Moisture in the tail lightbar

[JDub]

Can you lemon law it ?

Sponsored

 

[rdr854]

Similar story... We collectively need to continue making a stink to Ford about this. The initial recall fix was not sufficient as many of us have now had the issue occur after the recall was done. It is 100% a safety issue... the white Reverse light ceases to operate if not replaced in time.

My experience....

1. February 2023 – 1st Replacent done under warranty for electrical malfunction caused by substantial water intrusion (first observed in December 2022, approximately one month after taking delivery).

2. September 2023 – Replaced under Recall 23S30. I do not recall whether the failure occurred prior to this service or if the part was replaced proactively as part of the recall.

3. April 2025 – Replaced again just prior to the 36,000-mile warranty expiration, due to similar symptoms of water intrusion and corresponding lighting malfunction.

At this point I have no reason to believe this wont be a continuing liability throughout the ownership of the truck. Hopefully I am covered under my Extended warranty but some have debated that. Either way even extend warranty doesnt last forever... it's a known issue and Ford needs to resolve it.

I am covered under the afore extended service plan because I have the LED light endorsement.

 

[chl]

So it seems like this is a Lariat trim lightbar problem, the one at the bottom of the tail gate?

I wonder if anyone has figured out where the water is getting in and how to seal it up?

Is it rain/car wash water coming in along the internal wiring somehow, of from the outside around the edges of the light for example? Probably not just moist air, but air gaps can be filled with sealant where ever they are, around wires, gaskets, etc.

If it were me, I guess I would try to DIY seal it up somehow (IF I knew where it leaked that would be even better) with a good quality silicone sealant like this in a way (a tail light but same idea maybe) or weather stripping sealant?



And/or put in a larger drain hole (seems like they might already have a small drain hole?) somewhere where it would not show so the water could drain better and would not accumulate - maybe 1/4" size hole. The electrical code allows drain holes under some circumstances in junction box electrical boxes (weep holes) where moisture is a problem.

"NEC code for weep holes
314.15 Damp or Wet Locations. Weep holes up to 1/4 in. are now allowed to be drilled into boxes installed in damp and wet locations. Code Change Summary: Boxes installed in damp or wet locations can now have drilled weep holes.
Approved drainage openings not smaller than 3 mm (1/8 in.) and not larger than 6 mm (1/4 in.) in diameter shall be permitted to be installed in the field in boxes or conduit bodies listed for use in damp or wet locations."

I wonder what AI says about this issue...

"A common issue in Ford F-150s is water leaking into the rear light bar, often leading to condensation or even a full water fill. This can be caused by worn seals, poor sealing around the LED modules, or water entering through drain holes or the tailgate. The fix typically involves resealing the light bar or replacing the entire assembly, sometimes under warranty"

Wow, there are so many YouTube video about Ford tail lights and other lights, windows, etc. having water leaks!

Which reminded me that one time the light at the top of the back of my 2001 Ranger cab got water in it and failed inspection in Virginia because the brake and backup light bulbs didn't work. I replaced the bulbs and added a high quality (expensive) silicone sealant (caulk) before I put it back on.

Not sure how you would seal the lightbar, maybe remove it, add silicone caulk/adhesive/sealant, and replace it, and hope for the best. Maybe a local garage mechanic could do it for you.

Seems like Ford hasn't been able to solve the issue - just replaces it with another one bound to fail.

If not possible to fix the problem, Ford should the replace the lightbar with some other signalling light.

Doesn't it seem like sometimes the higher level trims have more problems than the basic trims?

Pathetic.

 

[chl]

I fix holes in my jeans with Gorilla tape. Works well on the soles of worn out slippers too.
I have repaired broken off side rear view mirrors with epoxy.
Gotta be a DIYer who solved this lightbar issue out there somewhere?

 

[SnakeJazzismyjam]

It’s not just the Lariat man. Platinums have this same issue too. Insane. Mine is doing the same thing and Ford just dismisses it.

 

[luebri]

I am covered under the afore extended service plan because I have the LED light endorsement.

are you certain it would be covered? On this thread someone said that even with lighting coverage on the extended warranty it got denied.

https://www.f150lightningforum.com/...-light-leaking-after-recall.26444/post-510479

 

[MichaelCA]

Mines been fine since the recall and new part number. I’ll have to keep an eye on it.

 

[SnakeJazzismyjam]

Mines been fine since the recall and new part number. I’ll have to keep an eye on it.

Please do watch keep an eye on it dude.

Mine was replaced with the recall and crapped out literally days after the 1 yr recall part warranty. The dealer and Ford Corporate are telling me I’m out of luck.

Even after the diagnosis, they never told me what part was actually installed, but it’s defective and holding water like the first one.

 

[RickLightning]

Anyone who has this re-fail should file with the NHTSA, it's quite easy. https://www.nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem#index

By re-fail, I mean cease to function. Moisture in a light is not a failure, in fact it's by design in headlights and taillights. This light should not have moisture IMO, but if it functions, then you have less argument on replacement.

 

[SnakeJazzismyjam]

Anyone who has this re-fail should file with the NHTSA, it's quite easy. https://www.nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem#index

By re-fail, I mean cease to function. Moisture in a light is not a failure, in fact it's by design in headlights and taillights. This light should not have moisture IMO, but if it functions, then you have less argument on replacement.

Gotcha. I filed with NHTSA the other day. And I have the trifecta of water, strobe/dead light failure, and camera damage. Mine checks all 3 boxes unfortunately. After the recall…

 

[RickLightning]

Gotcha. I filed with NHTSA the other day. And I have the trifecta of water, strobe/dead light failure, and camera damage. Mine checks all 3 boxes unfortunately. After the recall…

Great you did that. They have to act when they see safety issues like this, as part of what appears to be an unresolved recall...

 

[luebri]

Anyone who has this re-fail should file with the NHTSA, it's quite easy. https://www.nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem#index

By re-fail, I mean cease to function. Moisture in a light is not a failure, in fact it's by design in headlights and taillights. This light should not have moisture IMO, but if it functions, then you have less argument on replacement.

All true and totally agree that everyone needs to do their due diligence and file with NHTSA.

Each time mine failed the first thing I noticed it was the White Reverse Lights would begin to flicker. Sticks out like a sore thumb when going in reverse at night.

Very disappointed that Ford is making anyone have to cover this out of their pockets. Its obviously a design flaw.

 

[jimfigler]

I am covered under the afore extended service plan because I have the LED light endorsement.

I've posts where people with extended warranty w/light add-on are getting denied as Ford claims it is not a light and it considered a trim piece

 

[rdr854]

I've posts where people with extended warranty w/light add-on are getting denied as Ford claims it is not a light and it considered a trim piece

Problem for Ford is that it is a light that has the required reverse lights to meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS). That is the reason the light bar was subject to a NHTSA safety recall.

 

[chl]

If out of warranty and no mandatory NHTSA safety recall making Ford fix it, it looks like one might do one of three things:

1) drill a series of small drain holes along the bottom so water can drain out B4 it causes and electrical problem; or
2) locate the source of the rain water and seal the hole(s) up with a good quality silicone caulk, for example; or
3) relocate the back-up lights to the tail lights somehow, maybe by replacing the existing tail lights with ones that have the back-up lights in them - maybe a lower trim level one would fit - then the light bar would be merely decorative and if it fails to light up due to water, so be it.

If Ford tries to fix it 3 times (the usual) and it still fails, have Ford buy back the truck under the lemon laws in your jurisdiction, or give you a new Lightning. (just kidding)

Sponsored