Melting Brake Light Fins

[BMcGraw]

I took a close look at my '04 today and noticed that the black "fins" at the top of the right-rear tail-light assembly were deformed. An apparent result of over heating brake light lamps. I read about this in this very forum about a few months ago but hoped it wouldn't happen to mine. I've only got about 15K miles on it so I'm requesting that others take a close look. If you find a similar problem please respond to this thread. A recall may be "in order". (see photo)

It isn't that obvious so take a good look.

The left one is beginning to warp also but not as badly.

Toyota Corp. is on the alert.

[Tideland Prius]

It's not the brake lights that overheat the plastic. I mean, they're LEDs. It's more of the high heat absorbed from the sun.

[Bill Merchant]

Originally posted by Tideland Prius@Oct 19 2005, 07:44 PM
It's not the brake lights that overheat the plastic. I mean, they're LEDs. It's more of the high heat absorbed from the sun.

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Which may be one reason the '06 tail lights are chromed...

[Frank Hudon]

take it to the dealer and tell them to replace it. This is the only way that Toyota will recognise that there is a problem with the tail light design. This has been reported lots of times, mainly from the southern states where the tail light hot soaks from sunlight and the plastic melts. If it partially obscures the brake led's it's time for a new one, as that constitutes a safty hazard.

[efusco]

Originally posted by Tideland Prius@Oct 19 2005, 08:44 PM
It's not the brake lights that overheat the plastic. I mean, they're LEDs. It's more of the high heat absorbed from the sun.

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Definately. This is much more common on cars in hotter/sunnier climates and on cars that are routinely parked outside during the day. My 2 year old Prius shows no sign of warpage but has only spend the day sitting in the hot sun a handful of times over that 2 year period.

Seems to be a combination of the heat absorbing properties of the black fins, maybe some heat intensification by the curved clear lamp (like using a magnifying glass to fry a bug), and probably a little greenhouse effect as well.

Also, you might be wise to wait about 3-4 months to complain, or at least to have the repair done...you may be able to get the new chromed fins instead of more of the same black. It is, of course, possible that Toyota has changed the material used in the early '04 Prii to one that is more heat tolerant. Anyone with an '05 seen this problem?

[Tempus]

Mine started melting a long time ago, but I waited until the Parts Department told me there was a re-designed part available, and I had them replaced about a week ago. The black plastic portion on the new ones does look different. It's unlikely they'll give you an 06 set because I'm sure they made a production change sometime during the 04/05 run and have a black part that doesn't melt.

Another thing to be sure to check on 04s is sagging headliners. Again, it's most apparent in warm climates, and, on mine presumably because it's black.

It seems the glue used to secure it gives way when heated enough.

They changed the 05s by putting two little buttons in the headliner, but they also apparently changed the 04 replacements, it seems by speccing a different glue. I posit they were using some new Low VOC glue originally

Some people seem to get 05 style replacements, I got a 04 style, but I verified that they used the re-designed part number, so we'll see.

Be sure to check the headliner before 3/36 because it's only covered under the basic warrantee. Even if you have the extended warrantee, the headliner is considered 'trim' and is not included.

[rflagg]

Originally posted by Tempus@Oct 20 2005, 09:15 AM
Mine started melting a long time ago, but I waited until the Parts Department told me there was a re-designed part available, and I had them replaced about a week ago. The black plastic portion on the new ones does look different. It's unlikely they'll give you an 06 set because I'm sure they made a production change sometime during the 04/05 run and have a black part that doesn't melt.

Another thing to be sure to check on 04s is sagging headliners. Again, it's most apparent in warm climates, and, on mine presumably because it's black.

It seems the glue used to secure it gives way when heated enough.

They changed the 05s by putting two little buttons in the headliner, but they also apparently changed the 04 replacements, it seems by speccing a different glue. I posit they were using some new Low VOC glue originally

Some people seem to get 05 style replacements, I got a 04 style, but I verified that they used the re-designed part number, so we'll see.

Be sure to check the headliner before 3/36 because it's only covered under the basic warrantee. Even if you have the extended warrantee, the headliner is considered 'trim' and is not included.

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The lights should be covered under the extended warranty, though, right?

-m.

[mikepaul]

Where was this thread last week when my car was still under warranty?

I'm not even going to go look now...

[Jonnycat26]

Originally posted by Tempus@Oct 20 2005, 08:15 AM
Another thing to be sure to check on 04s is sagging headliners. Again, it's most apparent in warm climates, and, on mine presumably because it's black.

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What do you mean by sagging? Is it supposed to conform to the shape of the car, or is it supposed to 'hang' down in the center of the car? Mine might have always sagged in that case.

[Tideland Prius]

i.e. the headliner doesn't follow the curve of the ceiling. When you push on it, it moves upwards.