Subaru Recommends Only Using OEM Parts on Structural Repairs—Here’s Why You Should Care

Subaru wants you to have the highest-quality repair and that means using the best replacement parts.

If you’re in a collision and need to take your Subaru to a shop for repairs, it only makes sense that you would want the job to be done as safely, efficiently, and cost-effectively as possible. At our shop, one of the ways we can ensure the best possible repair for our customers is by adhering to the recommendations of each vehicle’s manufacturer.

It is common practice in our industry for each vehicle manufacturer to provide “Position Statements” that explain the best methods for repairing their makes and models. Unfortunately, some body shops toss this useful advice out the window. Unlike those shops, we believe it’s imperative to study the information carefully and follow the recommendations as expressed by the manufacturer.

In the event of structural repairs, Subaru has released a Position Statement recommending that only Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts be used on their vehicles:

“Subaru does not support the use of aftermarket, alternative, or reverse-engineered components, or anything other than Subaru Genuine Parts for the collision repair of any Subaru vehicle. Additionally, Subaru does not support the use of parts that have been removed, salvaged or recycled from an existing vehicle. The use of non-OEM components that may not be manufactured to Subaru specifications or tolerances, or the use of alternative structural repair procedures, could compromise occupant safety in a subsequent collision.”

Essentially, they are explaining that it would be detrimental to your safety if anything besides OEM structural parts are used in a repair.

How are structural parts different from any other parts?

Structural parts include floor elements, body panels, frame rails, and more that basically hold your vehicle together. It’s especially important to preserve the integrity of your structural components, as they are the sections of your car that can help minimize damage in the event of a collision.

These parts are designed with crush zones that are intended to absorb the energy in a collision, giving you and your passengers additional protection.

Here’s the problem with non-OEM structural parts.

There are plenty of aftermarket, recycled, and salvage structural parts available, but none of them will ever be as reliable or as structurally sound as new Subaru Genuine Parts.

Aftermarket parts are developed to fit a range of makes and models, so they may not fit the exact specifications for placement on a Subaru. That means a technician would have to bend, heat, and employ other creative methods to get the part to fit properly.

Recycled and salvage parts might seem like a good idea, but keep in mind that it’s nearly impossible to determine the quality of their condition by the time they get to you. They might be from a car that was already involved in a collision or experienced extreme weather fluctuations or simply survived general wear and tear.

Even upon close inspection, it’s often impossible to see all the microscopic damage a salvage part might have endured. Even very minor discrepancies in material or shape can cause a structural part to become less effective and, therefore, less safe to use on your vehicle.

It’s dangerous to use anything besides Subaru Genuine Parts in your repair.

The engineers at Subaru have carefully designed their structural parts to work together seamlessly. According to Subaru:

“Compromising any element of a collision energy absorption system or an occupant supplemental restraint system in the repair of a collision-damaged vehicle may have an adverse effect on occupant safety in any subsequent collision.”

They are saying that disrupting even one structural element could throw the whole system off, leading to major problems down the road, including poor vehicle performance and less protection in a collision.

There’s no sense in taking chances with your safety. OEM parts are higher quality than aftermarket parts. OEM parts have also never been used, never been exposed to the elements, never been rendered defective by improper disassembly like recycled or salvage parts.

New structural parts are made to function optimally on your vehicle, increasing your car’s performance and your personal safety.

While other shops might disregard Subaru’s recommendations, we respect this information because we care about the quality of your repair.

It might be surprising to you, but collision repair shops are not required to follow the manufacturer’s instructions. There’s no one actually enforcing these Position Statements, so manufacturers are putting their trust in us to do as they recommend.

At our shop, we genuinely care about every repair we do. Because of this, we make sure to follow Subaru’s recommendation of using new replacement structural parts, instead of taking chances with aftermarket and salvage components.

It is our mission to do what’s best for your vehicle’s performance and for your safety.

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Why Nissan Says You Should Not Use Aftermarket Parts in Collision Repair and Why That Matters to You

Nissan wants you to use the highest quality replacement parts in your repair.

When you take your Nissan in for repairs, it is essential that you use dedicated Nissan OEM replacement parts in order to guarantee the best possible outcome for your vehicle.

Nearly every car manufacturer releases “OEM Position Statements” that instruct body shops in how to perform repairs to the highest standard. The engineers at Nissan have released a statement saying that the use of aftermarket, gray market, and imitation parts can compromise the integrity of your repair.

Here is what Nissan states about using OEM parts:

“Genuine Nissan replacement parts are developed to deliver the same fit, function, safety, and structural integrity as when the vehicle was originally built. Parts of the vehicle are designed to work together as a system, and we do not know whether or how integrating aftermarket parts into these systems will impact crash performance.”

