Headlamp Condensation

5.0

fairly significant
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
94,250 miles
Total Complaints:
2 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (1 reports)
  2. replace housing (1 reports)
2008 Lexus RX400H lights problems

lights problem

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2008 Lexus RX400H Owner Comments

problem #2

Dec 282015

RX400H RX 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Lexus is a very expensive vehicle the lights shouldn't have condensation problems in the first place. I think the lights have a design flaw.

- Yvonne R., Spring Hill, KS, US

problem #1

Jul 152015

RX400H Premium 3.0L V6

  • CVT transmission
  • 123,500 miles

click to see larger images

headlamp condensation headlamp condensation headlamp condensation

headlamp condensation resulting in hid lamp failure

I have had water condensing inside passenger headlamp housing lens since bought used vehicle in July 2015. Have twice used hair dryer to direct warm air into housing (via lamp opening in back) to dry it out. Local dealer's Service Advisor in Mississauga ON said since vehicle is imported from USA it cannot be fixed in Canada under Lexus warranty extension - must take to a USA dealer.

Finally just recently the HID headlamp in that housing flickered & went out. After researching the problem online I removed the headlamp housing to try to seal it around the perimeter joint & hopefully restore HID function. I found 3-4 oz. of dirty water was trapped in the housing! Slosh it around - it moves freely around inside the housing (see pic of dirty water laying on lens when turned downward). Also found the HID power supply is installed in a 'well' at the lowest point of the housing so that is where the water collects, until the supply corrodes or shorts out!

Cleaned out the water, removed the HID supply form housing & dried all parts out. Sealed the joint between the clears lens & black plastic housing with RTV silicone. Reinstalled the housing & components back into the vehicle & found the housing is now staying dry but the HID is not able to light up. It flickers for a short time then goes out. Now I have to follow up with Lexus Canada and possibly Lexus USA with the warranty extension program for this known problem. In meantime, can't drive safely at night with only 1 headlamp!

Update from Jan 17, 2017: Jan 2017-just got new headlamp housing, with HID power supply, installed (along with new headlight computer, whatever that does - probably AFS function) by local Canadian dealer who now says they can honour USA warranty extension program here in Canada. Great to finally have both HIDs working again! And not a month too late - this month is the 9th full year after In-Service Date - end of my warranty extension program coverage.

Now I have to remove & seal the drivers' side housing so it doesn't suffer the same fate (it's starting to show signs of water inside)

- gregw1, toronto, ON, Canada

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