Front bumper fell off

[garyz]

The right half of my front bumper fell off. The dealers body man said that I must have hooked the bumper on a piece of rebar in one of those parking lot bumper things. Temperature today was 6 and apparently the cold caused the plastic to break while I was driving. Anyone have a similar thing happen? I am not impressed. What if I actually hit something? What would the bumper do in a real crash? Estimate to fix is $1000.00. The service writer said that I hit something and that was the reason the alignment was off too. I told him that I have never even bumped anything, and we all know of alignment issues. I was totally in awe of my Gennie but now I am po'ed. This was my first trip to the dealer, not impressed.

 

[homeofstone]

Do you have photos of the bumper including underside of bumper? A bumper does not become detached easily, so photos would be helpful.

 

[mikec]

What would the bumper do in a real crash? Everything you can easily see would be demolished. The structure deep inside may or may not take a lot of damage. Bumpers used to have to protect the "safety" equipment of a vehicle (i.e. all the lights) and not allow any vehicle damage for "parking lot" style bumps (up to 5MPH)... when the impact was either centered on the bumper span or offset to one side or the other. Now the standard is 2.5MPH only dead-center on the bumper and bumper/finish/paint damage is allowed. Auto manufacturers pushed for these reduced standards so they could go to the urethane style "clips" on each end of the car; such parts are molded (not stamped like metal) so changing the tooling for mid-cycle styling refreshes is cheaper. Many manufacturers also claimed the 5 MPH standard didn't represent any "real world" events... yeah right.

The physical structure behind the painted parts is designed to bend/deflect in a controlled manner to absorb crash energy slowly, reducing the ultimate magnitude of the "G" spike to a lower but longer "G" mesa. All the urethane and plastic stuff you see on the nose of the car is expected to be trashed in an accident and isn't part of the actual energy controlling system. With the new pedestrian impact regulations elsewhere in the world, more and more stuff on the front of the car is softer and plastic to reduce injury to pedestrians. The idea/requirement is to a) spread the forces over as much of the pedestrian's body as possible, rather than concentrating it with a 3-6inch tall metal bumper (that'll snap bones instantly), and b) flip the pedestrian onto the hood which now has to be several inches (typically 4 inches) above the engine or other "hard points" under the hood so the hood can bend down and again soften the forces applied to the pedestrian. Even if you can't see smaller kids before hitting them thanks to that taller hood.

mike c.

 

[garyz]

My biggest problem was the way I was treated by the service dept. When I told the service advisor what happened, I heard the service manager say under his breath " what did you hit today" and then there was laughter. I will never return to the Bentonville, Ar. Crain Hyundai dealership again.

 

[PMCErnie]

The bumper fell off because it was 6°?

 

[Mark_888]

Was it the plastic bumper cover that fell off, or the real bumper?

 

[EXBMWGUY]

My bumper loves it when it gets all the way up to 6 above zero!

 

[garyz]

plastic bumper cover

 

[garyz]

The sensor for the cruise control costs $3000.00 and it is just behind the plastic bumper cover, be careful.

What would the bumper do in a real crash? Everything you can easily see would be demolished. The structure deep inside may or may not take a lot of damage. Bumpers used to have to protect the "safety" equipment of a vehicle (i.e. all the lights) and not allow any vehicle damage for "parking lot" style bumps (up to 5MPH)... when the impact was either centered on the bumper span or offset to one side or the other. Now the standard is 2.5MPH only dead-center on the bumper and bumper/finish/paint damage is allowed. Auto manufacturers pushed for these reduced standards so they could go to the urethane style "clips" on each end of the car; such parts are molded (not stamped like metal) so changing the tooling for mid-cycle styling refreshes is cheaper. Many manufacturers also claimed the 5 MPH standard didn't represent any "real world" events... yeah right.

