Moisture in headlights

[Mox4615]

Anybody had any issues with moisture in the headlights? Just noticed this while doing a quick wash. I would assume these are not cheap to replace but luckily still under warranty.

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[Glen Baker LLC]

Now I have to go check mine.
I was surprised to find that the headlights are Not hermetically sealed.

Anybody had any issues with moisture in the headlights? Just noticed this while doing a quick wash. I would assume these are not cheap to replace but luckily still under warranty.

I wonder how the condensation will affect the "70-year lifespan" claimed by some???

 

[LGM30G]

I had a similar problem in my expedition Tail light. The dealer said they had to see it to be covered. One service manager said it wasn’t bad enough. It’s a sealed system..there should be no moisture! I had the pictures and a different manager submitted the claim. Ford covered it. I think it was $1600.

 

[Mox4615]

I had a similar problem in my expedition Tail light. The dealer said they had to see it to be covered. One service manager said it wasn’t bad enough. It’s a sealed system..there should be no moisture! I had the pictures and a different manager submitted the claim. Ford covered it. I think it was $1600.

Wow that’s pricey, surprisingly enough the moisture is actually gone now. Will definitely be keeping an eye on it though as I was under the impression that it was a sealed unit like you mentioned.

 

[Toddman45]

I wash mine every week I've never noticed any condensation inside them. Have you replaced Say your parking light/blinkers in the front, if so make sure they're seated properly. If not sometimes depending on the right conditions humidity can get into the headlights but there is a foam style breathing sticker over a vent on most headlights that allow for moisture to get in and out.

If it's not pooling I wouldn't worry much about it as long as it evaporates. From what I can see in your picture that looks like just normal humidity getting into the headlight housing.

 

[Tim d]

I had a similar problem in my expedition Tail light. The dealer said they had to see it to be covered. One service manager said it wasn’t bad enough. It’s a sealed system..there should be no moisture! I had the pictures and a different manager submitted the claim. Ford covered it. I think it was $1600.

I just replaced a headlight on my 72 cuda for 11 bucks. Ah progress lol. The last time I replaced the tailgate light bulb I think it was 1.99.

 

[Johnny maverick]

I would put the warranty claim in. It's only going to get worse. I had ford warranty my clearance lights on my superduty they fogged up also.

 

[Richard2212]

I would put the warranty claim in. It's only going to get worse. I had ford warranty my clearance lights on my superduty they fogged up also.

Moisture in a Headlight or Tailight can lead to serious System problems if left unattended. My DIL's 2023 Explorer had a crack in a Headlight Lens from hitting a bird. Left unattended lead to one headlight not working. Eventually taken to the Dealer to fix. Headlight plus numerous system faults - major harness replacement - lots of debugging. $5855. and 5 weeks later Explorer is back on then road.

Moral - moisture in a Headlight or Tail light should be addressed promptly.

 

[Suzukiridr14]

I just replaced a headlight on my 72 cuda for 11 bucks. Ah progress lol. The last time I replaced the tailgate light bulb I think it was 1.99.

Also back in 1972, you could have replaced the whole car for under $3000 bucks!

 

[MetalsGeek]

Condensation in headlights can be really difficult to prevent. Older ones with a halogen bulb (that got hot) would tend to suck in humid air and condense it. The only way I found to actually fix that was to drill a couple of 1/2" vent holes in the reflector. LEDs may be different, but it's almost impossible to get a perfect hermetic seal. The long term effects should damage the LED so a warranty claim seems appropriate. Fingers crossed for you.

 

[Bob The Builder]

As someone who used to retrofit housings to add projectors and HID, the housings need to be sealed perfectly with the right venting. Once in a while a defective one gets installed from the factory or worse a bad batch. I would doubt yours will be covered.

 

[Mox4615]

As someone who used to retrofit housings to add projectors and HID, the housings need to be sealed perfectly with the right venting. Once in a while a defective one gets installed from the factory or worse a bad batch. I would doubt yours will be covered.

You don’t think these are covered under warranty?

 

[OleFordGuy]

Wow that’s pricey, surprisingly enough the moisture is actually gone now. Will definitely be keeping an eye on it though as I was under the impression that it was a sealed unit like you mentioned.

Yep, I had the condensation issue in my wife's expedition, except it was in one of the rear tail lights. Ford denied the warranty claim since it wasn't a high enough percentage of the tail light. It comes and go's, but it's there more than not. Frustrating, doesn't look good when fogged up. The text below is from the maverick manual:

HEADLAMPS –
TROUBLESHOOTING
HEADLAMPS – FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS

Why is there condensation in the
headlamps?
Headlamps have vents to
accommodate normal changes in air
pressure. Condensation can be a
natural by-product of this design.
When moist air enters the lamp
assembly through the vents, there is a
possibility that condensation can
occur when the temperature is cold.
When normal condensation occurs, a
fine mist can form on the interior of the
lens. The fine mist eventually clears
and exits through the vents during
normal operation.

How much condensation is
acceptable?
The presence of a fine mist, for
example no streaks, drip marks or
large droplets. A fine mist covers less
than 50% of the lens.

How long may it take for the
acceptable condensation to be
cleared?
Clearing time may take as long as 48
hours under dry weather conditions.

How much condensation is
unacceptable?
A water puddle inside the lamp.
Streaks, drip marks or large droplets

 

[Bob The Builder]

You don’t think these are covered under warranty?

I think it is worth a try on your part for sure. I am just saying based on my experience with dealers and moisture it needed to be worse than yours to get warranty done.

However, I would try if I were you.

 

[CurtisB]

Ok, I'm going to share what I did. This has happened to me with my 2006 Scion XB and 2015 Prius. Easiest, cheapest fix for me was to remove the headlamp assembly, pour water over it (to find wear the water/moisture was leaking at), let the headlight dry in the sun (using a hair dryer can help, but one needs to be really careful), then buy some clear silicone sealant, seal the area the water came in at, let it fully dry, install the headlight assembly and your done.

I might add that the leaking area usually is along the back seam (behind the housing), so sealing it with clear silicone is easy. You can't see the fix from the front when you reinstall the housing.

Yes, you could try to get it replaced under warranty. Might even get them to replace them. That would be the best case scenario. But if you don't get lucky, try my method. It works. Did it with two cars and sold them at top dollar.

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