Standing Water in Tail Light Lens

You're not alone. Water in taillights | PriusChat

I had it when I bought the car and they replaced the right taillight before I took delivery. I subsequently cracked the left taillight (my clumsiness) and I replaced it. A couple of months later, I noticed a little water in the bottom of the one I replaced. I followed the lead of someone in that thread I linked to and drilled a small hole in the bottom of the lens. No more standing water now...although I do notice them fogging up occasionally.

 

My Prius C has the exact same problem I'm waiting to see if Toyota is going to fix it for me under their Goodwill because I'm past the warranty I will keep you posted

 

I still have a drivers side light if anybody is interested. It's boxed up and ready for shipping. I had it on the car for around 6 months before I went with the Blacked out lights. Did not leak in that time.

 

But a better solution is to give the whole assembly a thorough inspection to see WHY the water is getting in there.
If those bulb sockets rust and corrode, your tail/turn/brake lights might blow a fuse and stop working.

 

I bought a 2014 Prius C a few months ago and have standing water and a burned out reverse tail light on the passenger side.

While stopped at a red light I noticed a similar Prius C in front of me had a few inches of water sloshing around as well.

I might be going the small hole route. How bizarre.

 

My brand new 2017 C has had both taillights replaced under warranty for water leakage.

 

I had that same issue on the lt taillamp, on a 2013 Prius C my daughter bought, I removed the lamp, replaced the burned out bulb, deied the lamp, then resealed the lamp lens , took care of the water issue. Seems they have a bad seal on the lens that's causing the water to enter the lamp.

 

Temporary solution is to drill a 1/4 inch drain hole at the lowest position at the tail light where the water is. This will result in less damage that standing water in the taillight.

Permanent solution is to replace it.

 

Yes, I've had the same issue, first left side then right side. Both tail light seals between the clear lens & black frame failed. I removed the asm and used clear caulking to seal the gap. Ended up replacing both.

 

I still have a drivers side boxed up, ready to ship. Just waiting on the right person.

 

What’s the price??

 

Customer Support Program 20TE08 (Water in taillights) | PriusChat

 

I had the same thing in my Prius C 2012. Went back to the dealership (it was supposed to be under warranty). They told me I had backed up into something and it must have been my fault. So I paid to replace it. Now, 11 years later, same back lamp is full of water again and bulb is out! I am going to try the drill a small hole approach. Wow. looks like this is a common issue

 

Pull the taillight out , and drill a hole in the underside at the lowest point [nearest the outer edge and the hatch]
It will be totally hidden when re-installed

Any water runs out onto the bumper cover

I would guess that the seal issue is caused by cold weather

 

I did that first. Drilled a small hole and empty the goldfish bowl (as someone else called it). But I went ahead after it was dried out and took the whole thing off, put cement/glue sealer around the edge and put it back on (and sealed up the hole I drilled). I can see now why the lights fill up - the edges stick out a bit from the side of the car (will upload pictures later) and so any water you drive into will be beating right on the edge of the housing (where the outer clear plastic housing meets the inner plastic backing). My light looks trashy though as it has dirt in the housing... when I get up more energy I will have to take it completely off and wash it out then put it all back on. right now I just want to make sure there are no leaks.