Hello all!

Reaching out to again remind users that if you are experiencing related headlight concerns and are seeking support in combination with your dealer appointment we're here to help! We would like to review your vehicle information and work together with you and your dealer technician to find a solution. Hope to connect with some of you via private message!

Hannah
Dodge Cares

 

Hello all!

Reaching out to again remind users that if you are experiencing related headlight concerns and are seeking support in combination with your dealer appointment we're here to help! We would like to review your vehicle information and work together with you and your dealer technician to find a solution. Hope to connect with some of you via private message!

Hannah
Dodge Cares

Thanks for chiming in Hannah. This thread pertains to the racetrack tail light, not a headlight.

 

So I recently was digging thru TSBs for my 2017 GT and saw a TSB to address license plate light failure due to moisture. So it is not only the racetrack light I need to worry about.

BTW this goes up to 2021 durangos.

 

One of my license late lights failed at about 40k miles due to moisture intrusion. I replaced the light and sealed the outer surface of it with clear silicone. So far, so good.

 

Hmm... As the weather warms up, I'll have to double check around the license plate light. Less than a month after getting our '21 brand new that summer, I did the clear silicone around the perimeter, and so far, so good! I have noticed as winter is drawing to a close, more and more later model Durangos in front of me with partial or total LED light bar failures in the middle/side, so was planning on checking the condition of the silicone I applied almost 2 years ago. While I'm at it will hit the license plate light just to be safe.

 

Seems like a bead across the entire racetrack light bar should cover it. I just noticed condensation build up on my 2017 and was like, better take it apart and fix before it gets worse but I never knew about the license plate bulbs also being a problem.

 

We just had some gusty rain last night and guess what, I check my racetrack light and the left side had standing water. Drilled a drain hole on each side of the light to get rid of the water until I can fix it properly. Also saw one of my license plate LED lights is out. Jeebus dodge engineers!

 

The back of any vehicle is always the dirtiest once that dirt works its way down it breaks the seal to the body. Mine filled with water after the auto car wash that has pressure washers that unload a massive amount of water.

Below is a screen capture I used to show how the water was getting in this gasket looks good

You can see clearly the discoloration of the gasket and water stains on the black plastic. But as noted I think the top seam opens up as well so two places that let water in. Based on all the durangos I see at night driving from NY to Vermont I would guess that they have an 80% failure rate. Its worse in the northeast due to salted roads that corrode electric circuits and destroy the LED strip were the water contacts it on the lower left and right.


This pic was from my 2014 that had a portion go out. I did repair it to look 90% factory

 

Wonder if putting a foam strip across the entire length (red line running along the top) rather than just over the middle section like the license plate LED TSB suggest would help some?

 

I ran a thick bead of silicone caulk along the red line in your image, then ran a 2nd one along the seam between the top of the lens and hatch on the outside. It is holding up well.

 

Does 2020-23 light fit 2018 models ? They seem cheaper.

 

Per vehicle fitment the tailgate light works with 2014-2023.

2014-2023 Dodge Durango Lift-Gate Lamp 68156575AI | MOPAR Parts On Sale

Buy Your Genuine MOPAR Lift-Gate Lamp Online And Save! Part Number Is 68156575AI. We Offer Wholesale Prices And Fast Shipping On Every Order.

www.moparpartsonsale.com

 

68530337ad Does this only say 2020-2023 because of the black letters ?

 

Not sure, maybe it will fit but camera is different?

 

Cambo,

I know this is an old thread but after doing a lot of reading.... I think you nailed the issue, when you brought up the effects of the heat expansion on the assembly. If in fact the heat causes the housing assembly to move as much as you say, I woud guess this adds all kinds of stresses to the gasket area, and probably the main cause of it's demise.

It opens up about 3/16" when the sun hits it. I put a bead of silicone its holding up OK above the far left and right but the center broke the bead, it clearly buckles from the heat and it was only 80' that day and the race track was in direct sunlight.

