Water in rear light bar

[luebri]

Hey all, just wanted to tag on to this thread as I am facing the same issue. I reported water in the tailgate light bar to my dealer earlier this year, right after I left the 3/36 coverage (I too have PremiumCARE with Lighting coverage) and was told back then that some level of water intrusion is "normal" and was denied a replacement. Recently I noticed the light bar is completely out, and now am having the same issues as you all getting replaced. Despite it being an LED light, Ford warranty is considering it a "body part" and not covering it. My service advisor is still trying to get it covered but reading all your problems is not filling me with hope.

While this truck has never stranded me, every single time it has had to go in for service it has taken a long time to fix. Last year it spent 76 consecutive days in service. Last month it was in for two weeks to replace a failed 12v battery. Now to see this problem somehow not be even a covered repair is pissing me off. I too have been a lifelong Ford guy (traded a 19 Raptor for this, I also have a GT350 currently) but my experience has me really doubting it will be a Ford that replaces this truck eventually.

Following this thread for hopefully some good news....

If you have not already, file a NHTSA complaint ( https://www.nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem ) hopefully with enough complaints Ford is forced to do another and more exhaustive recall for this.

Having to replace a $1000 to $1500 part every year or so is complete BS for an issues that's been there from the very beginning with these trucks. Then they recalled and failed to resolve it. It's double BS if the Extended Warranty with lighting coverage doesnt cover it. $1000 to $1500 could buy me a lot of gas and wipes out most of the cost of ownership "savings" we are supposed to be getting from this truck vs ICE.

Random thoughts... do you guys think getting a PFF wrap on it would provide better protection or would it just trap moisture and make the problem worse?

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[DarkL1ghtn1ng]

If you have not already, file a NHTSA complaint ( https://www.nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem ) hopefully with enough complaints Ford is forced to do another and more exhaustive recall for this.

Having to replace a $1000 to $1500 part every year or so is complete BS for an issues that's been there from the very beginning with these trucks. Then they recalled and failed to resolve it. It's double BS if the Extended Warranty with lighting coverage doesnt cover it. $1000 to $1500 could buy me a lot of gas and wipes out most of the cost of ownership "savings" we are supposed to be getting from this truck vs ICE.

Random thoughts... do you guys think getting a PFF wrap on it would provide better protection or would it just trap moisture and make the problem worse?

I filed a complaint with NHTSA in April when my request to replace the lamp (still working, but with moisture inside) was denied because this is "normal". Last night, I started thinking, hey, this feels like fraud to sell me a warranty that covers LED lights and then not cover said LED lights. So I asked the dealer for the denial he got in writing, so that I can create a new NHTSA complaint now *and* file a complaint with the Attorney General's office in my state. Here is what they sent him:

" your claim is denied due to water intrusion. A subject matter expert advised that Ford and Lincoln Protect will not participate in this claim as the lighting option only covers electrical failures on incandescent bulbs, halogen bulbs, High Intensity Discharge (HID) and [Light-Emitting Diode] LED lamp assemblies. A mechanical failure of a lamp assembly that allows water intrusion (fogging/moisture) is not a covered failure. A resulting electrical failure from this moisture/water would be consequential to the mechanical failure and would not be covered. "

So, water intrusion is normal, but a failure from water intrusion is not covered. ????????

At this point I am wondering if swapping with a non-lightbarred tailgate would be the answer, since Ford seems to be absolutely clueless.

 

[luebri]

At this point I am wondering if swapping with a non-lightbarred tailgate would be the answer, since Ford seems to be absolutely clueless.

You would need to swap out the flanking tail lights with the version that has Reverse lights as well and determine how to get those wired to the reverse lights in a way that would cause the truck not to throw a bunch of error codes.

In short... Not easy. Very expensive. Not viable (IMO)

 

[DarkL1ghtn1ng]

You would need to swap out the flanking tail lights with the version that has Reverse lights as well and determine how to get those wired to the reverse lights in a way that would cause the truck not to throw a bunch of error codes.

In short... Not easy. Very expensive. Not viable (IMO)

The flanking lights already have reverse lights in them don't they? With the tailgate up, they are covered by a bit of metal on the tailgate that is not on ICE F-150s, but with it down they are visible. I think they have to be, because there would be no indicator the vehicle is in reverse with the tailgate down or removed otherwise.

 

[luebri]

The flanking lights already have reverse lights in them don't they? With the tailgate up, they are covered by a bit of metal on the tailgate that is not on ICE F-150s, but with it down they are visible. I think they have to be, because there would be no indicator the vehicle is in reverse with the tailgate down or removed otherwise.

I guess I assumed they were not, as what was even the point of putting in the light bar then? Maybe primarily for zone lighting?

 

[DarkL1ghtn1ng]

I guess I assumed they were not, as what was even the point of putting in the light bar then? Maybe primarily for zone lighting?

I think it was to be differentiate from the regular F150 a little, like the front light bar. Looks fancy (when working)

Too bad its real use is to show off how much water you can carry around!

 

[luebri]

I think it was to be differentiate from the regular F150 a little, like the front light bar. Looks fancy (when working)

Too bad its real use is to show off how much water you can carry around!

