fwbkotowske

Has anyone experienced any trouble with condensation in the headlights / tailights - I have it in all four - the dealership gave me a hard time about replacing them, but with just over 1500 miles on the car they really couldn't back away from it. The coincidence is too great for all four to leak that the housing is flawed....wondering if I should expect to argue with them again.

Lensman

I think it's normal. Certainly most other cars with that style of headlights get condensation in the lenses, in fact there are holes to allow the vapour in and out, so I don't see why the RX-8 should be different. Turning the lights on should heat up the assembly and boil off the water.

r0tor

iTrader: (1)

Headlights and tailights should NEVER become foggy on the inside - actually our family had our old Grand Am fail the state inspection because of this.

There are breather holes in the lenses to deal with the gasses heating up and expanding, but in this hole is a Gore-Tex membrane that prevents moisture from entering (I actually learned this on an interview with the Gore-Tex company and they showed it to me). If the lights are fogging up on the inside its because there is a hairline crack somewhere on one of the seams.

fwbkotowske

Thanks pr0ber - that is what I thought. I never heard of any lens that is supposed to have condensation in them. I have a 2003 Denali and a '99 Silverado that have never had a bit of problem with it.

The dealership found a hairline crack in the bottom of one of the lenses (that neither I nor anyone else noticed before it went back into the shop- kinda fishy) and didn't want to replace them. They finally conceded that maybe there was a problem after my persistence and ordered all four to R & R.

Thanks again for the feedback!

English

This is what we're visiting this site for folks, so listen UP!!! Thank you All.

RX-MEN-8

As I had mentioned in another post before, last Friday I had both rear tail lights replaced under warranty just for that reason. Both had developed a craze in the plastic that had allowed moisture to get inside. I had remembered another forum member having this problem, so I did a search under "tailgate" --sure enough, I found it from a guy in Canada. I printed it out including photos and showed the dealer.. The service manager said "no problem" Mazda is aware of this in some cars. I will change them for you right now!! In 35 minutes...done... Now, no moisture inside! Good luck... MSJ

flyboyindy

Mine too! All four of them are fogged up =( Damn... first warranty work! ICK...

my10ae

I am actually going in to the dealer tomorrow morning for my THIRD set of tail lights. The previous 2 sets have had moisture inside of them in the upper corners of the lenses. Also getting new sill plates as my drivers piece (aluminum piece) fell off!! No issue with dealer, called them and they are gonna take me in tomorrow before I go to work

Help's when they are our Miata club's sponsor

winebrad

I notice some condensation in the upper corner of my passenger headlight two days after delivery(Last Week) Also as I was cleaning the sill plate fell off on the drivers side and I noticed the passenger side is pulling up as well. So much for fit and finish. I wonder how JD Power will rate the car?

Ioman

Just found moisture build up in my new RX8 this weekend. I called the dealer and told them about it. They will be calling me back this week. I hope they are replaced under warranty. Only 700 miles on my car!

my10ae

Ioman:

There should be NO question from the dealer to replace your tail lights. It is a possible defect in the light design. My dealer is going to order me up both sills and see if there is an "updated" design to the tail lights. I'll wait and see what they say when they call me at lunch and post up.

my10ae

Just got a call from my dealer. According to the rep Mazda has not heard of the moisture in the tail lights. Anyways, an RX-8 tech from Mazda North American Operations will be geting back to my service rep with (hopefully) a resolution. They currently state they have no fix for this issue and do not see a need to replace the lights with another set. (since it probably will happen again)

For those who are having this problem, please report it to your dealer so Mazda is aware of this issue! There should NOT be moisture forming inside these lights. I'll keep everyone posted as to how this pans out.

On the bright side, I'll be geting in my RX-8 sill plates coming in soon.

RX-MEN-8

my10ae: I think that is BULL. When I took my car in for that problem a few months ago, my service rep. told me Mazda was aware of the problem and had had a factory rep look through all their cars on the lot looking for the crazes on the lights. The New ones had a yellow sticker inside the trunk (top) with code Efe01 on them. It was covered under warranty w/o ANY problems. I showed him the condesation, he said "I have them in stock--do you want to do it today" 35 minutes later I was off w/ the new ones I have yet to have a problem with. I had also taken the pictures I had found on this site from a fellow member in Canada. My rep actually showed these to the service manager who was impressed.. The Net does have advantages for consumers. You no longer have to wounder if you are the only one this is happening to: :D

my10ae

I am just going on what my dealer stated. If they were to replace these lights, this would have been my THIRD set. My current set does have that yellow sticker and number on it and they still had condensation in them!! If they replace these lights, who says it won't happen again? I could demand a set and get them with no problem. That would be a band aid, I'm waiting for the cure to this once and for all. We will see what they say.....

WaikeleWookies

Damn I'm having that same problem too. On my driver side tailight just noticed this the other night will call my dealer and check it out too.

i3man

I remember those yellow stickers on the top of the tail lights when you open the trunk...I took them off :p

Waikele how are you holding up in the rain...pretty bad stuff huh. I haven't seen this much rain in years. I want to wash my car but it won't stop raining long enough.

Ioman

oops sorry for the confusion. I am getting moisture in my HEADLIGHTS not my taillights. I called my dealer and they told me the head lights are vented and the moisture will evaporate from the lights.

Any truth to this? I find it hard to believe and the moisture looks terrible.

winebrad

Hi Guys,

I was inspecting my lights yesterday and noticed the drivers side rear light had a cobweb in the upper corner! Go figure!!

Vortex

Yea, I've got mega condensation and moisture in my tail lights also. Driver side is worse than passenger. I'm taking it in for a oil change next week so I'll have them address the issue then when the flash the computer too. I haven't had it done yet so I figure I'll get everything taken care of at once. If some one finds a recall posting on this, let me know.

Hisakata

when I called up and told them I went in for an appointment and they ordered two brand new headlights from mazda.

Going in friday to have them installed. No issues with my dealer as they are a pleasure to deal with.

Colonial Mazda

Good luck to all that have this annoying problem.

Tony Orlando

Hmm... I've noticed a thin, oily film inside my headlights, but no fogging. You have to look at the right angle, but there's a dry spot in front of the Xenon lamp, presumably from the heat. I assumed it was a factory "anti-fog" coating inside.

As far as the tails, I do see soapy water getting caught around the outside dge of the taillights, but no fogging. I work for a new car dealer, and this happens on just about every new car. It's under the "lip" of the taillight housing, but not inside the seal. Is the area painted blue in this pic the place where you guys see water, or is the lens fogging up?

Vortex

No, I have moisture inside the tale light. Just dropped the car off today with heavy mositure inside the lenses. The guy in the service isle took one look and said, we'll replace them. Although they are dragging their feet about updating the computer, even after I pointed out the line in the service bull. about it needs to be done even if there isn't a no start issue.

I painted in red the areas that had moisture for me. Its the same condition on both tail lights.

Tony Orlando

Geez, that's bad. Glad to hear they replaced them, though.

Vortex

Yea, you'd think with that amount that it would evaporate just a quick in warm weather...but it wasn't the case. But good as new hopefully.

rx8cited

Mazda has found a possible reason for the cracks: New TSB - Solvent Cracks Appear on Rear Combination Light Lens and/or Front Side Marker Light Lens.

rx8cited