[modoca]

Last month someone rear ended me and I had to get my bumper replaced. I received an error message that said "service side sensors". The bodyshop told me to take the Bolt to the dealer which I did. Apparently the blind side mirror detectors didn't work because the body shop failed to put butyl tape over the rear sensors. The butyl tape serves to cover radiowave signals which prevents false readings that a vehicle is present in your blind spot. Apparently, there is some bulletin covering this (dealer printed and showed it to me), but I was told that this wasn't covered under warranty because I was involved in an accident. The dealer (Penske Chevy in Cerritos) ended up charging me almost $500.00 to install the butyl tape. The service advisor told me the process was quite involved, which seemed pretty iffy to me to install a piece of tape. Nonetheless, I paid what they asked for since insurance reimbursed me for it anyway. Has anyone else had to pay for butyl tape installation after an accident, and if so, how much did your dealer charge you?

 

[SanFranTanguero]

I made a post related to yours a while back. Someone smacked my bumper in a parking lot and slightly dented the bumper. I didn't even see the dent it was so small until I found it while exploring why my side sensor was flashing intermittently. I did not bring it in for repair but got some metallic tape and taped around the sensor myself to avoid the false positives. While I can't trust the left side side detection as I used to, I still always check a clear merge visually. I couldn't justify paying 700+ $ for a new bumper.

On a side note, a friend who owns a Telsa was in an accident and while the car looked perfect, enough of the sensors were no longer aligned that the car was considered totaled. As these cars get more electronics, I am finding that repair costs are skyrocketing (as you are finding out).

 

[modoca]

Thanks-- it's crazy how such minor damage is so expensive to repair because of the electronics!