[Driggett]

I noticed the following cracks on my headlights. First the passenger's side and then now the driver's side. The driver's side is going down the front of the lens.

Here are the pictures. Does anybody know if warranty covers it?

Does anybody know how they can occur?

2014 335i sport mineral grey xenon headlights. Purchased 3 years ago.
Thanks,
Chris

[M-terkait]

I think it should as long as it appears not from an accident, I have broken a taillight tab which makes it go out from one side, but haven't had issues with it going out even after speeding alot.. so I didn't really go to the dealership yet.

[odus]

I have been wondering this also I have them on both mine smaller looking cracks but there all over.

[wjrez]

I have these also on my 2013 F30. I saw them after I got my tires replaced at the dealer. I blamed them and they disavowed all knowledge. I tried using those headlight cleaners and nothing has worked. I took it to a repair shop that supposed to fix this kind of stuff and he said he has never seen anything like it and said it was a chemical that must of spilled on the face of the assembly to cause it. I have no idea what to do other than live with it or replace the whole assembly. Any thoughts....

[Orion4]

Those are a bit odd. Look almost like what we used to crazies caused by a chemical or stress fractures. Certainly don't look like a typlcal crack from an impact. Are there apparent impact points?

[wjrez]

There was no impact other than the usual debris that comes at you when you are driving on the highway, but I have had many other vehicles that have never shown cracks or whatever they are like this before.

[AshlandTE87]

Certain plastics (like polycarbonate) will crack or craze (small hairline looking fractures) when exposed to rubbing alcohol. Could be that someone used an alcohol based product (or rubbing alcohol itself) to clean tar or bugs off the lenses.

[Orion4]

thats what i was thinking.

[swreefkeeper]

Same thing happened on my 13 f30. Had the headlights replaced under warranty. No issues with new headlights.

[Driggett]

The shop foreman today said it is caused by chemicals. They will replace it for free. I called 3d products international and talked to their support. They said there chemicals do not cause this and it is a known defect of the headlights. I have not used any alcohol based product on the car.
Will update with more info as I get it.

[wjrez]

Can you provide further description? What shop foreman?? Who is 3D international? Does BMW admit there is a defect in the headlight cover?
Lots of questions, but I intend to bring it to BMW who will send the car to a 3rd party to fix for $200 at my expense.

[Driggett]

The shop foreman at BMW of Mountain view dealer.
3D international is the company that makes the car detailing products I use. HD touch, 3d pink car soap, 3d bug remover...
BMW admitted nothing.
Cheers,
Chris

[odus]

I brought my issue up to my dealer along with a strange line on my airbag. Now im waiting for a brand new set of headlights and airbag.

[Driggett]

Well they replaced the headlights free of charge only took them three days!
The first day they let go to the last minute and then realized it would take too long so the SA called me to say it was a complicated job and would need tomorrow as well. The middle of the second day they called and said the kit only had one headlamp in it. They ordered one more and if it was in by 2pm then they can proceed. Well it arrived late and they will work on it Friday. Finally it was done at 4:50 so I went to pick it up and they could not find the car. The runner then told the dispatcher it was in the wash in which uncharacteristically yelled out NOOOOO! You see I hand wash it myself and had it just machine polished. After 45 minutes and me telling them it was still in the bay they finally asked the tech and he had forgotten to put the keys up on the board.

And to think I I was contemplating a BMW Extended warranty. I will get a great third party and have a good independent shop work on it.
Thanks for reading.
Cheers,
Chris

[F30ed]

Yes, 100% warranty case. I had exactly the same. Headlights were replaced no charge.

[d_a_m]

Looks like you had it taken care of. I had the same issue, which is called "crystalization" and is very commonly known with BMW headlights. The dealer replaced them free of charge as part of the warranty.

[cross90]

Same with mine just a couple of months ago, no questions asked, I pointed it out when taking it in for a service and they agreed to replace them

I've noticed recently though that I get some condensation on the inside of my rear lights! Yet to take it into the dealership to see what they say.

[KGB_123_99]

I've had this on my taillights on the last F30 I owned. Check them too!