Third Brake Light Issue - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Frank-o · 07-19-2018, 12:01 PM

Sometimes it works but most of the time it doesn't so I tried to change it and there's no way I can do it. I call the Chevy house and they want over $500 to change it out. They said the light itself is $100 but that it would take a half a day labor because they have to pull out the back seat, etc... All this for a simply light replacement???

So I contacted Chevy direct via their FB page and ask them why they didn't make a trap door for easy change out. All I get is the run around. Finally someone contacted me and said I should contact a local dealer. I told them I already had and they wanted way too much to do it.

I asked if the designers meant to do this to screw over the customers? They assured me that was not the case.

Then I asked, if they didn't mean to do it then are you telling me they were to dumb to figure this out ahead of time?

Has anyone else had this issue? What did you do? How much did it cost you?

Baldman · 07-19-2018, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frank-o

Sometimes it works but most of the time it doesn't so I tried to change it and there's no way I can do it. I call the Chevy house and they want over $500 to change it out. They said the light itself is $100 but that it would take a half a day labor because they have to pull out the back seat, etc... All this for a simply light replacement???

So I contacted Chevy direct via their FB page and ask them why they didn't make a trap door for easy change out. All I get is the run around. Finally someone contacted me and said I should contact a local dealer. I told them I already had and they wanted way too much to do it.

I asked if the designers meant to do this to screw over the customers? They assured me that was not the case.

Then I asked, if they didn't mean to do it then are you telling me they were to dumb to figure this out ahead of time?

Has anyone else had this issue? What did you do? How much did it cost you?

Here's another thread from another website. He say's it's reasonable for it being $500. https://www.reddit.com/r/camaro/comm...48&sh=1a8abcec The rear speakers are a pain also to replace. They just didn't think this process thru when they designed it. If it bothers you that much take it to the dealer. I just saw that you had a 2014 I presume you bought it used. If bought new your warranty should cover it.

Coz3z3 · 07-19-2018, 01:30 PM

Isn't the third brake light on the trunk lid in 14-15? I know my 15 is.

Kopterman · 07-19-2018, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coz3z3

Isn't the third brake light on the trunk lid in 14-15? I know my 15 is.

I’m thinking he doesn’t have a 14. Only thinks he does...

TheFlyingBananaSS · 07-19-2018, 08:14 PM

Common issue. I did mine. It took 1 hour and 45 minutes. You have to remove the rear seats and all rear body panels!

Talladega · 07-19-2018, 09:15 PM

It is a known ball buster. Yes you have to remove all the interior from the front seats back. Literally everything to the structure. I have heard of people removing the back window but that doesn't seem any easier.

CamaroFred · 07-19-2018, 09:35 PM

Who really cares if the cyclops lights or not?

seishuku · 07-19-2018, 09:49 PM

Law requires 3rd brake light, and will fail safety inspection if it doesn't work...

CamaroFred · 07-19-2018, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seishuku

Law requires 3rd brake light, and will fail safety inspection if it doesn't work...

If someone tells you that they are mistaken. You need one working brake light on each side of the car. And they can double as a turn signal. Now, some LEOs might have an issue that if you have what appears to be a brake light, it should act like a brake light. But the law doesn't say you need a third brake light. No more than the law says you should have daytime running lights.

Splat · 07-20-2018, 07:36 AM

About 2 years ago, my 3rd brake light went out as well, when I brought it back to the dealer and they replaced it free of charge....... they later told me that this was a $500.00 job if the warranty runs out.

The dealer ship told me that the whole plastic piece had to be replaced, due to it being an electrical issue.

mr_honez · 07-20-2018, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CamaroFred

If someone tells you that they are mistaken. You need one working brake light on each side of the car. And they can double as a turn signal. Now, some LEOs might have an issue that if you have what appears to be a brake light, it should act like a brake light. But the law doesn't say you need a third brake light. No more than the law says you should have daytime running lights.

WRONG. It is required by statute to be functional for public roadway use. If your vehicle came with one it has to work. Your vehicle must also have it to pass inspection. You can ask me how I know this.

OP, Mine went out and I just bought a ZL1 spoiler integrated in to the spoiler. It does take just about as long if not longer to install it since you also have to remove a ton of crap to get to the harness.

DT10 · 07-20-2018, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr_honez

WRONG. It is required by statute to be functional for public roadway use. If your vehicle came with one it has to work. Your vehicle must also have it to pass inspection. You can ask me how I know this.

OP, Mine went out and I just bought a ZL1 spoiler integrated in to the spoiler. It does take just about as long if not longer to install it since you also have to remove a ton of crap to get to the harness.

The third brake light is a Federal mandate implemented upon all car manufacturers for safety. Started in 1986 all cars being manufactured and sold in the US are required to have them. As far as your States Vehicle and Traffic Law goes, well that varies. Here both sides must work for the VTL, third brake light doesnt matter. As for the annual safety inspection, it has to work.

