Teejay,

I would remove the lower two bolts on the outside of your racetrack tail light lens. They are simple to remove and it allows any water to dump out when you raise the tailgate. Do this prior to it filling up and shorting the LED arrays in the bottom. You can put them back in when you take it in for service and repair.

 

I know this forum is older, but I recently discovered water in the bottom of my racetrack tail light on EACH side. Both lights are out now. It isn't a huge concern since majority of the racetrack light is still lit up, but I did use a link posted below to report the issue. I hope it does get recalled because this seems to be a pretty widespread issue.

 

So I'm assuming its not covered under warranty?

 

It's hit or miss. Some get it covered some don't.

 

 

Hi all, just bought a 2015 RT on Saturday and it has water with a blown LED on the right side. im at 35,2xx miles so i have an appointment scheduled for friday. I hope it is covered. I have voted and filled out the complaint. #11081256

 

I went to my local dealer and they Replaced the taillight under warranty with no questions asked. They also had it in stock so that was a bonus.

 

Should I remove the tail light bolt as in the video above from my new 2018 D just to be on the safe side and avoid this water issue happening?

 

I would wait and see, your bumper to bumper would cover you. You'd never know if the lights were defective, keep an eye on it for now. If it fills go to the dealer.

 

I have this too. Did g see it when I bought it. I have 35950 miles and an close to being out of warranty. Going to the dealership this morning to see what they say. I didn't realize it's almost $800 for the part alone. I was able to drain the water by removing the bolts. Hope it's covered!!


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Let us know. I have the max care warranty so I hope I'm covered.

 

Came home from deployment and all of my LEDs are still good, though I am keeping an eye on them. 2015 SXT with 34,600+ miles.

Wife's been parking it outside a lot lately but I've been getting her to cut down on that. My truck's only ever spent a handful of nights indoors so I usually leave it out

 

Welcome home!!!


2015 SXT
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It sucks. Since I've been following this thread, I've seen some Durangos and Chargers with parts of the lights no longer lit. Actually saw one Durango with the whole bar out on the hatch with the outer rings still lit. Mine still looks fine and I haven't parked in the garage yet. One year of ownership down. Fingers crossed. ??


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Try to keep this short. My '14 DD SXT (purchased new in Oct '13) and now has 76K miles was in for leaking oil filter unit (5/100K warranty) and leaking steering rack & pinion (Lifetime Maxcare w/ $100 ded). Also have water in the racetrack taillight with passenger side bottom leds out. Called Maxcare warranty before I took it in and they stated the PART was covered and got the email to take to the stealership. Then stealership calls and said the racetrack light isn't covered because even though the PART is covered, intrusion of water is not. I spent 3 hour on the phone with the Maxcare and stealership but Maxcare did say to get a second opinion from another dealer. So I'm trying to decide if I want to drive 50 miles to another dealership, try to convince them not to mention water intrusion when trying to get warranty repair and hope the other dealership will play ball with me. Yep I voted and filed a claim with the NTHSA. Yes the Maxcare is about paid off with all the repairs I've had to have done but it is insane that Chrysler won't cover an obviously defective and expensive part/seal.
And I forgot to mention the stealership took a hose to test and filled up the race track lights with water and didn't drain because they didn't know how. I had to show their mechanic how to take out the 10mm bolts in the opened hatch to drain it. I should bill them for my time for training...

 

Wow. I've never had warranty work done before on any vehicles I've owned so educate me because I may be ignorant of the process.

You identified an issue and got the ok from the warranty department and go to the dealership in order for them to say no it's not. Wouldn't the dealership be paid from the warranty for the work on this if the "warranty" says it's covered? It's really baffling if that's not the case.

I've had to use a warranty for my washer three times because the ex-wife's metal bands came out her bras and got caught in the drum. Didn't get any fuss from the warranty and didn't have to come out of pocket. I know I'm comparing apples to oranges but I figure that's how warranties are supposed to work in most cases as long as it's covered.


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All you guys saying you are reporting this to the NTHSA realize that recalls are only issued for SAFETY reasons right? The race track light on these Dodges are purely cosmetic, that means for looks. It will NEVER be a recall item.

