Headlights problems of the 2009 Toyota Camry

I own a 2009 Toyota Camry which I purchased new. I noticed that my headlights in the low beam function are very dim, to the point of being dangerously dim. The Toyota dealer stated that the lens in the headlight housing has clouded due to uv damage and use. The light bulb itself functions perfectly fine, but the lens engineered to magnify the low-beam light is what is causing the decrease of visible light. I stated that I also own a 2003 Toyota Camry that has no problems with the headlights and it provides enough light. The solution is to replace both light housings to the tune of $400. 00 each. The service manager said this is a regular operating expense, like replacing the alternator. With labor, this expense will be closer to $1000. 00 instead of changing two headlamps for $30. 00 each. It seems to me that this technology doesn't work, and is dangerous. These headlights are still being used on new Toyota models.

My trunk is leaking on the right side during heavy downpours. I went to get our fabric shopping bags from the trunk and they were soaked. The car is smelling musty, not great for my sinuses and asthma. Headlight seal is allowing moisture to enter or the plastic has become porous. During a recent inspection, the headlights did not pass. We paid the gas station $32 to clean and polish the headlights to pass inspection. They looked great afterwards and passed inspection. Then my husband took the car to the car wash. Now the headlight casing is clouded again. I can see the soap drippings from the carwash on the inside of the plastic. The car is parked on the street or in a driveway, since we don't have a garage. The vehicle was stationary.

Both headlights on my car on the dim lights the mirror that reflects light has fell down and covered the lens half way and my mechanic told me if I don't replace the whole headlight it could cover the whole light dim and bright lights if I put them on dim you can't see at all I almost wrecked.

On July 18, 2014 while traveling out of town, I smelled a burning while driving on the interstate. Pull over at the next rest stop to look the car over and I notice the headlight cover had burned. On July 22, 2014, back in town, I took the car to Toyota dealership and was informed that 51 previous bulb melted and discolored headlight housing. Please note that the bulb was replaced at the dealership two months ago. I was also advised that no light is escaping from housing which may cause it to overheat over a period of time and estimate cost to replace housing - $499. 75 (includes all labor and taxes). My concern is that this bulb melted and cause a burn on the headlight cover, this is a defect and consumers should not be paying for a defective part that cost almost $500. 00. This requires the complete housing to be replaced and not the cover nor does it repair the problem since this can happen again.

2009 Toyota Camry. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle headlights replacement issues. The consumer stated the headlight lens covers faded and turned yellow.

2009 Toyota Camry. Consumer states problems with headlights and unresolved matters regarding vehicle the consumer stated it appeared that the headlight lenses were not capable of accepting heat from the bulbs of the headlights which caused the headlight lenses to melt.

The design of the headlights on the Camry is awful. You cannot see the overhead signs on the highways at night without turning on the bright lights which will blind other oncoming cars. You cannot even see the street signs without turning on the bright lights. Its like the top of the lights are cut off. The dealer said the lights are correct; they checked the aim and said that is the way they are made. This car is unsafe to drive at night.

The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Camry hybrid. While driving approximately 50 mph at night, the contact noticed that the low beam headlights did not produce enough light. He was unable to see a group of people standing in the road, but managed to avoid a crash. The vehicle will be taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The current and failure mileages were 16,000. Updated 09/11/09 updated 09/15/09.