E90 LCI Taillight LED's failed

[marksae]

Just thought I'd share what happened on my 2009 E90 M3. Build date is July 2009.

About a month ago, I noticed the bank of turn-signal LEDs on my left taillights flickered whenever I unlocked the doors. Upon closer inspection, 3 out of the ~15 LED's appeared to be really dim compared to the rest. Then I started getting the "left rear turn signal malfunction" message intermittently whenever I used the blinkers.

Anyway, long story short, I brought the car to the dealer and they replaced both Left and Right outer taillights under warranty.

Below is the TSB (SIB-63-06-10) for this issue. According to the TSB, the cause of failure is internal corrosion.
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/pr...S&type=VEHICLE

[X2Board]

My 2009 E90 335i had the same issue and it just started last week on the M3. Same as your's, both units on the 335 were replaced and I expect the same will be done on the M.

[marksae]

I guess this is a semi-common problem that will start creeping up as our cars get older. I did a quick google search and found postings of this issue across several different E90 forums. I hope the replacement parts have this corrosion issue resolved!

[WillC310]

Anyone tried just lieing about it and getting it fixed in advance?

[marksae]

Don't think that'll work. The dealer scanned for stored error codes to confirm the problem.

[GIdriver]

Good to know. Thanks for sharing.

[pepsih]

What to do if the car is out of warranty?

[X2Board]

Originally Posted by pepsih

What to do if the car is out of warranty?

Break out your wallet.

[fuzzybam]

Originally Posted by pepsih

What to do if the car is out of warranty?

[BPMSport]

^^ That was a really creepy video

I've seen them go out like this from time to time. Since it's a recall they might goodwill it if it's just after warranty. Most 2009 cars will still have a year left of warranty anyway...

[Sirius Black]

Did the left one last year, and the right one last week.

[TVMA Doc]

Originally Posted by marksae

I guess this is a semi-common problem that will start creeping up as our cars get older. I did a quick google search and found postings of this issue across several different E90 forums. I hope the replacement parts have this corrosion issue resolved!

I have always suspected that LED light enclosures were prone to this. I can't tell you how many cars of ALL makes are driving around with banks of lights out.

LEDs usually have their lifespans rated in 10s of thousands of hours. While you MIGHT have a few premature failures, seeing stips of lights/half of the tail light out means something is going wrong with the wiring. Corrosion makes sense. The good news is that BMW couldn't be charging much more than a few grand for a set of replacment lights, right?

[TVMA Doc]

The bulletin states 2008-2010. Are we to assume that this issue was corrected and a new glitch was inserted in its place?

[marksae]

I think it's a fair assumption to make that BMW corrected this problem. Otherwise, they would keep losing money on warranty repairs.

Also, I think the outer taillight assemblies cost around $400 for the pair. The full set goes for $600 new.

[rdollie]

Argghh....grumble grumble.

Just got a call from the dealer and of course this issue isn't covered under the CPO warranty. With labor I'll be out $560 for this known issue. I should probably look around now to find a cheaper source for the other side (drivers) which I presume will go out at some point...

Originally Posted by marksae

I think it's a fair assumption to make that BMW corrected this problem. Otherwise, they would keep losing money on warranty repairs.

Also, I think the outer taillight assemblies cost around $400 for the pair. The full set goes for $600 new.

[metro44m3]

Originally Posted by rdollie

Argghh....grumble grumble.

Just got a call from the dealer and of course this issue isn't covered under the CPO warranty. With labor I'll be out $560 for this known issue. I should probably look around now to find a cheaper source for the other side (drivers) which I presume will go out at some point...

You can buy a complete replacement set both sides from tischer for less than that. These lights are say to install yourself

[devinakbv]

the right one last week.

[BzsBimmer]

OK so I AM bumping this old thread on purpose.
Anyone with an extended warranty have their LED replaced under warranty? Maybe specifically MaxCare?

[BzsBimmer]

Well I ended up just buying a replacement and will swap it in myself. Carmax gave me a very uneasy feeling that it wouldn't be covered and the dealer cost of $100 deductible was about the same for me to just replace it myself. The dealer was not convinced that it would be covered anyway.

I still have my appointment at the dealer scheduled in case people on the forum that have gone through this chime in and give me a warm fuzzy.

[BzsBimmer]

So I ended up buying a replacement on Rockauto. With shipping, it was less than $70. Installed it tonight and it honestly looks like OEM.
My deductible from Carmax would have been $50 IF they covered it and the dealer deductible would have been $100 IF they covered it.

Meh. Canceling both appointments now.

[Yugo]

I have an '09 sedan and the dealer told me it's not covered under my extended warranty. I have the platinum plan throgh BMW. I tried to tell them how I have read about the corrosion issues etc. apparently it's not registered in their system as one of the recalls or "service bulletins" (or similar).

I ended up buying the set, as they are sold in pairs and replaced both myself. Parts were about $130 this past December. Very easy and fast to replace yourself.

[jatt]

Hi guys I am a newb and need some info on the daylight running lights. I notices that the halos and the led strip in the back are on every time I drive the car. Can this cause a premature wear on the led tail lights. Anyway to turn this feature off.