There is an article in todays Boston Globe about a growing problem of thefts of HID headlights. They pointed specifically to the Audi S4 and 02-03 Maxima's as prized targets because they are standard equipment and easy to extract.

Since the TL has standard HIDs has anyone heard if this is a problem?

 

The #1 insurance claim for CL's and TL's prior to 2004 has always been headlight assembly theft.

Apparently, Acura got the message and made the '04's a lot harder to steal.

 

they have the TL listing in that article also.

 

Apparently the 2004's are not as easy to remove without destroying them, only time will tell.

 

Anyone know why the 04's are harder to remove?

Just curious. I'm no thief.

 

True, it's hard to remove HID out of 04TL.

If you take a look at your engine bay, you will see how many components you have to remove before reaching to your HIDs part. Without proper tools and generous time, you have to be the veteran and destroy the whole thing to take them out.

You may take a look at your service manual, there is part telling you how to change your Fob Light...

I believe if the thief would like to get HIDs from 04TL, they still can get them with taking some time to do so when your car is parked somewhere no one can see.

 

I asked the dealer this very question prior to buying the TL. He told me that the design of the older TLs would perfectly match the Honda Civic or Accords. So they became an easy target of kids doing mods to their Hondas. He also told me there was a lack of suppy years ago. A guy I work with had his stolen from his A6 ($1800 of damage). Another friend had his Maxima's stolen twice already. I hope my dealer was right.

 

2nd gen. TLs headlights matched certain accord's headlights. ppl would steal them and sell them to kids, or i guess in some cases the kids would steal them. part of the new protection design for this problem would probably be Honda/Acura deciding to NOT match the headlights of the TL and Accord which is what should have been done before, imo.
-mischa

 

Y does it have to be kids? Why cant you say people ? Im a 16 year old, and I dont buy stolen stuff or steal stuff.

 

I didn't see too many 30 or 40 yr olds in "the fast and the furious", but your right, poor choice of words.

 

where can i get the artical online? any one?

 

http://www.boston.com/dailyglobe2/05...he_dark+.shtml

 

I'm 23 and he said kids cause those are the morons who steal that kind of crap 99.99999% of the time...like you, I do not fit into the category, but he never said all kids steal, just that kids happen to be the theives.

 

I think 04TL is a bit difficult to steal but they steal if they really want. They don't care the damage to the car and headlights!
They just want to steal bulbs, ignitors, and ballasts.
I have 2 friends whose headlights were stolen twice in 3 months..01/02 Mazima and 01CL...so sad....
TL's HID is Bi-Xenon(use same bulb for low/high beam) and it is difficuld to install. Headlight housing must me modified to achieve correct aiming......but we'll hear some people crying in front of TL without HID...don't park on street...

 

sorry about the choice of wording. it is pretty stupid of me considering the fact i kind of fit into that catagory myself. i was influenced by the reference to kids in the post a few above my own, if you take a look.
-mischa

 

There are a lot of thefts for 2nd gen TL/CL's, & 02 - 03 Maxima because those headlight assemblies can fit in earlier models without without any modification. I see these cars with missing headlights in bodyshops/dealers all the time. A pair of HID's for 02 - 03 maxima retails $1300, & it's easy to steal, that's a lot of temptation. There is an anti-theft kit for (Nissan), don't know about Acura. For the 04's (TL & Maxima), not only the HID's are harder to remove, there are no older vehicles that these assemblies can fit, so I think the theft rate should be considerably lower.