnedthat the voluntary recall had expired. Itwas good for nine (9) years. So from thetime the car was first driven in 2006) and the date I called was 6 months afterthe expiration date and there was nothing they were willing to do.
Nothing,“I’m so sorry but there is nothing we can do!” Really? Six (6) months too late for a vehicle that had 60,000 miles onit.
Now a car that I’vehad less than two (2) years currently with 80,000 miles, will require severalthousand dollars to fix the headlamps.
01-14-16, 06:41 PM
#2
It's a couple of thousand dollars if you want the dealer to replace I it. But if you go with aftermarket headlamps, and install them yourself, you can do if for $232. Assuming you dont have AFS headlamps, you can get the headlights on Amazon on the link below. There are DIY instructions on this site. Just do a search. Or you can pay a competent mechanic to do the work which should only be 2 hrs of labor. Either way, it's a lot cheaper than pay the dealership. I have some headlights I bought on Amazon but just haven't gotten around to installing them. They are good quality and will make my RX look new again.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...st-19-a-2.html
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...st-19-a-2.html
Last edited by LSBen; 01-14-16 at 07:36 PM.
01-14-16, 08:27 PM
#3
Old problem, first time owner
Consider headlamps from a wrecker and get a local garage to install them or diy.
Car-part.com. separate hid lamps are quoted at 350 and up.
Fwiw, I just returned a set of aftermarket headlamps from ebay. Same boxes as the poster above. They are decent if you are originally equipped with halogen lamps.
They will not work with cars equipped with hid or projection lenses. Your wire harness will not work.
Car-part.com. separate hid lamps are quoted at 350 and up.
Fwiw, I just returned a set of aftermarket headlamps from ebay. Same boxes as the poster above. They are decent if you are originally equipped with halogen lamps.
They will not work with cars equipped with hid or projection lenses. Your wire harness will not work.
Last edited by fastnoypi; 01-14-16 at 08:32 PM.
01-15-16, 08:45 AM
#5
Consider headlamps from a wrecker and get a local garage to install them or diy.
Car-part.com. separate hid lamps are quoted at 350 and up.
Fwiw, I just returned a set of aftermarket headlamps from ebay. Same boxes as the poster above. They are decent if you are originally equipped with halogen lamps.
They will not work with cars equipped with hid or projection lenses. Your wire harness will not work.
Car-part.com. separate hid lamps are quoted at 350 and up.
Fwiw, I just returned a set of aftermarket headlamps from ebay. Same boxes as the poster above. They are decent if you are originally equipped with halogen lamps.
They will not work with cars equipped with hid or projection lenses. Your wire harness will not work.
Last edited by LSBen; 01-15-16 at 11:46 AM.
01-15-16, 10:03 AM
#6
Hi fastnoypi, I was wondering why the wiring harness would not work in your RX. Mine are HID and from what I can see, the wiring harness would slip thru the opening in the back cover and attach directly to the Existing HID bulb. If the opening is too small on the back cover, it would be simple enough to use a dremmel to make the hole a little bigger. That's the only issue I could see without actually having installed it yet. Or possibly reuse the existing back cover which has the wiring harness already slipped thru it
I bought them as a plug and play replacement and did not want to retrofit.
If it is not too much trouble for you, remove one oem lamp and try matching the harness to the bulbs. You do not need to remove a wheel but it would make removing the wheel well liner a lot easier if your driver handle is too long.
I hope you have a better experience with your aftermarkets.
Last edited by fastnoypi; 01-15-16 at 10:16 AM.
01-15-16, 10:29 AM
#7
I just purchased a 2007 and the drivers side does get some condensation. The previous owner had it in and Lexus would not replace as it was 'normal'. It was delivered in December 2006 so I am now past the 9 years.
Wasn't there a thread that shows how to seal up the housings? I can't find it at the moment.
Wasn't there a thread that shows how to seal up the housings? I can't find it at the moment.
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01-15-16, 10:53 AM
#8
I just purchased a 2007 and the drivers side does get some condensation. The previous owner had it in and Lexus would not replace as it was 'normal'. It was delivered in December 2006 so I am now past the 9 years.
Wasn't there a thread that shows how to seal up the housings? I can't find it at the moment.
Wasn't there a thread that shows how to seal up the housings? I can't find it at the moment.
01-15-16, 11:37 AM
#9
the harness plugs simply would not fit with the bulbs provided. I suspect some of my oem pins have to do with level adjustment not found on the aftermarket lamps.
