Just like many of you, my left & right 2002 Hella fog lamps take turns to corrode & malfunction within months.

So I called up Hella and got the same story about their suggested remedy to Toyota which is a plate to divert water from splashing onto the fogs but that Toyota declined to offer this plate as an OEM option. In short, Hella puts the blame on Toyota.

While talking to my local Toyota dealer, a part manager told me that Hella knew it since day one precisely where their fogs would be placed in the 4Runner so it is actually Hella's fault to supply them this incompatible component.

So, this is what I think we can & should do. Toyota guarantees the parts that they sell for 1 year. So save your receipt. As one fog malfunctions, demand a free replacement via your Toyota dealer. Since that right & left fogs are identical, your receipt entitles you to a brand new fog regardless of which side actually malfunctions. You can only do this if it malfunctions within a year. But then for safety's sake, I will examine even functional fog on its 11th month of life and as long as you see any substantial corrosion, demand a new one from Toyota!

If you live in the N.E. of the US, your fog will most likely die within 6 months anyway.

Sorry but I just needed to vent and share this 'discovery' with someone. Needless to say, Toyota is giving me a free replacement fog tomorrow.

Edward

 

wouldn't it be a pita to keep getting it replaced? why not switch to PIAA's? I hear those are pretty sweet. a little $$ but a lot less of a pain. I had the hella fogs, and mine corroded after about a year. but now I have a TJM and no fogs.