Water in rear light bar

[Peddyr]

As of 5/15/2023
My local SoCal dealer is getting the parts in two days, so parts come in on Wednesday and have appt on Thursday for the repair.
I'll keep this post updated

My dealer received the parts within 3 days here in New Hampshire. I'm finally having it fixed on Saturday. Sadly the service department at this dealer leaves a lot to be desired and they've told me they need it for the entire day while refusing to provide me with a loaner. Might be time to starting using a dealer in MA where I work.

Sponsored

 

[3121]

Just had my light bar replaced. Noticed it after a pressure wash and polish I did after bringing it home.

I took it to my closest dealer (not the one I bought from) and they were booking out 3 weeks for appointments and wanted me to leave the truck to have a tech verify the concern before they would order the part. They also wanted to keep the truck until the part came in which was estimated at 2 weeks.

The Service Writer told me it's Ford official policy that they cannot order parts until a tech hooks the truck up to their system and tests everything. Flat out refused to just have the tech come see the water and order the part... nonsense.

I phoned up the dealer I purchased from and they said just send him a photo and he would order the part. He called me back after sending the photo and referenced the TSB on the issue. He said no worries, he would order the part and schedule me in for a first in the morning appointment to swap it while I waited.

Part came in last Friday and I took the truck in this morning. They swapped the light bar and recalibrated the cameras in about 90 min. He even used detailers tape on the tailgate above and below the light bar to make sure there were no scratches during the swap... total pro job.

 

[bellyer]

Well, it seems now that spring is here and it is rainy in Chicago and I am washing my truck more frequently, I am now dealing with this issue, too. Guess I'll be checking in with my local dealer.

 

[Major Dawg]

Repair all done. Monday dealership validated the issue ordered the parts. Wednesday parts delivered. Thursday dropped truck off and at 8:00a by 1:00p truck done. Service supervisor showed me the warranty repair cost was $3795.00.

 

[Mike G]

Is anybody who's had this done (and possibly more than once) able to share any details or shed any light (pun intended) on why this is happening? After reading this thread this morning and grabbing my flashlight and coffee I checked my truck and I haven't got a hint of moisture anywhere along that lightbar in either the red or white sections. My truck bed did not get a spray in liner, I use a bed rug instead, I don't know if that has anything to do with anything though. I would think that there must be some feedback on why this is happening though. Something?

 

[Major Dawg]

Two possibilities I can see.
1. Pressure washing is pushing water past the seal the outer lightbar seal.
2. The step and or vise clamp holes are allowing water from the top of the tailgate to get in. There are drain holes in the clamp openings that would allow this.
We had a lot of rain this winter here in soCal and my truck sits in the driveway. So it could be one or the other.
Just my opinion.
My dealer didn't have a clue if Ford has fixed this issue or are just replacing the parts with the same factory parts. We will just have to see if they ever fess up to the real cause.

 

[Famos]

I also have water in my tailgate light bar. No damage has occurred on my end. Anyone else had success with a warranty claim on this issue?

 

[queuewho]

When I first got mine in November, I kept checking after rains and saw nothing. Then one time we used the tailgate fold-out step, and later found it wasn't put away properly. That's the same time I noticed water in my light bar. I am probably reading too much into it, but I hesitate to use my step now since I got my light bar replaced. Zero water in it now since replacement, going on a couple months of spring rains too.

 

[Major Dawg]

This issue is a warrenty repair. Depending on your dealership, they may need to inspect the vehicle to validate the issue before being able to get replacement parts. Depending on how busy they are, then may also require a full day to get this pressed into their schedule. My dealership was very transparent on the process and I had a 5-Star review for the entire crew.

 

[Tingleyfeeling]

I am on my second tailgate light bar. The first one was installed in March. The dealership installed the new one yesterday but unfortunately they also scratched the paint on my tailgate. Also the plastic top piece came in damaged so they had to order a new one. Now they are going to repair the paint damage and the new part on the same day.

 

[xycarp]

One more victim of the light bar water here. Stopped by dealer and they wanted me to leave it. I told them it was a known issue and just needed parts ordered. They took pictures and sent me on my way… I got a text a bit later letting me know that a new light bar has been ordered. It looks like it’s a few days out.

 

[ExCivilian]

Two possibilities I can see.
1. Pressure washing is pushing water past the seal the outer lightbar seal.

I never pressure washed mine and have water intrusion.

Does someone have the TSB on this?

 

[Gimme_my_MME]

Anybody have to pay for the service? Dealer wants $155 an hour for the exchange

It is under warranty, you do not need to pay.

 

[luebri]

Anybody have to pay for the service? Dealer wants $155 an hour for the exchange

I would be on my way to a different dealer the second my dealer tried pulling that crap.

 

[SmoothJ]

Oh well… I thought I was going to be lucky when it came to this issue but I guess I was wrong. It just rained out this morning, and now I see drops of water in the light bar. As a force of habit, I always checked the light bar after storms or car washes, and this is the first time I notice this issue in nearly a year since I owned the truck.

Can we disconnect the connection if it starts to freak out? I know we will lose the rear camera, but not sure about what else.

Also a FYI under the new recall:

A new rear lightbar assembly (Part Number NL34-13N466-AE) will be installed to replace the recalled component (Part Number NL34-13N466-AC).