$1500 for this??

2,551 Views | 23 Replies | Last: 9 days ago by BlueSmoke
safety guy
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6:16p, 8/12/26
AG
I have a 2026 Buick Envista. I noticed the other day that an outer cover on one of my headlights was broken. Don't know how or when. The piece in question just covers the housing as the light itself has a separate cover and works fine. Looks like a $5 part like a piece of plexiglass. I called the dealer and they told me that they would have to replace the whole light assembly and the cost would be $1500 plus tax. That seems crazy. Does anyone have any alternative solutions.

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Sea Speed
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6:56p, 8/12/26
AG
How would something like this on a 2026 not be covered under warranty?
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idAg09
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In reply to Sea Speed • 7:00p, 8/12/26
Sea Speed said:
How would something like this on a 2026 not be covered under warranty?


Hard to argue that it's not road debris that caused damage even if it wasn't.. Nobody would warranty this
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Sea Speed
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In reply to idAg09 • 7:09p, 8/12/26
AG
Tbh the pic wasn't loading for me and I see it now and you're most likely correct, although I successfully argued for warranty repairs on my Tesla for something that could have been considered caused by road debris.
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Absolute
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7:47a, 8/13/26
AG
I replaced a headlight assembly on my daughter's 23 Envision. Probably pretty similar. The oem light assembly is 5 hundred or so and then you have to drop the whole front bumper assembly to get to the screws. I bought an off brand on Amazon that matched perfectly and seems to work fine for much less. Hardest part was messing with the trim around the wheel wells which has to come off to drop the bumper assembly.

So expensive oem light assembly and a bunch of labor to get to the 5 screws holding the light.

ETA:

I was referring to the main light. The foglight might be easier and cheaper to DIY.
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Max Power
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9:18a, 8/13/26
AG
Dealership is going to cost you more than anyone else. If you don't want to order it and install it yourself go talk to a body shop. They might be able to find a used or aftermarket one and their labor rates will be more reasonable than a dealership.
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Ag97
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10:54a, 8/13/26
AG
Some place like BYOT or possibly Ebay.

Some of the prices on things like this are ridiculous. We recently had a piece of construction equipment where we needed to replace an AC drain hose that ran through the cab headliner and down one of the frames. About 5 or 6 feet long. Cost from the manufacturer was $1,700. We went to a local hose supply company and bought similar hose for $8.
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HollywoodBQ
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In reply to safety guy • 4:18p, 8/13/26
AG
Not surprising in this modern era of plastic everything.

My mother has a light problem at the rear of her 2015 Ford Edge. She bought the part online for like $13 and thought she, or I, or my brother could install it.

I watched enough YouTube videos about the repair to figure out that I wouldn't be able to install it in the two hours I had available. My brother tried but was too afraid of breaking something else (good call).

The dealership wants $1,500 to fix it so, it remains broken.
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MrJonMan
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4:45p, 8/13/26
AG
Expensive because you drive a Lamborghini
Lone Star Pest Control Service, Inc. Call for special Pricing!
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SteveA
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5:10p, 8/13/26
AG
Does your insurance suck? Should be a comp claim and just pay deductible, no?
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Absolute
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In reply to SteveA • 5:16p, 8/13/26
AG
SteveA said:
Does your insurance suck? Should be a comp claim and just pay deductible, no?

Honest dumb question. Does a comp claim count like an accident on the insurance?
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Buck Compton
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5:20p, 8/13/26
AG
Dropping a bumper assembly and the wheel well trim to change a headlight. Gotta love modern design
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Absolute
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In reply to Buck Compton • 5:25p, 8/13/26
AG
Buck Compton said:
Dropping a bumper assembly and the wheel well trim to change a headlight. Gotta love modern design

Yeah, and either the wheel well trim required a special tool or it is a one and done type clip or I'm an idiot. I ended up using glue to put it back.
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Old Sarge
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7:15p, 8/13/26
AG
Dayum

