2011 Headlamp Bubbling Defect
07-08-11, 08:36 PM
#32
Pit Crew
Thread Starter
Has anybody with the 2011 IS tried to get them fixed/replaced under warranty? I didn't notice it when I brought it in for its first service, and I'm not due to go back for another 4000 miles (and it's not that big of a deal for me to make a trip to the dealer just for that) 
Just curious if anybody has tried?
Just curious if anybody has tried?
07-08-11, 08:41 PM
#33
Pit Crew
Thread Starter
Lexus customer satisfaction called me today with an update on my specific case (remember, I have the Sewell kit installed on my 2009 IS 350). They have an internal team of engineers investigating the defect. Now it's just a matter of waiting and seeing what happens. If there is a recall it could be months, if not a year or more, down the road.
07-09-11, 09:40 AM
#35
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My posts from the other thread created last month.....
This issue is preventing me from updating my current IS-F Head Lights
ALL 2011 HID Headlights w/ LED Strip - (not just F-Sport)
Sadly, it seems to be an issue in the same EXACT spots of each Headlight..
This tells me the hid wiring shoved in there underneath that spot, it is heating up to a point where it's causing the Black Chrome finish or paint to detach from the plastic frame.
Definitely a design flaw on what is heating up OR a design flaw on the manufacturing process of the Black Chrome Frames.
~ Joe Z
Until the defect issue is fixed, the problem will NOT go away with a simple replace....!!
They have to address this a Corporate Level in Japan & USA.
Usually the QC Dept. (Quality Control)
I say the heat generated underneath the frames is where the issue lies.. In conjuction with a flaw in the painting process of the frames..
The HID Bulbs or Projectors themselves do generate heat, but in my opinion its not excessive..
Otherwise we would see problems accross ALL CURRENT IS Headlights..
If it were a simple paint defect, it would bubble or wrinkle all over the Frames.
Heck the Halogen Bulb Fog Lights get extremely hotter to touch, compared to the OEM HID Lights..
Also, a point to mention is that they dropped AFS from these 11'+ New lights.. I wonder if the rewiring is somehow negatively effecting the housings.
Just my thoughts.. & .02 ¢
~ Joe Z
This issue is preventing me from updating my current IS-F Head Lights
Originally Posted by Joe Z
ALL 2011 HID Headlights w/ LED Strip - (not just F-Sport)
Sadly, it seems to be an issue in the same EXACT spots of each Headlight..
This tells me the hid wiring shoved in there underneath that spot, it is heating up to a point where it's causing the Black Chrome finish or paint to detach from the plastic frame.
Definitely a design flaw on what is heating up OR a design flaw on the manufacturing process of the Black Chrome Frames.
~ Joe Z
Originally Posted by Joe Z
Until the defect issue is fixed, the problem will NOT go away with a simple replace....!!
They have to address this a Corporate Level in Japan & USA.
Usually the QC Dept. (Quality Control)
I say the heat generated underneath the frames is where the issue lies.. In conjuction with a flaw in the painting process of the frames..
The HID Bulbs or Projectors themselves do generate heat, but in my opinion its not excessive..
Otherwise we would see problems accross ALL CURRENT IS Headlights..
If it were a simple paint defect, it would bubble or wrinkle all over the Frames.
Heck the Halogen Bulb Fog Lights get extremely hotter to touch, compared to the OEM HID Lights..
Also, a point to mention is that they dropped AFS from these 11'+ New lights.. I wonder if the rewiring is somehow negatively effecting the housings.
Just my thoughts.. & .02 ¢
~ Joe Z
07-09-11, 02:07 PM
#36
they will force their supplier...(kioto, stanley, etc) to replace these parts as it seems to be a supplier issue. In mfg, it is cheaper to make new than try and refurb used stuff, especially plastic injection stuff.
07-09-11, 05:06 PM
#38
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Once you all have noticed the bubbling.....have you noticed it getting any worse? I noticed mine about a month or so ago. Looks to look the same still though. Not getting any worse yet. Then again my car just hit 1,500 miles!
hehe
07-09-11, 11:12 PM
#40
07-11-11, 06:59 AM
#44
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2011 Is 350 AWD purchased in Calgary in March, my car has the issue as well.
Took the car in for servicing today, and mentioned this problem to them. They said they haven't come across it yet, I told them to just wait, it's coming.
I'll report back what they tell me when I pick up the car this afternoon. I told them not to do anything about it yet, just get it on record and wait for Lexus to come up with a fix.
Took the car in for servicing today, and mentioned this problem to them. They said they haven't come across it yet, I told them to just wait, it's coming.
I'll report back what they tell me when I pick up the car this afternoon. I told them not to do anything about it yet, just get it on record and wait for Lexus to come up with a fix.
