Side view - passenger side

Generally speaking any problem with the mirror even just a cracked housing requires complete replacement as side mirrors are generally not serviceable. However I'm with obermd why aren't they doing it under warranty? The basic warranty is 3 years 36,000 miles. No one has had their Clarity for three years since they didn't start selling them until December 2017. Only people who have driven past 36,000 miles are no longer under basic warranty, although there is still the power train warranty of 5 years 50,000 miles. Unless the dealer is claiming it was damaged, I can't really tell from the photo if this is a part that failed on its own or potentially was due to impact.

If you are already past the 36,000 miles warranty or if the dealer insists it was damaged so it won't be fixed under warranty, there is no need to have it done at the dealer as mirror replacement is a standard procedure that any car body shop can do it for probably half the price as what the dealer will charge. The body shop will replace it with an OEM mirror from Honda, the same one the dealer would be installing. I am not aware of any special "alignment" procedure for the Lanewatch camera that would require dealer service, unlike the LKAS camera on the windshield which does require alignment at the dealer if you get a new windshield.

I would be wary of their $100 estimate, it may sound tempting but if you let them try it and it cracks then you will likely get a phone call from them that your car is ready for pickup and the bill is $1,000 because they wound up having to replace the mirror.

Another option if it's not covered under warranty is to have your insurance pay for the repair, unless you have a high deductible.

Clarity mirror dissassembly

Frenaye said:

During the recent service on my 2018 Clarity PHEV (oil change, tire rotation), I asked the dealer to look at my passenger side rear view mirror because there was a cracked piece of plastic visible. The dealer said the "skull cap needs replacement." This is an inner plastic piece between the mirror and the painted body/housing of the passenger side rear view mirror.

The cost was around $100. But... they said that " 50% of the time the housing can crack when trying to separate" and that was the case, then the cost could be $1000... Wow! The explanation was that a replacement of the entire housing, skullcap and mirror, plus alignment (and painting?), is a much more involved process and thus more expensive.

Has anyone else run into this? I'm worried that the dealer may not have enough experience. Obviously, a $100 repair makes we want to do the repair. But, I don't want to go into it thinking at was $100 and then be told it would be $1000... Any suggestions?

Thanks

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When it comes to something like this, I wonder if it wouldn't be better to go to a really good 12v shop (where they do things like alarm and stereo installations, along with car modifications). I have my Clarity in at one here in San Diego right now. They are putting on Muth turn signal mirror glass (the kind that has LED arrows hidden behind the mirror's glass that only really show up when your signals are on) and a rear/side facing camera under the left mirror. It's probably less invasive than what you're talking about, but these guys (if they're at a good shop) tend to be better at things like this than dealers.

The shop I go to often has exotic cars that they take apart quite a bit to put different accessories in (everything from sound systems and cameras to blind spot monitors and lighting). They have to be expert to avoid breaking those parts. I'd hate to think what replacing a mirror (or even an interior panel) on a McClaren or a Bentley would cost. I really don't trust dealers to have mechanics who know what they are doing for this kind of stuff. (By the way, I'll be posting photos of all of what I've had done once I get my Clarity back.)