After 2 years and 9 months knowing about the condensation problem but not getting it, I finally have condensation in my 04 RX330 headlights. Man I'm I pissed. Hopefully the dealership will warranty it but I'm not sure since my car is approaching 50K miles which is the end of the warranty. I've only had headlight condensation problems in two of my cars that I ever owned. Both are Lexus. One is my SC400 and now the RX330.

 

We haven't had much rain in the past few months, but in a good shower yesterday BOTH of the headlights on my 04 330 didn't just fog up, they actually seemed to condense out DROPS of water on the inside of the housing. Although I've heard of it too, I never had the problem on my 300, and until now had not experienced it on my 330.

 

I'd had my 04 for 28 months (about 30k) when I first noticed the condensation in one of my headlights. I went to the dealer and they replaced it without asking any questions. However, when I went to pick it up that same day, I noticed there was condensation in the other one as well, so they decided to also replace that one -- again without asking any questions!

I have a suspicious feeling that it's a known problem and they are not saying anything!

 

Previous threads mentioned condensation inside the fog lights, but this is the first I've seen where the problem was reported inside the headlights. So, I would like to clarify. Are we talking headlights or fog lights?

Also, under what conditions are we talking about? Cold car being moved into a warm environment, such as taking the car from a cold garage into humid, warm temps? Rain? Car wash? Any clarification would be appreciated. Thanks.

Steve

 

We are indeed talking about the headlights. Condensation in Lexus headlights is nothing new. If you been reading Club Lexus for a while, this goes back all the way to the 98 GS when it was first instroduced. Some LS have reported problems, and many RX330 ownes reported problems early on when the car was just introduced. I live in Hawaii so I thought because of the steady climate I would get away without having issued, but a few Hawaii ownes also had problems. Anyway since I bought the car in April 2003 I've known I may one day have a problem but it never showed up until now. Nothing changed. I washed the car as aways, I keep the car in my enclosed garage, it has been in and out of the rain for nearly 3 years. The weather here is not anything we haven't seen before. Nothing used to get me until this past week. Obviously it was the rain that did it this time since I haven't washed the car yet.

 

I was talking about headlights as well -- mine are the adaptive type. My car is always garaged and the condensation happened after I drove it in two days of heavy downpour. Not that I never drove in heavy downpour before!

 

I was at the auto show today and took the opportunity to discuss the headlight and fog light issues with a representative from Pohanka Lexus, VA. He is aware of the problem as are many folks in the Lexus organization. Besides being sympathetic, he made one off-hand comment that leads me to believe that Lexus was going to address the problem. Now before you go running off and quoting me, who surmised what a rep was intimating, be conscientious that this is not in any way an official position statement. Perhaps more wishful thinking on my part.

Steve

 

I have this problem on my RX, and complained during recent dealer visit. They told me that the adaptive lights are no longer sealed and the condition was normal. Was I given a line of BS?

 

As other forum members have pointed out, condensation will eventually lead to rust and shorted bulbs. Personally, I am suspicious of what you were told and I would seek another opinion or call Lexus Customer Service directly.

Steve

 

You were given IMHO a line of BS that Lexus has been saying since the late 90s. I will admit, that other manufactures also have had headlight condensation as well, but more on an isolated case. Like I mentioned in my first posts I've had other cars that used vented plastic headlights and had no prolems. My RX330 has HIDs, but it doesn't have the adaptive headlight feature so you can throw that BS they told you out the window. I've opened up a few different plastic lens headlights in my day and none were completely seald. All have vents in them and have no condensation issues.

 

I had water in my passenger headlight a few months back after a rainy 8 days in NY.

i went to prestige lexus to get my lights changed without any questions. The problem we did run into was a shortage of supply (might be solved now, not sure). i had to wait a week before they got the right headlight in. I will say they gave me a rental since I live kind of far, which was much appreciated.

Great place for service, if you can get past paying $150 for oil changes (which I haven't personally).

 

Am I glad I searched this forum before I orderred headlight online.

Had the condensation for 2 years. Thought must be my bad luck. Will go to dealers and see if they are gonna replace it for me.

Was thinking about ordering the adaptive head light since I was gonna replace it anyway. Guess no upgrade for me then

 

So, Lexus did replace the entire headlight with a brand new one. I was reading the service sheet and it said the condensation was due to a warped headlight seal. Unfortunately I didn't get to inspect the old parts so I don't know exactly where or how bad it warped. There are two things that come to mind though. 1) Either this is a manufacturing defect that shows up on some cars earlier and on other cars later. 2) It is a design flaw and the headlight retains too much heat and eventually warps the seal.

 

welcome to the club! i had both my headlights replaced already (hid's, non-afs), about a year ago or so, and just last week the driver's side started leaking again. new one ordered.

just wondering, do you think it's possible to install an afs headlight on our rx's and it'll work? or is there more to it than that since it involves turning of the steering wheel?

 

I don't think it will be that easy or worth the time and money. I personally rather just sell the RX330 and get the RX350 with all the improvements and the features you or I want. I'm pretty sure we will be selling the 04 RX330 at the end of this year, but up until now only the BMW 330, or 335 if it comes out (Either coupe or sedan), and the GS350 when it comes out were on the replcement list. I'm not an SUV person, but my wife really likes the car so maybe I'll throw the RX350 on the list as well.