Body shop installed the wrong tailight on my cx5

[jhu8]

So a month ago my cx5 was hit in the driver side rear quarter panel on the highway. Been without my cx5 for a couple weeks now and went to pick it up yesterday. Did my quick walk around( was pouring outside) and drove away. Before I left the parking lot, I stopped and figured it'd be a good idea to look around the car again. Especially since the pricing of the repair was lower than expected(I know those LED taillights are very expensive). Well after I do a double take, I see they installed the basic halogen non tech taillight on my Tech package CX5. I couldn't believe it! How in the world does a body shop, one that has a known name to it that is associated with many many dealers across the state do that. I know things happen but come on. I guess that's what happens when the insurance company tries to go the cheapest route and aftermarket and body shop complies. I think that's what frustrated me the most that it was a mistake simply of taking the easy, cheap way out. The body shop told me that they don't think the LED one is even available in aftermarket form.

Of course, everyone was playing the blame game. They told me they ordered the correct taillight after speaking with them and hopefully it should be here Thursday/Friday. If I was paying for this repair, I would be expecting some form a compensation. But being that the person at fault's insurance is paying, I guess I don't have much of a case.

Anyway, just glad to be back in my cx5. I started with a 15 Chrysler 200, wow that transmission is awful! Then ended up in a 16 Jeep Compass. Lets just say, so glad to be back in my cx5. Now hopefully they actually order the right part this time.

 

[madar]

I always make it a point to walk around the car 2 or 3 times before leaving. You never see everything on first examination. Good thing you caught it. No matter how good a reputation a shop has, it just takes the one person who doesn't really know what's going on to ruin it.

 

[jhu8]

I always make it a point to walk around the car 2 or 3 times before leaving. You never see everything on first examination. Good thing you caught it. No matter how good a reputation a shop has, it just takes the one person who doesn't really know what's going on to ruin it.

Yeah for sure! Glad I did decide to stop before actually leaving. Plan to take a closer look today if it doesn't rain.

 

[LarryB78]

sadly i had a similar issue when my '09 mazda 3 got hit - unfortunately most insurance companies (especially the gecko) tend to push for aftermarket parts to be used...i don't know how it is in other states but here in new york if you're willing to put up a fight it can be remedied...i tried for oem parts the first time around and was told they could only be used if no aftermarket part was available or if it wasn't a proper fit, and a month after i got my car back the front fenders started popping out of the clips - went back to the collision shop who informed me it was bc of the aftermarket parts, after this they finally got them to agree to oem equipment...stupid insurance company would rather pay for parts & a rental twice on the hopes that you won't know any better or put up a fight

 

[tibimakai]

With my previous car, I have ordered new wheel/tire setup at a good tire shop. As they were almost ready installing the new wheels, I have looked at my car and noticed, that something is wrong with one rear wheel. The offset, it was off.
I was pointing them out, that is wrong, but they were keep saying that it is OK.
Eventually, they noticed the problem and they took care of me, the next day(to late to exchange it).

 

[Chris_Top_Her]

with my previous car, i have ordered new wheel/tire setup at a good tire shop. As they were almost ready installing the new wheels, i have looked at my car and noticed, that something is wrong with one rear wheel. The offset, it was off.
I was pointing them out, that is wrong, but they were keep saying that it is ok.
Eventually, they noticed the problem and they took care of me, the next day(to late to exchange it).

lol

 

[CX-5um]

OP, which bulb did you check? My Mazda 6 has LED brake lights but with halogen reverse lights and halogen rear signals. The LEDs on CX-5s may be a similar set up.

 

[banjos-n-beer]

OP, which bulb did you check? My Mazda 6 has LED brake lights but with halogen reverse lights and halogen rear signals. The LEDs on CX-5s may be a similar set up.

You don't really need to check the bulbs. The LED units are noticeably different in appearance from the standard halogen ones. But yes, I believe the turn signals and reverse lights are still halogen.

 

[CX-5um]

You don't really need to check the bulbs. The LED units are noticeably different in appearance from the standard halogen ones. But yes, I believe the turn signals and reverse lights are still halogen.

