Melted plastic where the lamp is positioned (by 7 users)

I also have a 2004 kdf-42we655 with the plastic melted and blackened around the lamp. I am going to call for service tomorrow. I am not expecting any help from sony. The TV still works, it is starting to get a little dim, which is why I opened to replace lamp.

I REMOVED THE COVER TO REPLACE MY BULB AND NEEDED TO REPLACE THE WHOLE ASSEMBLY. MELTED AND CRACKED THE BULB INCASEMENT AND COVER , REPLACED YESTERDAY 3/31 FOR $165.00 HOPE IT WORKS AND DOES NOT GO UP IN FLAMES.TOOK PICTURES OF CURRENT DAMAGE AND HELD ON TO BROKEN PARTS.

I have the same issue, my lamp went out after almost 3 years of flawless performance. BUT, when I pulled out the bad lamp, I discovered that all the plastic around the housing is melted and covered by black and dark brown soot. The cover that you initially take off to remove lamp is badly melted and wont even go back on and line up. I have taken many pictures of this and am waiting for an answer from the repair service center on whether they have resolved similar issues or if Sony covers what is obviously a design flaw. My fan is in good working condition and I keep it clean. The thing is, a person would never know that this is happening unless they pull the lamp out and there is no need to do this unless it goes out. Now I am stuck with a $4000.00 dollar paper weight because as it turns out, my lamp is not bad, it just melted things so bad that the connections don't make contact anymore due to massive corrosion or heat related build up on the connections themselves so they don't make contact, at least not metal to metal contact. After talking to the technician tomorrow I will know which direction I need to go in.
Thanks

The plastic around my "lamp" is also melted. Called for Warranty Service because of the pink splotches on the screen. Not only is the plastic melted, the plastic box the "lamp" is in is cracked beyond repair. I too amy afraid this is a fire hazard, never mind the fire retardancy, if it's hot enough to melt what's to say it wouldn't be hot enough to catch something on fire. I do know the front cover on the TV was as hot as "fire" and "Mama ain't happy". Paid $2500 for the TV exactly 3 years ago and now.....what a steal!!

sony wouldn't recogize as a problem. Contac the "US Consumer Product Commision". I did, and filed a safty concern.