2017 Ford Kuga headlamp condensation.

Scania · 21 Jan 2018 at 18:24

My partner has just picked up a 2017 Ford Kuga to replace her Focus, she’s very happy with it - as am I - but, I’ve noticed quite a bit of condensation in the headlights above and behind where the light is emitted from if you see what I mean.

The manual mentions that this is normal and should clear but to my mind it isn’t, there seems to be quite a lot of build up there and tonight after about 30 miles of motorway driving the condensation is still there.

I’m minded to take it back to the dealer (Hill & Swift of Stone, Staffordshire, Ford dealer) but she’s not convinced it’s a problem.

What would you do, given we picked it up yesterday and it’s still under manufacturers warranty...

Howard · 21 Jan 2018 at 18:58

Let it dry out and keep an eye on it. Chances are someone just got a bit over zealous with the pressure washer before your partner collected it.

It’s happened to mine a couple of times when I’ve cleaned it, but never otherwise.

Scania · 21 Jan 2018 at 19:08

Fair enough @Howard , I’ll give it a week and see if there’s any improvement.

Iceman · 21 Jan 2018 at 19:25

Just have a quick look under the bonnet and make sure the covers are on the back of the lamp unit and on correctly.

Fr0dders · 22 Jan 2018 at 01:30

^^ that's a good shout. Last time I had condensation in the light was because the rear door to the unit hadn't been properly sealed after the last bulb change and was letting moisture in.

Glanza · 22 Jan 2018 at 10:00

Has it got normal bulbs or xenons?

Scania · 22 Jan 2018 at 10:07

Iceman said:
Just have a quick look under the bonnet and make sure the covers are on the back of the lamp unit and on correctly.

Good idea, wil do.

Glanza said:
Has it got normal bulbs or xenons?

Don’t think they are normal (it gives off a noticeable blue light to my eyes)

I’ll have to check when I’m back (away in my truck now...)

Akagi · 22 Jan 2018 at 10:17

To speed up the process, take the back covers off the lights and leave the car somewhere warm. Had to do that to my Dads Audi and it worked like a charm.

Scania · 22 Jan 2018 at 10:27

Acme said:
To speed up the process, take the back covers off the lights and leave the car somewhere warm. Had to do that to my Dads Audi and it worked like a charm.

Think half the issue is that it’s been sat nice and snug inside the dealers heated showroom for a good while (a few weeks) then we take it out into rain and sleet.

I entertained myself this morning in the usual M6 crawl to look at similar Kugas, over the space of an hour (and about six miles!) I came across three, two had noticeable (from my elevated position in my cab it’s easy to see) condensation in the same spot, the other didn’t, they were all 17/67 plate current models like my partners.

ruthers · 11 Feb 2018 at 18:31

Stick some bags of silica gel inside the cluster to speed up the drying process