Toyota Headlight Buyer's Guide
Got a malfunctioning headlight on your Toyota? The good news is that you can skip the shop and replace it yourself. All the information you need about addressing a bad headlight is in this buyer’s guide.
The Most Common Toyota Headlight Problems
Are you unable to pinpoint the reason your headlight failed? This list of the most common Toyota headlight problems may help. To sum it up, the most common headlight problems in Toyotas are:
- Burnt out bulbs and melted wiring
- Cracked headlight lens
- Wear caused by vibration and/or extreme temperatures
- Contamination from dust and/or water
The guide will help you figure out if one of these problems caused your headlight to go bad.
Are OEM Toyota Headlights Better Than Aftermarket?
Are you wondering if an aftermarket replacement headlight is worth the investment? If you ask us, the answer is no. Even though aftermarket headlights are cheap upfront, they’ll likely fail early on due to:
- Low quality materials
- Poor fitment
This OEM vs. aftermarket comparison guide does a great job exploring both options. It’s obvious that OEM replacement headlights are the much better and safer choice.
How To Replace A Toyota Headlight
It’s always a good idea to replace your headlights as soon as possible. Before bringing your Toyota to the shop, you can explore the possibility of changing the headlights yourself. It’s a somewhat straightforward job with the right tools and a good tutorial.
You can find a model-specific headlight replacement tutorial. We put together this tutorial for Toyota Camry models. We also drafted a tutorial on removing the headlight bulb assembly on an FJ cruiser. If you need to replace the entire assembly (and bulbs) on a 2002-2006 Camry, we have the perfect tutorial for you.
Sometimes all you need to do is replace the headlight bulbs. We got you covered, too. Here's a tutorial on replacing headlight bulbs on a Toyota Tacoma.
About Toyota's Adaptive Headlight Technology
You may have heard that Toyota came up with some cool adaptive headlight technology about a decade ago. This technology uses a built-in camera to detect other cars and then dims the high beams. It exists to prevent other drivers from being blinded by your high beams, all while providing the visibility you need.
Unfortunately, this technology still hasn't made its way to the US. It's because it's against the NHTSA's guidelines. This post explains this in more detail. It's an interesting read if you'd like to learn more about Toyota's cutting-edge adaptive headlight technology.
Tips For Headlight Cleaning
To maximize visibility in the dark, your headlight lenses need to remain clean. That's why we put together this set of tips on cleaning your headlights. In a nutshell:
- Clean your headlights every 3-6 months
- You can use household items to clean your headlights (toothpaste, rubbing alcohol or vinegar)
- A glass repair kit can go a long way
- Sometimes it's better to replace your headlights
Should You Repair Or Replace A Toyota Headlight Switch?
If you have a failing headlight switch, you have to decide between repairing it and replacing it. According to this guide, replacing the headlight switch is the much better option. It's because replacing the headlight switch (compared to repairing it) is much easier and cheaper. It can be too expensive and time-consuming to repair the switch, and there's no guarantee that it'll be fixed anyway.
We hope that this buyer’s guide has helped you gain a better understanding of Toyota headlights. If you still have questions about replacing your broken headlight, you’re welcome to contact us.