Haze on top of Headlights

[1engineer]

This is a warranty issue and every owner should demand it be fixed as such.
No one should accept anything less than total replacement.

I totally agree - if the new headlamp assembly has been improved to prevent the condition from occuring again. If you replace it with the same original P/N then that is like fixing a flat tire with a tire that has a slow leak. My headlamp assemble has the same "haze" as others and a simple wax will take it off for a week or so. When they come up with a new improved assembly I will replace them - not until then.

 

[dekeman]

I totally agree - if the new headlamp assembly has been improved to prevent the condition from occuring again. If you replace it with the same original P/N then that is like fixing a flat tire with a tire that has a slow leak. My headlamp assemble has the same "haze" as others and a simple wax will take it off for a week or so. When they come up with a new improved assembly I will replace them - not until then.

Good point. I suspect with so many complaints building, Toyota may have a fix in place for 2012 models. If not, get it in writing that there's a problem and replace when a suitable replacement arrives.

 

[Uneek]

I'm not sure about the types of plastic used on a 5th headlight vs a 4th, I don't think they would be that different. My 4Runner has no haze on it. I've been applying this sealant on my headlights since day one for the 4Runner and it's been fine and clear. It lives outside too.
Wolfgang Plastik Surface Sealant

I use this to remove the haze on my other two Toyotas that have developed it.
Wolfgang Plastik Lens Cleaning System

 

[rickwol]

Mine are still very clear so I will give the Wolfgang sealant a try. Thanks for the tip. Cheap insurance if it works.

 

[brockeverly]

Mine are doing the same on my 2010 SR5. I cleaned them up a week ago, and the haze is already back.

 

[hbrunner]

Mothers Power Plastic

I tried Mothers Power Plastic after restoring a couple of really bad lenses. I used an abrasive compound to clean the lenses but I used the Mothers product as a last step. I have to say that this product added a shine and slickness I was not expecting to see. I thought the results were good and I wonder if this would not be a good thing to apply to lights in good shape as a preventative measure? Easy to find, available at most stores.

 

[ewoodyj]

Headlight Hazing

I just took mine in with a copy of the TSB and they are replacing them under warranty.

 

[Bay33saw]

I have a 2012 LE and mine is starting to show signs of hazing, time to visit my Stealership and see what they cab do?
Will keep you guys posted.

BTW I know this is an old thread, has anyone else with a '12 has had any problems??

 

[kaloman]

I have a 2012 LE and mine is starting to show signs of hazing, time to visit my Stealership and see what they cab do?
Will keep you guys posted.

BTW I know this is an old thread, has anyone else with a '12 has had any problems??

Yup, I have it on my 12LE. Took it to dealership and they said my VIN was outside the range of the TSB but the guy was cool and replaced one side only. Better than nothing. I was planning to Wolfgang polish and seal the other light.

 

[Bay33saw]

Yup, I have it on my 12LE. Took it to dealership and they said my VIN was outside the range of the TSB but the guy was cool and replaced one side only. Better than nothing. I was planning to Wolfgang polish and seal the other light.

How can they say your VIN was outside the range when clearly your lights were showing signs of hazing??? and to replace one is like admitting it's wrong but here you go I'll do you a solid......I would not be happy with that at all.......

 

[Jayhawk5G]

How can they say your VIN was outside the range when clearly your lights were showing signs of hazing??? and to replace one is like admitting it's wrong but here you go I'll do you a solid......I would not be happy with that at all.......

I agree. If you are under bumper to bumper warranty, then they just need to fix it. Who cares if earlier model years had a TSB, you aren't out of warranty?

The only time a TSB should become an issue is if you are out of warranty and exhibiting a known problem.

 

[kaloman]

How can they say your VIN was outside the range when clearly your lights were showing signs of hazing??? and to replace one is like admitting it's wrong but here you go I'll do you a solid......I would not be happy with that at all.......

