Expensive Car Repair Resulting from Safety Tech

Replacing & Calibrating Sensors–1/3 of Modern Car Repair Costs

The proliferation of driver-assistance technology in cars has, unfortunately, caused the cost of fabrication to soar and consequently pushed up the tags considerably. It’s never been more evident that automobiles – whether freshly produced or second hand – are costlier than ever before, although a newest assessment from AAA puts another pricey issue on the table that many may not anticipate. In case of any sort of accident – no matter how small – repairing those high-tech systems has proven to be extraordinarily costly.

What kind of cost are we discussing here? There is a wide range of cost involved, however AAA has found that on average, 37.6 percent of repairs related to crash damage is spent simply for the adjustment and calibration of the sensors and cameras used for modern driver assistance systems. This includes newly-developed features like adaptive cruise control and lane-tracking assistance, wherein radars and cameras are utilized in unison. Even older technology like rear parking detectors are used when calculating the price tag.

“The presence of more advanced safety systems in vehicles is now much more widespread, especially since the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) put forward their rule that mandates the inclusion of automatic emergency braking,” said Greg Brannon, the director of automotive engineering for AAA. “It is important for consumers to be aware of the costs that come with these technologies, but they must also be cognizant of the fact that not having them in proper working order can lead to fatal accidents.”

Venturing into more nuanced territory, AAA examined three vehicles of the 2023 model year which had been fitted with sophisticated driver assistance technology. After assessment, they found that the average cost for effective calibration and servicing of radar detectors was between $500 and $1,300; ultrasonic sensors normally deployed with regard to parking capabilities added on anywhere from $300 to $1000 while windshield cameras demanded a fee in the range of $900 to $1,200 – these figures being exclusive of any other additional repairs.

A startling figure present in the archive relates to side-view mirrors. Incorporating sensors and/or cameras into such mirrors for surround-view and blind-spot systems can amplify the expenses for repairs by a whopping $740-$1,600. As per AAA’s statements, this expense accounts for as much as 70.8 percent of the cost only to switch out a single mirror – an eye-watering prospect.

The price of outfitting your vehicle with such features can prove costly, yet there is no denying the undeniable fact that this technology can save lives. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety conducted a study which found that automotive braking systems featuring automatic emergency braking had a rate of rear end collisions reduced by 43%, and injury reports also saw a 42% decrease.

Source: AAA