The physical structure behind the painted parts is designed to bend/deflect in a controlled manner to absorb crash energy slowly, reducing the ultimate magnitude of the "G" spike to a lower but longer "G" mesa. All the urethane and plastic stuff you see on the nose of the car is expected to be trashed in an accident and isn't part of the actual energy controlling system. With the new pedestrian impact regulations elsewhere in the world, more and more stuff on the front of the car is softer and plastic to reduce injury to pedestrians. The idea/requirement is to a) spread the forces over as much of the pedestrian's body as possible, rather than concentrating it with a 3-6inch tall metal bumper (that'll snap bones instantly), and b) flip the pedestrian onto the hood which now has to be several inches (typically 4 inches) above the engine or other "hard points" under the hood so the hood can bend down and again soften the forces applied to the pedestrian. Even if you can't see smaller kids before hitting them thanks to that taller hood.

mike c.

 

[Mark_888]

plastic bumper cover

Take it to a good independent body shop. They can get a bumper cover for about $300 and then only have to paint it, so should only cost about $600-$700 max (f they cannot use the old cover).

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[Epiphany]

Take it to a good independent body shop. They can get a bumper cover for about $300 and then only have to paint it, so should only cost about $600-$700 max (f they cannot use the old cover).

I'd be pretty surprised if they can get a bumper cover for a car as unpopular as the Genesis with parking sensors for $300

 

[Mark_888]

I'd be pretty surprised if they can get a bumper cover for a car as unpopular as the Genesis with parking sensors for $300

I looked up the price at www.newhyundaiparts.com. This site is run by Hilton Head Hyundai in SC. There are also sources of used parts, although since many accidents damage the front of the car, not sure how many used front bumper covers there are.

 

[garyz]

I fixed it with super glue and f26, cost $5.00. Dealer will never see me again!

 

[homeofstone]

I fixed it with super glue and f26, cost $5.00. Dealer will never see me again!

I would like to see photos of the bottom side of the bumper that shows damage and repair. The dealer is not responsible for damaged caused by an accident.

 

[garyz]

I know that the dealer is not responsible for damage to the bumper cover. I spent a chunk of money on my Genesis and I think that I deserve to be treated with respect by the dealers staff. I think that Hyundai would probably agree.

 

[PMCErnie]

We all surely agree that the dealer should treat you (and all of us) with respect. I think the problem here is that most folks suspect that the bumper cover didn't just fall off by itself. Is it possible that a spouse, or child of yours, did this nasty deed and did not report it to you? For example, I noticed recently that some curb rash has magically appeared on one of my wheels. I know for certain that I did not put it there. I also know that if I ask my wife she will deny it. ,-)

 

[ImInPA]

There is obviously more to the OP's story than presented here. If it truly just "fell off" then why not post a pic of the undamaged components underneath. Also, super glue will not work for long with the plastics used in the bumper covers. That the bumper cover was "fixed" for $5 worth of glue makes me wonder if the bumper actually fell off. lol I also do not know how the dealership was disrespectful. Is it because they identified that the bumper did not just "fall off"? disagreement does not constitute disrespect in and of itself. Another goof post of another goofy incident, with no photos to illustrate anything. So, if a bumper falls off in the woods, and, no one is around, does it make a sound?

 

[garyz]

Iminpa, sorry I didn't take pics for you. Just another goof here. I love being judged by you. Stay in PA.

When the service manager and crew laughed at my predicament, I took offence. The damage was explained by the body shop. I was told by the service adviser that my car was out of alignment due to impact from the " collision". Hooking the edge of the bumper cover on a piece of rebar while backing up is not a collision. Half of my bumper cover split open and dropped about 4 inches while driving with no impact of any kind. My wife has confessed to the rebar incident, but it was a week or 2 before. I admire Gennie every morning before work and never saw any damage. There is no damage to anything but the bumper cover.

 

[ImInPA]

I am glad 5$ worth of glue is holding your fallen-off bumper back on. I am also glad your wife confessed to the rebar incident. That was all I was saying. We all know that bumpers don't just fall off. LOL. I wasn't judging you, but, knew there was more to your story. Thanks for sharing.