You got a point there, but honestly, it doesn't bother me enough to take it back and at the time, I was going off what's noted on the TSB and not when the TSB is applied (in or out of warranty). The headlight that wasn't replaced barely has any haze on it.

Besides, I'm actually in the process of getting a second set of headlights HID retrofitted so, in the end, it doesn't really matter. If they could replace the stock lights, then boom, it's a plus, if not, no big deal.

 

[Bay33saw]

I just got a reply from my local dealer and he said I should bring it in and let them have a look at it, he said it will take a "Couple" of hours???? Dunno why they need it that long to look at the top of the lights. Watch This Space...

 

[PAYNE]

Happens to all of them

I manage a body shop in north Georgia & my observation is that this happens to all makes & models. We run into issues with this most when someone has a collision with say the right front & we replace that headlamp which then of course makes the left front headlamp look just that much worse. A word of warning, the polishing kits remove the hazing "clear coat" which looks good for a while but then allows the lens to yellow in the sun faster. The clear coat helps to protect the clear plastic lens (not well obviously) but when it's removed by those polishing kits they yellow and dull within a year after (depending on the environment). We have started offering a service where we sand all the clear coat off to get back to the nice clear plastic lens and then put a few coats of our automotive clear on the lens which works very well as long as the lens isn't too far gone. I have had to do this on everything from your average Corolla to the Mercedes E55 AMG so everyone is having this issue. I do believe that waxing the lens can help but eventually they will all do it. Before we purchased our '11 LE my wife had a '06 Solara that we owned since new, I waxed those lenses every time I waxed the car which was around 4 times per year & in 2010 I had to sand & clear them due to fade/yellowing. Here is a photo of one of the lamps on the Solara that I just took today & after going on 2+ years they still look good. Like I said, just my observations

 

[Coveman]

Good tip for headlights

A word of warning, the polishing kits remove the hazing "clear coat" which looks good for a while but then allows the lens to yellow in the sun faster. The clear coat helps to protect the clear plastic lens (not well obviously) but when it's removed by those polishing kits they yellow and dull within a year after (depending on the environment). View attachment 82975

That's great to know... If you do use a kit do you recommend a particular clear coat?

 

[PAYNE]

I know that there are some headlamp restoration kits that come with a aerosol can of clear coat but that's not what we use. We are using the same clear coat that goes over the body of the vehicle. I have a few sublet vendors (paintless dent repair "lot" guys) that use the aerosol kits for on site h/l restoration but I don't think that product does as good of a job IMO. By the way I'm not trying to sell a service here, I'm just putting some info out here. I will ask for a brand name of the aerosol product they use next time they come in just to let everyone who is interested know.

 

[jspagna1]

After my daughter had an accident with her 03 Maxima and they replaced only one headlight, my body guy used Nu Finish scratch remover to clean the dull headlight and I just use it one or twice a moth with a rag and it clears it right up again?

 

[Bay33saw]

I just got a reply from my local dealer and he said I should bring it in and let them have a look at it, he said it will take a "Couple" of hours???? Dunno why they need it that long to look at the top of the lights. Watch This Space...

So I'll be taking her in on Monday, after a brief phone call the service writer said it would only take a few minutes to look at it. We will wait and see

 

[PhoRunner]

Has anyone successfully switched out for the TE headlights instead of the regular headlights for the SR5/LE. I'd like to make the switch and I'm wondering if the dealer will switch out for the TE lights instead since they cost the same.

 

[Bay33saw]

So I'll be taking her in on Monday, after a brief phone call the service writer said it would only take a few minutes to look at it. We will wait and see

***UPDATE***
OK I went to my local dealership yesterday the Service manager pulled up the TS-B and my VIN and said that my vehicle was outside the VIN range of the TS-B so my headlights should be ok.
I walked him out to my car he took one look and said "Yup" they are hazing, he then made a quick call and said next time I come in call him a few days before so he can order the new headlights and they will replace them under warranty. :cheer2:
Chalk one up for the Fletcher Jones Toyota of Henderson.