Headlights Cracking

Has anyone else had any problems with their headlights forming cracks over time? I first noticed the cracks popping up in my 2010 Tacoma a couple of years ago, but at first it didn't seem like much of an issue. Now I have cracks running across the entirety of the headlight lenses. I saw that there was a Headlight TSB that addressed cracking, but both dealers I talked to said my truck didn't qualify since the TSB was only for the daytime running lights. Has anyone else had this issue? and if so have you been able to get the dealer to take care of it?

 

I just replaced both of mine. Who you going to complain to. I tend to run my headlights on all the time. What would help is a moisturizing lotion as plastic does dry out over time. I thought that acetone was used as a cleaning agent, which will dry plactic out a cause this crazing. I have had this same experience around plastic marine portlights.

 

I have those hairline cracks on my headlights as well. Not as bad as yours, but they are there. Never knew where they came from either.

 

I work in aviation and started using plastic polish to start life out on the new lenes. The same as you would on a canopy. Sort of late on the crazed ones.

 

What product are you using?

 

Aero Glaze. 12 year old jug, could have used it 5 years back when the truck was new. I sometimes have to hand polish/sand down to 4000/6000 grit before a light machine polish, then finishing with the glaze. I think Sportys Aviation carried it back then.

 

Sportys.com

 

I have cracks only on the right side light. Tried to get it covered under the TSB but no go.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/cracking-headlights.313742/

These aren't mine, but mine did the same.2011 trd here.

Az

 

I have a case open with Toyota on this. The dealer took a look at them and said that I missed the warranty (5 years 70K ended Nov 30) by 3 days and 20K miles. They told me to call Toyota and ask if there was anything that could be done. I called up and they said my truck (2011) did not apply for any headlight fix but since this is my 11th Toyota they would look into fixing it. They asked for an estimate from the dealer, came out to $850 parts and labor. They are currently evaluating whether they want to do a goodwill warranty fix for me.

When I bought the truck in May I saw the cracks, it was not a deal breaker so I ignored them. I asked the salesman if there was anything up with the cracking as it did not look normal and he looked at me like a deer in the headlights.... so I moved on. then last week I read on here that there was a warranty extended fix for the cracks I figured I would try.

So, call Toyota see what they will do. can't hurt.

 

After reading this thread, I'm definitely going to call Toyota to see if they'd change mine out as well. Mine is a 2011 too and i'm at 104k miles so I already know if I took it to the dealer they'd just say no.

Mine are starting to crack after the last time I polished the lenses. No sanding, just a heavy grit compound (Meguiar's #105) plus polishing compounds (Meguiar's #205 & Mother's Headlight restorer) using a Porter Cable 7424 with an orange pad. I finish off with a glass coat specifically for plastic which gives them roughly 6 - 8 months of protection. Every other wash I use a liquid glass-coat product just to ensure the coating stays fresh. Besides the cracks, the headlights look as new as they did when I purchased the truck.

If anybody wants product info on the glass coatings I use, just send me a message and i'll get you some links.

 

it must have been a bad batch of lens covers. Mine look just like OPs and the tech said he had never seen anything like it. I haven't either. I was looking at another Tacoma that was 2007 and its lens covers looked new compared to mine. I have hazing and vertical hairline cracks that do not go through to the outside of the cover.

 

I've got the same issue on my 2010. The dealer said the exact same thing to me but admitted that the lights should not do that blah blah blah but they can't replace them. I figured they would say that. I have not contacted Toyota but need to do so. If enough of us have a problem maybe they will provide a fix. Who knows?....

 

Bought two certified replacements for just over $200 and installed them both. Real struggle eas the installed plate bumper

 

Find a way to burn the inside of the headlight where the blinker bulb is located. Once you do that go to a Toyota dealer and tell them that there is a extended warranty on them. I did that for my 2011 access cab a few months ago and they replaced them free of charge!

 

I have a 2011 and I'm seeing the hairline vertical cracks. I haven't been to the dealer yet because I'm afraid that they will say the same thing that they told me with any other issue I have brought up to them... Is anyone else fed up with toyota's excuses? I have spent hours on the phone with past issues and no progress has been made. Part of me wants to do what Mariotaco did, but it would be a sad day of they did not replace them...

 

http://www.carparts.com/details/Toy...dwMzjWSv9aGTTbQg6T6FvT3OPl4hnopsIaAk1Y8P8HAQ# $40

 

Nice find. Too bad the driver's side is 4x the price! Still a good deal at <$200 for both. My 2007 has cracks on both lenses.

 

driver side $40 you do a search & wait long enough, you can find some pretty good deals! http://www.carparts.com/details/Rep...AxD921CG4eRFMzuC4xUPOgz7s3yXttyfgAaAiF58P8HAQ

 

You just made my morning ...and saved me $$.