Taillight shattered on its own...

[NS_Stinger]

Has anyone had their centre taillight shatter on its own? Centre taillight has randomly done this...not impressed...

 

[SteveCo]

Hard to see the damage in the photos. Maybe somebody tapped it with another car or truck (or a runaway shopping cart) when it was unattended?

 

[NS_Stinger]

Hard to see the damage in the photos. Maybe somebody tapped it with another car or truck (or a runaway shopping cart) when it was unattended?

Where its broken it cant really be reached by anything and it has no damage around the assembly at all. It had to happen today so the only thing i can think of is it shattered from heat because it was hot today.

 

[Skraight]

When standing outside my car when it's hot out I can hear mine audibly making popping noises. If I barely press on it I can reproduce the sound.

 

[NS_Stinger]

When standing outside my car when it's hot out I can hear mine audibly making popping noises. If I barely press on it I can reproduce the sound.

Are you talking about the centre taillight or just the car in general?

The best way i can explain the damage is the top edge of the light has spiderwebbing and further down you can see a large crack behind the taillight, its not even on the outside it cracked from the inside out.

 

[mldavis2]

If there is no impact damage, it will be covered by warranty. First I've heard of this one.

 

[Skraight]

Are you talking about the centre taillight or just the car in general?

The best way i can explain the damage is the top edge of the light has spiderwebbing and further down you can see a large crack behind the taillight, its not even on the outside it cracked from the inside out.

The center tail light piece

 

[NS_Stinger]

It has spread even more since ive started this thread. No exterior damage at all on the taillight, its perfect.

The only thing I can think that the dealer might question is that I swapped the badge on the back below the taillight to the stinger badge but that was weeks ago and I never impacted the taillight during that install. This happened today as ive washed the car several times since the badge install and the light was always perfect.

 

[Dmchristie1]

I actually took both of my Stingers in for the fading/ staining of the red part. It looks like yours is stained as well.
That shouldn’t be faded, they agreed but accused me of using some kind of chemical that damaged the lights. BS... but I did use goo gone on the rebadging. They didn’t approve the claim.
My right side tail light did crack on my yellow car and they replaced that part.
There was no indication of impact nor was there any.




They

 

[NS_Stinger]

Mine dont have any staining its just cracks everywhere. Ill take some better photos later and report back about what the dealer says.

 

[washguy]

dadgummit I knew that 34k was too much for this gt2....geeez Wash

 

[NS_Stinger]

This is annoying but I've had much more serious problems with my last Acura than a taillight. If this is as bad as it gets I'll take it!

 

[Hojae84]

My center taillight and one of rear light cracked when car was fairly new. No impact that I know of no dents... kia rep came to inspect and wouldn't cover under warranty... they paid for portion of it I was 500 out of pocket I think center and side light cost more than 500 alone but that was the best they did for me

 

[NS_Stinger]

WHAT! That's insane, how could they possibly claim it's not a defect with no impact?

 

[Hojae84]

I dont know... I guess they thought something must have hit it but there were multiple cracks in center piece, and one taillight. They brought out a stinger specialist and he determined all gaps around light plastic were correct and nothing could cause crack except for something hitting it.
Since they put new parts no issue...
Was kinda upset it all wasnt covered but that was the best they offered
Split cost of parts and labor. Interested to see what op gets... if his gets replaced for free ima call kia asking for refund.

 

[MerlintheMad]

Each case is different, mainly because each case is overseen by someone different. So calling Kia for a refund won't go anywhere in all likelihood. Best of luck, though!

The center piece is unlighted, just to clarify. It's a decorative strip only, which I think is a little quirky, but oh well!

Plastic, heh! We gotta love it. It's a love/hate thing, because even the best plastic eventually stresses somewhere and starts to give out. These rare failures brought up on the forum are interesting and disturbing: making the rest of us leary!, giving us a lot to watch out for.

 

[forzanerazzurri]

Yikes.

 

[AV8R]

Can we het some build dates guys please.
The other thing is could the lights have been tightened up too tightly causing stress fractures?

 

[Hojae84]

Can we het some build dates guys please.
The other thing is could the lights have been tightened up too tightly causing stress fractures?

I debadged using turtle wax remover in sun w fishing line (dont use it fyi) and no heat gun.
I'll have to check build date later

 

[AV8R]

I debadged using turtle wax remover in sun w fishing line (dont use it fyi) and no heat gun.
I'll have to check build date later

Its the bolts that hold the light in place. They are too tight so if it gets hot there is no room for expansion and it cracks.
Also can you update your profile to show your location thanks. City and state is fine.