Has lexus ever had a recall for ballast problems on 330? I am still looking. For more info on a headlight that only works periodically.

 

No recall that I know of. It does suck though that a leaking headlamp assembly can cause damage to it.

 

I don't think thee is a recall but the Prius did the same thing. It was a much more common thing on the Prius and they didn't recall that either. A temporary fix is to just turn the lights off and then back on.

 

Are you sure the ballast is causing the problem? I have a 08 Toyota Avalon with HID and the left headlight was flickering periodically. What I did was switch the left side bulb to the right and vice versa. Viola, now the right side start flickering. So I bought a pair of new Philips HID bulb from Amazon, replaced both and 2 years has gone by with not a single flicker. Prius with HID was notorious with this issue and people thought they was something wrong with the headlight assembly and the stealer wanted big bucks to replace the whole headlight assembly.

lexsc4

 

Those bulbs almost never go bad. But if it is just periodically working it is probably the ballast. You can try a new bulb first...I would just get a set off of ebay. You can get them for about 15 bucks per bulb. You will want a D2S bulb. But I had a prius with the same problem and it ended up just being the ballast.

 

If the ballast is really the culprit, you should be able to just replace it with another one.
Here is a video I found for the 2010 model. Perhaps the 2nd generation will be similar?


08 RX350 (Wife)
08 Avalon Touring

 

You do not mention what type of headlight system you have. Do you have halogen headlights, or HID headlights? If you have halogen headlights, then you do not have ballasts.

To answer your question, Lexus has not ever had a recall for ballast problems on an RX (or any model I don't think). Denso ballasts are actually pretty reliable, but as with anything else, they do occasionally fail. The only common "issue" is that they are not waterproof, therefore condensation buildup can short the ballast. They are not waterproof, as they are usually mounted on the under side of the headlight housing, as is the case with the RX.

If you have HID headlights:
You do not mention whether only one side works periodically, or if both sides are having this problem. If one side seems to work constantly, the first step in diagnosing this issue is to swap the bulbs from one side to the other. If the problem moves with the bulb, then you know the bulb is the culprit. If the problem does not move with the bulb, then you have a bad ballast.

If you have Halogen headlights:
Try replacing the bulb. However, it sounds like you have a damaged wire or a bad connection somewhere, and thus the lights are not constantly getting power. I would use a multimeter to conform this.

Lexsc4, the 2nd gen RX is similar in the mounting location of the ballast on models equipped.

Jakenbrake, I have no intention to start a flame war, but even high quality OEM HID bulbs go bad eventually. HID bulbs, as with halogen bulbs, dim over time. It is suggested that OEM HID bulbs be replaced after about 5-7 years or so of use. I also do not recommend cheap ebay bulbs for OEM replacement. The salts, optical accuracy, and quality are just not up to spec with genuine Phillips or Sylvannia bulbs. Also, most of the ebay bulbs are not UV coated. This results in damage to the reflector (behind the bulb) and also results in premature ageing of the plastic headlight lens. As a result, the light from these bulbs often seem "fuzzy", instead of the "clean and clear" light you would get from a Phillips or Sylvannia bub. Also, they are not as bright as a Phillips or Sylannia bulb, and do not last as long. I understand that genuine bulbs are significantly more expensive (at $100 a set vs $30 or so), but they are well worth the money.

 

HID does and will go bad or dimmed after a few years. Check the reviews in Amazon and see how many Prius customers had to replaced their HID bulbs. My Avalon was a good example. Thankfully it wasn't the ballast but rather the bulb was the culprit. I had one bulb start flickering and decided to replace both side with Philips. I could see the brightness difference before and after. Anyway, get the Philips instead of those cheapo ebay Chinese crap. good luck.

lexsc4

 

As lexsc4 said, replace the bulbs in pairs if you find a bulb to be bad. If the bulb on one side went bad, it is only a matter of time before the other side does the same.

Thanks for bringing that up lexsc4.

 

I always replace bulbs in pair. Backup, Brake, Fog, DRL, side markers... When one goes bad, I replace both while I am at it.

lexsc4

 

That was the way dad always taught me as well when it comes to such items. Doesn't work for everything, but enough to always keep in mind. There is also the adage, "Why replace (or build) one when you can replace (or build) two at twice the price."

 

Lexusreimbursement.com if you have issues with the water headlight problem

 

Grat info Salyynutz. I noticed a lot of condensation after it rained hard a couple of weeks ago. Now pretty much 95% evaporated.

Lexsc4
08 Rx350 AWD

 

My passenger side HID went out a few days ago. I took it to Lexus. Initially the thought it was the bulb ($230) then told me it was the ballast ($575) then said that it wasn't the ballast but the whole headlight needed to be replaced. Because there was condensation that Lexus had extended the warranty on this issue and the warranty would cover the cost 100% so basically free.