[ybbiz34]

Originally Posted by LAnderson23

So will they be accepting of me asking for a whole new housing rather than the adhesive? They made it sound like the service bulletin says to use adhesive, and it doesn't require a new part.

I would definitely push for the new housing. If they fight you on that, ask to see the bulletin. I'm sure you could probably find the bulletin here on the forum or elsewhere on the web.

[LAnderson23]

Originally Posted by ybbiz34

I would definitely push for the new housing. If they fight you on that, ask to see the bulletin. I'm sure you could probably find the bulletin here on the forum or elsewhere on the web.

Well, I just called them and mentioned that I had seen people online getting a new housing for this issue, rather than an adhesive fix. He assured me the bulletin calls for adhesive, and they are required to follow the instructions on the bulletin. Yes, I'm sure if I raised enough hell they have the power to make an exception, but I don't think this is a big concern at the end of the day. As long as it doesn't pop out again I guess I don't really care how they fix it. He also said that early on, when the issue was first being discovered, the bulletin might have said to get a new housing, and has since changed. (He didn't know for sure, just theorizing) That makes sense in that most of the posts on here were from people who had the issue much earlier than I did.

Anyway, thanks for the input!

[Yay-Z]

Originally Posted by DNN_F30

As soon as I got home with my brand new 335 M-sport two weeks ago, I noticed the tail light attached to the boot lid was sticking out a bit. Took it to the dealer earlier this week and it turns out this is an installation issue for many new F30's (12 & 13) and there is a service bulletin being written about the issue. The service manager explained that they could fix it there without having to order any parts, but after the tech's further inspection, they had to order a whole new light housing which is what is attached to the trunk. I will take pictures before its fixed in case anyone else has this problem later on down the road. Cheers.

I'm having the same issue on my 13

[ybbiz34]

Originally Posted by LAnderson23

Well, I just called them and mentioned that I had seen people online getting a new housing for this issue, rather than an adhesive fix. He assured me the bulletin calls for adhesive, and they are required to follow the instructions on the bulletin. Yes, I'm sure if I raised enough hell they have the power to make an exception, but I don't think this is a big concern at the end of the day. As long as it doesn't pop out again I guess I don't really care how they fix it. He also said that early on, when the issue was first being discovered, the bulletin might have said to get a new housing, and has since changed. (He didn't know for sure, just theorizing) That makes sense in that most of the posts on here were from people who had the issue much earlier than I did.

Anyway, thanks for the input!

You're most welcome.

That is a plausible explanation (i.e., that BMW had no cost-effective solution when the problem initially arose so BMW authorized the installation of a new housing).

Now that BMW has had some time to experiment and troubleshoot the problem, the engineers and bean counters likely determined that the use of adhesive was the next best thing to a new housing. The adhesive fix has to be substantially cheaper.

Like you said, so long as the adhesive solves the problem, then everything is golden. The next step would obviously be a new housing.

If you want, I can dig up the service summary printout from my old F30 and see exactly what it said regarding the taillight fix.

[LAnderson23]

Originally Posted by ybbiz34

You're most welcome.

That is a plausible explanation (i.e., that BMW had no cost-effective solution when the problem initially arose so BMW authorized the installation of a new housing).

Now that BMW has had some time to experiment and troubleshoot the problem, the engineers and bean counters likely determined that the use of adhesive was the next best thing to a new housing. The adhesive fix has to be substantially cheaper.

Like you said, so long as the adhesive solves the problem, then everything is golden. The next step would obviously be a new housing.

If you want, I can dig up the service summary printout from my old F30 and see exactly what it said regarding the taillight fix.

Thanks for the offer, but don't worry about it. This really isn't a big deal. If it was something more serious I'd love to see the paperwork but for this it isn't worth your trouble. I really appreciate the offer though.

[ybbiz34]

Originally Posted by LAnderson23

Thanks for the offer, but don't worry about it. This really isn't a big deal. If it was something more serious I'd love to see the paperwork but for this it isn't worth your trouble. I really appreciate the offer though.

No worries. I'm here to help. Good luck with getting your issue resolved.

[shivaswrath]

i've never noticed this on my car...I'll check it out, I wonder if these are German Built or South Africa built cars that are having the issues in the boot.

[c.cash]

My issue has turned into a mini-drama. It started in October when I bought the car. The first couple of months I'd snap the housing back in, until that didn't work any longer.

They replaced the housing, and the next day I started getting random "Left Rear Tail Light Malfunction" warnings. All the chiming's been driving me nuts. I took it back in and they said water must've gotten in. They said the part I needed wasn't in stock, but they cleaned it and it seemed to stop... for about 2 weeks.

I suppose water might still be getting in during rain or car washes. The warnings come and go for a couple of weeks at a time. I'm taking it in this week to have the part, whatever it is, replaced.

