PAULMC

As I was pulling out of a parking spot a couple nights ago, a guy stopped me and said that I had a brake light out on my 2016 C7. It's the driver's side. I've looked through the owner's manual and all over the internet, and I can't find how to replace that bulb. What am I missing? How in the world do I change just that one bulb? All the other tail lights work fine, it's just the brake light.
Thanks.

eboggs_jkvl

Looking at the Helms for my '14, it appears that you need to remove the rear bumper fascia to get at the bulbs. The entire light pod is then accesible. It looks like the rear lights and the front light have the ugly fact that you can't get to them without removing the rear bumper fascia or the front nose fascia.

Bulb replacement sucks on these cars.

Elmer

eboggs_jkvl

If you do have to remove the bumper, I'd change every friggen bulb in there! My head lamp went out and I changed out both front headlamps. Major PITA!


Elmer

PAULMC

If the rear fascia has to come off, would the service to change the bulb be covered under my 3 year/36,000 mile bumper-to-bumper warranty? I know I'm just hoping, but I'm not happy about having to go to such lengths just to change one bulb.

eboggs_jkvl

I have a feeling the answer is "no". I think headlights, taillights, clutch, brake pads and such are considered "wear" items and not covered.

Jeff V.

I don't think there are any replacable bulbs in the taillights. It's all LEDs. Which means replacing the entire assembly.

If that's the case, you might be able to claim it under warranty after all. I think the expectation of LEDs is they're supposed to last the life of the car.

Maxpowers

PAULMC

I just got the left rear tail light replaced. The bad news is that the entire rear fascia needed to be taken off to replace that complete LED light bank. The good news is that the repair was covered by my 3-year/36,000 mile warranty. It's a good thing. Just for everyone's information, the cost of the replacement is over $900.00.

The Chev

So, if a LED fails, the cost to replace the bulb is $900..........

As an Engineer, this is a **** design. ****.

I am beginning to believe that the C5 was the pinnacle of engineering over at Chevrolet.

eboggs_jkvl

Front headlight pod is $1200 if I recall correctly. There are bulbs in the front so it's not as horrible. A pair of HID bulbs is ~$200. I have no clue on the LED strip as to whether you can replace it or if it comes with the pod.

Elmer

Jeff V.

I don't know of any other car with factory LED tail lights that have individually replaceable lighting elements.

davepl

It's serviced as a unit (one per side) and the whole rear fascia has to come off. In other words, it's LED lifetime service and not designed to be changed, so no fun, and expensive. I don't blame them - a rigid, quality board mounted LED really will last near forever, so I don't see any need to make them individually serviceable (at not in exchange for otherwise avoidable cost and weight).

The Chev

How many LEDs have you seen fail in your lifetime? Is it really ZERO? Lights fail, it is a simple fact.

Red86Cfour

I'd be doing surgery to attempt to repair a 900$ led light pod before I spent money on a new one. Its probably just a bad solder joint. Same thing happens on BMW X5 tail lights. Common problem easily fixed with a soldering iron.

Jeff V.

Good luck. Let us know how/if you get it open. A lot of newer lights are sealed with an epoxy that doesn't soften with heat like older lights do. The plastic will melt long before the epoxy does.

robert miller

I agree my drivers side is out also but I was told they are LED'S and may just need to unplug the thing let it set for a few moment and then plug it back up and it may start working again. Any way that is what a GM mech told me I will see when I get my car back together.. Robert