 

From what i understand any issues with headlight and taillight is a safety issue. I had an issue with one of my headlight in my previous vehicle and my dealer wouldnt let me drive my car until the issue was fixed. He gave me a loaner for the whole time.

 

I found a YouTube video that explains exactly why this is happening and it will happen to every Durango unless later years have a more durable seal/gasket. Per the video there is a thin almost paperish type of gasket on the inside of the entire expensive unit that dissinigrates over time and will eventually let water in. The video does a good but quick look of comparing a new gasket to the old one that is flaking apart. Insane that this is over a $1000 fix for a poor gasket/seal design that if not changed by Dodge would seem to happen to every Durango. It's just a matter of time...

 

I found a YouTube video that explains exactly why this is happening and it will happen to every Durango unless later years have a more durable seal/gasket. Per the video there is a thin almost paperish type of gasket on the inside of the entire expensive unit that dissinigrates over time and will eventually let water in. The video does a good but quick look of comparing a new gasket to the old one that is flaking apart. Insane that this is over a $1000 fix for a poor gasket/seal design that if not changed by Dodge would seem to happen to every Durango. It's just a matter of time...

These assemblies are far from being weather-tight when made, and no, the FCA engineers have not addressed on the 18's yet. If you removed it from the tailgate and threw it into a lake, it would eventually sink. The video's explanation of a "gasket seal" is also erroneous. The only weatherproofing provided, is to keep water out of the interior of the hatch itself, not the taillight assembly, (unfortunately).
I noticed the incandescent bulb holders on the video's original assembly weren't even opened. They could've drained most of the water out right there, on-camera --- not that it would've corrected the failure, though it actually DOES sometimes, as I've read somewhere here.
The best way we have to prevent this failure, is routinely-inspect it for water pooling in the bottom. And if found, to remove the bottom retention bolts, and/or to drill a hole in the bottom left & right corners.
Of course, LEDs last a lot longer than incandescents do, but they will still fail eventually. They sure don't like water, so it's not fair that FCA failed to design this mega-buck array to be exposed to standing water.

 

Sooo...Looks like we can just RTV it and call it good then

 

And I walked out to my D last night, hitting the remote start as I approached (I like to let the engine run 30 seconds or so before taking off). The lights all came on then 2 seconds later the tailgate racetrack flickered out... then came back on, then part flickered out, then... you get the picture.

This morning I went out there and, yup, water in the racetrack. I got on here and found out about the removal of the 10mm bolts and was able to drain the water. The lights right now are remaining, for the most part, off but are randomly flickering. Sometimes it's the entire racetrack, sometimes only sections... and it looks like I have 2-3 dead LED's in the bottom left.

Of course my bumper-to-bumper ran out 2500 km's (1500 miles) ago.

As to if this is a safety issue, I'd have to say it is, but more so to those following me thinking I'm jamming my brakes on.

I'll be into the dealer as soon as I can but I'm not holding my breath.

There's no way I'm spending $1000 to fix this. I will be looking to see how to disconnect the tailgate racetrack altogether if this can't be fixed.

NOT HAPPY

 

Oh great... tonight I noticed that when the racetrack goes out, so does the licence plate light. Damn.

 

will the new style rear lights fit to replace this silly racetrack light ?

 

What are you talking about? The racetrack is the new style light.

 

+1 on this issue. Unfortunately I didn't realize this was occurring until the entire panel was burned out. The rear camera still works but none of the lights on the race track panel. Both sides were filled 1/2 way up with water. So mad right now! Just had my car inspected this past weekend and it passed because this was considered "cosmetic" but I still feel vehicle is less safe since it will now be obviously harder to see my brake and backup lights.

Please make sure, if you have this problem, to open up a complaint here: https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/VehicleComplaint/?_ga=1.157222456.2082493723.1491316842 it takes 2 minutes just make sure you have your VIN available.

We need to make them responsible somehow for this to get us a reasonable/cheap way to repair. $1K is ridiculous for such an obviously horrible design.

