2011 Headlamp Bubbling Defect
07-28-11, 05:36 AM
#92
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5k and I had to get a flashlight and magnifying glass to see it.. it is barely starting.. How many of you would have noticed this if it wasn't pointed out to you? lol. Well, regardless I will keep an eye on it. Not a big deal yet, but I am sure there will be a recall soon enough.
07-28-11, 06:02 AM
#93
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My contact at my dealership said there have been way more reports of this in the states than in Canada, which leads me to believe that the sunlight and/or air temp have an effect on the bubbling. I would have to imagine that the heat from the light itself also contributes.
07-28-11, 06:03 AM
#94
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5k and I had to get a flashlight and magnifying glass to see it.. it is barely starting.. How many of you would have noticed this if it wasn't pointed out to you? lol. Well, regardless I will keep an eye on it. Not a big deal yet, but I am sure there will be a recall soon enough.
07-28-11, 07:07 AM
#95
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07-28-11, 09:29 AM
#96
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^^
That's right..
They are shipping from Japan already defected... Somebody in QC is missing this.
I think the problem can first show up even after firing up the HID Lights a few times.
From there is slowly progresses and gets worse each time.
Guys / Gals - it's HIGHLY UN-LIKELY that this is Sun light related..
Something underneath (wiring) is Heating it Up!!! (My Opinion)
~ Joe Z
That's right..
They are shipping from Japan already defected... Somebody in QC is missing this.
I think the problem can first show up even after firing up the HID Lights a few times.
From there is slowly progresses and gets worse each time.
Guys / Gals - it's HIGHLY UN-LIKELY that this is Sun light related..
Something underneath (wiring) is Heating it Up!!! (My Opinion)
~ Joe Z
Last edited by Joe Z; 07-28-11 at 12:37 PM.
07-28-11, 09:43 AM
#97
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I finally had a chance to take my car in to show the dealership this problem. They of course never seen this problem yet. I told them that it is probably the wiring below the projector beam and they told me it was not, it is most likely from the sun. "go figure right?" I some how think it is something other than the sun. I am still waiting for a call back about what Lexus is going to do about this problem. I am almost half tempted to keep making this dealership replacing the headlights, I am sure after a few claims Lexus might want to get on this problem sooner than later? 
07-28-11, 01:59 PM
#99
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^^^ 2 - Key Points !!
It's a start in the right direction...
This means the folks in Japan are now aware of the issue.
~ Joe Z
- "Some 2011 IS250 / IS350 / IS-C / IS-F may exhibit a poor appearance on the painted strip of the Headlamp Housing"
- "The issue is currently under investigation. Please halt repair and contact Technical Assistance (TAS) to submit details on the vehicles identified, matching the condition described in this document. "
It's a start in the right direction...
This means the folks in Japan are now aware of the issue.
~ Joe Z
Last edited by Joe Z; 07-28-11 at 02:15 PM.
07-29-11, 01:17 PM
#101
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^I'd rather to wait for the solution from Lexus, it is not fun to replace the headlights when it needs to remove the whole front bumper...
I disagree...
I believe it is caused by the sun light, not the heat from LED.
I watched it in person, when I parked my car under direct sun light, sun lights reflected on the outer projector chrome ring then focus on that bubbling defect spots, happened on both sides.
Then I kept watching it with beer for 15 mins, I actually saw the bubble was getting larger and larger, (Car is off, no LED is on). Then I parked my car back to garage, I let it sit for about an hour and I checked again, bubble defect shrinked and not as big as when it was under direct sun light.
Also, I went to dealership and check out theirs, found out the brand new 2011 IS-F parking in show room has no bubble effect (That car is constantly connecting to 12V and the LED is always on); However, the Demo 2011 IS350 which always parked outside has bubbling effects on both sides.
It was a pure faulty design by Lexus, and I am afraid that Lexus will not replace them with brand new design headlights, since I heard new designed IS models will hit the market next summer.
- Link
I believe it is caused by the sun light, not the heat from LED.
I watched it in person, when I parked my car under direct sun light, sun lights reflected on the outer projector chrome ring then focus on that bubbling defect spots, happened on both sides.
Then I kept watching it with beer for 15 mins, I actually saw the bubble was getting larger and larger, (Car is off, no LED is on). Then I parked my car back to garage, I let it sit for about an hour and I checked again, bubble defect shrinked and not as big as when it was under direct sun light.
Also, I went to dealership and check out theirs, found out the brand new 2011 IS-F parking in show room has no bubble effect (That car is constantly connecting to 12V and the LED is always on); However, the Demo 2011 IS350 which always parked outside has bubbling effects on both sides.
It was a pure faulty design by Lexus, and I am afraid that Lexus will not replace them with brand new design headlights, since I heard new designed IS models will hit the market next summer.
- Link
Last edited by Linkseal; 07-29-11 at 01:20 PM.
07-29-11, 07:56 PM
#104
I realize the chrome ring is the reflection but if you look at the last picture, that chrome ring has a bubble/wrinkle in it as well, right along the edge.
07-29-11, 08:24 PM
#105
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Thread Starter
^^^ 2 - Key Points !!
It's a start in the right direction...
This means the folks in Japan are now aware of the issue.
~ Joe Z
- "Some 2011 IS250 / IS350 / IS-C / IS-F may exhibit a poor appearance on the painted strip of the Headlamp Housing"
- "The issue is currently under investigation. Please halt repair and contact Technical Assistance (TAS) to submit details on the vehicles identified, matching the condition described in this document. "
It's a start in the right direction...
This means the folks in Japan are now aware of the issue.
~ Joe Z
Even though Lexus has a file number on my case from my email and call to customer service, I'm considering going back to my dealer and having them contact Technical Assistance to submit details on my car (especially since I have the Sewell kit on my car).
Last edited by Lenscap2; 07-29-11 at 08:28 PM.