LED Lights... what if....

[banjos-n-beer]

So, for those of us with the new LED lights, what happens if one of the LEDs goes out (be it a DRL, low beam, etc)? From what I've read, it sounds like the entire headlight is a single sealed unit. Am I correct then in assuming if a light goes out, there is no way to replace it without replacing the whole unit?

Reason I ask is because I have never achieved the full life-time of any non-halogen type light. Be it regular fluorescents, CFLs, etc. Nothing comes close to lasting the 8 years (or X amount of hours) or so the manufacturer claims. I'd say they on average last 1/6 - 1/4 the time they're supposed to, at least in my experience.

And in another thread, someone posted a picture of a receipt for replacement LED headlights and the price for each was around $1,300.

So, are those of us with LEDs looking at a $1,300 bill every time a light in the headlight unit needs replacing?

Please tell me I'm wrong.... (I think the turn signals are regular bulbs... so they should be replaceable on their own???)

 

[inlinev]

Yes single unit. But I'm guessing your perceived life is based in household lights. Typically with household lights it is not the LED that fails but rather the ac/dc power transformer. Since your car outputs DC there is no such conversion taking place. Meaning you are likely to see longer life.

But if otherwise they do fail, it will be an expensive bill.

 

[banjos-n-beer]

Yes single unit. But I'm guessing your perceived life is based in household lights. Typically with household lights it is not the LED that fails but rather the ac/dc power transformer. Since your car outputs DC there is no such conversion taking place. Meaning you are likely to see longer life.

But if otherwise they do fail, it will be an expensive bill.

Thanks. I will admit... I'm weary, but yes, most of my experience with those type of units is in household lights. I was unaware the outputs on the CX5 are DC.

My headlights already look like crap (mold or crud on the inside), so I already have an uneasiness about the lights... and then the whole act of replacements came to mind as well. If they do fail prematurely, but after the warranty is up, I think you'll see some very angry customers knowing the replacement cost of each unit, and that's before labor. Lets hope that doesn't end up being the case.

 

[Hank3]

An alternative would be to bake open the headlight and replace the LED on your own. There are many members on the HID forums doing retros with LED projectors.

http://www.hidplanet.com/forums/forum.php

I realize this kind of stuff (self fix/maintenance) isn't for everyone, but it would save a lot of money.

 

[Martyd]

Thanks. I will admit... I'm weary, but yes, most of my experience with those type of units is in household lights. I was unaware the outputs on the CX5 are DC.

My headlights already look like crap (mold or crud on the inside), so I already have an uneasiness about the lights... and then the whole act of replacements came to mind as well. If they do fail prematurely, but after the warranty is up, I think you'll see some very angry customers knowing the replacement cost of each unit, and that's before labor. Lets hope that doesn't end up being the case.

Did you read this thread where they talk about mold or whatever?
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?123849642-2016-Headlights-replaced-today

Doesn't sound good.

 

[banjos-n-beer]

Did you read this thread where they talk about mold or whatever?
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?123849642-2016-Headlights-replaced-today

Doesn't sound good.

Yes, I have seen that thread. It's mildly reassuring in the fact that someone else has experienced a similar event, and that they were replaced by Mazda.

 

[Srad600]

If I was in this scenario where the headlight went out after the warranty, I think I might just "accidentally" back into my cx-5 with my wifes car, breaking the light...and have my insurance replace it. (peep) (ok I'm only half joking...)

 

[yrwei52]

If I was in this scenario where the headlight went out after the warranty, I think I might just "accidentally" back into my cx-5 with my wifes car, breaking the light...and have my insurance replace it. (peep) (ok I'm only half joking...)

Don't do that otherwise you're increasing our insurance premium eventually... Notice that those people were having problems on their LED headlights are only cosmetic issues. The LEDs themselves are still functioning. These LEDs are very reliable and should last for the life of our CX-5's. If I was in this scenario where the headlights are having the same issues after warranty expired, I'd just leave them alone.

 

[Buzzer777]

LEDs looking bad after a year!

Thanks. I will admit... I'm weary, but yes, most of my experience with those type of units is in household lights. I was unaware the outputs on the CX5 are DC.

My headlights already look like crap (mold or crud on the inside), so I already have an uneasiness about the lights... and then the whole act of replacements came to mind as well. If they do fail prematurely, but after the warranty is up, I think you'll see some very angry customers knowing the replacement cost of each unit, and that's before labor. Lets hope that doesn't end up being the case.

Wow, I feel for you folks with the LEDs that are looking like crud after a year! I admit I was a bit gun-shy when deciding between the 15 and 16, but I would not have suspected QC issues. After all, LED head lights have been around for a while now! I was familiar with H.I.D.s since I owned a 2004 Audi A4 that had self leveling HIDs, but was a bit concerned about the "AFS" function, especially on a lower priced auto like our CX-5s!...So Far, all is well, and I would not give up the AFS or HIDs for anything! Hmmm, That makes for a tough act to follow, when and IF I go "looking" again. From what I have seen, HIDs are still very expensive, and I have not even seen other AFS Headlight implementations!

 

[yrwei52]

From what I have seen, HIDs are still very expensive, and I have not even seen other AFS Headlight implementations!

Most higher end models of Lexus (ES and above) have AFS as an option.

 

[inlinev]

"AFS" has been around for a long time

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tucker_48

 

[Kedis82ZE8]

"AFS" has been around for a long time

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tucker_48

Yeah a long time.. the modern electronic versions have been around for at least 12-15 years or more. I went out of my way to get this option on my '07 G35x back in 2006. It was part of tech package on that car that also included radar cruise, a rear camera and a collision mitigation system

 

[yrwei52]

"AFS" has been around for a long time
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tucker_48

Yeah a long time.. the modern electronic versions have been around for at least 12-15 years or more. I went out of my way to get this option on my '07 G35x back in 2006. It was part of tech package on that car that also included radar cruise, a rear camera and a collision mitigation system

Yeah, but many people in the US have never heard of this safety feature nor know it's available on certain cars.

 

[Srad600]

Don't do that otherwise you're increasing our insurance premium eventually... Notice that those people were having problems on their LED headlights are only cosmetic issues. The LEDs themselves are still functioning. These LEDs are very reliable and should last for the life of our CX-5's. If I was in this scenario where the headlights are having the same issues after warranty expired, I'd just leave them alone.

Ah, I've been driving for 27 years, and I have exactly two claims over that time for all of the cars I've owned. I doubt I'd be increasing anything, heck my own premium wouldn't even go up. That being said, I was kidding. I'm really not worried at all about longevity.

 

[banjos-n-beer]

I'll post some pics of my lights soon... gonna be scheduling the first oil change in a few days, and their condition will be at the top of my list of things to address.

 

[V8toilet]

On my LED LCD TV some of the actually LED's failed in less than 3 years. It all depends on the quality of the LED and how high a voltage it's driven with.