Headlight lenses cracking
5th Wheeling
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 32
Likes: 13
I'm bumping this (#15) in hopes somebody has a recommendation on how I should proceed with this, since the service manager is not willing to help. This truck is either in my shop or under shade trees when not in use, I just don't feel like I should pony up close to 3K for defective headlights. Any help would be much appreciated!
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 1,579
Likes: 636
I'm bumping this (#15) in hopes somebody has a recommendation on how I should proceed with this, since the service manager is not willing to help. This truck is either in my shop or under shade trees when not in use, I just don't feel like I should pony up close to 3K for defective headlights. Any help would be much appreciated!
I would try contacting Ford yourself and see if they will work with you. The headlights shouldn’t be cracking. They are sealed LED lights and since you can’t replace parts in them it seems Ford intended for them to be a lifetime part!
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 1,579
Likes: 636
One other suggestion, when you contact ford let them know you feel that this needs to be brought to the NHTSAs attention. This is a safety issue and im sure they would like to know about it. that might get them to cooperate a little more.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 8,641
Likes: 2,435
These are factory LED headlights. Not serviceable, no way to use aftermarket bulbs.
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Front lights cracking - allowing moisture in
While it is good that Ford ponied up and replaced them under warranty, the issue I have with this approach is they replace them (usually) with the same faulty part, so in 2 years, we're back to square 1 with the same issue. I tend to keep vehicles long term, so this matters more to me.
5th Wheeling
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 32
Likes: 13
TB250,
Correct, any solvents will craze acrylic including ammonia based cleaners i.e "Windex" or equal. If the outer lens is an acrylic and common glass cleaners are used, yes you would definitely get crazing over time. This is well known in the aviation community as we always used "Plexus" or equal to clean windscreens in order to avoid crazing. My headlights have only seen rain, soap ,and water. It's Fords problem, and they are not stepping up to the plate to fix. I have been meticulous in maintenance and care for my truck and it is in pristine condition except for the headlights which look like crap. I believe I have a good service writer he just had the body shop fix my tailgate damage after a uncommanded opening while pulling a trailer that damaged the top and dented the platinum applique, this after the recall "fix", I now have a bungee cord on the tailgate to prevent an accidental opening. Service writer told me that he has had many SD's come in with the same defect, maybe you should just trade in for a new one and your headlight issue would be solved !! I can't get any help, but I refuse to pay $$ to fix something that should be on Ford with an ESP. Sorry rant over.
Best,
Correct, any solvents will craze acrylic including ammonia based cleaners i.e "Windex" or equal. If the outer lens is an acrylic and common glass cleaners are used, yes you would definitely get crazing over time. This is well known in the aviation community as we always used "Plexus" or equal to clean windscreens in order to avoid crazing. My headlights have only seen rain, soap ,and water. It's Fords problem, and they are not stepping up to the plate to fix. I have been meticulous in maintenance and care for my truck and it is in pristine condition except for the headlights which look like crap. I believe I have a good service writer he just had the body shop fix my tailgate damage after a uncommanded opening while pulling a trailer that damaged the top and dented the platinum applique, this after the recall "fix", I now have a bungee cord on the tailgate to prevent an accidental opening. Service writer told me that he has had many SD's come in with the same defect, maybe you should just trade in for a new one and your headlight issue would be solved !! I can't get any help, but I refuse to pay $$ to fix something that should be on Ford with an ESP. Sorry rant over.
Best,
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