Replaced tailgate around Christmas after a collision, and now noticing condensation inside a taillight. Body shop says they’re not responsible and are quoting $250 to replace. Please advice.
Replaced tailgate around Christmas after a collision, and now noticing condensation inside a taillight. Body shop says they’re not responsible and are quoting $250 to replace. Please advice.
That is a factory light. It’s a 2022 CRV. They’re saying they only pulled it out as a unit and put it back in, and this seal failing has nothing to do with them.
This is plausible, btw
It’s not on them. They don’t pay to fix your wreck, it’s the other way around. It’s part of the wreck that wasn’t noticed when it was being fixed. It happens, and it can’t be helped unless they park it outside and let it rain and then check it and nobody does that.
If insurance paid for the wreck, get with the insurance company to pay for a new one. If you paid for the wreck, you could have paid for it when it was fixed but it wasn’t noticed so you pay for it now.
I’m with the other people here saying the same thing, that’s a salvaged tail light that was damaged in a wreck. That it was your tail light before it became salvage doesn’t make it ok.
And just because I know how those shops work, if at any point they said something like “we’re gonna reuse your old tail light” and you signed off on that, you might be out of luck.
Maybe your insurance company might be able to cover it under the same claim? It’s worth a phone call or email at least.
If you don’t want to DIY, definitely shop around for a better quote, but you might not find a cheaper total price. I wouldn’t burn a bridge with that shop.
The tailgate was replaced due to a collision but they didn’t install new taillight housings?
I haven’t had to make an insurance claim for an accident but years and years ago my parents neighbor backed into their car and left a big dent in the C-pillar (right behind the back passenger side door) and the insurance adjuster went as far as stating the trunk lid and bumper would need to be replaced even though they has no damage.
I’m surprised your insurance would reuse parts physically housed in the very tailgate that was damaged since they were likely damaged as well.
Apart from arguing with insurance about having it fixed again, my only suggestion would be replacing it yourself as it’s typically very easy. RockAuto has these listed for $60 (from TYC).
They’re bullshitting you. Dealerships break things on purpose to get you to spend more money. Get a quote from another shop and demand they pay for parts and labour.
Whike there are shops that do break things to get more work, they are not that common. Cars have issues all the time that will keep the vast majority of shops busy without needing to manufacturer their own business.
Not fixing things that insurance paid for is more common.