I have a 2014 Hyundai Sonata. It was one of those lucky enough to be part of the engine recall/replacement program, so at about 90K miles I got a new engine. That was early 2020 and since then it runs great, but the headlights burn out at an incredible rate (7 in three years). Is this related to the new engine installation? Is it something else? Is there anything I can do to fix it, or should I just buy a case of headlights and replace them as they burn out?
but the headlights burn out at an incredible rate (7 in three years)
That's a known issue on large Hyundais, although on the Sonata it's usually the rear lights.
Is this related to the new engine installation?
Most likely, no.
should I just buy a case of headlights and replace them as they burn out?
That's what I would do.
You can get a headlight bulb for like $3 on these, so like $7 a year - pretty negligible.
anything I can do to fix it
Inspect harnesses, inspect headlights - I'm not sure what's wrong.
If you haven't already, maybe try more a reputable bulb from Philips, Osram, Bosch, etc.
It's hard to see how the engine replacement would cause the headlights to burn out. Is voltage too high in your electrical system? (Should be somewhere in the range of 13.5 to 14.5 volts.) I've seen situations where voltage regulation fails and voltage goes up to 17-20 volts, which can burn bulbs out and over time cause other electrical damage.
Other than that be sure to use good-quality replacement bulbs, either OEM or one of the leading aftermarket brands. Cheap Chinese knockoffs are nicknamed "flash bulbs".
