More Headlight Problems

[Ravo]

Hi

I purchased a 53 plate T3-S D4-D about 4 months ago. With the dark nights drawing in I recently started using my headlights noting that the O/S headlight was extremely dim and the other hardly threw any light out. On examination, both bulbs have come away from the housing as described in other headlamp threads.

I've read the advice on the headlight problems, trouble is, my motor was registered right at the start of th 53 reg, dating from September, therefore over the 5 year limit with the extended warranty for this known fault. Therefore the dealers I have spoken to are not considering the FOC replacement, though, as this is a safety issue I don't know why a recall hasn't been issued, it's not a cosmetic issue.

Living surrounded by country roads, I consider this very dangerous and the car is off the road, it would be absolutley lethal in fog. I know there are some existing threads on this but now that the first of the 03 onwards models are out of warranty, has anyone got any suggestions for approaching this out of the warranty period, when dealers won't help?

I do like the car but I sold my wife's Renault to get away from these irritating (and expensive) poor design problems. I didn't expect this from Toyota.

Thanks

[konrose]

I got my 53(204) reg done last June - it was out of its 3 year manufacturers warranty and I didnt get an extended one. I was told at my Toyota dealer that the headlamps were covered under a 100k mile warranty.

As far as I know they should be able to check Reg number or chassis number to verify that it has not had this remedial work done since new.

I would pursue the matter further if I were you

[psijones]

Hi

I purchased a 53 plate T3-S D4-D about 4 months ago. With the dark nights drawing in I recently started using my headlights noting that the O/S headlight was extremely dim and the other hardly threw any light out. On examination, both bulbs have come away from the housing as described in other headlamp threads.

I've read the advice on the headlight problems, trouble is, my motor was registered right at the start of th 53 reg, dating from September, therefore over the 5 year limit with the extended warranty for this known fault. Therefore the dealers I have spoken to are not considering the FOC replacement, though, as this is a safety issue I don't know why a recall hasn't been issued, it's not a cosmetic issue.

Living surrounded by country roads, I consider this very dangerous and the car is off the road, it would be absolutley lethal in fog. I know there are some existing threads on this but now that the first of the 03 onwards models are out of warranty, has anyone got any suggestions for approaching this out of the warranty period, when dealers won't help?

I do like the car but I sold my wife's Renault to get away from these irritating (and expensive) poor design problems. I didn't expect this from Toyota.

Thanks

[psijones]

Hi

I purchased a 53 plate T3-S D4-D about 4 months ago. With the dark nights drawing in I recently started using my headlights noting that the O/S headlight was extremely dim and the other hardly threw any light out. On examination, both bulbs have come away from the housing as described in other headlamp threads.

I've read the advice on the headlight problems, trouble is, my motor was registered right at the start of th 53 reg, dating from September, therefore over the 5 year limit with the extended warranty for this known fault. Therefore the dealers I have spoken to are not considering the FOC replacement, though, as this is a safety issue I don't know why a recall hasn't been issued, it's not a cosmetic issue.

Living surrounded by country roads, I consider this very dangerous and the car is off the road, it would be absolutley lethal in fog. I know there are some existing threads on this but now that the first of the 03 onwards models are out of warranty, has anyone got any suggestions for approaching this out of the warranty period, when dealers won't help?

I do like the car but I sold my wife's Renault to get away from these irritating (and expensive) poor design problems. I didn't expect this from Toyota.

Thanks

I too had the exact same problem. Ordered one on line and had a mechanic replace it at my own cost. When the second one went the same way I rang the local Toyota dealer and was told about the extended warranty and that there was a recall out - although in this case, you have to ask them about the recall rather than them volunteering the info. They replaced both headlights gratis under the extended warranty, so I would strongly advise that you ring up your local dealer and press them.

Si

[JohnYossarian]

Hi

I purchased a 53 plate T3-S D4-D about 4 months ago. With the dark nights drawing in I recently started using my headlights noting that the O/S headlight was extremely dim and the other hardly threw any light out. On examination, both bulbs have come away from the housing as described in other headlamp threads.

I've read the advice on the headlight problems, trouble is, my motor was registered right at the start of th 53 reg, dating from September, therefore over the 5 year limit with the extended warranty for this known fault. Therefore the dealers I have spoken to are not considering the FOC replacement, though, as this is a safety issue I don't know why a recall hasn't been issued, it's not a cosmetic issue.

Living surrounded by country roads, I consider this very dangerous and the car is off the road, it would be absolutley lethal in fog. I know there are some existing threads on this but now that the first of the 03 onwards models are out of warranty, has anyone got any suggestions for approaching this out of the warranty period, when dealers won't help?

I do like the car but I sold my wife's Renault to get away from these irritating (and expensive) poor design problems. I didn't expect this from Toyota.

Thanks

I too had the exact same problem. Ordered one on line and had a mechanic replace it at my own cost. When the second one went the same way I rang the local Toyota dealer and was told about the extended warranty and that there was a recall out - although in this case, you have to ask them about the recall rather than them volunteering the info. They replaced both headlights gratis under the extended warranty, so I would strongly advise that you ring up your local dealer and press them.

Si

Check the forum, IIRC someone has recently mentioned that this warranty had been extended to 7 years and 100000 miles.

[bumley]

You are correct that on the forum that 7 years/100K has been posted, however my local Toyota dealers have assured me that it is still 5 years/ 100K.

Unfortunately as no one can give me the tech doc referance there seems to be no way of getting them to change their view. I am still struggling with getting them to change condensation filled head lights.

Bumley

[vmssys]

ring up toyota customer service and play up hell with them. I never hesitate doing this and usually you will get a very simpathetic ear. tell them who the dealer is and you'll probably get a call from the dealer 5 minutes later offering to book the car in free of charge!

[Chris Be]

You are correct that on the forum that 7 years/100K has been posted, however my local Toyota dealers have assured me that it is still 5 years/ 100K.

Unfortunately as no one can give me the tech doc referance there seems to be no way of getting them to change their view. I am still struggling with getting them to change condensation filled head lights.

Bumley

[/quote

I'm in the same boat. I have have had both my headlights replaced under the extended warranty and last weekend noticed that one of the replaced ones only 15 months old is full of condensation again. My car was 5 years old on 19th September so I've written to Toyota UK to find out what they suggest. Let's face it if the original units were covered for 5 years surely the replacements should last more than 15 months. I have stated that these units are unfit for purpose. I'll keep you posted when I get a reply .

[Ravo]

Thanks for all the advice. I had to bite the bullet and get them replaced (£260 cost), this time of year the car was unusable and I couldn't afford to keep it off the road.

As an ex lease car, it's got plenty of Toyota stamps in the book, it must have slipped their mind to check for this problem and sort it. So my next step will be to kick up a stink with Toyota, hopefully I may recover some costs, but, as they've already got my money, probably a long shot. I'll post any update.