# Dear Honda, $500 for a freaking brake light? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 19, 2017, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-honda-500-for-a-freaking-brake-light/789393 "2017-06-19T19:38:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2017, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-honda-500-for-a-freaking-brake-light/789393/1 "2017-06-19T19:38:30Z")
WTF! I took my car into the dealer for inspection last week. It needed tie rods, which fortunately were covered by the extended warranty. Electrical is of course not covered. I had lights out on both the left and right rear that had to be fixed to pass inspection. No problem right? I’ve done it myself in the past. You buy a new bulb for a couple of bucks and screw it in, right? Wrong! The lights are now one big LED unit and if there are any failures you have to replace the whole unit. The guy in the repair shop called and told that I have to replace both units at $500 each. Fortunately he was nice enough to break the rules and send me a link to a site that sells them at half price. I had to order them and have them delivered to my address. I suppose $500 is better than $1000, but Jesus Fucking Christ on a musical pogo stick! ---
**Author:** ![Kelevra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/97f17d/32.png) [@Kelevra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kelevra)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2017, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-honda-500-for-a-freaking-brake-light/789393/2 "2017-06-19T20:07:20Z")
Hmm. My wife just bought a 2014 CRV. Sounds like I better check that out. She had a 2002 CRV that I replaced lights on many times. As you said, easy to do. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Vorlon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d07c76/32.png) [@The\_Vorlon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Vorlon)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2017, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-honda-500-for-a-freaking-brake-light/789393/3 "2017-06-19T20:46:30Z")
You might want to give the NTSB a yell. Those LED’s should not have failed yet, let alone both of them. They are safety equipment, so the Feds should be very interested in the short lifespan. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2017, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-honda-500-for-a-freaking-brake-light/789393/4 "2017-06-19T20:54:24Z")
> [@The\_Vorlon](#): > > You might want to give the NTSB a yell. Those LED’s should not have failed yet, let alone both of them. They are safety equipment, so the Feds should be very interested in the short lifespan. It’s a 2010. Seven years does seem awfully short for LEDs. I just got back from the dealers with my car. The lights look great (they damned well should!) You can’t tell that they’re OEM. Thanks for the tip about the NTSB. ---
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2017, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-honda-500-for-a-freaking-brake-light/789393/5 "2017-06-19T21:08:38Z")
I’m worried that this is the trend in cars now. So much of the car is made up of tightly packed, integrated, and computerized components that any repair will be costly from both a parts and labor standpoint. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2017, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-honda-500-for-a-freaking-brake-light/789393/6 "2017-06-19T21:24:18Z")
I had a headlight fail on my 2010 Subaru and I happened to bring it to the dealer for repair. They replaced it as a warranty item, which surprised me. To replace it you need to pull the fender liner with the front wheels turned all the way to one side and reach in from there. It’s a pain, and I’m glad they did it for me. But I had to have a taillight assembly replaced (not under warranty) and that set me back a few $100s. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2017, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-honda-500-for-a-freaking-brake-light/789393/7 "2017-06-19T23:51:12Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > I had a headlight fail on my 2010 Subaru and I happened to bring it to the dealer for repair. They replaced it as a warranty item, which surprised me. To replace it you need to pull the fender liner with the front wheels turned all the way to one side and reach in from there. It’s a pain This is how one replaces low beam headlights on my Mazda. Before you even _think_ about replacing the bulb make sure you buy a set of replacement ‘screws’ to put the wheel well liner back in as most of 'em didn’t survive coming out. (They’re something line 5¢/piece in bulk (20 pieces) on e-bay, but it’s One. More. Thing. you need before you can make would _should_ be a simple repair. The high beam, which is used a lot less & therefore should have a longer life? [ul] [li]Open hood.[/li][li]Untwist.[/li][li]Pull out housing.[/li][li]Pull out old/dead bulb.[/li][li]Replace with new bulb.[/li][li]Put housing back.[/li][li]Twist.[/li][li]Close hood.[/li][/ul] What nincompoop make it easy to change a probably never-to-be-changed item but much harder to change a more frequently changed one? When in car design mode, just swap location of the bulbs. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Unabashed\_Fascist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/c2a13f/32.png) [@Unabashed\_Fascist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unabashed_Fascist)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2017, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-honda-500-for-a-freaking-brake-light/789393/8 "2017-06-20T00:05:16Z")
I’ve replaced three break lights in the last two years. I think we should all agree to start calling them _break_ lights instead. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2017, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-honda-500-for-a-freaking-brake-light/789393/9 "2017-06-20T00:23:29Z")
Friend’s wife’s Honda Odyssey(don’t know the year but older) died. It was alternator. Her BIL is a fair shade mechanic. He spent an hour trying to remove only to find out you have to remove the _radiator_ first? This is progress? ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2017, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-honda-500-for-a-freaking-brake-light/789393/10 "2017-06-20T00:27:41Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > I had a headlight fail on my 2010 Subaru and I happened to bring it to the dealer for repair. They replaced it as a warranty item, which surprised me. To replace it you need to pull the fender liner with the front wheels turned all the way to one side and reach in from there. It’s a pain, and I’m glad they did it for me. > > But I had to have a taillight assembly replaced (not under warranty) and that set me back a few $100s. I just had to replace both low beams in my 2013 Subaru. What a pain in the arse that was! As you say, had pull the wheel well lining and reach in, doing everything by feel. The frustrating part was that my hand was just an inch from the engine compartment and just a slightly larger gap in the frame around the compartment would have let me access the light directly. I was a lot quicker with the other side, but still a pain. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2017, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-honda-500-for-a-freaking-brake-light/789393/11 "2017-06-20T00:33:34Z")
