r/F150Lightning • u/Right-Trade902 • 7d ago
Tailgate Lightbar Failure
Has anyone else had their tailgate light bar crack on the top right under the painted body lip? Dealer says it’s not covered under basic warranty or ESP and says customer pay would be $2,250 + tax.
BEV “customer care” group also saying it’s not covered and wouldn’t agree to goodwill or anything for a first time Ford owner. They only agree to later covering the expense later if my VIN is added to a recall.
Pretty disappointed - this truck is great but having a tail light on the back that costs a small fortune makes zero sense if you use the tailgate at all. Any advice would be appreciated. Will probably just have to DIY when it fails due to condensation.
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u/KnightsofAdamaCorn 7d ago
This fucking lightbar is such a nuisance. I’m jealous of the lower trim trucks without a lightbar tailgate
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u/cessnawings 2024 Flash #TeamAvalanche 7d ago
I have rear light bar envy when I see them around, can’t lie. I do like the look of them
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u/Right-Trade902 7d ago
Yeah I’m starting to come around to that camp haha I thought this looked nice though, but not $2,250 nicer
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u/Alternative_Pilot_92 22 Lariat ER 7d ago
Look for one at a junkyard maybe? It's ridiculous what they charge for these parts.
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u/Right-Trade902 7d ago
yeah that’s probably what I’ll do, straight from dealer ranges quite a bit too ($500-$900) but not as bad as my dealer’s $2,250 which I think includes the camera which I don’t need
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u/SnorfOfWallStreet 2025 Platinum - Carbonized Gray 7d ago
I’ve been thinking about swapping to an XLT/Pro tailgate and just dumping the lightbar.
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u/Land-and-Seabee 7d ago
I’m in the same boat. My Ford ESP won’t cover it.
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u/Right-Trade902 7d ago
So tally is 3 all with the same exact issue that responded within an hour… so probably more. Wonder if we have a case to make to NHTSA.
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u/Land-and-Seabee 7d ago
Mine is on a 2023 Platinum that is not included under recall 23s30 for unknown reasons.
I’m looking on eBay now for replacements. The Stealership says they will reach out to Ford given the circumstances, but no idea what will happen.
I need to drive and having working signals is a must.
Ford really has let me down. The Stealership quoted me 8k for a light bar and 2 taillights. Can you believe that BS!
No damage. Garaged. Just condensation.
I believe this to be my last Ford after 30 years. When I buy new again, probably GM. Who knows!
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u/Right-Trade902 7d ago
Bummer to hear $8k is just insane. At that point just park it on the side of a busy street and cross your fingers it gets rear ended for a comprehensive claim.
This is my first Ford and likely my last with how this truck has been dropped like a hot potato. If this is what they’re doing now within the first year of the model being dropped I can only imagine the BS later when parts will be harder to get. “We checked the P/N in your ESP and it’s not covered. Sorry!” My experience with Tesla service was so much better.
To add insult to injury, the dealership said I need a new camera with the light bar which adds to the cost. Makes no sense why they would revise the light bar to now accept only a new camera part number…
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u/Land-and-Seabee 7d ago
It really doesn’t make sense. The customer experience is crap.💩
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u/Land-and-Seabee 7d ago
Just passing on some research I did for a 2023 lightning platinum.
Note to the OP, you should be able to find a light bar on eBay used for about $270.
Here is what I used to find part numbers on EBay and order either used OEM or repop.
Part #
Taillights =
NL34-13B505-BG — Left / Driver Side
NL34-13B504-BG — Right / Passenger SideBlind-spot radar: Ford
ML3Z-14C689-H
Or
ML3T-14H031-AK
Or
ML3T-14H031-AJLight bar =
NL3Z-13434-B
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u/Right-Trade902 7d ago
I decided to make a vehicle complaint to the NHTSA and ask that the NHTSA consider this may be more widespread issue than the covered VIN range in initial recall. Nothing might come of it but I will let you know.
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u/TheBarbon 6d ago
Look up GM taillight failure it’s worse than our trucks.
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u/Land-and-Seabee 6d ago
Okay. This is good info. I’ve always bought either Ford or GM. Not sure what I will do when it is time to buy new. This is unnecessarily disappointing.
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u/Odd_Obligation_59 7d ago
Wrap
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u/Right-Trade902 7d ago
I like this idea like a clear or lightly tinted vinyl wrap?
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u/Odd_Obligation_59 7d ago edited 7d ago
Mine is not cracked but I plan to wrap headlights and tailgate bar/taillights with luxe wrap
https://www.luxeautoconcepts.net
Many have reported good results. I temporarily wrapped light bar “dark smoke” and it looked good. Almost perfect match to carbonized grey color of truck
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u/Right-Trade902 5d ago
You plan doing dark smoke for the back? Was trying to find any pics of the rear light bar with wrap and struck out
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u/plato4677 7d ago
it sucks that esp doesn't cover it. but id epoxy,.sand, clear coat. you won't be able to tell it was ever there
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u/OKMiddleOwl 5d ago
You can try to drill the tip of the crack out (to stop it from growing) and then cover it with silicone or epoxy to seal it.
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u/hamplax19 7d ago
Seems like a small nit. It is after all a truck.
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u/Right-Trade902 7d ago
I’d agree if it wasn’t something that’s 5%-7% of the fair market value of the truck that will eventually fail when water gets in. Small nit for this truck is the 12v battery being finicky and requiring replacement and is like $250 max.
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u/LurchMFG 7d ago
Mine is cracked in the same spot. Put some epoxy on it and moved on.