Ford tail lights are sooooo expensive....

3,861 Views | 44 Replies | Last: 8 mo ago by ttha_aggie_09
Burdizzo
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2:30p, 5/9/25
AG
...that even the factory employees are stealing them

https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a64714543/ford-employee-stole-millions-of-dollars-worth-of-parts-from-factories-police/

TLDR; Dearborn police broke up a theft ring at the factory. Guys were taking parts home and then a fence was selling them on eBay.

Cue the Johnny Cash music
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chet98
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4:12p, 5/9/25
AG
One piece at a time!
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The Sun
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5:37p, 5/9/25
The housings aren't super expensive. It's the BLIS radar module that is worth so much.
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ttha_aggie_09
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9:51p, 5/9/25
AG
Yes, yes they are…



PS - **** San Antonio
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txyaloo
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In reply to ttha_aggie_09 • 7:52a, 5/10/25
AG
ttha_aggie_09 said:
Yes, yes they are…



PS - **** San Antonio
Is this the new tailgate theft epidemic? Small positive - they at least didn't cut the harness?
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ttha_aggie_09
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In reply to txyaloo • 7:57a, 5/10/25
AG
20-25 other trucks had same exact thing happen in Valet
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1agswitchin4lanes
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In reply to ttha_aggie_09 • 8:20a, 5/10/25
AG
ttha_aggie_09 said:
20-25 other trucks had same exact thing happen in Valet


Did they take your costas too?
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ttha_aggie_09
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In reply to 1agswitchin4lanes • 8:21a, 5/10/25
AG
They left my regular Costas. My white ones were on my head while I was sleeping, brah
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txyaloo
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In reply to ttha_aggie_09 • 9:58a, 5/10/25
AG
ttha_aggie_09 said:
20-25 other trucks had same exact thing happen in Valet
That's insane and makes it feel like an inside job.
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Jason_Roofer
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11:33a, 5/10/25
Don't these things have like 8,000 dollar locking tailgates? How are they getting those down and access to the security screws to remove the tail lights?
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1agswitchin4lanes
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In reply to Jason_Roofer • 11:43a, 5/10/25
AG
Jason_Roofer said:
Don't these things have like 8,000 dollar locking tailgates? How are they getting those down and access to the security screws to remove the tail lights?


Break window. Push tailgate drop button.
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The Sun
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In reply to 1agswitchin4lanes • 11:56a, 5/10/25
1agswitchin4lanes said:
Jason_Roofer said:
Don't these things have like 8,000 dollar locking tailgates? How are they getting those down and access to the security screws to remove the tail lights?


Break window. Push tailgate drop button.
That or if you don't have your bed cover closed and locked they unscrew 2 screws from the tailgate panel, pull it up and pop the tailgate internally. Montgomery County busted a ring up here a couple years ago. Presumably the same group that got mine...all because I picked up a load of lumber from HD and forgot to go close my cover and lock it. It think 5 trucks got hit on my block in one night.

And the taillight screws aren't security screws unless you change them.
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ttha_aggie_09
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In reply to 1agswitchin4lanes • 1:13p, 5/10/25
AG
1agswitchin4lanes said:
Jason_Roofer said:
Don't these things have like 8,000 dollar locking tailgates? How are they getting those down and access to the security screws to remove the tail lights?


Break window. Push tailgate drop button.


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txyaloo
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In reply to 1agswitchin4lanes • 4:29p, 5/10/25
AG
1agswitchin4lanes said:
Jason_Roofer said:
Don't these things have like 8,000 dollar locking tailgates? How are they getting those down and access to the security screws to remove the tail lights?


Break window. Push tailgate drop button.
Does Ford use vin lock/component protection on the blis modules like the euros? In euro land, most of that stuff requires connection to the mother ship's servers to remove CP when a vin mismatch happens.
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Mas89
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In reply to ttha_aggie_09 • 8:05p, 5/10/25
AG
I don't understand how they got into your truck breaking the window there.
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ttha_aggie_09
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In reply to Mas89 • 8:08p, 5/10/25
AG
Popped the door lock with a jimmy tool in between the window and the door. They also had some sort of jammer because no one had their alarms go off and alert the ford app.