Hmmm....Perhaps if the OP digs an aftermarket style and its cheaper than OEM replacement couldn't OP ask to be reimbursed for the retail price of the oem part then purchase an aftermarket LEDs. To be installed by shop. The excuse being he needs lights and the new oems ones are hard to source.

 

[minnesotaart]

In MN we can insist on OEM repair parts.

 

[craigo]

That's unfortunate, but probably an honest mistake. The shop isn't going to be intimately familiar with vehicle packages and part numbers/descriptions can be quite similar. My SO had to have a new bumper put on a volvo and they mistakenly ordered one with cutouts for the headlight wipers that she didn't have. It happens, life goes on

Or, it could've been your insurance adjusters mistake. They often spell out exactly what is to be fixed and with what and may have mistakenly spec'd a non-LED taillight.

 

[LarryB78]

In MN we can insist on OEM repair parts.

that's pretty awesome - here in NY you have to put up quite the fight unless your policy promises use of OEM parts

 

[Chris_Top_Her]

Have you looked at aftermarket tails? There are like 20, all are LED and some are cheaper than oem.

 

[jhu8]

Or, it could've been your insurance adjusters mistake. They often spell out exactly what is to be fixed and with what and may have mistakenly spec'd a non-LED taillight.

I'm kinda thinking this. I think between the adjuster and the actual insurance company, they were just requesting the cheapest parts possible. I actually know for a fact because on the estimate paper there is a key, and the identification for aftermarket parts was next to every part that needed to be replaced lol I had even questioned specifically about the LED tailight when the adjuster came to my house because I told him, I know the LED is expensive and I don't want some cheap aftermarket one.

Anyway, the fun doesn't stop there. When I went out to look at my car then next morning after the rain, I found a large scratch on drivers side door. I called the body shop immediately and informed them. Of course, they gave me a generic response saying we'll have a look when you bring your car in for the tailight replacement.

I even took pictures of all sides of my car while sitting in the parking lot of the body shop prior to turning the car over to them. I even showed the guy the few scratches I did have in my paint because I asked how much it would be to fix while it's already in the shop. So hopefully they can take care of it. It doesn't look like it can be buffed out though so I am worried. They better fix it though as I am 100% sure they did it.

 

[PatrickGSR94]

FYI none of the rear bulbs are halogen, they're incandescent. Incandescent headlights are halogen-based, referring to the gasses inside, to make the burn brighter and hotter than just the incandescent filament alone. But other lights around the car, if they're not LED, are just regular incandescent.

I had a body shop try to sell me on aftermarket "Altezza" lights for my Integra when it was rear-ended. I was quick to say HELL NO!!! I told them I would rather have a used OEM light than new aftermarket "Euro" light junk.

 

[yrwei52]

Incandescent Bulb ≠ Halogen Bulb

FYI none of the rear bulbs are halogen, they're incandescent. Incandescent headlights are halogen-based, referring to the gasses inside, to make the burn brighter and hotter than just the incandescent filament alone. But other lights around the car, if they're not LED, are just regular incandescent.

Exactly ⋯

In the early years even the headlight bulbs or US DOT "sealed-beam" headlights are not halogen! Halogen is an upgrade for brighter light output and longer life span.

 

[jhu8]

Well got the new taillight today. Suppose to be OEM. Will look tonight at light output and make sure there are no discernible differences.

As for the scratch, the guy went out and tried to buff it out, no luck. I knew it wasn't going to come out as it was too deep of a scratch. He then came back with a portable buffer and tried. Ended up burning into the paint, now they have to actually paint it. So I'm scheduled to go back next week.

 

[heywire]

Wait, the CX-5 w/ tech package has different taillights? I didn't even notice...

 

[TheMAN]

Well got the new taillight today. Suppose to be OEM. Will look tonight at light output and make sure there are no discernible differences.

As for the scratch, the guy went out and tried to buff it out, no luck. I knew it wasn't going to come out as it was too deep of a scratch. He then came back with a portable buffer and tried. Ended up burning into the paint, now they have to actually paint it. So I'm scheduled to go back next week.

look at the markings who made them... if it's OEM, it won't be Depo, TYC, etc... it'll likely be Stanley or Koito

 

[TheMAN]

Wait, the CX-5 w/ tech package has different taillights? I didn't even notice...

it helps to read the brochure! (rolleyes)