[utenigma]

I fixed it myself - it's not a bad housing, it's bad assembly

There's a tab that holds the housing to the body - during assembly the tab isn't hooked under the slot on the body before they torque it down - so when they torque the nut down it bends the slot in the body

to fix it you remove the liner from the trunk and dismount the light. Carefully bend the slot out to it's original position (it'll be obvious when you get the light out) then hook the tab on the light into the fixed slot correctly then torque the light down. Assembled correctly it shouldn't be a problem

It literally took me 5 minutes to fix and I had no idea what I was doing when I started

[davethefish]

just noticed this on my approved used car.
and something fell out of the boot when i opened it.

turned out to be the tab that holds the outside edge of the housing in.
and there is some black gunk along the same edge which i assume is the adhesive "fix" that has failed.
so it appears that it has been in for this problem before my ownership.

i really despair with the way BMW are cheaping out on fixing build quality issues.
never had any bits 'dropping off' any other car i've owned.

i've stuck it back in place with duck tape for now as i'm off to malvern at 6.00am in the morning.
when i get back i'll be taking it to the dealers and insisting that a new unit be fitted.
i'm not having my pride and joy stuck back together with stickyback plastic and pva glue, 'blue peter style' (old UK kids TV programme)...

[Mamasgotkids]

Mine popped out this morning. This is the second issue with the car I've only had for 8 months. I'm starting to wonder what's going on with bmw.

Edit: we got an appointment for tomorrow morning. +1 for Seattle BMW.

[TrueBlue12]

Noticed this on mine last week, took it to dealer who says the tail assemblies are on back order. At least they aren't just trying to glue it.

[john08135i]

my 13 msport. LEft side 4 times and right side 1 time.. welcome to BMW quality

[joeyb26]

just brought my car to the dealer in regards to this issue and they claimed someone tried to steal them and theyre charging me to buy new ones.....so after reading this I plan on telling them to look up the bulletin because i'm not paying for it after looking at all this

[c.cash]

Originally Posted by 2013335ixdrive

just brought my car to the dealer in regards to this issue and they claimed someone tried to steal them and theyre charging me to buy new ones.....so after reading this I plan on telling them to look up the bulletin because i'm not paying for it after looking at all this

There is NO WAY your car is the first one they've seen this late in the game. That's BS.

My saga finally came to an end in July when they just replaced the whole thing. For the record, they said the glue had to set before it would be ready, so they're glueing new assemblies too (at my dealership anyway).

[joeyb26]

so they called me back and said they need ME to look up the service bulletin -_- does anyone by chance who had this happen to their car know the service bulletin number or have a receipt that might have it? i tried searching but i couldnt find any actual service bulletin

[BavarianFanatic]

Originally Posted by 2013335ixdrive

so they called me back and said they need ME to look up the service bulletin -_- does anyone by chance who had this happen to their car know the service bulletin number or have a receipt that might have it? i tried searching but i couldnt find any actual service bulletin

Wow, you need to find another dealer.

[CKau]

Originally Posted by BavarianFanatic

Wow, you need to find another dealer.

I second that. It is total fckn bs they are feeding you.

I had my left tail fall out like everyone else and my dealer replaced it no questions asked. Mine was jan13 south african build.

[PrazVT]

Huh. Looks like I'm not the only one eh? My driver's side tail light has come loose too! Taking the car in on Monday.

I swear, I've been to the dealership way too many times in the last year. Issues I've had so far:

- squeaky interior trim (fixed)
- rattling vanity light (not fixed yet)
- lose rear tail light (not fixed yet)
- broken plastic piece on the plastic trunk arm cover (not fixed yet)
- steering out of alignment (got 95% fixed at a separate BMW perf shop)

[Mamasgotkids]

Originally Posted by TrueBlue12

Noticed this on mine last week, took it to dealer who says the tail assemblies are on back order. At least they aren't just trying to glue it.

Mine just glued it. I guess I should be happy they glued both of them even though only one fell out.

[doubletap]

Originally Posted by LAnderson23

Well, I just called them and mentioned that I had seen people online getting a new housing for this issue, rather than an adhesive fix. He assured me the bulletin calls for adhesive, and they are required to follow the instructions on the bulletin. Yes, I'm sure if I raised enough hell they have the power to make an exception, but I don't think this is a big concern at the end of the day. As long as it doesn't pop out again I guess I don't really care how they fix it. He also said that early on, when the issue was first being discovered, the bulletin might have said to get a new housing, and has since changed. (He didn't know for sure, just theorizing) That makes sense in that most of the posts on here were from people who had the issue much earlier than I did.

Anyway, thanks for the input!

I had the same issue. they said a bulletin is out to put adhesive. I fought for a replacement and asked to see the old one. Good thing they replaced it because there is a broken plastic piece that holds the light in place on the opposite side on the screws. I am now fighting the dealership for another issue. I should change dealerships.

[AMJAM]

Never had this problem