One guy went through truck and unsuccessfully tried to break into my console vault while the other undid the taillights.
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clobby
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8:31p, 5/10/25
AG
Running with cheap chinese taillights after the second set was stolen.
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CivilEng08
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7:45a, 5/11/25
When on the road overnight, I started backing into spaces with my bumper up against a tree, wall or something else that would keep the gate from lowering enough to get to the screws. When mine got taken in SA, they also tried to take the tailgate as evidenced by the scratches all over the bottom on the right side. The $1 hose clamp paid for itself a few thousand times over on that one.
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1agswitchin4lanes
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In reply to CivilEng08 • 8:22a, 5/11/25
AG
CivilEng08 said:
When on the road overnight, I started backing into spaces with my bumper up against a tree, wall or something else that would keep the gate from lowering enough to get to the screws. When mine got taken in SA, they also tried to take the tailgate as evidenced by the scratches all over the bottom on the right side. The $1 hose clamp paid for itself a few thousand times over on that one.



This.

I also have special spanner screws on my taillights that require that two peg screwdriver bit. Theft proof? No. Slow them down? Yes.


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Jason_Roofer
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4:16p, 5/11/25
I just can't believe in 2025 we can't fix this problem. As much security **** is on a truck it's annoying. But with all the cameras and such you can't manage to put a recording using the cameras for the perps? You can't manage to link the products to the vin? I mean, when it becomes too expensive to steal, this will stop.

The entire truck will unlock and set the presets when you walk up to it, you can check its location and status from an app. But they can't manage to keep some ******* from stealing the tail lights? It's frustrating. Maybe spend less R&D on self backing trucks and more on ways to keep someone's 100,000 dollar truck in one piece in San Antonio?

I'd mix and match tail light screws. It's already a pain in the ass. Put four different styles. Make those ****ers work for it. Spanner, clutch, tri-wing, security torx….make them go deep in that tool box.
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txyaloo
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In reply to Jason_Roofer • 5:04p, 5/11/25
AG
That's why I was curious about component protection/VIN locking. That's what the euros do on the expensive parts. Most of the older euro cars have figured out how to get around CP via modifying the firmware, but for newer models, it makes used parts much less desirable.

In most cases, you need the OE diagnostic software and an account with the manufacturer that can authenticate to the manufacturer's servers to remove CP. I had to make a "fake" business and provide a bunch of info to BMW and Porsche to get that access to work on my own cars.
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1agswitchin4lanes
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In reply to Jason_Roofer • 7:09p, 5/11/25
AG
Jason_Roofer said:
I just can't believe in 2025 we can't fix this problem. As much security **** is on a truck it's annoying. But with all the cameras and such you can't manage to put a recording using the cameras for the perps? You can't manage to link the products to the vin? I mean, when it becomes too expensive to steal, this will stop.

The entire truck will unlock and set the presets when you walk up to it, you can check its location and status from an app. But they can't manage to keep some ******* from stealing the tail lights? It's frustrating. Maybe spend less R&D on self backing trucks and more on ways to keep someone's 100,000 dollar truck in one piece in San Antonio?

I'd mix and match tail light screws. It's already a pain in the ass. Put four different styles. Make those ****ers work for it. Spanner, clutch, tri-wing, security torx….make them go deep in that tool box.


This is why burner cars are needed.
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frankm01
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In reply to Jason_Roofer • 10:21p, 5/11/25
Jason_Roofer said:


I'd mix and match tail light screws. It's already a pain in the ass. Put four different styles. Make those ****ers work for it. Spanner, clutch, tri-wing, security torx….make them go deep in that tool box.


Agree with this in an attempt to slow them down. Also may want to put a dab of RTV over each screw. It'll be a pain if you have to remove them but may slow the thieves down enough to move on.

Also, (I don't have one on my truck) but does anyone use the tailgate button on the dash board? How often is that hit by mistake? IIRC, it's near the headlight switch, parking brake switch and dash dimmer buttons. Seems like it can be a disaster.
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1agswitchin4lanes
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In reply to frankm01 • 10:49p, 5/11/25
AG
frankm01 said:
Jason_Roofer said:


I'd mix and match tail light screws. It's already a pain in the ass. Put four different styles. Make those ****ers work for it. Spanner, clutch, tri-wing, security torx….make them go deep in that tool box.


Agree with this in an attempt to slow them down. Also may want to put a dab of RTV over each screw. It'll be a pain if you have to remove them but may slow the thieves down enough to move on.

Also, (I don't have one on my truck) but does anyone use the tailgate button on the dash board? How often is that hit by mistake? IIRC, it's near the headlight switch, parking brake switch and dash dimmer buttons. Seems like it can be a disaster.



Won't let you drop unless you're in park. Or the engine is off.

I have mine unplugged from the backside to prevent those people from helping themselves.
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agracer
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In reply to txyaloo • 7:46a, 5/12/25
AG
txyaloo said:
That's why I was curious about component protection/VIN locking. That's what the euros do on the expensive parts. Most of the older euro cars have figured out how to get around CP via modifying the firmware, but for newer models, it makes used parts much less desirable.

