Important! Wanted 2009 Cadillac XLR High mount third brade light lens needed.

[Karlie]

I am a big fan of the XLR, had a 2004 which I loved dearly, bought new, and had 70K on it when I traded it in for a 2009 XLR two years ago. This car only had 6K on it when I bought it but after one year of having it I was a stop light when the lens covering the led high mount brake light fell off. Unfortunately I did not realize it, not that it would matter as I'm sure it smashed to pieces once it hit the pavement. I went to two dealers who were doing a search for me on finding me a replacement (I was actually going to get the whole light module) and no such luck. Called GM and was talking with a customer service representative and he was dealing with my dealers etc. on trying to find me one. I was then told by a dealer that GM was going to produce these lights (apparently it's a epidemic with the lenses falling off) and I would have one by the end of September 2013....obviously that did not happen. I then found out that its a federal law that when a car is no longer in production the maker is supposed to have all parts available for the car for 10 years. I've literally have searched all over the continental US for this part with no luck. Any help on getting the lens cover or the whole light kit module would be appreciated.

 

[graytoad]

I am a big fan of the XLR, had a 2004 which I loved dearly, bought new, and had 70K on it when I traded it in for a 2009 XLR two years ago. This car only had 6K on it when I bought it but after one year of having it I was a stop light when the lens covering the led high mount brake light fell off. Unfortunately I did not realize it, not that it would matter as I'm sure it smashed to pieces once it hit the pavement. I went to two dealers who were doing a search for me on finding me a replacement (I was actually going to get the whole light module) and no such luck. Called GM and was talking with a customer service representative and he was dealing with my dealers etc. on trying to find me one. I was then told by a dealer that GM was going to produce these lights (apparently it's a epidemic with the lenses falling off) and I would have one by the end of September 2013....obviously that did not happen. I then found out that its a federal law that when a car is no longer in production the maker is supposed to have all parts available for the car for 10 years. I've literally have searched all over the continental US for this part with no luck. Any help on getting the lens cover or the whole light kit module would be appreciated.

Check with MTRocket, he used to run a body/mechanic shop plus he rebuilt his XLR from an insurance write off (I believe). He has some great sources for recycling yards for used parts. Send him a Private message or he may even see your post and contact you.

 

[BusaMan]

Karlie, CNC went through the same kind of quest for his "Goldie", and ended pulling an R&R on a used one. He's on this forum, and he just might chime in w/ words of wisdom.

How 'bout it, Skip?

Tim

 

[DanF]

Don'​t know why it was hard to find, quick search on gmpartsdirect.com: Alternate GM Catalog and its available.

Part Number: 25905631

 

[Karlie]

Thanks

Thanks everyone for the quick responses and helpful advice. Dan F I did go to gmpartsdirect a year ago and they told me they did not have the part in stock and would have to search for it. I gave them my cc and they never charged it as they too could not find the part. I did just email them again to confirm the part so I'll keep my fingers crossed! Thanks again!

 

[tom88ci]

There is one on eBay

Check eBay - there is a repair service listed for this lamp. They may be of some help.

 

[Karlie]

Update

Follow up on my search for 09 XLR high mount third brake light, I received the following email from Cadillac:
Thank you for contacting the Cadillac Customer Assistance Center. We appreciate you taking time to write us regarding your 2009 Cadillac XLR that needs a high mount third brake light lens which is no longer available. On behalf of General Motors and Cadillac, I do apologize for any inconvenience this matter has caused you. Please consider this as a confirmation of our receipt of your e-mail. In addition, I have added the information you provided to service request number 71-1353804453.
We have forwarded your concern once again to a District Specialist to discuss your concern furthermore. The District Specialist will call you as soon as possible.
If you should need to contact us in the future, simply reply to this message or call our Cadillac Customer Assistance Center at 1- 800-458-8006. Customer Relationship Specialists are available Monday through Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Eastern Time.

Not so very helpful, gmpartsdirect replied:
Thank you for your emailed inquiry to www.GmPartsDirect.com. We look forward to receiving your order. I have entered your supplied information into our licensed GM parts catalog and below is the part number requested and verified as correct per the vehicle information supplied.25905631 High mount stop lamp. I am sorry, this part is currently on backorder from GM. There is not an estimated time when GM will have stock available.

The EBay listing is for "REPAIR" of a existing brake light if you have it,not for the light itself. I am so mad and discouraged right now and yesterday I took the car out after not driving it for 2 days and now my trunk will not stay open, I'm wondering if not having the lens cover on the high mount brake light allowed water to go in and mess up the hydraulics on the trunk. If I put the top down the trunk stays open to allow that but if I just open the trunk, top up or down it appears that the one side collapses so it automatically closes. 2 days ago it was fine! I am taking it in today to the shop to see if they can figure it out.

