Cracked taillights

[The Great Gazoo]

the service tech at the dealer I took it to seemed less than interested in my concerns and for lack of a better description treated me like a POS. He obviously didn't care at all

This happens way too often to me as well. They treat customers like they don't know what they are talking about. I think it is safe to say that the majority of Mustang owners know more about the cars than they do so they should listen to us when we talk about our issues. It would save them time (aka money) when diagnosing issues since we have already researched the problem.

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[DarkHorse5.0]

This happens way too often to me as well. They treat customers like they don't know what they are talking about. I think it is safe to say that the majority of Mustang owners know more about the cars than they do so they should listen to us when we talk about our issues. It would save them time (aka money) when diagnosing issues since we have already researched the problem.

Amen! I'll be the first to admit I don't know everything but I've owned, modded, repaired, hand washed and detailed and LIVED with this car for over a year and a half now. So yeah it may be safe to say we know more than some of these guys

 

[RIBS]

Is it possible your tint guy took the lights out to tint them and over tightened when reinstalling, causing the cracks?? Ussually tail lights have big rubber washers that rest on the body, and a bolt that passes through to the trunk. Overtighning compresses the rubber washer and if clearances are tight can stress the tail light assembly and possibly crack it...I did it to a car in the 80's and learned my lesson!!

They usually need just enough tighning to seal out water....

 

[15Black3.7]

I'm assuming he used vinyl which means he probably did it himself with the lights on the car. That's how most people do it anyways. So no removing of the lights whatsoever

 

[FordService]

Hey fellow Mustang owners!

I own a 2015 GT equipped with the 50 Years Edition package. I had covered them with a tinted vinyl but I realized when I removed the vinyl that the taillight lenses were cracked. One of them isn't too terrible and is barely visible because of its location on the lens. The others however are really bad, enough that moisture gets in them during washes and although it doesn't rain much here in sunny CA mother nature would probably have the same effect. :tsk:

I took my car in to a dealer for a non related issue and asked them while I was there if warranty would cover cracked and possibly faulty lenses. To my dismay the service manager told me that Ford had declined warranty on my poor lenses.

I have a buddy that had some issues with his 50th tails cracking as well. He's on the East Coast and kept his car garaged during the snowy months. His cracked while being parked in his garage!! :frusty:

I am trying to see if anyone else has experienced a similar problem. If so or if anyone knows anything that could help me and others out please respond below. Right now Ford is stating that they will not warranty this but if there is enough people that have had the same thing happen maybe there is a way to get this fixed without having to shell out over a grand for new parts when it's possible the product came to us defective.

Mine is cracked not just on the lenses but also on the taillight surround bezels. And I have never altered the outer part in any way. I understand if there is something about the vinyl that is cracking the lens itself but there is no other explanation for this bezel to crack other than faulty product. I only say this because my car has never been hit or introduced to extreme temperature

Let’s get this documented for you, DarkHorse5.0. Please, PM me with your VIN, dealer, mileage, full name, and best daytime number.

I've noticed on my tail light a very small but noticeable crack. (driver side) But I didn't put any tints on them. I've used Adam's cleaning products on it. I'm not sure that'll make a difference.

I recommend you bring it in and get it looked at, Stangman21. Let me know what they say.

Deysha

 

[Keiferson22]

Washed my car yesterday and found a crack running along the bottom passenger side inboard taillight. Really strange, no signs of stress or impact or abrasion anywhere yet there it is, a nice crack. I'm very particular and take very good care of my car. It spends a lot of time in the garage and i have never tinted them.

 

[Keiferson22]

So I took my car into the dealer to see if I could file a warranty claim for my cracked tail light. I won't know the outcome till next week. Just curious if to know if anyone had any luck with this?

 

[15Black3.7]

No luck. Had to buy a new taillight. They wouldn't even consider warranty covering it

 

[Keiferson22]

No luck. Had to buy a new taillight. They wouldn't even consider warranty covering it

That's frustrating. I guess I won't get my hopes up. No scratches, dents, chips or anything. Just what appears to be a stress crack.

 

[15Black3.7]

Same here. There was no damage or scratches at all. Ford claimed that I must have "hit the taillight" without leaving any marks and that's how it cracked

 

[jbailer]

I have the 50 Yr App package, just went out and inspected my tail lights closely after reading this and I have no cracks. I thought about picking up a set from another member about a year ago. There were a lot of people hating on the chrome trim on them. Personally I really like it. Chrome is very nice as long as it is SUBTLE, just an accent.

Now I'm wishing I would have gone ahead and bought them. I can hear the dealer now, with a crack, they will swear it is physical damage that will not be covered by warranty. and how do you prove to them the lights just cracked on their own?

*Edit: Having said that though, it's very nice that Deysha is still actively involved, helping us. In the end, it is Ford's call, not the dealer. The dealer will inspect and report to Ford what they observe and then it's up to Ford to make the call.

 

[15Black3.7]

Most of the time ford listens to what the dealer says on warranty claims so that's not entirely true

 

[jbailer]

Most of the time ford listens to what the dealer says on warranty claims so that's not entirely true

It is entirely true if you read what I wrote closely. The dealer is the front line, they are the ones inspecting and reporting on the condition and for the most part Ford listens to them because they are the ones that have the car to look at but in the end, it's up to Ford, it is their call since they are the ones paying for and warranty work and it's their reputation.

 

[DarkHorse5.0]

I've since installed tint on mine once again to cover the cracks so pics will not do it justice but it is very noticeable. I do believe any dealer does have quite a bit of say in the matter. Maybe not in making the actual decision because that is done by Ford as mentioned but more in HOW the matter is presented to Ford. It was my understanding that a service tech gets paid for warranty work so I'd think they'd be willing to work with their customers...negative on my account. Took mine in and the warranty claim got rejected. On the plus side the service guy did give me pricing on a new set of taillights. No thanks, I'm not willing to spend 900 on a new set through your dealership

 

[DarkHorse5.0]

Let’s get this documented for you, DarkHorse5.0. Please, PM me with your VIN, dealer, mileage, full name, and best daytime number.


Deysha

Thanks. PM sent

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