I have a 2012 MDX w/ENT with badly oxidized, faded, peeling, and now condensation on both headlamp assemblies. Has anyone here bought aftermarket headlamp assemblies and had good/comparable headlight performance(beam pattern, cutoff, brightness output) to the OEM headlamp assembly? If I go OEM, it'll be my Christmas gift to me, as they're crazy expensive, $700 a piece.

 

Have you checked eBay or salvage yards for replacements?

 

I did check EBAY and AMAZON, browsed the local U-Pull It online, not in person, and I've come across a wide range of prices, $500 even for OE lamps that already had light oxidation and these lamps are as old as mine already, so some issues would be coming right back around the corner in due time.

I'll probably just bite the bullet and buy from my dealer or acurapartsforless, as I'm only shelling out that kind of money for Honda/Acura/Stanley projectors OE and properly sealed so I don't have to worry about condensation issues, etc..

Ebay has/had a vendor OEMASSIVE that had great prices, but there's nothing worse than wasting money. I'm surprised more MDXers of this generation haven't had these oxidation/condensation issues. I know when I purchase this new set, I'll be protecting them with some 3M or Weathertech headlamp protector.

 

I don't have the condensation issue with my 11 MDX (probably helps living in the southwest). I put 3M Paint Protective Film (PPF) on all my vehicles at time of purchase (front end, side mirrors, and headlights/fogs). I purchased my 11 MDX in 2014 with 30,000 miles and added PPF ASAP. My HIDs are still clear at 150,000 miles with 3M. If it wasn't for the condensation issue, a HID restore kit+PPF with UV protection would be the 100% solution.

 

I absolutely miss Houston weather, I didn't have this problem until i moved to the midwest a few years ago. Now my car deals with hot/cold cycles and whatever the state/city puts on the roads for melting snow. Years ago, I would've popped the hood off, removed the headlamps, wrapped them in a wet towel and pop them in the oven for a few minutes to heat up the adhesive holding front/back together and cleaned and resealed them and let the dealership detailing handle the oxidation. Now, I've got more aches and less patience for that type of poject....as I type this, my butt just tensed and my anxiety level has gone up 3 fold just thinking about removing the bumper when the headlamps arrive

 

I would get some extra clips in assorted sizes just in case you find missing ones or damage a few during removal. I ended up replacing 1/3 of the clips on my 08 RDX when I upgraded the HIDs (OSRAMs Cool Blue 5000k-6000k) because of them being missing, damaged during removal, or the clip hole was worn too large for the OEM clip to stay secure.

Amazon

Amazon

I liked the OSRAMs so much on my RDX and I upgraded my HIDs on my MDX with the same ones. Noticeable improvement over OEM HIDs bulbs. It would just be an extra 1 minute to install since you already going to have the headlight assembly off. SIDE NOTE: you can upgrade the HIDs later and you don't have to remove the bumper of the MDX. I was able to change them out and I just removed the battery to give me more room on the driver's side.

Amazon

Amazon

OEM HIDs before install in 2014:


OSRAM Cool Blue 6000k the next night after installation:

 

I know this will sound crazy, but it works:

Buy Colgate toothpaste... use a microfiber cloth and rub a good amount into the microfiber rag and then directly on the headlamp.... Worked for me.

Has to be Cologate regular toothpaste.... Don't know why....

 

I personally have not tried aftermarket for my MDX, but I've done Depo before on other cars and have not had any complaints. I'd recommend you check out Rock auto.

I've ordered the TYC fog light housing and they have been great so far for our 2011 MDX. Definitely brought life back to the front fascia. I'll probably do depo headlights in a few years as the headlight assembly is showing its 10 years of age.

 

How about Colgate Total?; only one I brush my teeth with