I member the good ol days of going to a Hi-Lo (now O'Riellys) and buying a square or round headlight for about $9, and changing it in 10 minutes. Or go even cheaper and pull one for a buck or two at the wreck yard. That was another hour, but the difference was beer $$$.
"Green" is the new RED.
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safety guy
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7:54p, 8/13/26
AG
What's crazy is that everything works. Only a clear shield protecting the light housing is broken. The light has a clear shield intact. Ive thought of getting a piece of clear plastic or plexiglass and hot gluing it in place. If the dealer replaces the entire housing, they will just recondition the existing part by replacing the shield.
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AmC_OldSarge
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11:47p, 8/13/26
AG
Where are you located?
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austinag1997
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6:36a, 8/14/26
AG
Headlight assembly on a 2016 Porsche Cayenne is $6000+. I bought a used one off of Ebay. Same issue but it impacted the headligh operation because it allowed moisture onto the bulb asssembly.
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classicdoug
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8:04a, 8/14/26
AG
Yes, that's a complete assembly. You can't just buy the outer plastic cover. If you had the light in your hand, you would see that it doesn't come apart. Used or ebay would be your cheapest option. But, make sure you get the same exact one. Sometimes these lights look the same on the outside but have different electronics on the inside.
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Street Fighter
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In reply to Absolute • 9:07a, 8/14/26
AG
Absolute said:
I replaced a headlight assembly on my daughter's 23 Envision. Probably pretty similar. The oem light assembly is 5 hundred or so and then you have to drop the whole front bumper assembly to get to the screws. I bought an off brand on Amazon that matched perfectly and seems to work fine for much less. Hardest part was messing with the trim around the wheel wells which has to come off to drop the bumper assembly.

So expensive oem light assembly and a bunch of labor to get to the 5 screws holding the light.

ETA:

I was referring to the main light. The foglight might be easier and cheaper to DIY.

Your off brand was probably made is the same exact facility, it's all a scam.
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SteveA
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In reply to Absolute • 9:25a, 8/14/26
AG
Quote:
Quote:
SteveA said:
Does your insurance suck? Should be a comp claim and just pay deductible, no?


Honest dumb question. Does a comp claim count like an accident on the insurance?


No, you do not get an at-fault penalty. Generally a single comp claim won't raise your rate either, but you should just talk to your agent. Also, headlights, since they are glass are sometimes covered under the same inclusion as your windshield, and offer a different, smaller deductible. Again, your milage may vary, and you should just talk to your agent, as there is no penalty for the discussion, as it is what you pay them for.
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Kenneth_2003
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In reply to Street Fighter • 9:28a, 8/14/26
AG
Street Fighter said:
Absolute said:
I replaced a headlight assembly on my daughter's 23 Envision. Probably pretty similar. The oem light assembly is 5 hundred or so and then you have to drop the whole front bumper assembly to get to the screws. I bought an off brand on Amazon that matched perfectly and seems to work fine for much less. Hardest part was messing with the trim around the wheel wells which has to come off to drop the bumper assembly.

So expensive oem light assembly and a bunch of labor to get to the 5 screws holding the light.

ETA:

I was referring to the main light. The foglight might be easier and cheaper to DIY.

Your off brand was probably made is the same exact facility, it's all a scam.

Same Chinese line. They run the OEM then run the line for their knockoffs.
OR they tweak a few bits here and there to optimize the production that allows them to run it even cheaper.
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P.H. Dexippus
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In reply to safety guy • 10:02a, 8/14/26
AG
safety guy said:
What's crazy is that everything works. Only a clear shield protecting the light housing is broken. The light has a clear shield intact. Ive thought of getting a piece of clear plastic or plexiglass and hot gluing it in place. If the dealer replaces the entire housing, they will just recondition the existing part by replacing the shield.

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BlueSmoke
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1:02p, 8/20/26
Damn. And I was griping this morning about a $300 battery for the wife's Palisade.

WHICH I INSTALLED MYSELF......like a real man......
Nobody cares. Work Harder
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BlueSmoke
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In reply to Buck Compton • 1:04p, 8/20/26
Buck Compton said:
Dropping a bumper assembly and the wheel well trim to change a headlight. Gotta love modern design

Have a friend with a VW SUV. Cable latch to open the hood snapped/broke - so they have to take the entire wheel assembly off to hook it with a hanger to change their battery. Such a whip.
Nobody cares. Work Harder
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