Headlight Condensation

[Natisfaction]

Well, I dropped my car off yesterday at the dealership to fix my 2 problems...headlight condensation and torn rear sunshade. I am 2 weeks in ownership and have been to the dealership 3 times for factory problems. 9 hours later, I called to check on the status and they said that the shade was repaired but that they weren't able to finish the headlights as the parts were not available (would have been nice to know in the morning). The service writer stated that the parts are backordered as this is becoming a problem nationally. When I picked up the car, he stated that they replaced the outer dust shield but the inner dust shield would need to be reordered and for me to schedule another day for them to repair.

A little frustrating but not the end of the world. However, I still feel as though I am cheating on my wife everytime I drive the car as I have fallen in love with something else! Great Car...longevity...tbd.

[Classy300C]

I did realize that there were 2 dust shields (inner and outer)..thanks for the info

[zach2011]

If it helps, I took my '11 300 Limited (with standard halogen headlights) through the car wash today and it did not get any type of condensation.

Sounds like this could be a future TSB or whatever.

[Dave Marsh]

I also have a 2011 Limited that's been through the car wash at least monthly, with no headlight condensation issues. Of course, I live in northern CA. I think most of the people reporting this issue live in colder, but still damp environs. In such an environment, the warmer moist air inside the headlight housing readily condenses on the inside of the lens assembly when significantly colder air blasts it on the outside. Several fixes could work. We'll have to wait to see Chrysler's approach.

I have the bi-xenon headlights.

[jaak]

Originally Posted by Dave Marsh

I wonder if a squirt of canned air in the inside of the housing after drying the air with the high beams, then quickly sealing the housing holes would be enough to stop this issue? Sealed beam headlights don't have this issue because the dried air is sealed inside when they're made.

You can't seal the headlights, they have to have a breather somewhere. If you don't provide a breather, one will get created due to atmospheric pressure changes. You want to control where the breather is, and how it's designed. So the retrofit may actually be very successful if it's designed well.

[Bacstar]

If this is becoming or is a national issue, I think I'm going to wait for the TSB or recall before doing anything about it. It's way below freezing right now, and I noticed the condensation only appears when the headlights have been on for awhile. Then disappears over night or been sitting for a few hours.

[Bacstar]

Took my car in yesterday morning due to my autolocks not working on my rear driver-side door. Apparently, after thawing out in the garage bay, it started to work again. It was -10 degrees F last night. Anywayz...I reported the condensation in the headlights, and when I picked up the car, the service manager explained to me that Chrysler had instructed to turn the lights on high for 20mins to see if they clear up which they did, and replacements won't be warranted until it's been taken in a few times.

I did email chrysler and received a reply to take my car in. So I'll have to respond now with my results at the dealer and see what they say.

[07BBSRT8]

2012 SRT8 here, and this issue comes and goes.

[amazonfrom503]

2011 Chrysler 300 Limited. I had the same issue on my headlights the day I drove off the lot and the dealership has since replaced both of them with brand new units. They didnt adjust them correctly, however so the car is back in the shop now.
Portland, OR

[zach2011]

My guess is maybe the headlight caps aren't fully screwed on, or maybe the plastic lens isn't completely glued to the headlight housing. Since my last post in this thread, I've installed HID lights in mine, which required me to drill a hole in the caps. After sealing them up I still get no condensation at all. So there has to be something different about these headlights that are allowing moisture in.

Hoping Chrysler offers a nationwide fix for this.