Headlights failing on 2009 CX-9

The front left headlight failed. Replaced bulb. The bulb was about $150 and labor was about $150. (This model seems to have horrible, one-off bulbs and assemblies.

Now after 4 months the Front left will just go off after being on a little while.

What could it be?
 
The front left headlight failed. Replaced bulb. The bulb was about $150 and labor was about $150. (This model seems to have horrible, one-off bulbs and assemblies.

Now after 4 months the Front left will just go off after being on a little while.

What could it be?

Doing a quick Google search, your CX-9 uses either H11 bulbs if it was factory equipped with halogen headlights, or D2S bulbs if it was factory equipped with HID headlights. The difference between the two is that the D2S bulbs are much brighter, they only came on specific trim levels, and they require a ballast to be added to the headlight assembly to regulate the current to the headlight. The bulbs will wear out over time, requiring replacement just like a halogen bulb would. The ballasts may also need replacement eventually, but most of the time, they don't.

The problem with the front left bulb could be the ballast. You can test to see if this is the case by swapping the new bulb you got 4 months ago to the left side, and the old one to the right. If it does the exact same thing, the problem is likely caused by the ballast.

For future reference, you can use any D2S bulb in your CX-9; they aren't proprietary. RockAuto.com shows a bunch of options for D2S bulbs ranging in price from $30-$50 CDN per bulb. If you need a new ballast, they also have brand new options made by Dorman for $233 CDN, or you can source a used ballast from an auto wrecker or eBay.

If you're interested in doing the bulb swaps and new bulb/ballast installations yourself, here is another great video to reference, in addition to the video posted above. This is specifically for non-HID bulb replacement, but it should be very similar for HID-equipped models.

 
NAPA lists the halogen high beam as 9005 (US$9) while the halogen low beam is the H11 ($18). Follow sm1ke's always excellent advice for the high intensity discharge lamps.
 
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