Foggy Tail/Brake Lights?
 

Well, the rains have come and I'm noticing fogging in both my taillights. I've called Mazda and their official position is, I'd have to drive it by for them to see it fogged up! WTF!

I live about 20 miles away from the nearest Mazda dealer and by the time I get there, it might not be foggy anymore. I know, then this shouldn't be a problem--thing is they admit it is not normal. So, like anybody else I just want what is "normal" for our car.

I offered to take a picture as "evidence" and they said, "no, we have to see it in person." WTF! has anyone else had this problem?

Foggy brake lights
 

I'm taking mine in this afternoon for TSB updates and will also throw in my foggy rear lens too to see what they will do. I'll let you know

I'm still new here, but isnt there a condinsation in the tail lights recall/fix?

I don't know, I'm new too, is there? Cause if there is, then Mazda's just being cheap by acting like it's news to them. Shoot, they were acting like I'm the first to complain of this...

If you have had the trunk open in the rain it will fog them a bit...it will go away.

If they are soaked inside that is a different matter....they probably are cracked and need to be replaced.

See if it goes away....if not get new ones!

No. They're not soaked. But I also didn't open the trunk today. I'm just worried that over time, they may kill the life of my bulbs or do something funky like grow mildew, mushrooms, etc. inside.

I just had mine in for this. They ordered 2 new tail lights. Mine is an 04. They got them in but 1 was bad so they ordered another. This is a TSB and they should be replaced by the dealer at no cost.

Sorry, I'm new...TSB? Also, did you have to show them "proof" that it was fogging?

This TSB is for 2004 RX-8s.
http://www.finishlineperformance.com...21-04-1356.pdf


In general, most people complaining about condensation are being alarmed about something that is completely normal. More on this thread.

https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discussion-3/tail-light-condensation-103811/

i had some water and i mean standing water in mine and the dealer just swaped in some new ones

were they flooded when you showed the dealer or did they take your "word" for it? My problem is that they wont even accept a pic as evidence. F*ckers want to SEE it fog up before their eyes! :Eyecrazy: :Eyecrazy:

Hey Phantom. It's normal for it to fog up in humid weather. How long has your fogging lasted? Unless the fogging seems permanent or there's standing water, save yourself from the stress.

People don't change their windshield when it fogs up. How come?

True. Thanks for the advice. The very first time I washed my car it fogged. Then again to day (raining). It's not as bad as the pic of the red car in your link...his looked like he could grow weed inside.

I'm only tripping because I called the dealer and asked if it was "normal?" and they said no. Thus, I'm thinking it's "Abnormal" and may cause complications further down the line when my warranty is up. Feel me?

My frustration is form their admittance that it is not normal + Saying that they have to SEE it fog up in person to honor my warranty. To me that is like saying..."you've got a problem, but we don't want to fix it."

Phantom, I'd do business with a different dealer. Their attitude doesn't sound right.

Just letting you know that we've had rain for a couple of days. Whenever it does, I get some fogging in the tail lamp corners when the lamp assembly warms up, but after it gets a chance to ventilate, the fogging will go away.

Most modern lamp assemblies are designed this way - to vent and equalize internal and external humidity, so you can relax unless the fogging stays. :)

okay. Thanks! Unfortunatley, I can't easily go to another dealer as their the only ones relatively nearby. btw, my brakes are also starting to squeak. I've read a thread on here but the guy's car had some miles on it. I've >1k. Is this normal too?

I took mine in the other day and they said "That would be coverd under warranty" ... 1 hour latr replaced ...No Charge ... (it usually is alittle water at the bottom of the lens)

Go take it in

My problem is they said that they HAVE to see it fogged. Its about a 20mi drive for me and it may clear up by the time I get there. Is this the offical statement or do other dealers just replace on your word?

Phantom, regarding the brake squeal issue, search works well, but since you're new.
http://www.finishlineperformance.com...01-06-1568.pdf

If they clear in 20 minutes...they don't need replacing. If you live in a humid area...or have something in the trunk that is wet...they will "fog" a little. It will go away if that is all it is.

It's the Water that you need to worry about :D:

I put a wet -wetsuit in the trunk...instant fogged lights....went away when the trunk was emptied out and dried out..........

Since its just fogging its alright. Mine has been doing it but its because of the change in temp. Now when you start having water litteraly slushing around take it in. I had my changed in Aug and the water stayed condensated for over a 12hr period.

If there is no obvious crack in the tail light it is leaking through the gasket, they have changed the design of the gasket to fix this. There is no need to change the whole tail light. Mine used to fog after it rained and i opened the boot (sorry trunk lol). Because my warranty had expired i just purchased the gasket and replaced it myself, problem solved!

It happens to me on some mornings.. Pretty normal, I can just wipe it out or wait til the sun hits them.

I had that happen after having my trunk open to put groceries in there when it was pouring down rain. It did go away fully about two days later. It's the first time it has happened, so most likely was the trunk thing. :dunno:

If its not Fog, but condensation inside of them (water) when the sun hits it, it will dry up and leave a white thin layer of crust, it will build up more and more as this happens. (almost like the top of a fishtank after its been sitting for a while). It gets like build-up.

Just wanted to say that I just came from the dealership. They installed my spare tire kit and also
a) Replaced BOTH tail light housings
b) Replaced my front brake pads!

I just had to say 3 little, beautiful, letters....

TSB! And they got to it. It was as easy as pie after I mentioned that I saw the TSBs! Love it, just gotta love it.