Ask Lemmy

What components did they replace with the original work? Did they just replace the bumper cover?

If you were charged for a new tail lamp/light assembly in the previous work, then this is on them. If they only pulled the original tail lamp as part of other work, and reinstalled the original tail lamp, then the tail lamp was probably cracked in the collision. That damage would be easy to miss and can take a long time to become apparant. It sounds to me like this component was not replaced in the original work and you are only now discovering damage that was sustained in the collision.

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.

This is plausible, btw

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.

Depends on manufacturer, maybe a misuse of words on my part... They do use studs and nuts but the sealant is often a rubberized sealant (similar to windshield adhesive) that acts like a glue. Some manufactures use foam gaskets, which suck balls.

Personally I use silicone glazing sealant (dow 1199) when I reinstalled my Honda tail lights and it works fine.

Yeah they're off a bit on the description as the taillight is simply bolted in but consists of two halves of plastic glued together (inner shell and outer lens).

Did your insurance cover the repair? If so, you might be able to use them as leverage. Most insurance companies will work on behalf of a customer who gets fucked over by the collision department.

My 2010 Highlander was involved in a front-end collision. When Shit Collision, Inc, replaced the plastic bumper they broke the two body panel brackets that held the quarter panels above the wheels to the new bumper. Rather than admit the mistake, suck up the cost as a mistake, and carry on, they told me it's "supposed to be like that" (i. e. sticking out an inch and a half from the rest of the car's body).

No matter the amount of bullshit I called on them they wouldn't budge. So I called my insurance company. After a tense exchange between Manager McNuts and Adjuster Andy, the body shop still said no so I went elsewhere, insurance covered it, and Shit Collision, Inc., is an empty brick building now.

If this was an insurance repair, contact your insurance company. They have policies for when additional repairs are needed afterwards. Tell them it's something you noticed later. And if it's anything that could plausibly be related to the accident, they should cover it. It's possible there is still concealed damage that is putting stress on the light causing it to separate and let moisture in. If your insurance company OKs it, I would let a different body shop handle the repair and check out the previous work.

If you paid out of pocket, you're probably out of luck at this point.