2012 Headlamp Has Bubbling Defect Too
Pole Position
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 249
Likes: 2
From: San Diego
Didn't even know about this defect until I saw this thread today. Went out and looked at my lights (only had for a week) and yep, I got bubbles! F&^$$#! Mine are 2012 and I bought from a private seller, so I'm probably SOL.
^^ contact the seller im sure he might have the invoice and see if swap is a option....... that is the only thing from holding me back on buying these well that and the price ha
Anyone think this can be mitigated by aiming the projectors up a little? Seems that many are having bubbling on the drivers side where the projector is pointed lower and more directly at the top of the leds than the passenger side.
Just a thought.
Just a thought.
So seems like this theory of the projector pointing lower on the left side/drivers side may have some merit. Lets try to further pinpoint this... I wonder if the brand/type of bulb may also affect this. For the guys with bubbling, what kind of bulbs are you using? OEM or aftermarket? If after market what brand?
Has anyone who has been running aftermarket bulbs been getting bubbling?
Has anyone who has been running aftermarket bulbs been getting bubbling?
Pole Position
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 249
Likes: 2
From: San Diego
The good thing is it's not that noticable unless you really look for it...just hoping the paint doesn't eventually flake off.
ClubLexus Stories
Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe
Top 10 Lexus & Toyotas to Drive Before You Die!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Lexus/Toyotas With The LEAST 5-Year Depreciation
Joe Kucinski
Lexus LC500 Convertible Auction: A Preview of Rising Values?
Brett Foote
GX 550 vs TX 550: Best 3-Row Luxury Lexus Family Hauler
Michael S. Palmer
9 Best Lexus Models You Can Buy for Half Price (And 1 You Shouldn't!)
Joe Kucinski
2026 Lexus NX Buyer's Guide: Models, Features, Prices & More!
Brett Foote
Top 10 Reasons to Buy a Lexus TX 550h+ (& 3 Reasons to AVOID!)
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Lexus & Toyota Models of the 1990s RANKED!
Joe Kucinski
10 Great Toyotas That Could Have Been Lexus Models
Joe Kucinski
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: CA
I'm a little confused about this issue and have a question - is this only for the upgraded lights with the LED strips, or does this issue also happen to the base model (non-LED strip) light? I'm not sure exactly which are Xenon or HID or whatever, so forgive me if I'm using the wrong nomenclature.
I have a 2012 but did not get the upgraded headlights. All the pictures ITT show a black bottom, but the bottom of my headlights look like chrome, and I don't see any bubbling. So I'm assuming this is only for the lights with the LED check mark, but just wanted to clarify.
I have a 2012 but did not get the upgraded headlights. All the pictures ITT show a black bottom, but the bottom of my headlights look like chrome, and I don't see any bubbling. So I'm assuming this is only for the lights with the LED check mark, but just wanted to clarify.
My passenger side bubbling is just a bad as the drivers side. I'm using 6K HID bulbs, aftermarket, but I don't think this is the culprit. Plenty of others on here are running OEM 4300K and getting the bubbling just as severe.
The good thing is it's not that noticable unless you really look for it...just hoping the paint doesn't eventually flake off.
The good thing is it's not that noticable unless you really look for it...just hoping the paint doesn't eventually flake off.
Can you confirm if you lights are at the same height or is the drivers side lower?
In any case, I'm going to play it safe and angle mine slightly higher then the stock height. Will let you guys know if I ever get bubbling.... So far none.
So seems like this theory of the projector pointing lower on the left side/drivers side may have some merit. Lets try to further pinpoint this... I wonder if the brand/type of bulb may also affect this. For the guys with bubbling, what kind of bulbs are you using? OEM or aftermarket? If after market what brand?
Has anyone who has been running aftermarket bulbs been getting bubbling?
Has anyone who has been running aftermarket bulbs been getting bubbling?
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (10)
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 13,441
Likes: 1,076
From: Under an IS F since 2008
^^ How do you know its not a set of wires or board from the LED strip heating up that area???
Until someone cracks open a set we just won't know...
I've seen rows & rows of brand new IS's with the problem.. MY11, MY12, MY13..
Its a problem that was never properly resolved and now that the MY14 is out, it will never be fully corrected.
I think your just lucky of that set you have does NOT bubble.
~ Joe Z
Until someone cracks open a set we just won't know...
I've seen rows & rows of brand new IS's with the problem.. MY11, MY12, MY13..
Its a problem that was never properly resolved and now that the MY14 is out, it will never be fully corrected.
I think your just lucky of that set you have does NOT bubble.
~ Joe Z
^^ How do you know its not a set of wires or board from the LED strip heating up that area???
Until someone cracks open a set we just won't know...
I've seen rows & rows of brand new IS's with the problem.. MY11, MY12, MY13..
Its a problem that was never properly resolved and now that the MY14 is out, it will never be fully corrected.
I think your just lucky of that set you have does NOT bubble.
~ Joe Z
Until someone cracks open a set we just won't know...
I've seen rows & rows of brand new IS's with the problem.. MY11, MY12, MY13..
Its a problem that was never properly resolved and now that the MY14 is out, it will never be fully corrected.
I think your just lucky of that set you have does NOT bubble.
~ Joe Z
Also I need to go play the lottery a lot more since I got "Lucky" with two seperate pair of lights on two seperate cars
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (10)
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 13,441
Likes: 1,076
From: Under an IS F since 2008
I've done the retrofit myself and have open the lights up myself, hell just to please you i'll go home today and post a picture of the LED portion of the broken light I own so you can see that the only wires at the three wires to power up the circuit board.
Also I need to go play the lottery a lot more since I got "Lucky" with two seperate pair of lights on two seperate cars
Also I need to go play the lottery a lot more since I got "Lucky" with two seperate pair of lights on two seperate cars
Are there any other headlight wires that run or pass in that area..?
Basically need to see what exactly sits on the underside of that areas that are bubbling..
IF ITS NOTHING, then for sure is either the projector or the chrome rings..
Lexus tried the "eyelashes" or those ribs.. Cause they think the problem was from the SUNLIGHT...
But its still hapenning on the updated housings too..
I have the original 2011 ones that are matte gunmetal.. Slight slight issues on them, but not enough for me to worry about them.
(They never get worse, but sometimes depending on weather, I think they get better
)~ Joe Z