Tail Light Cracks + Condensation

[RZ86]

Hey guys!

So I've noticed a few cracks in my tail lights. I took the red vinyl off my tail lights to find cracks on both tail lights in the same location (yet, different types of cracks).

Toyota has been over to check the lights, take photos, etc, but I have a feeling they're going to try the whole "you voided your warranty by putting vinyls on the tails", which would be a whole lot of crap. The vinyl went on with ease, and was defiantly NOT the cause of the cracks.

I have also noticed some condensation from time to time (especially after it's been raining and it's cold).

Toyota better replace these under warranty. I have done some reading on the US forums and apparently a few people are having the same issue (cracks from weather temp from hot to cold). I'll defiantly take it further if they decline my warranty claim. I have done nothing but be honest and careful with my 86. If I do mod the car, and a part breaks due to that modification, I would happily take responsibility for the breakage.

I will keep this thread updated with the progress.

Fingers crossed Toyota do the right thing and just replace them.

few pics:

[Lonewolf]

You're probably not going to want to hear this but vinyl wraps and overlays have been known to cause cracks in some lights due to heat expansion and contraction (which is exacerbated by the overlays from my understanding)...however, this has been a source of controversy on many car forums for years

[mashal]

Originally Posted by Lonewolf

You're probably not going to want to hear this but vinyl wraps and overlays have been known to cause cracks in some lights due to heat expansion and contraction (which is exacerbated by the overlays from my understanding)...however, this has been a source of controversy on many car forums for years

That .


Pfft

[RZ86]

Originally Posted by Lonewolf

You're probably not going to want to hear this but vinyl wraps and overlays have been known to cause cracks in some lights due to heat expansion and contraction (which is exacerbated by the overlays from my understanding)...however, this has been a source of controversy on many car forums for years

When we installed the vinyls, we didn't stretch them much. There were 3 pieces to each tail light, so I'm not sure if this is the reason for the cracks.

[KAB-FRS]

On our other blue FR-S we have the same problem with the tailights, they even have a puddle of water inside.

[Chillz]

Maybe it's not about how you installed the vinyl but more about how you installed the tail lights. Check this post. Are there cracks on the back side of your tail lights as well? If the tail lights weren't seated properly when you reinstalled them, cracks could have developed in the housing back side. Maybe they were seated incorrectly and the bolts were tightened so much that it cracked the front as well?

Originally Posted by Moto-P

Ok guys, problem solved at the assembly line, according to CE. And here's what to do if you have mild condensation.

There seems to have been some tail-lamp assembly not fully seated in the body bezel and screwed into place, causing tiny crack in the housing back side on rare cases.

To inspect, just loosen the tail-lamp housing nuts, and see if there are any cracks. If not just screw it back in, and your car should be perfectly fine.

In the meantime, it will not affect the performance of the tail lamps in any way, and if the problem develops in rare cases afterwards, it is under warranty. This should not be a common issue they say, and is covered under normal warranty.

Again, you MUST love Toyota for getting right up and quick to fix any issues.

From: http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showp...9&postcount=62

[RZ86]

We never took the tail lights off the car. Just wrapped them while they were on the car.

[FT-86GOD]

Just out of curiosity why did u tell toyota u had put vinyl on them anyway?.

[os86]

^^ They spotted it when went in for 1k service I think

[20valvewynn83]

As a Toyota Tech i will tell you if this car came into the shop with this issue i would just order the rear tail light even if it had vinyl on it when it came in. Well i have been out of work due to a back problem that happen well working, some of my friends have already told me about this issue so you would not be the only one with this problem. Toyota is looking into this and a few people have already had the rear tail lights replaced due to this.

[RZ86]

I really hope Toyota just do the right thing and replace these tails. Obviously there was a factory fault.

[Chillz]

Hopefully they replace them for you. And hopefully the replacement tail lights are better/stronger and not just a new unit with the same weaknesses.

[RandomHero]

Originally Posted by Chillz

Hopefully they replace them for you. And hopefully the replacement tail lights are better/stronger and not just a new unit with the same weaknesses.

Im thinking it will be the exact same part until FRS/BRZ V2.0 come out for 2014. At which time anyone still having the issue can still replace the taillights. Just take them in every spring and fall with the cracks being cause by the temp change for your brand new tail lights!

[RRnold]

Originally Posted by Lonewolf

You're probably not going to want to hear this but vinyl wraps and overlays have been known to cause cracks in some lights due to heat expansion and contraction (which is exacerbated by the overlays from my understanding)...however, this has been a source of controversy on many car forums for years

Wow, I never knew that. Maybe it wouldn't be a good idea to wrap them, especially on this car that has a weak plastic cover.