Potential Headlight Defect

4C4Runner

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I took my Trail Edition into the dealer yesterday because both headlights have developed this slightly cloudy/oily film inside them on the upper surface which wasn't there before. If you look at it quickly it looks like condensation but it is not, its more likely to be gases being released from the plastic in the assembly due to the heat. There was one other Trail Edition in the showroom at the time and it also had the same problem developing and the Service Manager said that it is definitely covered in the warranty and that they will change them out but first they are getting in touch with headquarters about it because he received a memo about a possible manufacturing defect with the subcontractor who builds them for toyota and just switching them out might have the same problem again...anyone else notice this on their 5th gen trails? its barely noticeable and its cosmetic but its covered under warranty and I can only imagine it getting worse in the years to come...
 
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Mine are doing the same thing. I think they can be rubbed out. but i know they will get worse. I'm not going to have them change them untill they change the plastic.
 
Me too - Its noticeable but not a deal breaker for me. I wonder if the dealer could change them and let me keep the originals for a possible retrofit project....
 
Yes I have the same problem

Hey guys I also have the same problem on my 2010 SR5. I initially thought it was due to my HID Kit being installed so I took them out & its still doing the same thing. It looks like its pealing from the inside of the housing. I rubbed one out recently~(LMAO) and noticed that it still didn't take off the blemishes. :dammit:I will post up pics if the blemishes show up in the picture.
 
hm, haven't noticed it. I'll take a good look tonight. if someone could post a pic of this that would be helpful.
 
I noticed this awhile ago.My headlights have it but on the top on the outside,not on the inside. Kind of looked like a oily haze.

I use plastic polish and it goes away for 3-4 weeks or so and then comes back.If it was on the inside I would be more concerned.
 
This is why this is an awesome forum! I just noticed the same thing last night, and then there was a post today! I scrubbed it with my finger and it seemed to go away, but it is still annoying.
 
Have the same problem on my SR5. I think is the UV rays damage but it's happening very fast. My last vehicle (02 Montero Sport) didn't show signs of UV damage until after the third or fourth year. Hope Toyota comes with a fix for this soon, I will hate to change my headlights every year while under warrantee.
 
I haven't noticed it on my SR5, but will keep an eye out for it. It doesn't concern me to much if its only the outside, but if it is on the inside as the OP stated, that's a problem. However, if its covered under warranty, what a good opportunity to switch to the TE headlight housings!
 
I haven't noticed it on my SR5, but will keep an eye out for it. It doesn't concern me to much if its only the outside, but if it is on the inside as the OP stated, that's a problem. However, if its covered under warranty, what a good opportunity to switch to the TE headlight housings!

I doubt they would give you anything other then what your truck came with, if anything at all.

But you could achieve the look of the TE headlights on your own.
 
if anyone is interested, i still have a brand new set of TE headlights for sale. no issue with them what soever. can give me a call if youd like 610-710-6430. The dealers wont sell them without your vin or unless you have a TE last i checked.

:lol:
 
I took my Trail Edition into the dealer yesterday because both headlights have developed this slightly cloudy/oily film inside them on the upper surface which wasn't there before. If you look at it quickly it looks like condensation but it is not, its more likely to be gases being released from the plastic in the assembly due to the heat. There was one other Trail Edition in the showroom at the time and it also had the same problem developing and the Service Manager said that it is definitely covered in the warranty and that they will change them out but first they are getting in touch with headquarters about it because he received a memo about a possible manufacturing defect with the subcontractor who builds them for toyota and just switching them out might have the same problem again...anyone else notice this on their 5th gen trails? its barely noticeable and its cosmetic but its covered under warranty and I can only imagine it getting worse in the years to come...

I checked my TE: no film noticed (have it for 6 month, about 3,200 miles)
 
the Service Manager got back to me, its still an active investigation by Toyota he said but they should have a decision on what they are going to do about it soon. Supposedly there have been a significant number of complaints about it and the R&D Team is working with the company it was subcontracted out to. He suggested not to rush into getting them changed out just yet because its harder to get approval from Toyota if the same issue presents again with a different set even though the new set would also be covered under warranty.

Thanks everyone for the replies. I haven't attempted to clean it off and probably will just leave it until they figure it out. Its a cosmetic issue but considering the amount of money we all have spent, they should find a resolution to the problem. I'll try to post whatever I can when I find out what they are going to do about it. Thanks again.
 

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