2004 Toyota Sienna: headlights failing or too dim

Filed Feb 26, 2018 · Lights · 138,000 miles · MD

The headlight bulb compartment allows water to leak into it on the passenger side causing the bulb to blow. This has happened twice, the repair cost was $500. We drove the car for one week and the bulb blew again because water leaked into the compartment. This is a design flaw and is hazardous when you are driving at night or god forbid if it's raining and dark. We also were pulled over and given a warning from a state trooper about the bulb being out. This is a dangerous and costly situation. We are still waiting to get the bulb repaired a second time. In the meantime we are without a van for our family. Please demand that toyota recalls this hazardous defective part. The bulb went out while we were driving at night. This is a problem and a hazard!

Filed Feb 2, 2016 · Lights · MD

To whom it may concern, I purchased a set of aftermarket replacement headlights for my 2004 toyota sienna that were advertised as dot/sae approved. Http://www.am-autoparts.com/2004/toyota/sienna/headlight-assemblies/am-19245220/350742.html based on how far from the original equipment headlights these aftermarket lights performed (plus the fact they leaked) I went ahead and returned them. From my research it shows that the majority of aftermarket lights do not meet title 49, part 571-federal motor vehicle safety standards, standard number 108 (fmvss 108) and I am wondering why the dot and the federal safety agency is allowing them to be sold. Please take a look at this study by a lobbying group for these companies, whose own test results show they don't meet the oem standards that are required to meet fmvss 108. Http://www.capacertified.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/capalighting3.pdf respectful [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *bf

Filed Mar 7, 2014 · Lights · 157,000 miles · OR

Right passenger headlight has some sort of water leaking into the headlight. A substantial amount of moisture accumulates and can cause electrical issues.

Filed Sep 4, 2013 · Lights · 169,000 miles · VA

The right headlight is out. Water, not just condensation, is visible inside the assembly. Advice being given is that I should replace the entire assembly (>$900) or the replacement bulb (~$140) will likely just blow again because of the leak that is allowing water in the assembly.

Filed Jul 20, 2013 · Lights · 110,000 miles · MA

Condensation had been building for a few months in the right passenger side hid headlight, but headlight was still operational. The low beam headlight failed in february and the dealer quoted us a price of $900. For the parts alone. While doing research online for less expensive repair options, I noted many complaints about this specific problem with this model year. This is not the only expensive design flaw we have encountered with this vehicle (run-flat tires and no spare). I believe toyota needs to stand by its customers and offer them a reasonably priced solution for these safety issues.

Filed May 16, 2013 · Lights · 100,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 toyota sienna. The contact stated that moisture accumulated in the front passenger's side headlight, reducing the contact's visibility of the roadway. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnosis and the contact was informed that the headlight assembly would need to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The VIN was unavailable. The failure and current mileage was 100,000.

Filed Jan 18, 2013 · Lights · 5,000 miles · NJ

Right headlamp keeps filling with water causing severe fogging and putting my bulb out. This problem got progressively worse over a period of years and ruined the lens. I couldn't properly see on right side while driving. Kept going back to dealer about it but all they would tell me was turn my headlamps on longer or for long period of time until it dried out, then laughed. They finally wore me out after a couple of years of complaining. I had also complained about my tires making a loud thumping noise after about 16,000 miles and they had told me to turn my radio up louder, then laughed again. Also had a recall done there, and discovered my wheel well covering torn. They said they didn't do it but, it was the same side as the recall repair was on. They refused to repair it unless I pay for it. They=dealer= liberty toyota, burlington,nj.

Filed Oct 17, 2012 · Lights · 140,000 miles · NY

Drivers side low beam headlight stop working. Replaced hid bulb but still will not work. Swapped with passenger's side to confirm the bulb is ok (it is). There is a lot of condensation in the headlight assembly (due to the weather starting to cool down in northeast). After seeing all the complaints on this very issue I am now trying to figure out a next step. The dealership will quote me the $1k plus to fix the headlight assembly (complaints on this issue are rampant on various sienna forums on the internet) since that is the root cause of the problem. My wife is upset since this a major safety issue in the winter. I will be calling toyota to understand why they will not acknowledge a known defect in the headlamp assembly allowing condensation in and the bulbs to malfunction.

Filed Jul 14, 2012 · Body, Lights · AL

Purchased this vehicle certified used in 2007 with approx. 6 months left on the 3 year warranty... This vehicle has fog lights, daytime running lights, and xenon headlights/high beams. Of these eight settings (left and right) only one does not work -- the right side regular beam headlight. The r/s high beam works fine. R/s headlight was intermittent from date of purchase. Appeared to be a simple electrical connection failure as headlight would come back on after a slight strike of the headlight unit. Also noticed unit would accumulate condensation after rains. Eventually light started going out more often and staying on for less time. By december the light would not come on at all. Scheduled a service visit with oil change but could not stay long enough to fully solve the problem. Came back in january for full evaluation. After an entire day of troubleshooting, the technician brought me back to show me that the headlight bulb worked in the left side unit fine. Also, the right side unit worked on the left side while the left side unit showed malfunction on the right side -- indicating both the units worked fine, but problem was another section (the ballast?). Toyota suggested replacing the whole unit (despite the fact that they proved to me that it worked) at a price of $1000 plus labor (since it was no longer under warranty). I declined the obviously ridiculous suggestion and took it home to try my own troubleshooting. I discovered I could get the light to come on by pulling tight the wire dedicated to the r/s xenon bulb straight back from the unit. This caused the light to come on and stay on often, though not always, similar to the time it was purchased. However, after the very first heavy rain, the headlight unit had extensive condensation inside the plexiglass and the light never worked again.

Filed May 10, 2012 · Electrical, Lights · 55,000 miles · CA

The right side headlight assembly is accumulating moisture and condensation inside which causes the headlight to fail.

Filed Apr 3, 2012 · Lights · 45,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 toyota sienna. The contact stated that water was leaking into the passenger side headlight. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but denied any assistance with repairs to the vehicle. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 45,000 and the current mileage was 51,000.

Filed Oct 28, 2011 · Lights · 97,500 miles · NJ

I noticed that the passenger side headlight has condensation on the inside. I have noticed the light appears to be giving off less light when driving. When checking for a solution on internet I see many people have the same problem. This should be investigated and a recall should be done as this can cause an serious and potential accident if the light fails from the moisture.