Driver's Side view rear mirror: double vision, blurry image, ghosting

[Timon]

Hi all,

Recently, I purchased a brand new LC 200. From the first day of ownership, I've been noticing that the driver's side view mirror looks a little out of focus which is really unnerving to have on the brand new car for $90K. Every light source that reflects from the mirror, even during day time is kinda doubled - instead of 2 head lights in the mirror I will see 4 (look at the BMW headlights on the attached images). It becomes more apparent during night time. It is like I am experiencing a double vision. However, when I look at the rear view mirror or in the passenger's side view mirror - the picture is perfectly clear and in focus.

It took a little bit of patience but I was able to convince a mechanic from my dealership and they replaced the driver's side view mirror (just the glass part) under warranty. However the new replaced mirror produces exactly same out of focus image. The mechanic said that probably it is supposed to be like that. I cannot believe that this is normal. Can you guys confirm the issue - do you also have problems with blurry out of focus reflection. All mirrors in my car have that autodialing feature, but only driver's side view mirror produces out of focus reflection. I am attaching a couple of pictures as an example.

Please share your experience and recommendations/suggestions on what can I do next.
The dealership told me to escalate the issue to corporate level.
Thank you!

 

[airforce1]

Yes, looks unusual. You might be seeing some diffraction effects.

Try this:

Pull off both mirrors.

Place them side by side and see if you notice any differences in finish and quality.

Them hold the passenger side mirror up to the driver's side mirror pod and see if you can replicate the problem.

Also, does adjusting the mirror angle eliminate the problem?

 

[TonyP]

If it's brand new, take it to another dealer and/or call Toyota.

 

[Timon]

Thank you for your suggestions/recommendations. BTW, how do you take of the glass part of the mirror? Is there a manual available?

Update: Talked to Toyota this morning. They say they rely heavily on the dealership determination which is: "it is supposed to be like that".
Toyota offered a comparison with another Land Cruiser at another dealership on Monday. Will update.

 

[SWUtah]

Is it the same with the window rolled up or down?

 

[SWUtah]

Actually looks normal to me in those pictures you took

 

[luke27617]

take to dealer to have it replaced.

 

[Timon]

Well, here is an update.
I contacted Toyota corporate customer support. They scheduled alike vehicle comparison at another dealership. A technician at a new dealership was very supportive and actually confirmed that there is some double vision in the mirror. He also said that they sell may be 3-5 LCs per year and he isn't really familiar with the car. When they brought in another vehicle for a comparison I could see the double vision in its side mirrors too (although it was less severe than on mine). I guess at this point I will drop the claim.

The thing is that I also own Lexus Rx 350 2017 and it also has auto dimming side mirrors. However, it does not have double vision problem. So I guess, Toyota decided that LC for $90K does not deserve good working side mirrors with the same level of quality as Lexus. If I knew that I may have chosen the LX instead.

 

[Markuson]

Hi all,

Recently, I purchased a brand new LC 200. From the first day of ownership, I've been noticing that the driver's side view mirror looks a little out of focus which is really unnerving to have on the brand new car for $90K. Every light source that reflects from the mirror, even during day time is kinda doubled - instead of 2 head lights in the mirror I will see 4 (look at the BMW headlights on the attached images). It becomes more apparent during night time. It is like I am experiencing a double vision. However, when I look at the rear view mirror or in the passenger's side view mirror - the picture is perfectly clear and in focus.

It took a little bit of patience but I was able to convince a mechanic from my dealership and they replaced the driver's side view mirror (just the glass part) under warranty. However the new replaced mirror produces exactly same out of focus image. The mechanic said that probably it is supposed to be like that. I cannot believe that this is normal. Can you guys confirm the issue - do you also have problems with blurry out of focus reflection. All mirrors in my car have that autodialing feature, but only driver's side view mirror produces out of focus reflection. I am attaching a couple of pictures as an example.