 

I noticed water in my tail gate lights about 3 weeks ago and then came across this post. I took mine to the dealership and was told it’s not covered under warranty because it’s water infiltration. The service department talked with the manager and said they would cover $900 of the part and I would only need to pay a $300 deductible.

 

Water infiltration would be a laugh to hear from a service manager. I would press them like this,

"water infiltration because...."
"water infiltration because........"
"water infiltration because of extremely common, well-known product defect!"


ahhh yes that feels good to get out.

Just tell them there is an 11 page and growing forum thread about this single issue, and it is very well-known that it is a PRODUCT DEFECT.

An extended warranty could very well exclude it, that's their prerogative and the fine-print is up to the buyer to read and agree to. But the bumper-to-bumper 36mo 3 year warranty has nothing to stand on for this.

 

Welp, that didnt last long. I had my racetrack light replaced 3 weeks ago and the new one is already showing signs of condensation. I have made a small drain hole and taken out the bottom 10mm bolt since. i hope it helps.

 

<to service managers

"SEE EXHIBIT A"

 

Hey everyone. Newbie over here. I had to register and let everyone know what i was experiencing. I found this thread from a search i was doing as i noticed this in my 14' RT last night (racetrack light full of water on the passenger side). i gave a call to the dealer this morning and they told me to basically go pound sand. I bought the car as a left over in April 15' and was told the 36/36 expired April 18th. So after saying "Eff that, the cars 15 days out of warranty" i gave a call to Dodge customer service. I gave them my VIN, told them what was going on and they advised me they had good news and would take care of the issue for me. they asked what dealer i was working with and when good call back times would be for me. They are assigning the issue to a case manager who will contact me within 24 hours. If you all want me to keep you posted on progress i make, let me know. Just wanted everyone know that if they are hitting a brick wall on the issue, try giving Dodge corporate a call.

 

When they call back, please ask them if there is a planned recall.

 

our 2014 RT had water in the light, it had also cracked at the exact center of the racetrack. the dealer looked at it and replaced it under warranty with no issue. Today the water pump failed at less 45K miles.

 

I took my assembly off the other night and tried sealing the areas that I feel the water seems to be coming in. Got some black silicone and started laying beads in all the areas I highlighted in red in the attached picture. Reinstalled and gave it the night and next day to dry. Then took my yard sprinkler and set it to spray the tailgate for about 4 hours. Figured that would simulate the worst of storms that we see in this area. After 4 hours the tail light assembly was dry inside and no water came out the bolt hole when I opened the tailgate.

 

Just had mine replaced on my 2014 R/T. Dealer covered it under my extended warranty. The service manager knew exactly what I was talking about when I called to make an appointment, he said he's seen a whole lotta Durangos with the same problem. I had to wait a few months for the part to come in and pay a $100 deductible on the warranty. I'm going to open a case with FCA on this to have my deductible reimbursed because this is obviously a manufacturing defect.

As much as I love driving my Durango I really doubt I'll be buying another Chrysler product in my lifetime.


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As much as I love driving my Durango I really doubt I'll be buying another Chrysler product in my lifetime.


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I feel your pain. But don't do so, thinking you're escaping troubled vehicles, or an uncaring car company. Ford has it's Mustang seat belts and their lovely "powershift" transmissions. And Chevy has their 4 million car recall over a killer software thing.
If they would just address the issue in a timely, proactive way.
As for me, I don't know what I'll buy next time. But it'll probably be another Dodge, I'm kinda partial to them. And I do get it --- Poor response to known issues is no selling strategy, that's for sure.

 

My 2014 durango is at the dealership now, my extended warranty company has said they will not be covering the part due to the fact a seal failed which allowed water into the lense. I tried fighting saying that a part of the part failed which caused the rest to fail but no luck. I am waiting to hear if they will help cover any cost of the part. Total cost will be around $1300. they light did completely go out at one time but is now working again just one corner is not a bright as the rest. If the light will stay working, im going to silicone around the entire edge and the durango is going bye bye. Not only this issue but the entire radiator is being replaced right now as well. I was given a GMC acadia denali as a loaner from my dealership (they have both Chrysler vehicles and GMC), wife likes the acadia better then the durango anyways.

 

Do you have the Mopar max care warranty?