Moisture condensation in taillights, fog lights, etc

[lskarp]

Had that as well on my used model S. They replaced both lenses and seals. No issues since.

 

[Leafdriver333]

I don't have this problem but I am curious how long it takes to get something like this fixed.

 

[lskarp]

I don't have this problem but I am curious how long it takes to get something like this fixed.

I scheduled online and I took it in a week later. They gave me a loaner. But the car was done in like 3 hours.

 

[T3Tom]

Did a 120 miles or so in a just delivered last week model 3 performance and mine are all fogged up

 

[DRCAL]

We noticed this after the rain last week that inside the driver side taillight cover, there was a lot of water on plastic cover (body part, not trunk). At the same time we started getting a message saying the blind-spot detection was limited for the same side. I made an appointment with the new Service Center in San Diego (Kearny Mesa, not the original one on Trade Pl which we liked). The service rep get back to us this morning claiming "We anticipate theses lights to get moisture in them as they are vented. The moisture should dissipate when the car/headlight is parked in the sun for several hours- So this may be normal – That light will have no impact on Blinds pot detection. " What?? Normal??!! We have two Tesla cars and never saw this, for that matter never saw this in any cars we have driven in past 30 years. I cancelled the appointment and will go back to the original service center

 

[MacGreiner]

A few of us have had this issue and asked Tesla about it. The taillight is a double skinned construction so if some water does collect in the outer skin it can evaporate off. If the water is in the internal 'skin' then yes - they need to replace that. I believe many BMWs use the same double skinned construction.
Like you, I have not owned a car with kind of setup before.

 

[DRCAL]

A few of us have had this issue and asked Tesla about it. The taillight is a double skinned construction so if some water does collect in the outer skin it can evaporate off. If the water is in the internal 'skin' then yes - they need to replace that. I believe many BMWs use the same double skinned construction.
Like you, I have not owned a car with kind of setup before.

Thanks. That makes sense. Looks to me it is the internal skin. Here is the pic.

 

[DRCAL]

And the water stayed there for days...

 

[groovidad]

I saw a thread, some time ago, with the same issue you describe. I get light condensation after washing, don't notice anything after driving in the rain yet, it is troubling. Your issue seems worse than most pics I've seen.

 

[Joshan]

That is by design and working as intended. Do you see the hole in the middle of your tail light? Definitely looks like the outer skin its all on the surface of the outer plastic.

 

[SigNC]

if it evaporates shortly after getting condensation it's working as designed. If it stays there for days it is not.

 

[Joshan]

well that can depend, was he in a cool dark spot or driving around and using the brake lights. If you leave it in a cool damp garage for 2 days or a cold damp parking garage its not gonna dry fast.

 

[DRCAL]

Parked under the sun. Inside temp reached 90+ in last few days and the condensation did not go away. Why it didn't happen to the other taillight? Our Model S never had this. Someone mentioned BMW uses the same construction, well, we had a 535d for 4 years before switching to Model S and never saw this either.

 

[Joshan]

is the little hole plugged up maybe? Thats how the vapor escapes. Otherwise you need to head to the service center

 

[super20g]

I've had 2 sets of tail lights replaced for standing water. Hasn't reoccurred with the current set but who knows. I can deal with condensation that lasts an hr or two but not when it turns into an aquarium.

 

[DRCAL]

Thank you all for the info and advice. Just made an appointment with the SD-Miramar SC, also sent the photo to them. They replied right away, saying this didn't look normal and would order replacement parts.

 

[groovidad]

Bravo! Good for you! Hopefully you don't have to wait 2 months.

 

[BOBEDIGITL]

That happened to mine...stayed for about a week...both sides...I have a June 18 build. Took it to the service center and they switched both of them out no questions asked.

 

[groovidad]

Sounds like SC's are getting better at customer service(?)

 

[ent3ndu]

If it's like my BMW was, the gaskets offgas and sometimes fail. Sucks, but not unique to Tesla for sure.