Buy Lexus IS350 Headlight Assembly

Overview

The Lexus IS350 headlight-sometimes called the headlamp, front lamp, or lighting assembly-has changed a lot since the first IS 350 reached showrooms in 2006. Early cars used high-intensity-discharge (HID) projectors, mid-cycle updates added halogen‐to-HID mixes, and today's third-generation sedans offer full LED "triple-beam" units with an Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS) that turns the beam into a bend for better night vision. The newest LED setup earned a top "Good" score from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in 2022 (IIHS Crash Testing), while older HID trims were rated "Acceptable" (IIHS Crash Testing). All versions must still meet U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 108 for brightness, aim, and labeling .

Fitment Years

• 2006-2013 (Gen 2): HID D4S low beam with separate halogen high beam.
• 2014-2020 (Gen 3 pre-refresh): HID or first-gen LED, depending on package.
• 2021-present (Gen 3 refresh): Standard LED projectors; Premium cars add triple-beam LEDs.
  A public bulb-size chart confirms that low beams for 2006-2013 cars use D4S capsules, while 2014-2020 LED trims list H11/H9/H8 housings for fog lamps and 9005/HB3 for the high beam (SEALIGHT). Always match the production month on the door jamb before ordering bulbs.

Headlight Technology

• Projector HID (D4S): Produces bright white light with a sharp cutoff. Requires an external ballast and igniter.
• Halogen reflector: Base 2006-2009 export models used H11 halogen bulbs-trade-offs are lower cost but more heat.
• Full-LED projector: Standard from 2021; lasts longer, draws less current, and allows auto-high-beam.
• AFS & Auto-leveling: On select F-Sport/Premium trims, steering-linked motors swivel the lights into a corner and self-level under load (Lexus USA Newsroom, Lexus USA Newsroom).

Bulb & Socket Sizes

← scroll table horizontally →

Safety Ratings

• 2022-25 LED triple-beam: IIHS "Good"; high-beam assist standard (IIHS Crash Testing).
• 2016 HID projector: IIHS "Acceptable/Marginal" depending on trim (IIHS Crash Testing).
  Tip: Headlight performance can drop 20 % once output falls below 5 lux at 150 ft-replace aging bulbs in pairs.

Road-Legal Rules

• FMVSS 108 requires separate high- and low-beam patterns and bans glare-producing "always-on" auxiliary lamps .
• Federal law does not recognize retrofit LED bulbs in housings designed for halogen or HID, so LED plug-ins are legal only off-road (Diode Dynamics). Check state statutes before converting.

Common Problems

1. Condensation: An internal Lexus bulletin shows water pooling can mean a damaged housing; replacement is the long-term fix .
2. Cracked lens: Owners report moisture and dim output after minor parking bumps (Reddit).
3. Aim too low: Third-gen cars auto-level, but a base-height screw under the hood lets you reset alignment (Lexus Owners Club).
4. Ballast failure: Symptoms are pink/purple light or one side flickering-common around 100 k miles.

Care & Cleaning

• Wash plastic lenses with pH-neutral soap; avoid ammonia.
• Apply a UV-resistant sealant twice a year to delay haze.
• The owner's manual warns against steam-cleaning around wiring harnesses (Manua.ls).

DIY Removal

1. Disconnect the battery.
2. Remove the bumper clips and gently pull the fascia forward.
3. Unplug the headlight connectors and lift the assembly straight out.
4. For HID bulbs, twist the dust cap, then the retainer ring; never touch the quartz glass.
5. Re-install, then use the AFS self-test: hold the high-beam flash lever, cycle the light switch three times, wait for the dash icon to blink, and confirm the beams rise then settle (Lexus Owners Club).

Upgrade Paths

• Factory swap: Later triple-beam LED assemblies bolt into 2014-20 cars but need wiring adapters and ECU coding.
• After-market projector retrofit: Adding bi-LED projectors inside a stock housing preserves legality when done with DOT-marked units.
• LED fog lamps: Fog positions are not federally regulated, so high-output LED pods are legal in most U.S. states (Diode Dynamics).

Cost Guide

A national repair-cost database lists average prices (parts + labor):

• Bulb only: $365-$404 for an HID D4S replacement (RepairPal.com).
• Complete LED assembly: $900-$1,500 per side (salvage parts may cut this in half).
• Aim adjustment: $50-$75 at most shops, or free with basic hand tools.

Eco Impact

LED headlamps draw around 25 W per side versus 35 W for HID and 55 W for halogen. Over 100,000 miles this saves roughly 40 kWh of electricity, the same energy a home window A/C uses in 12 hours. LEDs also last up to 50,000 hours, slashing landfill waste from spent bulbs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Will a 2025 IS 350 headlight fit my 2018 car?
A: Yes, the mounting points match, but you must add LED drivers and splice the new six-pin connector to your harness.

Q: What bulb code do I need for a 2008 low beam?
A: D4S HID capsule (SEALIGHT).

Q: Why do my lights look yellow after five years?
A: HID capsules shift color as the arc gap widens; replace both bulbs to restore pure white output.

Q: Is it legal to install aftermarket LED bulbs in my 2012 housing?
A: No. FMVSS 108 does not allow LED retrofit bulbs in headlamp positions (Diode Dynamics).

Q: My lens fogs up after rain-can I just drill a vent hole?
A: Drilling removes the factory seal and can cause corrosion; Lexus recommends replacing the housing if moisture pools inside .

Q: How do I raise the beam height?
A: Park 25 ft from a wall, measure to the bulb center, and use the vertical adjust screw until the cutoff sits 2 inches below that line (Lexus Owners Club).

Q: Do new triple-beam LEDs blind on-coming drivers?
A: No. The units use precise projectors and auto-dimming high beams that earned a "Good" glare rating (IIHS Crash Testing).

Q: Does the headlight include the daytime running light?
A: Yes-LED DRLs are built into the bottom "check-mark" strip on 2014-up cars.

Q: Can I swap only the clear lens?
A: The lens is plastic-welded; replacement requires a full housing or careful oven-bake reseal-best left to specialists.

Q: What's the color temperature of stock LEDs?
A: About 5,500 K, which appears crisp white with a slight blue tint.

Q: How long do HID bulbs last?
A: Around 2,000 hours of use (roughly 5-7 years of average night driving).

Q: Are headlight washers standard?
A: Yes on HID trims; optional or deleted on some later LED cars.

Q: Can I run higher-watt halogen bulbs for more light?
A: Avoid it; extra heat can melt the reflector coating and wiring insulation.

Q: Do the headlights shut off automatically?
A: All IS 350s include an auto-off timer; you can change the delay in the settings menu.

Q: Is there a recall on IS 350 headlights?
A: There is no active recall, but Lexus issued a service bulletin for excess moisture; dealers may replace the housing under warranty if the problem appears within the coverage period .

References

IIHS headlight rating, 2022 model.
IIHS headlight rating, 2016 model.
Lexus press release-AFS availability on IS lineup.
FMVSS 108 headlamp requirements (U.S. Code of Federal Regulations).
Public bulb-size lookup table for Lexus IS350.
Lexus service bulletin on excess headlamp moisture.
National repair-cost database, IS 350 headlight bulb replacement estimate.
Technical brief on LED bulb legality in U.S. headlamps.
Owner forum discussion of water-logged lens diagnosis.
Lexus Owners Club guide to headlight level adjustment.
2016 Lexus IS 350 owner's manual-maintenance cautions.
Lexus safety feature summary-AFS description.