Symptoms
- Visible crack, chip, or hole in the taillight lens
- Water inside the housing after rain
- Light may work fine currently despite the damage
- Damage may have come from a minor bump or parking incident
Likely causes
- CommonImpact from a minor collision or being backed intoTaillights are vulnerable to parking lot bumps and minor collisions.
- PossibleDebris or road hazard impactRocks or debris kicked up while driving can occasionally crack a taillight lens.
- Less commonStress cracking from ageVery old plastic lenses can develop cracks from temperature cycling over many years.
What to do
- Assess the size and location of the crack to determine if temporary sealing or full replacement is the better approach.
- Clean the area around the crack thoroughly and let it dry completely.
- For small cracks, apply a clear, weatherproof tape or sealant as a temporary measure to keep water out.
- Check inside the housing (if accessible) for any water that has already gotten in and dry it out.
- Avoid driving through car washes or heavy rain until the crack is at least temporarily sealed.
- Plan for replacement of the lens or full housing, since a temporary seal isn't a long-term fix.
- Check local regulations, since a cracked taillight lens can result in a citation in many areas even if the bulb still works.
- Have a shop replace the housing if the crack is significant or in a location that's hard to seal reliably.
Tools and parts
- Clear weatherproof tape or sealant (temporary fix)
- Cleaning cloth
Replacement taillight lens/housingSearch: “taillight assembly for [your car make model year]”
When to call a pro
If red taillight material is missing (showing white light instead of red), get it repaired quickly since this can be both a safety and legal issue.
Safety
Use caution
A cracked taillight lens can be a driving citation in many areas even if the bulb works, and reduces visibility of your brake/turn signals to others; address it promptly.