According to federal law I'm suppose to be able to get this part right? PLEASE, PLEASE ANY HELP ON GETTING THIS DARN 3RD HIGH MOUNT BRAKE LIGHT WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.

 

[DanF]

Try this: Car-Part.com--Used Auto Parts Market

Enter year, make, model and search for third brake light also search the whole USA and you'll find one in Texas

 

[XLRATING]

3-D PRINTING!

I'm not really kidding - I've run across mention of restoration shops using this to create brake light covers for older cars. Unfortunately I don't know where or how you would find someone who does this.

I don't have any actual knowledge of any federal laws requiring companies to keep parts around, but I vaguely remember hearing that kind of thing only applied to things like Oldsmobiles, Pontiacs & Saturns where the entire line was ended???

 

[Karlie]

Try this: Car-Part.com--Used Auto Parts Market

Enter year, make, model and search for third brake light also search the whole USA and you'll find one in Texas

Dan, this light cover in Texas I actually bought and returned. It is not for a XLR. The lights didn't work but I figured my led lights do work so I would just put the lens cover on. I bought it and had it shipped to me and lo and behold it's not for a XLR. Big Leroy's down in Texas were very nice and let me return it and refunded me my money. Sigh....when I said I've been searching, I've really been searching. A while back there were 2 on EBAY but when I inquired as to whether they had a part number so I could be sure it was for a XLR the one replied with what you see is what you get. The other one had some cracks in the lens and some lights didn't work. Neither would refund your money if it didn't work. They both sold for around 150. I think. I would like one without cracks in it and as I said before I don't care about the led lights working as mine do, I just need the cover.

 

[GizmoQ]

... I don't care about the led lights working as mine do, I just need the cover.

A couple years ago I sent my third brake light to a local guy to replace the LEDs. He fixed mine, but refused to ever do another XLR because its a sealed unit. The LEDs can only be accessed by cutting the entire assembly in half and then re-gluing it back together.

So keep in mind that swapping the LEDs requires a significant effort.

 

[LoganDiagnostic]

We are likely the eBay repair service mentioned. We sometimes will post a auction there.

We do have a web site for third brake lights. See Cadillac LED Replacement 3rd Brake Light, High Mounted Stop Lights, Third Brakelights For Escalade, Escalade EXT, LTZ, ESV, XLR, Seville, SLS, STS, Chrysler Crossfire Convertible, Lexus SC 300 400 . It does require that you ship your lamp in for service. A damaged lens cannot be repaired.

The XLR third brake light has been discontinued by GM. My guess is it is gone forever due to the low production volume. When they were available...they were about $700 new.

There is....no Federal mandate that parts must be available for x number of years after production. GM will try to keep parts around for 8-9 years or so....but there is no law.

I would be interested in seeing some pictures of the lamp that had the lens fall off. That is not a known issue with these lamps. It's possible someone had opened up the lamp earlier....that is why most fall apart.

The lens has never been available by itself. You have to replace the entire lamp. This is true with any third brake light.

The lens does not come off...so don't try it. That said...I do have a spare lens from a test fixture lamp I may be willing to sell. It does have a hairline crack. But it's better then no lens at all.

 

[boilermaker]

Third brake light availability

I now see where you can order a third brake light through your local Cadillac dealerships parts department.

 

[LoganDiagnostic]

I now see where you can order a third brake light through your local Cadillac dealerships parts department.

Based on the above post...just checked with a online dealer today (01/21/2015) who had it listed and showed the lamp as being available.

Did get a very fast reply by email....."Well its not discontinued yet. As of now its on a national backorder through GM with no release date."

Other GM part sites have it listed as no longer available.

The XLR third brake lamp can be repaired with all new parts on the OEM circuit boards plus one year warranty.

Broken or damaged lenses cannot be repaired. Broken mounts can. See:

www.ledfix.com

 

[mtrocket]

I just picked one up (25905631) from my dealer that I had ordered awhile ago for another forum member that I believe has since found one. Lists for $593.56, my cost was $474.85. If you are still looking (or another member needs one), I will sell it for my cost + actual shipping (my guess is $20-$25, looks to be an oversized box). PM me through the site...

 

[LoganDiagnostic]

I just picked one up (25905631) from my dealer that I had ordered awhile ago for another forum member that I believe has since found one. Lists for $593.56, my cost was $474.85. If you are still looking (or another member needs one), I will sell it for my cost + actual shipping (my guess is $20-$25, looks to be an oversized box). PM me through the site...

You may want to try to return that third brake light Monday.

'New' GM ones are currently being listed online for $118 plus shipping. I suspect GM sent the tooling to China for manufacturing there. It's happened before..

Why they are giving them away? Don't know. Maybe like Sears....dirt cheap prices posted online....but go in the store and they don't know what your talking about. But they will honor the online price after checking in back..

 

[LoganDiagnostic]

It's official...they are from China...see pic.

The original ones were stamped 'Made in USA' on the back of the plastic housing.