In most cases, you need the OE diagnostic software and an account with the manufacturer that can authenticate to the manufacturer's servers to remove CP. I had to make a "fake" business and provide a bunch of info to BMW and Porsche to get that access to work on my own cars.
this sounds like a massive PITA for everyone involved.

Need a new tail light b/c you're got smashed or stolen. Oh, can't go to the local salvage yard for one b/c the VIN doesn't match the chip in the tail light?
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txyaloo
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In reply to agracer • 9:16a, 5/12/25
AG
agracer said:
txyaloo said:
That's why I was curious about component protection/VIN locking. That's what the euros do on the expensive parts. Most of the older euro cars have figured out how to get around CP via modifying the firmware, but for newer models, it makes used parts much less desirable.

In most cases, you need the OE diagnostic software and an account with the manufacturer that can authenticate to the manufacturer's servers to remove CP. I had to make a "fake" business and provide a bunch of info to BMW and Porsche to get that access to work on my own cars.
this sounds like a massive PITA for everyone involved.

Need a new tail light b/c you're got smashed or stolen. Oh, can't go to the local salvage yard for one b/c the VIN doesn't match the chip in the tail light?
It's definitely a PITA if you want to work on your own cars, but it does seem to help prevent high value parts theft on newer cars. The over $3k adaptive cruise control sensor on Porsches is just held in with rubber grommets on the front of the car - no screws. Someone could walk off with one in about 20 seconds. I haven't heard about them being stolen excessively likely because they're VIN locked.
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agracer
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In reply to txyaloo • 9:52a, 5/12/25
AG
txyaloo said:
agracer said:
txyaloo said:
That's why I was curious about component protection/VIN locking. That's what the euros do on the expensive parts. Most of the older euro cars have figured out how to get around CP via modifying the firmware, but for newer models, it makes used parts much less desirable.

In most cases, you need the OE diagnostic software and an account with the manufacturer that can authenticate to the manufacturer's servers to remove CP. I had to make a "fake" business and provide a bunch of info to BMW and Porsche to get that access to work on my own cars.
this sounds like a massive PITA for everyone involved.

Need a new tail light b/c you're got smashed or stolen. Oh, can't go to the local salvage yard for one b/c the VIN doesn't match the chip in the tail light?
It's definitely a PITA if you want to work on your own cars, but it does seem to help prevent high value parts theft on newer cars. The over $3k adaptive cruise control sensor on Porsches is just held in with rubber grommets on the front of the car - no screws. Someone could walk off with one in about 20 seconds. I haven't heard about them being stolen excessively likely because they're VIN locked.
some parts would make sense, but a tail light?

Also, google shows the tail light is $190. or does that not include the LED's? Seems like a pretty cheap part to get stolen so often. Or is there something else I'm not seeing?
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ttha_aggie_09
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In reply to agracer • 10:04a, 5/12/25
AG
Higher end models have tail lights with the radar module built in for blind spot monitoring. They're not standard lights.
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Burdizzo
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In reply to agracer • 10:18a, 5/12/25
AG
Depending on the model and trim, some Ford taillights have a ton of expensive electronics in them.
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frankm01
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10:49a, 5/12/25
Some of the cheap replacements on-line do not come with the blind spot (BLIS) sensor. Instructions are to replace the sensor with one from your old taillight.
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txyaloo
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In reply to ttha_aggie_09 • 11:30a, 5/12/25
AG
ttha_aggie_09 said:
Higher end models have tail lights with the radar module built in for blind spot monitoring. They're not standard lights.
For anyone curious:

https://www.varsityfordparts.com/oem-parts/ford-tail-lamp-kc3z13405b?origin=pla

https://parts.applefordwhitebearlake.com/parts/ford-blind-spot-detection-system-warning-sensor-ml3z14c689h

$1100 for the tail light, $300 for the BLIS sensor, then prob 1-1.5hrs of shop time for install/coding. Quickly turns into a $3500 repair if both lamps are stolen.
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ttha_aggie_09
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In reply to txyaloo • 11:36a, 5/12/25
AG
Yep + window repair and tinting + rental and you're looking at $5k + bill
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Ciboag96
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12:27p, 5/12/25
Ok guys hear me out. Truck bed filled with C4 under a tonneau cover. The tailgate button is the detonator.
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frankm01
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12:42p, 5/12/25
If mine get stolen, I'm putting these on.
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Burdizzo
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In reply to frankm01 • 1:59p, 5/12/25
AG
frankm01 said:
If mine get stolen, I'm putting these on.


Make sure you get duct tape to match the paint. Those magnets don't work on aluminum, and it should not look tacky. It should be perfect for South San Antonio
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