[M5040]

We just bought a new diesel Cherokee. When we went to pick it up, I noticed the headlight lens were fogged up. I mentioned it to the salesman and as they do, he promised that if they didn't clear up the dealership would replace them and blamed it on the wash detailing it just received. After 200 miles of driving with the headlights on, and no improvement, I talked to the service manager. He looked up a bulletin that showed only to replace them it severe water drops are present, not for fogging.

So here we go with our Chrysler "quality" brand new $50,000+ vehicle that has premium HID headlights with fog inside! It has turned us off on the vehicle, every time I walk up to it, I can't help but to look at them. AND ALSO I KEEP LOOKING AT THE OTHER BRANDS OF VEHICLES THAT DONT HAVE WATER IN THEIR LIGHTS.

 

[MDBones]

I've had my Overland since early May 2013. It's been washed and driven through some hellacious thunderstorms, now snow. I've never experienced the HID headlight lens fogging. Not to say that it couldn't happen, I just haven't had the problem.

 

[M5040]

That's great, but it seems like Chrysler has a problem with these and it might only be a matter of time before it happens, perhaps after the first bulb change. Maybe it is the part of the country where you live. Here in the North East it gets humid, I don't know. I did a quick search and some of the other model vehicles with HID lights that Chrysler sells are having problems too. They (vehicle owners) talk of putting a desiccant pack in the light assembly. Just wanted to make people aware of what problems they would be buying into. Our 2011 with standard lights were perfect the entire time we owned it, 2.5 years.

 

[MDBones]

It gets pretty humid here in Wisconsin. I'll watch to see if that problem ever develops for me.

I like the HID's... it throws a better pattern on low beam which makes it easier to spot the deer around here.

 

[Penner]

I have the same problem and got the same response.

 

[dascrow]

I have a buddy that just purchased a new RAM 2500 diesel with HID headlights. He is having the same problem with "Fog" in the headlights.

 

[M5040]

Well it feels a little better that I am not alone with the problem, but I just wonder what the lights will look like after a few years. Will they get discolored with dirt, dust, even algae growth? I am amazed that Chrysler still offers the HID option knowing that it has problems.

 

[MDBones]

Here's the TSB for those interested... http://www.wk2jeeps.com/tsb/tsb_wk2_0808613.pdf


I just have a tough time believing that a PROPERLY sealed headlamp housing would fog. So I'm taking what the TSB states with a grain of salt.

Though the TSB makes no mention of it, here's something else I'm wondering about...

There are two different types of HID headlamps available on the 2014 Grand Cherokee. The difference being that on the Summit, the HID lamps have an adaptive feature that allows the headlamp projectors to swivel up to 15 degrees to follow the direction in which you're steering. Would that by chance be an issue related to the design of the housing on the adaptive version of HID's not being properly sealed?

I don't have the adaptive version on my Overland and as I said above, so far I haven't had any fogging problems. I can't speak for the type of HID lamps (adaptive or not) offered on other Chrysler/Ram products, so it's just something I'm curious about and thought I'd mention that here.

 

[M5040]

Like my healthcare, they should just market the lights as "Lights so bright they need to be liquid cooled", then in the owners manual they can tell me to check and make sure there is visible coolant or report to the dealer on the next service to have the headlights topped off.

 

[onebluemcm]

I've noticed this in mine 2 or 3 times since purchasing. It has been cooler and drier around here lately, compared to our normal ridiculously humid summers. Maybe it will happen again, don't know. I have washed it twice and the first time I noticed a tiny bit of moisture in the passenger headlight afterward, but it was gone overnight.

If we are going to take it upon ourselves to figure out the "leak", someone is going to have to get their hands on the whole light assembly removed from the vehicle for close inspection.

 

[MFD]

We just bought a new diesel Cherokee. When we went to pick it up, I noticed the headlight lens were fogged up. I mentioned it to the salesman and as they do, he promised that if they didn't clear up the dealership would replace them and blamed it on the wash detailing it just received. After 200 miles of driving with the headlights on, and no improvement, I talked to the service manager. He looked up a bulletin that showed only to replace them it severe water drops are present, not for fogging.

So here we go with our Chrysler "quality" brand new $50,000+ vehicle that has premium HID headlights with fog inside! It has turned us off on the vehicle, every time I walk up to it, I can't help but to look at them. AND ALSO I KEEP LOOKING AT THE OTHER BRANDS OF VEHICLES THAT DONT HAVE WATER IN THEIR LIGHTS.

I'm in the southwest and have not noticed a fogging problem with my hid lights. I have the Summit lights that are self-adjusting and rotate on cornering.