I get what you saying. Ironically our 2018 GT, used to collect water. I even got a pic, of me draining water out. Honestly tho, all kidding aside; this is unacceptable for the consumer.
Now, I see no water inside tail light even after rain. I am going keep this pic, in case it ever goes out and show them.

 

I took mine apart and sealed the seam between the lens and the back with flowable silicone sealant. Seems to have solved the problem. Not a hard repair, but it should NOT be necessary. There are some videos out there to DIY.

 

I just used clear RTV between the lens and liftgate while its installed, went clear across the back and down the sides (when open) took about 5 min, no water getting in there now. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Permatex...BRB0EiwAJ1SztUrNbK3sJxTFmT30zqgFH1vltn45zCKqNqmgTUMdQvf0U_kp-64bRRoCb_wQAvD_BwE

 

Surprisingly I have not had that problem on my '17 (yet). Knock on wood.....

I'd agree with these guys on the silicone. Also check and make sure your reverse light bulbs and all electrical connectors are properly seated and gaskets aren't damaged. Something doesn't sound right if it keeps happening...

^^Same here!

 

^^Same here!

 

My '14 doesn't leak...120K so some of them are getting installed correctly.
That said, it seems the simple fix is to remove one of the lower bolts....though I fully understand the frustration. Maybe the dealer is just re-installing your old taillights?

 

Definitely not just a re-install, since the previous lenses had burned-out sections after the water intrusion.

 

I noticed that when I went to the car wash that created the problem the water blasted the tail light assembly the gasket is poorly designed allowing water to go in. Its a non issue for dodge they make plenty of money $$$ to them its an expensive bulb that they make high profit. Maybe start posting pictures of all the failures if this gives them a bad reputation they may do something. If your driving and see one snap a pic and post it

 

I noticed that when I went to the car wash that created the problem the water blasted the tail light assembly the gasket is poorly designed allowing water to go in. Its a non issue for dodge they make plenty of money $$$ to them its an expensive bulb that they make high profit. Maybe start posting pictures of all the failures if this gives them a bad reputation they may do something. If your driving and see one snap a pic and post it View attachment 112204 View attachment 112205 View attachment 112206 View attachment 112207 View attachment 112208
I had 3 Durango's already this one I had the same thing happen. Car wash, now the right side LED is out. Did you bring it to a dealer for repair?

 

Chrysler is on their 14th design revision of this unit for what I can gather by the part number progression.

Part Number: 68453659AA
Supersession(s): 68155950AD; 68155950AE; 68155950AF; 68155950AG; 68155950AH; 68155950AI; 68155950AJ; 68292432AB; 68292432AC; 68319595AA; 68319595AB; 68367547AA; 68367547AB; 68367547AC

My 2014 has not leaked and I don't see anything mentioned about the PO having anything done with it. But all is not well. Saturday night my wife backed into a mail box and broke the rear driver's side tail lamp and crushed the upper corner of the center section. I used HD packaging tape as a temporary fix until the new drive's side tail lamp arrives (OEM replacement, not messing with an aftermarket unit). I used silicone on the corner of center section to try and seal it up. It looks like hell, but I am only hoping it lasts through winter and then I will replace it with a new Mopar unit., because honestly I just don't have the spare $650 right now.

 

My 14 has a unlit section on the left as well. In addition to sealing the top and sides with clear silicone, there are 4 small bolts (two on each side); typically you take out the bottom left and right to drain the taillight. I have just left the two bottom bolts out, with the hopes that any water that gets in will (hopefully) drain out by itself.

 

OUCH! Only a couple months before leaking???
I think I'd blow my top...I'd start wondering if the tailgate is not flat or has a slight wave in it resulting in a bad seal???
I don't get how some last and so many don't.

 

I have a 2014 with 176k and a 2018 with 55k and neither one has ever leaked. The 2014 has been bumped twice in the rear and had RT/RR lamp broken and replaced, so it's not like the rear end has been handled with kid gloves or anything.
If there are no cracks in the housing, it must be leaking in from where it bolts to the tailgate. I don't see any other entry points.

 

The gasket is to thin and it will eventually fail

Repair the race track light and how it works

This failure by Dodge to supply the correct gasket thickness and material has created issues with the tail light partially failing . If it completely failed there is a good chance the the NHTSA would force a recall but for most its just sections that burn out. Not knowing how it was made I...

www.dodgedurango.net

 

The gasket is to thin and it will eventually fail

Repair the race track light and how it works

This failure by Dodge to supply the correct gasket thickness and material has created issues with the tail light partially failing . If it completely failed there is a good chance the the NHTSA would force a recall but for most its just sections that burn out. Not knowing how it was made I...

www.dodgedurango.net

That makes sense.

