Excessive Tail Light Condensation

[jrRaptor]

Took the Raptor in yesterday for warranty and recall work since the drivers side tail light has excessive condensation to the point water trickles down inside. The Blind Spot sensor screw tabs are broken so the sensors don't seal against the gasket allowing water penetration. Ford Service took both the driver and passenger sides apart and found they are both broken. I guess someone on the assembly line got torque happy? No issues other than the drivers side getting more and more water inside. So far it's not the comical scene of a fish tank tail light but I could see it getting there. Ford is quoting the 2 tail light assemblies for the Ranger Raptor at over $6300. They took lots of photos and submitted claim so just awaiting permission to cover under warranty and order 2 tail light assemblies. Seems silly, it's just the sensor tabs that are broken but you have to get the whole assembly.

Was also told Ford is kind of stingy when it comes to owners taking things apart to inspect and then making a warranty claim. Take that statement as you will.

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[Jason B]

Should be covered under 3yr 36k bumper to bumper warranty.
I see them listed as $2952 each side, but available at Levitttown for $1949 each side. Still pricey.

 

[JustNick]

I also have condensation on the driver side, but it only shows up when I'm washing the truck on a hot day. The paint is chipped right above the taillight too, so I'm sure it's related. Looks to me like someone when to town installing it and it's jammed up against the body hard

 

[Blue Ridge Raptor]

I’ve noticed the same issue on my driver side tail light. I’ll be bringing it in to the dealer next week to document the Issue. I’ll be darned if I’ll pay $2500 for a tail light assembly!

 

[POULINR]

Sir-

Glad to hear the moisture is gone. I found the technical service bulletin from Ford and this is normal operation.

Exterior lamps are vented to allow accumulated water vapor to be expelled and accommodate normal changes in pressure inside the lamp. This vent system allows accumulated vapor to be expelled from the lamp over time. The vent system continuously operates even when the lamps are not powered on, however, it is most effective when the lamps are powered on and while the vehicle is in motion.
A fine mist or white fog, frost, condensation on the interior side of the lamp lens can be a natural by-product of this vented design. This is normal during cold, wet (rain), damp (humid) conditions or after a carwash. The thin mist eventually clears and exits through the vents during normal operation.

 

[Blue Ridge Raptor]

Well, there you have it - normal operation. Wonder why it’s only on one side?

 

[jrRaptor]

Photos for reference

 

[Blue Ridge Raptor]

Very helpful photos jrRaptor! I sure wish I’d mentioned this when I ok mine in for the airbag recall. I can understand the tail light assembly being vented to allow condensation to escape, but there’s no way it should collect that much water. Guess I’ll bring mine in to the dealer to at least document the water and get them to open it up and look.
$2-3K for a Ford tail light assembly is effing crazy!

 

[jrRaptor]

Yes, the sensor has a rubber seal around it, indicating the purpose is to seal that area from water. When the screw tabs are broken, the seal is compromised.

 

[jrRaptor]

Dealership called me on Friday and told me to bring it in so I stopped by right before lunch and dropped it off. Went running errands and saw my truck drive by on the highway lol. Testing out the blind spot monitoring I guess. Was kind of a pain overall, seems Ford wanted lots of documentation and pics of the tail lights. Service basically had to prove that it wasn't caused by me. At $3k a pop I can see why.

Anyways, will monitor car washes and see how the new tail lights fare.

Note to Ford: Turn the torque down on your assembly line tools or retrain the new guy that snug until you can't snug any more isn't the right method.

 

[Blue Ridge Raptor]

Update on this:
Had service manager look at mine & he immediately said “yep, that’ll be covered under warranty”. He ordered the part & now I’m at the dealership having them install it.
much easier process than I was expecting. Apparently if the condensation covers 50% or more or the inside of the tail light, or if there’s water dripping down inside (both were present on mine), it is covered by warranty. Really happy to get this taken care of.

 

[jrRaptor]

Good deal. I think getting these replaced like anything else warranty-wise is YMMV depending on the dealer, who knows. I got both replaced even though the other wasn't showing any condensation. It was obvious though upon removal that the tabs were broken on both tail lights.

If installing new blind spot sensors, they do need to calibrate them. I've noticed my new ones are calibrated different from how it came from the factory. When I got it new, I could see vehicles in the side view mirrors and back a little as the warning popped up - so technically not really in my blind spot but I preferred this. Now cars are a lot closer before the warning shows on the side view mirrors. But in defense, they are in my blind spot so they are working.

 

[Blue Ridge Raptor]

I’ll be keeping my eye on the other tail light & will take it in at the first sign of condensation.
side note: I don‘t purchase vehicles from this dealership because I don’t like working with their sales dept. However, their service department has been great to deal with & they have done a great job so far. Saves me a 60 mile drive to another dealer.

 

[spazzyfry123]

Chalk up another. I think I'm at the rate of my truck being in the service department for about 50% of my ownership. Both of mine were fogged up this weekend after driving in rain.

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