 

I have a 2023 GT (built July 23) - I use the unlimited car wash a lot - I just noticed my RH side (facing the back) had water in it - I pulled the lower bolt and water came out. Ive parked rear facing sun to see if it will dry out - will head to the dealer this week. Just got it back after having all 4 door moldings replaced from fading.

 

I see that I’m not the only one having issues with the door moldings fading. My drivers side rear door has turned a splotchy white color.
My 2023 DD RT has been sitting at the dealership for the last 6 weeks waiting on the moldings, new exhaust and a new engine.
It only has 6,500 miles on it. Mine was built 7/23

 

Same with my '16, just greying.

 

When I went to the dealer - he checked the REV level of the parts, it went from AA to AB - said there could have been a change, not cheap either, $112 each plus $36 each in labor All on Warranty. Could be a supplier issue, changing the release mold agent or the material and not told any one— saw it happen many times.

As for the tail lamp - looks like it help after all the rain we had in Denton last night - will keep an eye on it - was out last night, saw another DD with the lower rh dim………

My 23 year old ford Excusrion - door moldings look like they just came from the factory…….

 

My moldings are prematurely fading as well, have a 2023 that is about 5 months old....craziness.

 

Go to dealer and have them replaced. If out of warranty I'd go to a wrap shop.

 

Speaking of the window molding, how does the roof rail molding strips look like? Mine are faded just like the windows.

 

Mine look fine. Truck is outside 100% in Texas. Side insert is gloss black but the top MIC parts seem fine.

noticed condensation in my lamp panel last night so will be stopping by dealer this morning.

 

Got water in the tailight on my RT finally. This is my third durango and 3rd racetrack water problem, past 2 were replaced under warranty but im out of it on this one. Lights haven't burned out yet and i removed the bottom screws and let them drain and dry out. Thes lights have a 100% failure rate. Has anyone tried one of the replacements from Amazon or ebay? IMO they can't be any worse than factory (unless they don't fit right or the lights don't match factory) and they are half the proce at around $600.

 

I have a 2023 Durango with 8k miles on it and just noticed I have water in my rear left tail light. I called to set up a service appointment and talked to the parts manager, he said their current fix is to DRILL A WEEP HOLE in the light and that I'd likely have to call chrysler customer care to get them to do something else. Did any of you have a dealership tell you that?

This is a clear safety issue, a clear "I might get pulled over and issued a ticket" issue, and a completely insufficient solution. If there isn't a class action about these lights yet there should be (ETA- looks like there is a suit making it's way through the courts: Dodge Durango Racetrack Tail Lights Recall Needed, Says Lawsuit )

 

I have a 2023 Durango with 8k miles on it and just noticed I have water in my rear left tail light. I called to set up a service appointment and talked to the parts manager, he said their current fix is to DRILL A WEEP HOLE in the light and that I'd likely have to call chrysler customer care to get them to do something else. Did any of you have a dealership tell you that?

This is a clear safety issue, a clear "I might get pulled over and issued a ticket" issue, and a completely insufficient solution. If there isn't a class action about these lights yet there should be.

Is the water in the tail light? Or the racetrack light? There is already a class-action lawsuit filed for water intrusion in the racetrack light.

 

It's in the rear left tail light, not race track light yet.

Can we simply not take these cars to a car wash? I typically go once a week (have a monthly membership) but looks like that is going to be problematic with this vehicle.

 

Ahh, that is a more concerning issue and absolutely can/will translate into a safety issue. The racetrack light is considered ornamental and does not constitute a safety issue per the lighting laws, so we're pretty much SOL there unless the class-action goes somewhere.

I would suggest you file a defect report with the NHTSA as soon as possible: Report a Safety Problem | NHTSA

 

Thanks for the link, I filed a report.

 

IIRC there is a TSB for water intrusion on one or both of the tail lights as well.

 

Yeah - I'd wanna know where they are drilling this hole as well... is the water going to drain completely? Where is the water going to go when it drains? Sounds like a great way to rust out the quarter panel or inner structure beneath the lamp assembly. Then you go to get that repaired under the corrosion warranty and they refuse coverage because of the unapproved modification to the lamp.