So as Jerry Sienfeld would say, what's the deal with these? Most high-tech, modern cars are now using LED light tubes for their regular brake lights. Yet the third brake light continues to be those "dated" individual LED bulbs (IE, Christmas rope lights). They were the first to be LED's, but seem to be the last to modernize to what the rear light clusters are using. What's going on here? Why wouldn't a solid light bar for the third brake light be viable?

 

What do you consider an "LED tube" a light that doesn't have a discernible source or sources? I have noticed what you're talking about, and going with what's the deal theme what's the deal with modern cars having tail lights with poor visibility. Some of them I can barely see the signal lights, the brake lights are not much better. Worse, it's legal here for the signal to be red instead of amber not nearly as noticeable.

Another dumb trend, LED for part of the combo lamp incandescent for the signals. Cheap.

 

3rd brake light is the most neglected maintenance wise but the most noticeable when braking. Plus it has to fit a smaller footprint and profile, perfect application for LED. Look at the 2015+ mustang, the third brake light is a thin LED above the rear glass, imagine if you still had the old ugly hump with incandescent at the bottom of the glass like old cars. Ugly and actually reduces rear visibility

ive noticed how some new nissans blink the 3rd brake light for a second or so when braking is first applied

 

There's the real problem, IMO. We don't need expensive LEDs for turn signals.....simply amber lenses. Some vehicles used to have them here in the U.S....but, to my knowledge, it was never actually required. As for brake lights, I don't see any (if any) problems with the existing American tandards....particularly since a third, higher-level light also flashes wench the brake pedal is touched. I'm not of the opinion that LEDs are needed for those, either. If one cannot adequately see three simultaneous flashing (non-LED) brake-lights, then, IMO, it may be time to turn in one's drivers' license.

I've also noticed a trend in many recent vehicles, where use of the turn-signals temporarily shuts offs the other lights on that side of the front end. Fortunately, my Lacrosse did not adopt that design.

 

I remember my 94 GS300 used bright red LEDs for the center brake. It was waaaay before bright LEDs became popular, most LEDs were only used as indicators on stuff like VCRs, and were really dim.

I think a lot of brake lights are still individual LEDs, the LED tubes are only for tail lights, but they don't light up brighter when braking.

 

The original NSX used what looked like a thin line of nicely integrated LED's too.