I agree the light bar itself is completely superfulous, and was added to the higher trims as a fancy differentiator, which makes this whole debacle and current liability very frustrating.

That said, I was specifically was saying why integrate the white reverse light into the light bar at all if it's also in the normal brake light assembly flanking the tailgate for the higher trims.

 

[DarkL1ghtn1ng]

I agree the light bar itself is completely superfulous, and was added to the higher trims as a fancy differentiator, which makes this whole debacle and current liability very frustrating.

That said, I was specifically was saying why integrate the white reverse light into the light bar at all if it's also in the normal brake light assembly flanking the tailgate for the higher trims.

Oh, I see. Yea, I don't know - I am guessing you may be right regarding zone lighting. Its pretty bright!

I also did some more reading about the original recall, and it wasn't because moisture was getting into the red part. It was specifically because water got into the reverse lighting part and shorted that out - thats the safety hazard.

You probably already knew that, but I didn't. So far my reverse light is still working but I don't have much confidence that will remain the case.

 

[luebri]

You probably already knew that, but I didn't. So far my reverse light is still working but I don't have much confidence that will remain the case.

Yea I was aware. I had the issue occur both to the old part (back in 2022) and the new post-recall part in April 2025. Each time the white reverse light started to flicker and ultimately fail a few weeks after I noticed the light bar went into "aquarium mode". I believe my initial repair the reverse camera ended up failing as well as it took much longer to get it replaced as they had very limited repair parts stock at that time.

 

[2sleep]

My dealer just told me that after talking with ford for me that they would not cover it despite having the extended warranty for lighting.
They want $1600 for the repair with no guarantee that it won't happen again.

 

[luebri]

My dealer just told me that after talking with ford for me that they would not cover it despite having the extended warranty for lighting.
They want $1600 for the repair with no guarantee that it won't happen again.

@Ford Motor Company Brian, this is complete and utter BS. This has been an issue from Day 1 of the Lightning. Ford knows it, they issued a recall, but the post recall part is susceptible to the same issue. It's widespread, and now is affecting the earliest (and likely most loyal) lightning owners in their wallet because Ford has not addressed it properly.

Respectually if Ford cant live up to "Built Ford Tough" they should at least do the right thing and cover the repair.

 

[2sleep]

I will say that the dealer contacted WEPA (whatever that is) and they stated the seals on the lamp assembly is the issue and they would not cover it. Although the federal government is shut down, I do plan on contacting my state attorney general consumer protection bureau and working from that direction. Would this be something that a class action lawyer would be interested in? I purchased my extended warranty with the light protection after I had the first light bar went out specifically because of this. Sounds a bit like a bait and switch IMHO.

 

[ddbrooke]

I've posted my experience in another thread on this issue but I'll summarize it here.
After being told by my dealer that a second replacement isn't covered they gave me a number for the Ford Recall Team. I spoke to a lady that told me that I had 'good will credit' through my wife's purchase of two Lincolns??? Made no sense to me.

She repeatedly asked me what portion of the repair cost I was willing to pay. My answer was zero each time. She directed me to go back to the dealer and have them create an estimate and email it to her. Weeks later because of the diligence of the service rep at Shultz Ford Harmarville, Pa. I finally heard back from her with the news that Ford would cover the repair. But once again she asked how much I would pay. I finally just threw out $200-$300. Once I told her that she finally explained that if I paid nothing, the parts would be as is no warranty and by paying something I would get the normal 1yr warranty.
The dealer will complete the repair this Friday.

I'm glad I'm being taken care of but this is ridiculous. The ' IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL' letter sent to me in June of 2023, makes clear that Ford and NHTSA considered this to be a serious safety issue and that it would take until the 4th quarter of 2023 for a redesigned part to be made available.
So when the redesign fails to fix the issue Ford gets to just say ' we gave it a shot, what more do you want us to do'.

To the Ford rep that monitors this forum. It's quite obvious that this is not an isolated problem. From just a goodwill point of view, why is your company willing to create such a negative experience for your loyal customers over a clearly defective part.

UPDATE 10/19/2025
The repair was completed on 10/17/2025 at a cost of $100
I worked with the Customer Relations Center - Battery Electric Vehicle Team 866-631-3788

 

[DarkL1ghtn1ng]

Well, my reverse light is now failed as well. Ford still refuses to cover this under the warranty I paid extra for, even though it was covered by the recall. The battery electric team was "unable to find an active program that could assist with the repair cost".

 

[locks66]

I bought my car used. The light bar was fixed October 2 years ago. I went in in June. They told me some moisture was normal and told me to leave. I've got moisture in there again now causing flickering. Took it to the dealer dealer. Did try to press Ford. Ford says it's my problem. Dealer is trying to fight it again for me. I do like my local dealer a lot.

I filed the nhtsa complaint. I'm also going to file a complaint with my attorney general and the BBB. I should not be on the hook for this light bar for how expensive it is and for the fact it's been recalled once for moisture intrusion.

I'm under the warranty. The fact that they are trying to fight this is insane

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