Please share your experience and recommendations/suggestions on what can I do next.
The dealership told me to escalate the issue to corporate level.
Thank you!

View attachment 1741701

View attachment 1741702

Could just be minor effects of the night-darkening layer.

I only see doubles where the headlights sit in a dark spot.

The rest of the image looks fine.

To me, this is a non-issue.

Mirrors are designed to let you see stuff around you. You are zooming in on photos of tiny points of light adainst darkt via the mirror, which is surely beyond the mirror’s intended optical performance goals.

I really think it has to do with the dimming layer for night driving.

 

[Timon]

Could just be minor effects of the night-darkening layer.

I only see doubles where the headlights sit in a dark spot.

The rest of the image looks fine.

Exactly, the mirror doubles all sources of light.
. Also, all remote objects kind of doubles too, so the eye cannot focus and as a result it strains the eyes.

But it is much harder to demonstrate on a picture.

It obviously is a defect. I'm just surprised nobody else posted about it. I found lots of posts about this issue but either old (from 2008-2010) or related to other car manufacturers.

 

[Markuson]

If it’s new/under warranty...

Go sit in another new LC. If it’s different, just have them replace the mirror on yours.

If it’s clearly different...should be an easy conversation.

I would not suggest going in with the $99 vehicle morror argument though. They don’t make $40k mirrors and $90k mirrors. That $50 goes elsewhere.

 

[Timon]

I have already done that. I described it in my first today's post.

"$90K vehicle" is not an argument which I used, but rather my impression, I just expected more..

I have already put almost 3K miles on the LC now, so I think I'm getting used to it, eventually.

 

[JimSienna]

Hello Timmon Your are definitely not "seeing things" or "imagining" that this should be better! Driving down the road at night with blurry out the left side and crystal clear out the right side IS a problem with the mirror. I know because I am experiencing the same issue with my Toyota Sienna... It was "fine" before I tore the mirror apart to fix the broken auto fold on the driver side mirror. The plastic gear broke in the motor and so taking the whole mirror apart was necessary (much longer story there). Suffice to say that while driving one night, I noticed the annoying halo, that you captured so well, around the headlights of the cars behind me. I looked over to the rear view, no halo, looked in the passenger mirror, crystal clear!

I have tried swapping the mirrors left and right, to see if the electric charge for the defrost might change the image, no luck! Not sure where the problem lies but it is annoying as all get up. If I were in your shoes I would not let the dealership sleep till they fixed this problem. I can only blame myself for taking the mirror apart, you unfortunately bought your problem. You have a remedy with the customer service at Toyota, me I will have to shell out $450 for the new mirror. Good to know that I will also have to check it at the dealership before I bring it home to save the $1000 install.

Keep us posted and don't give up! you deserve more for your very expensive car!

 

[swatski]

Huh!
Kind of glad I found and read this thread, thought I was going crazy! LOL.

Driver side side (planar) mirror is definitely blurry when looking at the distance. My windows are not absolutely clean most of the time, so I chalked it to that, but it is definitely in issue.
I don’t think it’s a huge deal, but it’s there - it’s blurry!!! With that halo effect.

The passenger side mirror which is convex is sharp, no double vision or halo effects.

Oh well.

—

 

[cailoh]

I have already done that. I described it in my first today's post.

"$90K vehicle" is not an argument which I used, but rather my impression, I just expected more..

I have already put almost 3K miles on the LC now, so I think I'm getting used to it, eventually.

hello! how are you holding up since it's been a couple years?? I just bought a new car, a Honda van and I have a really slight out of focus driver side mirror and it drives me nuts. I've never noticed this in others I've test drove or other vehicles. I wanted to try to pinpoint what the issue is before I took it in. It is clear when I'm sitting still, but not when I'm driving. maybe a vibration issue?

 

[Honda Odyssey]

Replaced glass only with OEM on drivers side. Double vision quite pronounced both day and night on this 21 LX Odyssey.