Fog in the headlight housing

[Flameangel]

Happens to my Optima now and then but always clears

 

[eflyguy]

It's nothing to be concerned about. The assembly is vented, water isn't getting in, it's just condensation from humidity due difference in temperature from inside to out - just like on a cold glass on a warm day.

Older style assemblies with traditional bulbs were fine being sealed, but HID and LED units need some ventilation, so as a result, they can also allow humidity to condense inside. Not a problem.

 

[SKStinger]

Completely normal.

Kia even publishes it in here on the last page:

https://www.kia.com/us/k3/content/m...ips/2018-Kia-Stinger-Vehicle-Feature-Tips.pdf

*Edit: I see this was already posted. Sorry about the duplicate.

 

[invisible1d]

OLD BUMP!

Phew. Just noticed this on mine that I bought today. Glad it seems fairly normal.

 

[rocket23]

I hope (and pray) that they don't cloud up like them old mercedes that we see from time to time....(our cars to have some striking similarities to mercs') ,lets hope the headlight issue isn't another one ,lol

 

[Thwack]

So I checked here because up to now I've had a bit of fogging one one headlight, but it always went away as described, but as of a few days ago, it went crazy, my passenger headlight is completely fogged over and the air has been fairly dry for days, it's not improving.. Anyone know where these vents are that i can try blowing them out?

(these pics are days apart)

 

[NS_Stinger]

Wow that looks awful, have you tried turning in your headlights even while day driving to see if that helps?

 

[Paul32]

So I checked here because up to now I've had a bit of fogging one one headlight, but it always went away as described, but as of a few days ago, it went crazy, my passenger headlight is completely fogged over and the air has been fairly dry for days, it's not improving.. Anyone know where these vents are that i can try blowing them out?

(these pics are days apart)

I had the exact same thing. High beam light was out also. Took it to the dealer and was replaced under warranty. My GT1 is also red. Also same side (passenger).

 

[Thwack]

Since it's winter most of my driving is happening in the drk with the headlights on anyways, but since they're LED I cant imagine they are producing enough heat to dry out the enclosure.

I haven't noticed my high beams out, but now i'll go and double check, all that moisture cannot be good for it. The most annoying part is that last time i took it to dealer for warranty work, i mentioned the fogging there, but it wasnt happening at the time, so they didnt do anything for it.

 

[NS_Stinger]

Hopefully this doesn't become a widespread issue out of warranty because the price of those headlight is astronomical...

 

[MerlintheMad]

(these pics are days apart)

Those pics are WHITE, with a little "-" hiding in the middle of all the white. How can you see anything in all that white "fog".

 

[eflyguy]

Anyone know where these vents are that i can try blowing them out?

They are typically tubes with filters in them, you can't "blow them out".

Moisture is not getting on the lighting elements, it's just condensing on the inside of the cover due to differences in temperature. It may take a while to clear out but parking so that the headlights are exposed to sunlight may help accelerate the process.

 

[rocket23]

They are typically tubes with filters in them, you can't "blow them out".

Moisture is not getting on the lighting elements, it's just condensing on the inside of the cover due to differences in temperature. It may take a while to clear out but parking so that the headlights are exposed to sunlight may help accelerate the process.

Eeeeee now I have Kia sundial!!!

 

[cornpop1]

Same here, getting a little worried. It has been 5 days and so far it does not seem to be improving at all...
Any tips? Should I try to access the headlight and maybe use a hair blow dryer? Or is it sealed so I should just take it in to get it checked?

 

[Thwack]

Yeah, you're as bad as me, I just dropped mine off at the dealer, after checking with kia, they are replacing the whole housing and assembly (over $1500). they noticed a little bit of fog on the drivers side too, but thought that was more normal, and I've never had an issue with the driver side. I'd take it in.

 

[rocket23]

I'm starting to wonder if the base models had had this problem?...Seems to be a premium issue so far.

 

[robz32]

Same here, getting a little worried. It has been 5 days and so far it does not seem to be improving at all...
Any tips? Should I try to access the headlight and maybe use a hair blow dryer? Or is it sealed so I should just take it in to get it checked?

That is excessive moisture. Take it to the dealer, they should replace under warranty.

 

[Olexandr]

Also have it on my Stinger GT2. But it's cold currently here, I think it's because of that. Don't bothers me TOO much. Winter/Summer should be all good I suppose!

 

[cornpop1]

Just an update, I took it in 1/4/20, they said they there were no signs of cracking or damage and that my headlight is considered defective. They will replace it free of charge and would need to order me a new headlight. They need Kia Corporate to approve it first so I am just waiting on an update from the dealer now. Not sure why it's taking this long, I do follow up calls with them every 2-3 days. Hopefully mine gets replaced soon!

 

[MackyGio]

Recently started happening to mine. I've got an 18 gt limited in Canada. Only 17k km on it. Happened both to sides after driving in about -4 to 5 degrees Celsius. Only noticed it recently Never happened to it before.