718 Rear light issue and complete lack of interest from OPC
Discussion
Discovered what appears to be some micro fractures on the rear lights on my 718. The car has been parked on my drive for 12 days and not moved during that time and these fractures definitely were not there beforehand. Quick search and I discover at least two other instances of the same issue and in both cases the units had been replaced under warranty. So armed with this I contact my OPC only to be told without seeing them in person, just looking at the images here that its not covered and is caused by aggressive detergents. Here is the quote from the bulletin.
I haven't had to venture into an OPC for several years but when did they go from falling over themselves to help the customer to not giving a crap?
Anyone else seen this issue and had a satisfactory resolution?
Cheers
P
OPC said:
The lens is made out of polycarbonate and there is a layer of hardened coating to the outer surface of the lens, this helps to protect the lens from damage (scratches, stone chips).
However, this hardened coating can be damaged by using the wrong/aggressive cleaning materials and abrasive cleaning procedures, also the same goes for headlight cleaning system fluids, this an outside influence and can not be claimed under Warranty.
Please note that this bulletin applies to all lamps.
I am sorry this may not be the response you were hoping for, as this has come directly from Porsche, It would not be covered.
If you would like me to look into the price of the lamps, please let me know.
The last sentence was the kicker. I had another look and if there is a protective coating then this is intact and the cracks are either underneath the coating or on the inside of the lens as I cant feel them. I got in touch with the OPC again to say I didn't think this was the same issue and I could bring the car in if they wanted to see it but instead they doubled down and told me to get in touch with Porsche GB directly.However, this hardened coating can be damaged by using the wrong/aggressive cleaning materials and abrasive cleaning procedures, also the same goes for headlight cleaning system fluids, this an outside influence and can not be claimed under Warranty.
Please note that this bulletin applies to all lamps.
I am sorry this may not be the response you were hoping for, as this has come directly from Porsche, It would not be covered.
If you would like me to look into the price of the lamps, please let me know.
I haven't had to venture into an OPC for several years but when did they go from falling over themselves to help the customer to not giving a crap?
Anyone else seen this issue and had a satisfactory resolution?
Cheers
P
That's weird! It does look a bit like stress cracking caused by a solvent (like IPA)...but, why just that edge? And...polycarbonate doesnt stress crack with solvent to my knowledge (my experience is with materials like plexiglass, pmma etc...some of those will craze and crack the moment you touch the edge with IPA). But I'm not sure that's what you're seeing here. Its deffo cracks (obviously). Could it have been caused by ice? Just casting about for ideas really.
PetrolHeadPete said:
That's weird! It does look a bit like stress cracking caused by a solvent (like IPA)...but, why just that edge? And...polycarbonate doesnt stress crack with solvent to my knowledge (my experience is with materials like plexiglass, pmma etc...some of those will craze and crack the moment you touch the edge with IPA). But I'm not sure that's what you're seeing here. Its deffo cracks (obviously). Could it have been caused by ice? Just casting about for ideas really.
The car has only been outside for a couple of weeks but during that time we've had some really cold nights followed by bright days and the rear of the car is in the sun all day so I did think if it could be something to do with the weather. Its also not been cleaned during that time other than a blast from the jet wash when I've been cleaning the daily. Its just a ball ache that I've now got to engage directly with the manufacturer rather than OPC. Spoke to Porsche UK yesterday who were somewhat surprised that I'd been asked to contact them directly without the OPC even looking at the car. They are going to arrange for my car to be looked at. I'm away for a couple of weeks so will be a while before I can report back.
Boxster5 said:
Porsche changed their warranty policy on 15th Sep 2025, including among others corrosion of any sort.
Wouldn t surprise me if this was another wriggle out.
Good luck.
This is interesting. I took a 3 year warranty out in Feb 24 and haven't been sent any revised policy wording so I can only assume that this new exclusion is for all policies from Sep 25 onwards. Wouldn t surprise me if this was another wriggle out.
Good luck.
Had a similar warranty situation on my Carrera T.
Rear view mirror came unstuck from windscreen. Many examples on forums - ‘known fault, issues with bonding to lightweight windscreen, immediately fixed under warranty’.
Contacted my OPC. Made me jump through hoops with photos, ‘investigation’ bookings to see them, “We may replace the mirror but you’ll have to pay £1000 for a new windscreen as only the mirror is faulty… We’ll need to inform Germany… won’t get a response for 3-4 weeks… this definitely won’t be covered by the warranty” etc, etc. Weeks passed “We’re still waiting for authorisation from Porsche”.
They finally phoned to say Porsche had agreed as a “goodwill gesture”.
When I took it in for the repair, service manger couldn’t believe the hassle I’d had. Said it was never going to be declined by Porsche as they’d had loads with the same issue!
Rear view mirror came unstuck from windscreen. Many examples on forums - ‘known fault, issues with bonding to lightweight windscreen, immediately fixed under warranty’.
Contacted my OPC. Made me jump through hoops with photos, ‘investigation’ bookings to see them, “We may replace the mirror but you’ll have to pay £1000 for a new windscreen as only the mirror is faulty… We’ll need to inform Germany… won’t get a response for 3-4 weeks… this definitely won’t be covered by the warranty” etc, etc. Weeks passed “We’re still waiting for authorisation from Porsche”.
They finally phoned to say Porsche had agreed as a “goodwill gesture”.
When I took it in for the repair, service manger couldn’t believe the hassle I’d had. Said it was never going to be declined by Porsche as they’d had loads with the same issue!
My lens cracked in several places on the nearside rear light. It definitely hasn’t hit anything so I’m guessing it’s temperature related. I’m going to have a go with a lens from China ( looks right ) I know they are plastic welded but it’s either that or another unit - mines out of warranty..
Fairly clear that is delaminating either through a manufacturing fault or design issue. It's well known on headlight units.
If you have no luck with Porsche there are now services which replace the lens. Most seem to advertise headlights, but it must be worth a call to find out if they do tail lights and how much?
This is just one such company.
https://rennlens.com/lens-replacement-3/
If you have no luck with Porsche there are now services which replace the lens. Most seem to advertise headlights, but it must be worth a call to find out if they do tail lights and how much?
This is just one such company.
https://rennlens.com/lens-replacement-3/
Gassing Station | Boxster/Cayman | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff