HID headlight issue!

[G-627721]

Does everyone feel that there have been enough issues with the condensation/water getting inside our HID headlights for a recall? I do and I recommend everyone that has had this issue file a complaint here

File a Vehicle Safety Complaint | Safercar.gov | NHTSA

This a a huge safety concern that needs to be addressed and corrected by Buick/GM.
What are your thoughts?

I agree - I have a 2011 with condensation in the headlights and have been quoted 1200 to get them replaced/fixed. It is a crazy amount to have to pay for headlights which are legally required - and the risk associated with lights burning out regularly due to the condensation is not acceptable. I also had the same issue with a blown bulb a couple years ago and discovered it had melted when replacing it - so it wasn't just a bulb replacement - added time and cost.

Does everyone feel that there have been enough issues with the condensation/water getting inside our HID headlights for a recall? I do and I recommend everyone that has had this issue file a complaint here

File a Vehicle Safety Complaint | Safercar.gov | NHTSA

This a a huge safety concern that needs to be addressed and corrected by Buick/GM.
What are your thoughts?

 

[kylemarburger]

I got the new pair of headlight assemblies installed today. We first loosened one side of the bumper to install one light, then tightened back up those screws, then loosening up the other side and to repeat there. As noted by pigsnzen, the harness had to be inverted, but that was not a big deal. The new headlights have a different appearance inside the lens, and lack the blue ring around the main light, but since I bought a pair they match each other, so I am fine with their appearance. I am happy to have two working headlights again, after several months.

Thanks for posting this update! Where did you find the passenger side to match the link to the drivers side? I would like to do this.. as I have replaced multiple ballasts and I am sick of doing this. Thanks in advance! @carl3pedals

 

[carl3pedals]

Here is the LH light I bought:

Amazon.com: DEPO RLB BK REGAL 11-14 HL ASY HALOGEN LH (336-1123L-AS): Automotive

Buy DEPO RLB BK REGAL 11-14 HL ASY HALOGEN LH (336-1123L-AS): Headlight Assemblies - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

Here is the RH light I bought:

Amazon.com: RLB BK REGAL 11-14 HL ASY HALOGEN RH: Automotive

Buy RLB BK REGAL 11-14 HL ASY HALOGEN RH: Headlight Assemblies - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

This fit in my 2012 GS, which originally had HID headlight assemblies, and it was also straightforward to get the electrical connection mated. It was actually my son who did it - I told him others had said something had to go upside down, and he said he saw that was correct, and he took care of it.

The headlight assemblies I bought stated they were for Buick Regal 2011-2012. I don't know if later years, or non-GS models, might have come with different headlight assemblies, and might therefore have a different electrical connector.

 

[kylemarburger]

Here is the LH light I bought:

http://[URL]https://www.amazon.com/...=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[/URL]

Here is the RH light I bought:

http://[URL]https://www.amazon.com/...=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[/URL]

This fit in my 2012 GS, which originally had HID headlight assemblies, and it was also straightforward to get the electrical connection mated. It was actually my son who did it - I told him others had said something had to go upside down, and he said he saw that was correct, and he took care of it.

The headlight assemblies I bought stated they were for Buick Regal 2011-2012. I don't know if later years, or non-GS models, might have come with different headlight assemblies, and might therefore have a different electrical connector.

Thank you for sharing! I just ordered both. Kind of bummed because it is a downgrade from the HIDs look wise.. but hopefully these wont cause as many issues 🙂

 

[BoostedRegal2.0]

Just put LED bulbs in them and they will be just like HID.

 

[Raynman92]

Here is the LH light I bought:

http://[URL]https://www.amazon.com/...=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[/URL]

Here is the RH light I bought:

http://[URL]https://www.amazon.com/...=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[/URL]

This fit in my 2012 GS, which originally had HID headlight assemblies, and it was also straightforward to get the electrical connection mated. It was actually my son who did it - I told him others had said something had to go upside down, and he said he saw that was correct, and he took care of it.

The headlight assemblies I bought stated they were for Buick Regal 2011-2012. I don't know if later years, or non-GS models, might have come with different headlight assemblies, and might therefore have a different electrical connector.

I'm in the process of doing the same, replacing both sets due to a bad HID driver side. Can you guys provide a little more detail on what the 'inverted' plug or slight modification was for the electrical connection? I'm assuming it's no big deal but want to be sure I don't have to order anything else or need special instruction. Thanks.

 

[kylemarburger]

There is no modification needed. The assembly fits in just like the HIDs. The only difference is the plug-in is turned differently than the HID, so you just simply angle to plug in to fit the new headlight assembly. Took me about 5-10 minutes to switch both headlights (although I had experience from replacing multiple ballists 🙂. I am happy I never have to worry about a headlight going out again though..

 

[BoostedRegal2.0]

Halogen bulbs don't last forever, but if you install LED bulbs they will outlast the halogen bulbs.

