Beyond the Dashboard Light: Why Post-Collision Calibration is a Lifesaver
by Douglas Begin, AASP/MA Vice President
The unfortunate reality of a car accident is that the chaos doesn’t end when the tow truck pulls away. For many vehicle owners, the stress of dealing with insurance claims and finding a reputable repair shop is followed by a lingering question: is my car truly safe to drive again?
In an era of rapidly advancing automotive technology, this question has never been more critical. Modern vehicles are no longer just mechanical machines; they are sophisticated networks of sensors, cameras and computers designed to keep us safe. From adaptive cruise control to lane-keeping assist and automatic emergency braking, these advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) are the silent guardians that work tirelessly to prevent accidents.
Yet, a dangerous and all-too-prevalent attitude exists within a segment of the collision repair industry – a willful ignorance of the need for post-collision calibration. These “blind-to-education” repairers operate under a deeply flawed and dangerous premise: if the check engine light isn’t on, the car is fixed. This mindset, born from a combination of a lack of proper equipment, inadequate training or a desire to cut corners, poses a direct threat to the safety of every driver and passenger on the road. It’s a silent danger, a ticking time bomb waiting for the right conditions to fail.
The truth is, a seemingly minor fender bender can knock a vehicle’s intricate sensor systems out of alignment. A bumper replacement, a new windshield or even a side panel repair can alter the precise angles and positions of cameras, radar sensors and ultrasonic parking sensors. While these systems may not trigger a dashboard warning light immediately, their ability to function correctly has been compromised. The car’s electronic brain thinks it’s seeing a clear path ahead, but a misaligned sensor might be looking a few inches to the left, a few degrees too high or at a slightly different angle.
Imagine a car with a slightly misaligned front-facing camera. The driver relies on the lane-keeping assist to prevent drifting on the highway. But because the camera’s view is off by a fraction of a degree, the system fails to recognize the lane markings, allowing the car to stray into oncoming traffic. Or consider an automatic emergency braking system that, due to a miscalibrated radar sensor, fails to detect a pedestrian stepping into the road. These aren’t hypothetical scenarios; they are the real-world consequences of inadequate repairs.
This deliberate negligence is nothing short of a betrayal of trust. We entrust our vehicles, and by extension the safety of our families, to these repair professionals. When they knowingly skip a crucial step like calibration to save time or money, they are gambling with lives. And while insurance companies bear some responsibility for ensuring fair compensation for these procedures, the ultimate accountability lies with the repairer who puts a compromised vehicle back on the road.
This is a call to action for every consumer. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Demand to know if your vehicle’s ADAS systems require calibration. Ask to see the manufacturer’s repair procedures. A reputable repair shop will have the necessary diagnostic tools and training to perform these calibrations, and they will be transparent about the process. If a repairer dismisses your concerns or says calibration isn’t necessary because “the light isn’t on,” walk away immediately. They are demonstrating a dangerous lack of understanding and a disregard for your safety.
We need to create a culture of accountability in the collision repair industry. Repairers who refuse to embrace modern technology and follow manufacturer specifications should be shamed for their recklessness. They are not simply performing a poor-quality repair; they are actively endangering every person on the road, including their own families.
As vehicle technology continues to evolve, the distinction between a “repaired” car and a “safely repaired” car will become even more pronounced. The future of collision repair is not just about hammers and wrenches; it’s about software, diagnostics and a commitment to restoring a vehicle to its pre-accident safety standards.
Let’s empower ourselves with knowledge and demand better. When our vehicles leave the repair shop, they should be a testament to a job done right – a testament to a commitment to safety, not a monument to willful ignorance. Our lives, and the lives of those we share the road with, depend on it.
Want more? Check out the November 2025 issue of New England Automotive Report!