I bought them as a plug and play replacement and did not want to retrofit.
If it is not too much trouble for you, remove one oem lamp and try matching the harness to the bulbs. You do not need to remove a wheel but it would make removing the wheel well liner a lot easier if your driver handle is too long.
I hope you have a better experience with your aftermarkets.
I bought them as a plug and play replacement and did not want to retrofit.
If it is not too much trouble for you, remove one oem lamp and try matching the harness to the bulbs. You do not need to remove a wheel but it would make removing the wheel well liner a lot easier if your driver handle is too long.
I hope you have a better experience with your aftermarkets.
01-15-16, 11:44 AM
#10
I just purchased a 2007 and the drivers side does get some condensation. The previous owner had it in and Lexus would not replace as it was 'normal'. It was delivered in December 2006 so I am now past the 9 years.
Wasn't there a thread that shows how to seal up the housings? I can't find it at the moment.
Wasn't there a thread that shows how to seal up the housings? I can't find it at the moment.
Last edited by LSBen; 01-15-16 at 11:47 AM.
01-19-16, 05:43 AM
#11
OnApril 3, 2014, I purchased a 2007 Lexus RX350 with 60,000 miles. It wasfirst driven in June or July of 2006, and I was told by numerous Lexus ownersthat Lexus was absolutely great about any problems I might have, Lexus wasfabulous about putting customer service and care first.
Sometimein mid-July, when my mechanic was changing the oil, he noticed the rack and pinionsteering was leaking. I did someresearch and discovered the leak was relatively common in the 2007 RX350 Lexus’and most owners found they didn’t need to do anything about the leak unless itwas severe. I chose not to fix it atthat time.
Inlate November, early December 2015, I noticed condensation behind both headlamplenses. The headlamp on the driver’sside was beginning to rust and the ballast had already been ruined. To fix the headlamps would require a full headlampassembly. I called a local dealership andwas told there was a voluntary recall or warranty…I don’t remember the exactwords.
Icalled corporate to inquire, someone took my information and I received a callback from someone in the department that handles these issues, it was then I learnedthat the voluntary recall had expired. Itwas good for nine (9) years. So from thetime the car was first driven in 2006) and the date I called was 6 months afterthe expiration date and there was nothing they were willing to do.
Nothing,“I’m so sorry but there is nothing we can do!” Really? Six (6) months too late for a vehicle that had 60,000 miles onit.
Now a car that I’vehad less than two (2) years currently with 80,000 miles, will require severalthousand dollars to fix the headlamps.
Sometimein mid-July, when my mechanic was changing the oil, he noticed the rack and pinionsteering was leaking. I did someresearch and discovered the leak was relatively common in the 2007 RX350 Lexus’and most owners found they didn’t need to do anything about the leak unless itwas severe. I chose not to fix it atthat time.
Inlate November, early December 2015, I noticed condensation behind both headlamplenses. The headlamp on the driver’sside was beginning to rust and the ballast had already been ruined. To fix the headlamps would require a full headlampassembly. I called a local dealership andwas told there was a voluntary recall or warranty…I don’t remember the exactwords.
Icalled corporate to inquire, someone took my information and I received a callback from someone in the department that handles these issues, it was then I learnedthat the voluntary recall had expired. Itwas good for nine (9) years. So from thetime the car was first driven in 2006) and the date I called was 6 months afterthe expiration date and there was nothing they were willing to do.
Nothing,“I’m so sorry but there is nothing we can do!” Really? Six (6) months too late for a vehicle that had 60,000 miles onit.
Now a car that I’vehad less than two (2) years currently with 80,000 miles, will require severalthousand dollars to fix the headlamps.
Very simple fix, find a competent Lexus mechanic and have him take the lenses off and re- seal. There is an extensive thread on this with step by step instructions in this forum. The cost in only the labor and a $4.00 tube of sealant. I did this to my 2007 before the recall came out, 3 yrs ago with no problems after the repair.
02-08-16, 06:54 AM
#13
..........
Condensation issue gets fixed for free by Lexus...........
Follow this thread:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...densation.html
Follow this thread:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...densation.html
02-09-16, 08:51 AM
#15
Mine 2007 RX 350 first was driven in Dec 06 so it is now past the 9 year warranty. I know the previous owner had the lights looked at in the past 2 years and the dealer indicated they were not worthy or replacement. I have not tried to take it back in since I have had it.
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