There are a number of vehicle safety features on contemporary automobiles. This is great because these features can and do save lives. But after a collision, how do these features factor into auto repair? Are things like airbags difficult to repair? Do safety features complicate accident repair?

This article will describe some common safety features of cars, trucks, SUVs, and vans. We’ll go into how the various features can keep you and your passengers safe. Finally, we’ll discuss how auto repair technicians might fix these safety features.

Safety features and collision repair

Because it’s something most of us do every day, we don’t stop to think about just how dangerous driving can be. Sure, everyday millions of people drive to work, school, the grocery store, and back home again, and none of them have any issues. And then there are many fender benders and side swipes which, while collisions—and potentially expensive collision repairs—nobody gets hurt. Then sometimes people get hurt, but not terribly bad.

However, every day a few people are hurt bad because of vehicular collisions. This is why safe and cautious driving is always a good idea. But even the safest drivers get into the occasional collision, and that’s why vehicles have numerous safety features.

What vehicle safety features are available?

Automobiles today are equipped with several vehicle safety features, such as:

Passive safety features

There are different categories of safety features. Let’s first look at passive features. These are systems and items put in place to keep people safe in the event of a collision. They include:

Seatbelts – Perhaps the original safety feature, some seatbelts today can tighten automatically during an impact to keep people secure.

Airbags – Front, side, curtain, and knee airbags protect drivers and passengers in a collision.

Crumple zones – These are areas of the vehicle, typically the front and rear, designed to absorb impact energy.

Side-impact door beams – These are reinforced structures in doors that can protect people in side collisions.

Collapsible steering column – This reduces injury by collapsing during a crash.

Active safety features

These are vehicle safety systems that can actively prevent collisions. Many of these fall into the category of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). Some examples include:

Anti-lock braking system (ABS) – The ABS prevents wheels from locking up during hard braking or when skidding on slick surfaces.

Automatic emergency braking (AEB) – AEB detects potential collisions and applies the brakes automatically to compensate for slower human reaction speeds.

Forward collision warning (FCW) – The FCW alerts the driver of a potentially impending collision with the vehicle ahead.

Lane departure warning (LDW) – LDW enacts an alert when the vehicle drifts out of its lane.

Lane keeping assist (LKA) – An upgrade on LDW, LKA automatically steers the vehicle back into its lane if the driver veers off course.

Blind spot monitoring (BSM) – The BSM enacts an alert when there’s a vehicle in the driver’s blind spot.

Rear cross-traffic alert – This feature can detect and indicate when approaching vehicles are behind the driver when reversing.

Parking sensors – Similarly, parking sensors can alert the driver of nearby obstacles when parking.

Rearview cameras – These cameras also assist drivers when reversing.

How do vehicle safety features factor into collision repair?

Whether it’s a minor accident repair or a full body repair, adjusting, fixing, and calibrating all these vehicle safety features can be tricky. Here’s what you should know.

Airbags

If your airbag deploys during a collision, repair technicians cannot fix it; they’ll have to replace it. The first step is to disconnect the vehicle’s battery as a safety precaution. Second, auto repair technicians will remove the damaged airbag module and the steering wheel or dashboard panels depending on the location of the deployed airbags.

They’ll then install new airbag modules, along with components such as crash sensors and a new control unit if it incurred damage. They’ll finish the accident repair by resetting the airbag system and verifying functionality with diagnostic tools.

Crumple zones

Crumple zones absorb impact during collisions. If technicians have to fix crumple zones, it’s probably a case of a full body repair, not just a small dent repair. This work may require bodywork repairs or panel replacements.

Collision repair technicians will assess the structural damage with specialized measurement tools to ensure proper alignment. Damaged parts—such as frame rails, bumpers, or fenders—must be repaired or replaced. If it’s a big collision repair, the technicians may use frame straightening machines to realign the chassis to factory specifications. Restoring crumple zones to their original design is critical for maintaining their energy-absorbing capability.

ABS and AEB

For ABS repair, technicians will use an onboard diagnostics scanner to identify faulty sensors, damaged wheel speed sensors, or affected hydraulic control units. They will replace any damaged sensors and recalibrate the system.

For AEB repair, technicians will inspect the cameras, radar, and sensors. Misaligned components can cause AEB malfunctions, so precise recalibration is imperative. Collision repair technicians use special alignment tools to ensure accurate detection and braking responses.

ADAS features

Other ADAS features also rely on cameras, sensors, and radar. When technicians repair or replace damaged ADAS components, they must recalibrate them to ensure accuracy. This process involves positioning tools, target boards, and laser-based systems to align sensors with manufacturer specifications. Technicians use diagnostic tools to confirm system integrity after they finish the collision repair.

Vehicle safety features can make accidents less likely, but they can also make accident repair more complex. To ensure these features can help prevent the next collision, repair technicians must be skilled, knowledgeable, and have access to advanced auto repair equipment. That’s why it’s wise to visit respected, certified collision repair shops.