 

Lots of old stock.

 

Start a "This Effing Tail Light" website!

 

i know this is an older thread, but in the Ram forum there is RamCares who get involved to assist Ram owners with some of their issues. In this Durango forum is there a Mopar agent assist such as that? I never seen one as of yet. Ma6be they are told not to get involved in such a large pr9blem that affects the majority of Durango owners? This problem seams to be a matter of when its going to occur and not if. Im going through it now myself after noticing my wifes burned out in the lower right side. Removed the bolt as suggested and jumped back from the stream that poured out. Like a horse taking a piss.

 

This is a major issue, nice lights but need adjustments in my opinion.

 

The gasket was to thin, thanks dodge !!! this thing has 10 bolts that pull it in they could have easily used a thicker gasket . The solution is to clean it up add more material if your light burned out I showed how I repaired mine to look 85% like new . The quick fix is to run a bead of silicone along the top edge from the lens to the tailgate to prevent water from getting into the giant rectangular hole that has the wires going in, WTF is that ? . If you go to a car wash that has sprayers as they go over the back its basically a power washer that forces water and debri past the thin gasket then eventually rain storms fill it up

Repair the race track light and how it works

This failure by Dodge to supply the correct gasket thickness and material has created issues with the tail light partially failing . If it completely failed there is a good chance the the NHTSA would force a recall but for most its just sections that burn out. Not knowing how it was made I...

www.dodgedurango.net

Frost king gasket used its bone dry now

 

It is ridiculous that this is still an issue. Wondering why they didn't refresh the back of the Durango with the front end refresh. The ass on the Durango is it's worst attribute if you ask me.

 

Well that's simple to answer...money. It's a minor refresh, though a slight tweak the rear would have been welcome.
That said, my 2014 is still sealed...no water issues to date...so they don't all leak.

 

My 16 hasn't leaked yet either. It was a rental in New England for 30k miles, now it lives in Phoenix, so it should be ok now.

Sent from my Pixel 5 using Tapatalk

 

My leak was caused by this car wash it uses high pressure to clean. After I left the light was filled with water , dirt and grime accumulate on the tailgate the water forces it down in between the gasket and the body the salty brine dries out the gasket then allows water into the large opening on the light fixture.

The best and easiest way to prevent it is a small bead of silicone and avoid touchless car wash

 

The best way, would be for Dodge to PROPERLY fix the issue. This is just ridiculous to still be happening.

 

I always avoid touch less car washes and “clothmatic” washes. I don’t like not being able to control how close the wands are spraying to the vehicle. If I’m at the car wash I only use the bays where you do the spraying yourself. And I never use that brush that’s in there either.

 

It's raining today. The weatherman said "Expect your THIRD Durango tail light to be full of water." 🤬

 

If true that is hilarious!

 

Here is the sealing on mine, its dirty and raining but when its clean you can't see it. No way water is getting in there as far as I can tell.

 

Thank you for the pictures and for the link to the exact silicone you used, too! Both very much appreciated and above-and-beyond!
If I could keep my Durango in a garage I may risk leaving the taillight alone, but thanks to your advice, I will use the sealant.
I also appreciate how others shared taking the light off and improving the weatherstripping. I prefer to just fill the gaps and not risk messing anything up. I am not nearly as skilled as other Durango owners.
Thank you!

 

This is such an easy fix, I can't understand why they dont do this at the factory after all this time. This is ridiculous.

 

 

Hey Josh, or @Concernedparty55, or is it @ConcernedParty8 ???

Why did you just create a different account to post the same message, albeit on a different thread... again? If you are looking to help and/or get new business from the people on this forum, why don't you introduce yourself and your law offices. Just a thought...

 

Hi va-terps4. Apologies for the multiple threads. One of our staff members re-posted my initial post and I've instructed him that it's not necessary for him to do so. At this point we are just looking to get some information from people regarding their experiences with the tail light issue being discussed on this board. We've received a number of complaints that we are looking into. If you or anyone else has any information you'd be interested in sharing please feel free to give our office a call or send me an email. All of our information is on our website: www.dreyerboyajian.com