VW ID3 rear light water ingress - possible solutions

topdecko · 24-03-2026 02:53PM #1

Hi there

as per photos the left rear seems to have water / condensation inside it. was always noticeable but now the warning light coming on in cabin and i have no rear indicator which is a bit of an issue. Anyone experience with this - can you remove the light and dry it out or is it dealer job - the issue there is waiting times are significant 2/3 weeks at this stage . thanks for any advice

photos attached of both rear lights for comparison

zg3409 · 26-03-2026 03:30PM

If it's not working then you may be in trouble. Ask dealer to expedite as it cannot be driven on public roads. You could potentially remove the light and try dry it out in a warm room. You could drill a tiny hole and try let water out and ventilate it. You could go non dealer garage and pay them to bodge it.

dodzy · 26-03-2026 05:06PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124342405#Comment_124342405

Whatever you choose to do, let it NOT be drilling.

tk123 · 27-03-2026 03:57PM

I had this with my Buzz because the light never gets sunshine on it in my driveway… I turned the car around and it dried out after a day or two of sunshine. I did get a warning for it briefly but the light was still working!

topdecko · 29-03-2026 09:03PM

Got it towed to dealership. Courtesy car for 3 days. then have to rent for 3 days. 440 quoted to fix. hopefully that the end of it now. sound generator and light gone in 4 months. hefty repair bills. but otherwise great to drive.

joe1303l · 29-03-2026 09:07PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124349786#Comment_124349786

Ask them to try VW for goodwill or contact VW customer service yourself. These are probably all known issues, the sound generator certainly is.

zg3409 · 30-03-2026 09:31AM

Don't pay dealership prices if out of warranty. Anywhere else will be cheaper and can buy and fit the genuine VW part.

ted1 · 30-03-2026 10:04AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124349786#Comment_124349786

why was it towed. And why 6 days for a 20 minute job?

brophs · 30-03-2026 11:32AM

I don’t know whether it’s the case with the ID3, but I had similar issues in an ICE VW and the foam/rubber gasket(s) between the light and the body had failed, allowing water into the light. The gaskets are around €20 from VW, from memory.

If quite a bit of water has gotten in it’s possible it may just be corrosion on the contacts stopping it from working (take out the bulb and see if there’s rust). If so, give it a good clean once you have gotten the new gasket. Might be worth a try before an expensive fix.

joe1303l · 30-03-2026 03:57PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124350547#Comment_124350547

Most of these modern lamp units are leds rather than bulbs so no option to clean contacts or replace bulbs. Good call on the gasket seal though.

topdecko · 31-03-2026 07:31PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124350365#Comment_124350365

towed because garage couldn't give me a time frame. once its towed get courtesy car for 3 working days. effectively Wed afternoon to monday afternoon. extend rental by whatever needed and eventually they will fix car. I couldn't really find any independents that would do the work and tbh haven't got time to waste touring about the place

also the car isn't roadworthy without rear indicator and there is a serious left turn close to my work on a bend on a road where everyone drives like a total mentalist. was waving left arm like anything hoping not to get rear ended. anyways will be sorted now in next day or so. fingers crossed thats it from now on.

User1998 · 01-04-2026 06:32AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124354148#Comment_124354148

All that for a light? Could have just got a second hand one online for €150 and fitted it yourself. It's usually just 3 torx screws holding them on and takes 5 minutes to swap out

ted1 · 01-04-2026 11:20AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124354148#Comment_124354148

sounds a bit overly dramatic there’s plenty of Audis and BMWs out there with no indicators

VW ID3 rear light water ingress - possible solutions

Comments