[midnite cruiser]

My right hand directional developed an intermittent fast-flash about a month back.
Seems every time I walked around the car, I saw all the lights working fine.
Until it stopped being an intermittent thing, then I saw my RH upper (tailgate) lights were blank.
And I noticed water droplets inside.
So, off to the dealer for a professional look. The CS woman delivered the death sentence and a shocker- the replacement light assembly (solid module of park, brake, backup) will be $840 US thank you plus $150 flat rate labor.
Yes, $1000 for my burned out LEDs thank you.

So, I said no, thank you for now.
First and foremost-PLEASE CHECK YOUR LENSES- THE RED AND CLEAR LENS LAMINATIONS MAY SEPARATE AS MINE HAVE. I ran my hand up and down the lens and where the lens was glued red to clear, there was a distinct ridge where the glue let go, letting water in in the most sneaky way.
I took out the lens assembly from inside the tailgate for a closer look. After pulling a few screws that internally hold the internal reflectors in place, I took my air compressor and blew about 1/2 cup of water out.
No, this did not fix the problem- I plugged it back in-still darkness ruled.
So with no remaining downside, I cut a 3x5 door in the back- this revealed many circuit boards that I have since learned controls all the colors via diodes, resistance (load is super low with LEDs and must be synthesized), and who knows- what else.

I now have an approximately half price unit coming in from ebay (also searched on junkyard dog) to fix this for good.

But if I can save somebody my angst- LOOK at yours. If they are cracked and under warranty - get them done!( if you are out of warranty, I bet the delamination can be sealed with clear laquer or something to keep the water from killing your control boards.
Interestingly, very few RH units were available. Did Lincoln get a lousy batch?:eek

 

[2015 MSM]

Thank you for enlightening us to your experience, I will be checking mine for any issues, Funny thing is last week my left blinker was fast flashing as you describe, I looked outside and saw all were fine! I chalked it up to a gremlin, I know now that something may be lurking, luckily for me I am under warranty for 2 more years. Thanks again and let us know if you wind up with a happy end to this!

 

[midnite cruiser]

"New" taillight came in from the Ebay seller (over $400) yesterday.
It only took about 5 minutes to put the piece in- it works fine.
Popping the inside tailgate panels back in is a 2 person job- more on that later.

 

[blankster]

"New" taillight came in from the Ebay seller (over $400) yesterday.
It only took about 5 minutes to put the piece in- it works fine.
Popping the inside tailgate panels back in is a 2 person job- more on that later.

Are you out of warranty? Based on time, 2015 models should still be covered.

 

[midnite cruiser]

Two year warranty on an October 2014 delivery of a 2015 model=its over.

 

[blankster]

My 2016 is 4 years bumper to bumper (from Lincoln), 2015s are different? My 2014 Jeep was 3 years. A quick Google shows the 2015 MKC warranty the same 4 year bumper to bumper & 6 year Powertrain:


4 yr/50,000 mi basic, 6 yr/70,000 mi powertrain


Your repair should be covered under warranty unless there is some external damage to the light.

 

[bobandsherry]

Two year warranty on an October 2014 delivery of a 2015 model=its over.

Hmmm... the 2015 MKC brochure shows that it has 4 year/50,000 miles bumper to bumper warranty.

 

[countryguy]

My 2015 has a 4 year warranty

 

[midnite cruiser]

Let me correct my equation: 4/50,000 mile warranty versus my 53, 472 miles=SAD

 

[blankster]

Let me correct my equation: 4/50,000 mile warranty versus my 53, 472 miles=SAD

I would push for an accommodation - Obviously it failed before the warranty period expired. My guess is you would get it,

 

[jprski]

Genuine Lincoln/Ford parts from dealers are available on line for a much lower price, around $600 for a tail light. They are also very easy to replace too.
The $800+ price for the taillight was pretty much full MSRP.

 

[2015 MSM]

Well, the gremlin became an issue. I have a 5" LED strip on the left tail light just above the license plate acting up, it stays lit even when the car is locked and secured, it goes out only when the system shuts down after 10 minutes....I notified my dealer but don't expect results before next week....I am well within warranty so don't anticipate any issues, I also took pictures and a short video.

 

[2015 MSM]

tail light

here's a picture

 

[2015 MSM]

Car is at the dealer now, it was told to me by my S.A that the water droplets and fog, are likely NOT warrant-able, but because a strip of lights is out, it will get the lens replaced under warranty..I was shocked about having water droplets not being a cause to replace the lamp..the replacement lens is $864, $0 under warranty.

 

[ddsski]

Agreed, taillight should not be a mileage/wear dependent issue.

 

[midnite cruiser]

Just to tie up the final episode:
Re-installation of lens itself was 2 minutes.
But the tailgate panel is hard to handle. There are 10 or so bayonet clips to be mated in as many blind holes- once the panel seems in place there is no way to see your targets.
So I will spend a few bucks and have my favorite body shop put it on.
Net: having the dealer wrestle this one item is probably worth the flat rate.