Taillight pops out

[Knight-of-Ni]

Hey guys,
I have removed the taillights from my 2023 Ford Maverick exactly once. Ever since then, the left rear taillight keeps popping out of the two holes shown in the photo below. Thankfully the screws keep the taillight assembly from completely falling off. It seems the two plastic inserts in the photo have lost their retention ability.

Anyone know how to order replacements? I haven't the slightest idea what these parts are called. Thank you.

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[Knight-of-Ni]

UPDATE:
Found this thread which mentions the part numbers:
https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/f...-by-installing-new-taillight-retainers.23675/

 

[rclee]

@Knight-of-Ni I have a 22 XLT and after two years it (the Drivers side rear tail lamp) started popping out at the front. I would unscrew it and re-install it. It took about two minutes and I would hear the pop sound and it was out again. It tried shimming the pins with a lock washer, but that did not help. Finally I determined that the bolts that hold the assembly in place (when tightened pretty good) kind of flex the tail light. If you tighten them finger tight it doesn't flex (torque) the housing. I really didn't want to leave it that loose, so I found a couple of garden hose washers. You know, the ones that go between the hose and the sprayer. I also had some of the flexible 3M double side tape. I cut some small strips of tape to affix the washers to the body of the truck (left side of the sheet metal) between the tail light housing and sheet metal. I then put the assembly back on and snugged the bolts. Those washers act as a shim and don't flex the assembly as much.

It's been over a week and about 300 miles in a very hot climate and it hasn't popped out since. I have had no issues with the passenger side.

It is a very inexpensive fix

Rob

 

[swtiming8]

Hey guys,
I have removed the taillights from my 2023 Ford Maverick exactly once. Ever since then, the left rear taillight keeps popping out of the two holes shown in the photo below. Thankfully the screws keep the taillight assembly from completely falling off. It seems the two plastic inserts in the photo have lost their retention ability.

Anyone know how to order replacements? I haven't the slightest idea what these parts are called. Thank you.

If the dealer is close to you stop by and ask the service writer or stop in to the body shop to replace the fastener. I would hope they would replace it as good will

 

[Knight-of-Ni]

@Knight-of-Ni I have a 22 XLT and after two years it (the Drivers side rear tail lamp) started popping out at the front. I would unscrew it and re-install it. It took about two minutes and I would hear the pop sound and it was out again. It tried shimming the pins with a lock washer, but that did not help. Finally I determined that the bolts that hold the assembly in place (when tightened pretty good) kind of flex the tail light. If you tighten them finger tight it doesn't flex (torque) the housing. I really didn't want to leave it that loose, so I found a couple of garden hose washers. You know, the ones that go between the hose and the sprayer. I also had some of the flexible 3M double side tape. I cut some small strips of tape to affix the washers to the body of the truck (left side of the sheet metal) between the tail light housing and sheet metal. I then put the assembly back on and snugged the bolts. Those washers act as a shim and don't flex the assembly as much.

It's been over a week and about 300 miles in a very hot climate and it hasn't popped out since. I have had no issues with the passenger side.

It is a very inexpensive fix

Rob

I think you are on to something... I too noticed that torquing down the two screws seemed to apply an outward force on the front edge of the assembly, which made it want to pull itself away from the body of the truck. I've got plenty of hose washers. I'll try that right now. Thanks!

 

[Hcopter]

Something else to check, this is why mine was popping out.

https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/forum/threads/taillight-keeps-popping-out.46583/post-818264

 

[rclee]

Give it a try until Mother Ford comes out with a fix. I think I read on MTC that Ford is working on a fix for this.

BTW that Eruption Green is Awesome!

 

[Ozarkbeard]

Ford is aware of the problem. Scroll down for a multiple threads on the issue.

 

[paneubert]

This was my reply last time this came up.

Yes, many people suffer this after they switch out their tail lights to LED bulbs. There are two plastic "barb" style fittings that help hold it in. They go in at an angle that points directly at the opposite front corner of the bed of the truck. Basically at about a 45 degree angle from looking at it from the back of the truck or the side of the truck. If that makes sense... If you pull out or push in the housing from the "rounded corner"/center point of the taillight housing, that is the direction the barbs go.

You can try to loosen the washer/bolt that holds it in, push it in tight, then tighten the washer/bolt. I have heard that over-tightening the washer/bolt can make it pop out again, so you need to find the sweet spot where it is tight, but not over-tight.

 

[Paulyz]

You must

Hey guys,
I have removed the taillights from my 2023 Ford Maverick exactly once. Ever since then, the left rear taillight keeps popping out of the two holes shown in the photo below. Thankfully the screws keep the taillight assembly from completely falling off. It seems the two plastic inserts in the photo have lost their retention ability.

Anyone know how to order replacements? I haven't the slightest idea what these parts are called. Thank you.

You just need to push assembly in, to snap in those two holes on side

 

[FamousAmos]

Hey guys,
I have removed the taillights from my 2023 Ford Maverick exactly once. Ever since then, the left rear taillight keeps popping out of the two holes shown in the photo below. Thankfully the screws keep the taillight assembly from completely falling off. It seems the two plastic inserts in the photo have lost their retention ability.

Anyone know how to order replacements? I haven't the slightest idea what these parts are called. Thank you.

I think your truck has gas. Put a little bicarbonate of soda ........................................ never mind.

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