A recent study by AAA found advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), like automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring and lane departure warning, can add up to 37.6% to the total repair cost after a crash. This is due to the high cost of replacing and calibrating the sensors that operate these systems.
Even minor damage to systems such as front radar or distance sensors can result in additional repair expenses of up to $1,540. AAA advises consumers to be aware of the repair costs associated with these vehicle systems, and prioritize repairing them when necessary to ensure they work as intended.
“Vehicles equipped with more sophisticated safety systems are much more common now, especially since NHTSA proposed its rule requiring automatic emergency braking earlier this year,” said Greg Brannon, AAA’s director of automotive engineering. “Consumers should know about the repair costs associated with these technologies. But they must also understand the importance of fixing them since improperly functioning systems could result in a deadly crash.”
Many variables can affect the cost of repairing ADAS, including vehicle make and model, the type and location of the sensor and the type of facility where the repair work is performed. Consumers may not realize it, but the sensors that help ADAS “see” the world around the vehicle are located at the front, side and back. AAA looked at four repair scenarios---front-end collision, side mirror replacement, rear collision and windshield replacement---to understand the costs of repairing these sensors.
The highest repair cost for ADAS components is attributed to radar sensors and cameras damaged in a front-end collision. However, the replacement of a side mirror represented the largest proportion of repair costs of the three scenarios.
For the three vehicles (model year 2023) evaluated in this report, AAA found:
- The average cost of replacing ADAS components in a minor front collision repair was $1,540, or 13.2% of the average total repair.
- An average of 70.8% of the repair cost ($1,067) was attributable to the ADAS camera included in the side mirror assembly.
- The average cost of replacing ADAS components in a minor rear collision repair was $684, or 40.9% of the average total repair estimate of $1,698.
- The cost of windshield glass replacement attributable to ADAS components averaged 25.4% ($360) of the total repair cost.
Individual ADAS component costs (part and specific labor/calibration) over the four repair scenarios range from a low of $290 to a high of $1,596. AAA’s research determined the ranges listed below for typical ADAS repair expenses. Note that these numbers are for costs over and above the normal body work required following a collision.
- Front radar sensors used with automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control systems: $500 to $1,300.
- Front camera sensors used with automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning and lane keeping assistance (does not include the cost of a replacement windshield): $600 to $800.
- Mirror mount, side mirror used with around-view systems: $740 to $1,600.
- Windshield camera sensor used with lane keeping assistance, traffic sign recognition and pedestrian detection: $900 to $1,200.
- Front or rear ultrasonic sensors used with parking assist systems: $300 to $1,000.
A driver is alerted by a warning light or icon on the instrument panel and/or a message display if an ADAS component is failing and causing the system to be inoperable. Once this occurs, it’s crucial for drivers to take their vehicle to a reputable repair facility for repair.