Coleroad · 07-20-2018, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CamaroFred

Who really cares if the cyclops lights or not?

We now know who doesn't care about safety. Your wellbeing must not mean much to you, but it does to the rest of us.

Talladega · 07-20-2018, 11:57 AM

A little off topic but somewhat relevant. What are the requirements for a third brake light? Mine went out and i just got the lighted bowtie and call that my third brake light. If anyone questioned it I figured I would just play dumb, but would the lighted bowtie qualify as the third brake light? If it does that's a cheaper option than a new one from Chevy even if you install it yourself the bowtie is cheaper than the factory light parts only.

07-19-2018, 12:01 PM	#1
Frank-o Drives: 2014 Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Dallas Posts: 1	Third Brake Light Issue Sometimes it works but most of the time it doesn't so I tried to change it and there's no way I can do it. I call the Chevy house and they want over $500 to change it out. They said the light itself is $100 but that it would take a half a day labor because they have to pull out the back seat, etc... All this for a simply light replacement??? So I contacted Chevy direct via their FB page and ask them why they didn't make a trap door for easy change out. All I get is the run around. Finally someone contacted me and said I should contact a local dealer. I told them I already had and they wanted way too much to do it. I asked if the designers meant to do this to screw over the customers? They assured me that was not the case. Then I asked, if they didn't mean to do it then are you telling me they were to dumb to figure this out ahead of time? Has anyone else had this issue? What did you do? How much did it cost you?

07-19-2018, 08:14 PM	#5
TheFlyingBananaSS Evil Genius of Chevrolet Drives: 2017 Z06, 2019 XTS, 2013 SS Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: New York Posts: 3,260	Common issue. I did mine. It took 1 hour and 45 minutes. You have to remove the rear seats and all rear body panels! __________________ GPI SS2 VVT cam, ECS Novi 1500 supercharger, Corsa Extreme, Detroit Speed and BMR suspension, Circle D triple disc, Melling oil pump, LS2 chain tensioner, ATI 10% UD, DSX E85 kit, High Energy coils, BTR springs, LS2 Lifter trays, Titanium retainers, hardened push rods, FIC 1000 injectors, ZL1 pump, Mighty Mouse catch can, AEM gauges, Tial BOV, Richmond 3.91 gears, Custom gauge bezels, Speed Engineering headers, Stainless Works HF cats, DSX Aux pump, 710rwhp on E85.

07-19-2018, 09:35 PM	#7
CamaroFred Drives: Miss Con Ception Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Chicagoland Posts: 2,998	Who really cares if the cyclops lights or not? __________________ 2011 1SS/RS LS3 CGM

07-20-2018, 07:36 AM	#10
Splat Drives: 2012 1SS M6 IOM Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: New Rochelle New York Posts: 1,428 View My Garage	About 2 years ago, my 3rd brake light went out as well, when I brought it back to the dealer and they replaced it free of charge....... they later told me that this was a $500.00 job if the warranty runs out. The dealer ship told me that the whole plastic piece had to be replaced, due to it being an electrical issue. __________________ 2012 1SS Camaro LS3 Inferno Orange Mods: LSA Supercharger, 2.55 Pulley, Custom Boost Cam, ARH LTH 1 7/8, HFC, 3' Magnaflow Exhaust, JLT CAI, Elite CC V2, BO White Stage 2 TB, GM 3.91 Gears, DSS CF Driveshaft, BMR Bushing Kit.... . Tuned by JTM Motorsports 540 Hp 550Tq on 9PSI Axles, Monster Clutch, Hotchkis TVS Track Pack kit.......For 2018.

07-19-2018, 01:30 PM	#3
Coz3z3 Drives: 2015 Z/28, 2015 1LE Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Nevada Posts: 586	Isn't the third brake light on the trunk lid in 14-15? I know my 15 is.

07-19-2018, 09:15 PM	#6
Talladega Drives: 2013 Camaro SS Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Arvada, CO Posts: 686	It is a known ball buster. Yes you have to remove all the interior from the front seats back. Literally everything to the structure. I have heard of people removing the back window but that doesn't seem any easier.

07-19-2018, 09:49 PM	#8
seishuku Drives: 2011 Camaro LS Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 75	Law requires 3rd brake light, and will fail safety inspection if it doesn't work...

07-20-2018, 11:57 AM	#14
Talladega Drives: 2013 Camaro SS Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Arvada, CO Posts: 686	A little off topic but somewhat relevant. What are the requirements for a third brake light? Mine went out and i just got the lighted bowtie and call that my third brake light. If anyone questioned it I figured I would just play dumb, but would the lighted bowtie qualify as the third brake light? If it does that's a cheaper option than a new one from Chevy even if you install it yourself the bowtie is cheaper than the factory light parts only.