Every time someone asks me why I keep repairing my 2002 and 1999 vehicles I point to threads like this. The thing is, manufacturers have absolutely no incentive to make it easy, or even possible for you to repair your vehicle. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2017, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-honda-500-for-a-freaking-brake-light/789393/12 "2017-06-20T00:50:26Z")
Do what I did. Just tie a candelabra onto the rear bumper. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2017, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-honda-500-for-a-freaking-brake-light/789393/13 "2017-06-20T00:57:04Z")
> [@Unabashed\_Fascist](#): > > I’ve replaced three break lights in the last two years. > > I think we should all agree to start calling them _break_ lights instead. Are you [wearing latex gloves](http://knowhow.napaonline.com/presto-change-o-change-headlight-bulb/) when you replace the bulbs? I didn’t the first time I replaced a brake light in my Versa, and the bulb only lasted 5 months. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2017, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-honda-500-for-a-freaking-brake-light/789393/14 "2017-06-20T00:58:43Z")
> [@Ukulele\_Ike](#): > > Do what I did. Just tie a candelabra onto the rear bumper. You are the Duke of New York! You’re A-Number One! ---
**Author:** ![Channing\_Idaho\_Banks](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/channing_idaho_banks/32/250_2.png) [@Channing\_Idaho\_Banks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Channing_Idaho_Banks)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2017, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-honda-500-for-a-freaking-brake-light/789393/15 "2017-06-20T01:04:24Z")
You probably have a $500 flashlight in your pocket. ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2017, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-honda-500-for-a-freaking-brake-light/789393/16 "2017-06-20T02:09:46Z")
> [@Channing\_Idaho\_Banks](#): > > You probably have a $500 flashlight in your pocket. Yeah, and it is absolutely useless when you need a flashlight to find a lost phone 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Projammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/projammer/32/559_2.png) [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2017, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-honda-500-for-a-freaking-brake-light/789393/17 "2017-06-20T02:35:48Z")
And then there’s my 04 Saturn Ion. For High Beam/Low Beam/Turn Signals/Running Lights [ol] [li]Unlock/raise hood.[/li][li]Remove 2 pins from headlamp assembly[/li][li]Pull headlamp assembly out for easy access[/li][li]Disconnect wire from defective light.[/li][li]Untwist/remove old light[/li][li]Insert/twist new light[/li][li]Reconnect wire[/li][li]Replace headlamp assembly[/li][li]Replace pins[/li][li]Close hood[/li][/ol] You’ll barely get your fingertips dirty if you’re careful. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2017, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-honda-500-for-a-freaking-brake-light/789393/18 "2017-06-20T02:47:12Z")
It’s the way of things, sadly. Many new cars no longer have a transmission dipstick. To check the trans fluid you have to get the car in the air and from underneath stick a tube into an orifice in the tranny and visually verify color and levels. Some new cars (Mercedes) don’t even have an OIL DIPSTICK!!! Wtf? I firmly believe that manufacturers (who set the time rates for repairs for dealer service techs) and the dealers are in cahoots to ensure that the service department is more of a profit center than just a place to service your vehicle. Service advisors at many dealers hard sell “recommended” services that aren’t really necessary, like trans fluid flushes at 50k miles, etc. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2017, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-honda-500-for-a-freaking-brake-light/789393/19 "2017-06-20T02:58:04Z")
> [@Spiderman](#): > > This is how one replaces low beam headlights on my Mazda. Before you even _think_ about replacing the bulb make sure you buy a set of replacement ‘screws’ to put the wheel well liner back in as most of 'em didn’t survive coming out. (They’re something line 5¢/piece in bulk (20 pieces) on e-bay, but it’s One. More. Thing. you need before you can make would _should_ be a simple repair. > The high beam, which is used a lot less & therefore should have a longer life? > [ul] > [li]Open hood.[/li][li]Untwist.[/li][li]Pull out housing.[/li][li]Pull out old/dead bulb.[/li][li]Replace with new bulb.[/li][li]Put housing back.[/li][li]Twist.[/li][li]Close hood.[/li][/ul] > > What nincompoop make it easy to change a probably never-to-be-changed item but much harder to change a more frequently changed one? When in car design mode, just swap location of the bulbs. :smack: Sounds like my Accord. All lights up front reachable from the inside of the engine compartment \*except \*the main lowbeam goes into the fender well. But then again, to reach those on the right side I have to unmount the coolant tank. Excuse me? Seems to be a popular pattern over the last 8+ years. In the back I have to undo the retainers and pull back the trunk liner to reach for the bulb assemblies. Then afterwards I have to shove everything back under the edging weatherstripping. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2017, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-honda-500-for-a-freaking-brake-light/789393/20 "2017-06-20T16:20:45Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > Every time someone asks me why I keep repairing my 2002 and 1999 vehicles I point to threads like this. > > The thing is, manufacturers have absolutely no incentive to make it easy, or even possible for you to repair your vehicle. Yep. My daily drivers are '88, '89 and '97’s. My “new” cars. 😉 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-honda-500-for-a-freaking-brake-light/789393.md?page=2)