Same just broke mine in a car wash. Thank you for this video. Lincoln should do a recall on this and replace them.

After having just completed this task I want to sincerely thank you for taking the time to make this video. For anyone else attempting this you do not have to cut the wire for the rear defroster it can be removed from the silver peace connecting it to the glass and then be popped back on when completed. Other than that you just have to work those white clips off with some force.

The EXACT same thing happened to me in the car wash! I heard a loud noise, looked fir damage, never saw the cover missing until a few weeks later! Wow after watching your video, I'm tempted to pay dealer to do it! Now I know why their quote was high. Unfortunately, I already bought the part, though. Thank you SO MUCH for making this video to let us know what we will encounter.

This is exactly what happened to my 2017 MKX the car wash ripped it off and I'm glad you took the time to make this video, I'll try and replace if I can find the light. Thanks

Fyi you don't have to cut the wire for the defrost system, simply use a flat head driver to remove the cap on the terminal located against the back glass. I changed my light today. White tabs near edges had to be removed with a crowbar by prying against the spoiler. If you get the bar next to tab then you won't cause damage. Put a towel around the bar to prevent scratches.

Thank you so much for posting this!!! This exact same thing happened to us we actually caught it and thought it was going to be an easy change so we didn’t ask the car wash to pay for the installation because they were so nice and paying for the 200 and something dollar tail light replacement🙄 We waited for a while before we got around to doing it and figured out we could not freaking do it. It was too late to go back to the car wash and as for installation money. Nothing I mean nothing is online. we even ordered Haynes manuals, and there was nothing in there either!! Holy shit! You’re a freaking rockstar !!!😃😃😃😃✌️

Did mine today, took about an hour to get apart thanks to you showing what had to come off. As far as those clips go I just pryed it off and broke 2 of them. I found replacement clips at J&T autobody supply. Truth be told, I doubt the clips are really necessary but I did put them all back. The socket size is 13mm 12 point, not 9/16.

Bless you, Paul!! You saved my day!! I carry a tray with wife’s hc scooter and so I use a rexing dashcam M2 with rear camera 🎥 that I mount top of hatch to view backing area with a higher view over scooter. I was eager to remove 3rd light - NOT NOW! Again - MANY MANY THANKS!

Thank you for the information. My break light and driver’s mirror got ripped off in the car wash!

Thanks for the video. I have to replace the hold door but need to tramfer this spoiler to the new door

I got everything apart but am stumped on the two outer clips that can't be seen. How did you get them to release without breaking the spoiler?

Also, is the tailgate open or closed during the final removal/

The same tail light got ripped off in the car wash as well. Looked around didn’t know what the sound was from. Now I’m stuck with this daunting task.

Thank you! I was thinking of trying this myself with a friend but am going to pay someone else to do it!

Thank you very helpful ☺️

I need to replace the 3rd brake light too. Thanks for the vid/tutorial, can’t wait to waste a Saturday changing a lightbulb 🤬 You don’t by chance have any suggestions on a tailgate that won’t o0en/close fully? It pops open about 1/4 of the way up and stops and I have do it manually from there. Also get liftgate ajar message. Wish me luck on both… thanks again!

Ok. Never mind. I went ahead as you probably did and pried it off with brute force using nail bars. Broke one of the SOB clips, but who cares at this point! Everything is back together. I did do one thing that may help others. I took some 3/8 copper tube, cut three pieces about 6" long, then drilled one end with a 5/16 bit. Then chamfered the inside. That will slip over the three accessible clips and will let them release when you start prying on the ends. Also the tailgate must be closed during removal of the spoiler.

damm tHanK U best video out on thiSim going threw thiS now lookS like alot of work

Me too! Same thing!

Thanks for the video. This is my second Lincoln and I have the same issue on both (MKT and now MKX) The MKT has to be replaced twice, because the light assembly would never seal correctly so water would get in and eventually cause the lens to crack. Question: Did you notice any problems or concerns with the sealing of the MKX light assembly? Thanks again for the video (by the way the MKT was equally as frustrating to replace and also required the whole spoiler to be removed, so the fine folks over at Ford/Lincoln clearly have not learned anything....)

OH My!! I just lost the plastic cover on mine too. Freaking car wash!

Same exact thing happened to my 2016…blew off in car wash at the air dryer at end of wash.

9/16 or a 14mm 12 point socket

Same. Car wash broke mine in the exact same way.

Them fast car wash are beating the s hit out of the paint also..it also ripped my 3rd light off dam it.

How to remove the plastic cover ?

We all should make a customer complaint to all car washes or service builtin by Lincoln should be issued..somthing.

Mine blew off during the air dry, not in the spinning brushes

You know there is another genius video where the gentleman takes a hole saw and makes access holes to get at those fasteners that were un assessable. It looks like he cuts the time in half!! Easier? Don't know. I'm thinking of trying it.

I just found mine missing as well but not from a carwash. I'm thinking some asshole stole it because they lost theirs in a carwash. I found on a forum where one guy took just the lense out from the new part and jb welded the new one in. Think I'm going that route since the light still works. In the mean time I covered the exposed housing with clear duct tape so no water gets in and shorts it out. This has to be the most poor design I have ever seen. I have to think it's by design to make dealers money.

2012 mtk help

The guy literally dropped dead after you said that 😅

the same thing happened at a car wash. (Exactly as you described). Beware

Here’s a video where someone uses a hole saw and cuts a hole over the push pins. It gives easier access to the pins. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/fqmjrc-ZnK6pgIk.htmlfeature=shared I’ve got the same problem and am debating on doing it myself or getting a body shop to do it. I also have to replace the center tail light bar because it’s cracked.

Lost mine in car wash 😩 😫

Thank you for making me regret buying this car. 😉 kidding!

Noooooooo I don't want to, shit, dang, 500 deductible or all that...my god.