Got a 2023 f150 xlt 5.0 15k miles. I got regular non led headlights and I assume non led without blis on the tailights. Notice a hairline crack today I've never seen before on my tailight going from where the curve of the red plastic that bulges out a bit and splinters out from the top and bottom about an inch. This appears to be a seam around the curve. I know I didn't hit anything I did buy used with 11k on the clock but I've washed my truck and used the bed enough to know this crack was recent. Judging by some other things I've read I really think this is a manufacturer defect. Has anyone had similar instances and ford covered it? I've got bumper to bumper left I feel as though they will deny it. Don't know what let I've got to stand on. Also any clue what it costs? Labor at the dealers about 180 per hour part seems hard to narrow down online. Will post pics in the next hour for more accurate idea of where I'm taking about. Thanks in advance for the advice.

 

 

Swing by and ask if the warranty will cover it. If it doesn't purchase a replacement and install it yourself. Its a 2 minute job. Lower the tailgate, remove 2 bolts, pop the assembly, disconnect the wiring, reverse steps to install. Easy peasy lemon squeezy. No need to pay the Stealerships stupid hourly costs......

 

the labor doesnt worry me as much only reasoned i mentioned that waa for context its going Tuesday for warranty work (one of my little marker lights is going on and off at random) finding one is the big issue whether to pay for a new one or buy used found one on fb for 100 but 4 hours way

 

I have 2024 F150 King Ranch with Pro Access Tailgate. Has anyone experienced rain leaks where swing door meets side panels?

 

probably better as it's own post in this section or in general discussion

 

Since you are taking it in for the other warranty work it wouldn't hurt to ask at that time. If denied, at least you tried and you can find the cost of a replacement. If you don't have BLIS, it might not be too bad but the BLIS taillight assemblies cost an arm and a leg. You will also know then if a 4 hr drive would be worth it to buy the used one. I wouldn't buy used without examining it in person. Otherwise some clear RTV will seal it nicely to keep water out but if it were mine I'd drill a tiny hole at each end of the crack to relieve stress before using the RTV, otherwise the crack could keep propagating.

 

You can easily repair that crack with a dremel and some epoxy. Just make a little trench along the crack from the inside of the lens and make a little "pool" on each end of the crack and then fill the trench with the epoxy and let it dry. Why the tail lights with BLIS cost more is STUPID. The BLIS units simply screw into the tail light assembly, so the only difference is the mounts for the BLIS sensors. BLIS is not "built" into the lights themselves. I swapped my stock ones out with some Oracles. Way nicer and real back up lights!

 

Update the dealer warranty guy is going to look into it then send it to to ford anywhere from a week to God knows when is the **** part. Going to ask them if I can jb weld it and still have it coveted assuming it's covered. Anyone got experience with ford in this capacity? They mote likely to approve or deny?

 

Shoot me the last eight digits of your VIN and I can tell you exactly which tail light it is.

-Steve