 

[Chieftain driver]

Please help clarify your headlight purchase Carl3 - your link shows you bought a standard headlight having separate wiring/plugs for low and high beam. Do your high beams work? My view of the HID headlight in the GS shows wiring/plug for only one lamp.

 

[jackbot]

Anyone have a broken/leaking HID housing they would part with cheap? I would like to experiment with some LEDs without having to take my whole front end apart.

 

[fallagersky]

Curious if everyone with condensation issues also park outside at home or park outside at work?

I've never had this issue but our Regal is garage parked and when my wife used to drive it to work it was in a covered parking deck also. It really only saw rain if it was being driven in the rain.

i have a 2013 regal turbo,(60k miles) always parked in my garage. how i have condensation starting on the driver side.

 

[robinlynn]

Yes. I have the same issues. Mine is a 2012 Regal and I replaced the right and now seeing condensation in the left.

Has there been a recall?

 

[Huttt]

I have the same problem....Drivers side light has condensation. Thought headlight went out, but nope! Replaced the light and still doesnt work. So now I have 2 tear everything down to replace the ballistic that quit working because of the condensation.

 

[JB4]

Changed my driver’s side to halogen, ‘13 Regal GS, no low beams, only high beams. Does anyone have a wiring diagram?

 

[carl3pedals]

Please help clarify your headlight purchase Carl3 - your link shows you bought a standard headlight having separate wiring/plugs for low and high beam. Do your high beams work? My view of the HID headlight in the GS shows wiring/plug for only one lamp.

Sorry I did not respond sooner - I had not logged into the forum for a while. My high beams work fine with the replacement headlight assemblies I bought for my 2012 GS. Post #80 in this thread includes my comments on the installation of the replacement headlight assemblies.

I included in an earlier post the description of the specific assemblies I bought from eBay for my 2012 GS. I don't know whether these specific items would work in your 2013 GS.

 

[chargrachel]

My mother-in-law has a 2011 Buick Regal. Both headlamps have condensation inside and one of them (passenger side) fills up with water causing both the high and low beam bulbs to fail. She hasn't had any lights on the passenger side for months so she can't drive at night. The bulbs on the driver side occasionally blow and she gets them replaced.
She won't drive in the rain, and does not wash the car for fear that she'll collect more water in the headlamps.
Today I attempted to drill a hole in the bottom of the passenger side headlamp but found that I'd need a two foot long drill bit to get anywhere close to the headlamp shell from underneath the car, so I drilled a small hole in the front lens.
Reading this thread and seeing that there are others who have encountered this problem I'm inclined to believe that the is a design flaw with the part. And I cannot believe that you have to remove the front bumper to replace the headlamp ... truly amazing. I'm not sure that the manufacturer will ever admit fault, and so I suspect that there's little likelihood of a recall. Just have to keep drilling holes I guess.

 

[carl3pedals]

chargrachel, welcome to the forum. I feel your pain.
For the passenger side light, if she has not had any lights on that side for months, it is possible that the ballast in that headlight assembly has failed. But if a replacement bulb works, then the ballast is still functional. Knowing what I know now, I would have removed my headlight assemblies once I noticed the condensation inside, removed their light bulbs to let them dry out thoroughly, and the installed some type of sealant so they would not get any moisture in them again. This would have prevented me needing to spend about $700 for a replacement pair of headlight assemblies (if I could have applied the sealant properly).

Regarding pulling the bumper, there are videos which help you locate the screws that need to be undone. You don't need to pull off the entire bumper to replace a single headlight assembly, instead you can just remove the screws on that one side. I used this option, even when I replaced both headlight assemblies, since I felt that would be simpler than getting the bumper all the way off, and I was concerned about having to re-align it when re-installing it, if I had totally removed it.

 

[Karthen]

Out of curiosity, has anyone looked into what or works take to start a class action suit against GM for our Regal GS HID light assemblies like the Caddilac SRX owners did for theirs?

Class Action Lawsuit Filed Over Faulty 2010-2015 Cadillac SRX Headlights

I'm pissed that GM reps have remained completely silent about this issue with people having to downgrade their car in order to have reliable headlights, a MAJOR SAFETY ITEM!

I'm thinking of contacting the law firm that ran that case and offering them an easy cut and paste case for a payout.

 

[2007LucerneCXL]

See post #78, all the complaints are one and done on the forum. So you'll be the first one who does something or another forgotten post about the problem. I wish you well on getting action on this matter.

 

[Whynotaddressed]

Consider yourself lucky... It is a huge issue and seems to be way to common. Each HID assembly run $1200. I've had to replace both of mine due to condensation killing the ballast.

I had the problem in both my headlights. Removed them sealed them with a flexible locktite product. Drilled 3 small hole dust in front of the seam on the bottom of the lens. (Lowest part). No more issues. Saved more than a couple thousand!