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2010 RX Headlight Condensation

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Old Sep 26, 2015 | 12:13 PM
  #1  
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Default 2010 RX Headlight Condensation

I am new to the forum and the owner of a 2010 Lexus RX350 purchased with the extended warranty.

Recently discovered condensation in my front passenger headlight. The Lexus dealership initially scheduled me for a repair and indicated that my Platinum extended warranty would cover it. However, later received a call and indicated that it would not.

Any suggestions? I see that a class-action lawsuit was filed for a similar issue with the 2nd generation (2004 to 2009) Rx series and recalls were eventually sent out.

I do not want the condensation to progress and short circuit my headlamp.
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Old Sep 26, 2015 | 05:29 PM
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Generally, condensation in sealed headlights is normal. If it doesn't clear up on its own, it is typically the drains are plugged or disconnected. As far as your coverage:

https://www.sc.toyotafinancial.com/w..._eBrochure.pdf

These Items are excluded:

Accessory Drive Belts; Batteries; Body Panels; Brake Linings, Pads and Shoes, Rotors and Drums; Bumpers; Carpet; Chrome; Clutch Friction Disc and Pressure Plate; Dash Cover and Pad; Door Fabric; Door Trim; Filters; Fluids; Glass (including Windshields); Headliner; Heating Hoses, Lines and Tubes; Hoses; Hybrid Vehicle Battery Pack; Hybrid Vehicle Battery Plug Assembly; Hybrid Vehicle Relay Assembly; Hybrid Vehicle Supply Battery Assembly; Interior and Exterior Trim and Moldings (including but not limited to: Ashtrays, Covers, Cup Holders, and Vents); Lamps, Light Assemblies/Housings, and Lightbulbs; Nuts, Bolts, Clips, Retainers, and Fasteners; Paint; Rust and Corrosion Damage; Seat Covers; Sheet Metals; Shiny Metals; Spark Plugs; Structural Framework and Welds; Tires; Vacuum Hoses, Lines and Tubes; Weather Stripping; Wheels and Rims; Windshield Wiper Blades (Rubber component); All interior and exterior cloth, leather, and stitching including convertible tops and/or vinyl tops including but not limited to: any vibration, deterioration, discoloration, disfigurement, warping, fading, staining, stretching, ripping, punctures, tearing, and/or scratches
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Old Sep 27, 2015 | 05:57 AM
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Thank you for the response. It is more than mild condensation (as seen in my driver side headlight). Innumerable droplets of water have accumulated. I will try to post a picture later.

Has anyone else with a 3rd generation Rx-350 had the same issue?
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Old Sep 27, 2015 | 08:47 AM
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VG7, I'm sorry to hear about the condensation problem you're having with your driver side headlight. Unfortunately you're the first that I know of. Maybe give Lexus Corporate a call or post in the Lexus Corporate Forum here. They might not be covered under the platinum warranty but I had both headlights replaced on my '04 RX long before Lexus started to. And they were HIDs with AFS, not exactly cheap. Good luck and please keep us posted.
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Old Sep 27, 2015 | 08:59 AM
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I appreciate the great suggestion kitlz. I will contact them and keep you all updated.

If anyone in fact has had a similar issue (specifically with the 3rd generation), please share.
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Old Sep 27, 2015 | 11:30 AM
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Intact driver's side headlight for comparison.





Passenger side headlight with condensation and affecting projection of light.








Closeup of passenger side headlight with moisture.





Again, intact driver's side headlight for comparison.
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Old Sep 27, 2015 | 07:18 PM
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I also had this happen on our 04. It was several years past warranty with only 20k miles on the odo and they made me a deal to cover it at their cost, with no labor. I thought it was a generous thing for Lexus to do and left happy, but to hear there was a class action lawsuit on it makes it seem somewhat less "generous".

Anyway, no problem on our 13 but then it only has about 4700 miles on it, so it isn't a very good barometer of typical wear. It does sound like Lexus has a history with this issue however.
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Old Sep 28, 2015 | 02:38 AM
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I'm sorry for your situation but think that getting the repairs at cost is still great.

I wasn't part of the 2nd generation recall. But when searching for others with similar problems to my own, I came across this thread:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...densation.html
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Old Sep 28, 2015 | 02:42 AM
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As a side note, I have 24K miles on my vehicle.
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Old Sep 28, 2015 | 06:47 AM
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You can often find used headlight assemblies on eBay. Make sure it is the exact same type as yours.
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Old Sep 28, 2015 | 03:16 PM
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VG7, that condensation is pretty bad. So sorry to see. Did you happen to get in touch with Lexus Corporate?
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Old Sep 28, 2015 | 05:46 PM
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You could try using a hair dryer to eliminate the condensation. I had a wrist watch that I used hair dryer on and worked good. Nevertheless, you definitely have a seal leak in the headlight assembly.

novaman
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Old Sep 29, 2015 | 07:09 AM
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Originally Posted by kitlz
VG7, that condensation is pretty bad. So sorry to see. Did you happen to get in touch with Lexus Corporate?
I tried to submit a post on the corporate forum but it has not been approved and visible on the forum yet.

I will try to call them when time permits.

Thank you again for your help!
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Old Sep 29, 2015 | 07:10 AM
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Originally Posted by novaman
You could try using a hair dryer to eliminate the condensation. I had a wrist watch that I used hair dryer on and worked good. Nevertheless, you definitely have a seal leak in the headlight assembly.

novaman

Thank you novaman for the suggestion. I would prefer to have the housing replaced to prevent the situation from happening again.
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Old Apr 7, 2016 | 08:04 AM
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