-
Want to remove ads? Register an account and login to see fewer ads, and become a Supporting Member to remove almost all ads.
Moisture condensation in taillights, fog lights, etc
- Thread starter gemmisa
- Start date
yes, take a picture of it and make an appointment with your service center, they will send a ranger or have you drop the car off. The reason for the picture is to show that the condensation exists. My model 3 had condensation on one of the tail lights when I parked the car outside for couple of days, but when I park my car in the garage, the condensation went away. But I had my tail light replaced anyway.
suwaneedad
Member
I notice this usually after going through the car wash. But I'm waiting to have them replaced, because I figure the replacement part quality is likely to improve with time. I'll get them swapped out as the bumper to bumper warranty is reaching its end, in other words.
I’d hold off getting this replaced and just have the service center note it or something because I don’t think the issue has been totally solved by Tesla. I had condensation issues in a rear tail light and both fog lights on a 6/18 build. I got all of them replaced which was a big hassle requiring 2 trips to SC (they broke clips on front bumper grill on first attempt). Anyway, my new lights have the same issue
so either they have old inventory still in stock or they haven’t really addressed the issue yet.
so either they have old inventory still in stock or they haven’t really addressed the issue yet.
Cintoman
Member
I didn't find anything when searching the forum for the newly designed tail lights with the little holes in them. I had all 4 of my taillights replaced due to condensation, and now the new ones appear to be worse.
--Cintoman
--Cintoman
super20g
Member
Same. Just got mine back from service. One of the things they did was replace one of the sections of tail lights due to condensation.
Next day, all 4 tail lights fogged up in the sun. Went away after the sun went down. Maybe they shouldn't have went with the low bid on these...
I have emailed service asking them to replace all 4 now. I don't want a car with fogged up tail lights, even intermittently.
stickerknight
Banned
My M3 has the same issue! Left rear taillight, hasn't gone away like you mentioned even after a couple days in the sun. Going to contact Tesla service center to see what they can do
bradl
Member
My left rear was like an aquarium. Mobile fixed it in my driveway in fifteen minutes, five of which was just chatting
eCharcoal
Member
Sorry for being back this old thread but there’re condensation on both of my outer taillight after I took the car to the car wash. I emailed Tesla raising the concern but now they’re saying it’s considered normal if the condensation goes away in 20-60 minutes. It did go away after about 2 hours but I mean come on. I’ve never have this issue on any of the cars I owned in the past 20 something years. The taillight is a sealed unit and nothing should be able to get in, period. I already had my left side taillight replaced once last summer because of the same problem. Thoughts?
roblab
Active Member
I've had two Model Ss and a 3. At times there is condensation in the rear tail lights. I figured the cars behind me can still see red when the lights go on, plus there are the high center lights, so it really doesn't affect anything. 3 years and 80K miles on each of the Ss, 10K on the 3. When the weather warms, it usually disappears, and it doesn't affect range or acceleration. So, what's the problem?
This is set #2. On the inner one the entire inside is frozen. My concern isn’t cosmetic it ‘s that I can’t imagine how water in there won’t shorten the life of the LEDs and I’m betting it’s $1500-2k+ to replace all four tail lights.
Attachments
eCharcoal
Member
So as long as the car is drivable, it’s ok? I’ve seen cheapo aftermarket ricer light have better quality. If the unit is sealed properly, nothing should be able to get in. And now on a $50k car... It just blows my mind that Tesla can call this “normal”.
DB-Cooper
Member
Scheduled mobile service for condensation in tail lamps. Tesla provided the following images, thought it was a bit strange that much condensation would be normal. It always dries fairly quickly, so no big deal, but I don't think other auto manufacturers would accept that as "normal". Thought I'd share.
Tam
Well-Known Member
The pictures seem to suggest Normal means foggy, steamy, cloudy but not big droplets.
It sounds like a water seal design problem and Tesla only wants to deal with it if it's getting worse.
Do other cars' engineers have this kind of water seal problem?
Last edited:
DB-Cooper
Member
My BMW Z4MC had condensation in the front lamp assembly, probably to lesser degree than the "Normal" pictures here. Replaced under warranty without question. I do think there's an issue.
Here's more text from Tesla:
"Some condensation in the tail light is considered normal due to the atmospheric pressure and rapid change in temperature between the outside temperature and the inside temperature of the lights. This usually dries out in a couple of days and they appear more to be mist like. If you have water droplets in your tail lights and they do not go away for a week or more, we are able to address this and replace the light."
Here's more text from Tesla:
"Some condensation in the tail light is considered normal due to the atmospheric pressure and rapid change in temperature between the outside temperature and the inside temperature of the lights. This usually dries out in a couple of days and they appear more to be mist like. If you have water droplets in your tail lights and they do not go away for a week or more, we are able to address this and replace the light."
Similar threads