Basically, what they are saying is that you might be putting your safety in jeopardy if your repair does not include ONLY the use of OEM parts.

Why OEM parts are the best:

The engineers at Nissan have designed, tested, and manufactured the replacement parts for their specific vehicles. Aftermarket and other non-OEM parts are more generic, meaning they are intended for broader use. Because they are more generic, aftermarket parts are not guaranteed to fit and function precisely for Nissans. They might not be made of the highest quality materials, so they are likely to break more quickly. Their dimensions might be slightly off, so they might not fit properly where they are supposed to.

And if you decide to mix and match OEM parts with aftermarket parts, this can cause the whole car’s system to function improperly. One problem dominoes into another problem, leading to a whole lot of issues in the future.

Your warranty is at stake.

Another major reason to use OEM parts in your repair is that the parts you use affect your warranty. According to Nissan:

“Nissan North America’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty, and Limited Warranty on replacement parts do not apply to any parts other than Genuine Nissan original equipment parts. Nissan North America will not be responsible for any subsequent repair costs associated with a vehicle and/or part failure caused by the use of parts other than Genuine Nissan replacement parts.”

You risk voiding your warranty by using non-OEM parts on your Nissan, which might cause you major financial headaches down the road.

We take these guidelines seriously at our shop.

We take all manufacturers’ Position Statements very seriously at our shop, because we care about your safety AND your wallet. Despite the recommendation to use OEM parts in repairs, some shops will continue to use aftermarket parts, even though this choice can jeopardize your vehicle and void your warranty. It might shock you to learn that body shops are not forced to abide by the manufacturers’ guidelines.

When you take your Nissan to us for repairs, we will use only Nissan OEM replacement parts so that you don’t risk future problems with your car that could potentially lead to an accident. There is no guarantee that every shop will make the smartest and safest choice for your car, but rest assured, we always will.

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Why Nissan Requires OEM Air Bag Components and How This Affects You

It makes no sense to cut corners with your Nissan’s air bags.

Most car manufacturers issue “OEM Position Statements” to car repair shops that outline their expectations of how repairs should be performed. Nissan has issued a statement about the air bags in their vehicles and how only new OEM parts should be used during repairs, instead of salvaged or used air bag components.

What Nissan has to say about their air bags:

“The installation and use of a salvaged or used Supplemental Restraint System component in a Nissan vehicle may compromise the intended performance of the vehicle’s air bag system, as there is no certainty of the history, quality, condition, compatibility, environmental or other degradation prior to salvage of a recycled or used air bag system component.”

What Nissan is saying is that they can only vouch for the air bag components that their engineers have designed, tested, and manufactured. Original Equipment Manufacturer parts are made of the highest quality materials, designed to fit that specific manufacturer’s vehicles.

While you might be able to find salvaged or used OEM air bag components to use on your Nissan, those parts might already be compromised. For instance, the vehicles they came from might have been in a collision previously. No matter what the vehicle’s history is, if the parts aren’t new, their integrity is automatically questionable.

Don’t take a chance with your life.

When it comes to the parts of the car that are designed to save a life in the event of a collision, brand new OEM parts are more important than ever. The last thing you want is for your air bag to fail in the event of a collision. The use of used or salvaged parts can put you at risk of this happening.

What about pre- and post-repair scans?

Here’s what Nissan says about pre- and post-repair scans:

“When repairing a Nissan Supplemental Restraint System, Nissan strongly recommends pre- and post-repair system scans to ensure internal trouble codes are addressed.”

It is generally a standard procedure to scan a vehicle for trouble codes prior to a repair and it is equally important to scan for trouble codes after a repair is completed. This allows a technician to determine whether the repairs have been conducted properly.

Don’t forget about your warranty.

Using any other parts besides new OEM parts on your Nissan can void your warranty:

“Nissan North America’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty, and Limited Warranty on replacement parts do not apply to any parts other than Genuine Nissan original equipment parts.

Nissan North America will not be responsible for any subsequent repair costs associated with a vehicle and/or part failure caused by the use of parts other than Genuine Nissan replacement parts.”

Because they can’t vouch for the integrity of used or salvaged parts, Nissan will void your warranty if you choose to use anything other than new OEM air bag components.

Not all shops pay attention to these guidelines, but we do.

Unfortunately, some shops choose to cut corners and use salvaged air bag components, in spite of the recommendations clearly expressed in the Nissan Position Statement to use ONLY new OEM components. They can get away with this because they are not required to do as Nissan suggests, even though it can be detrimental to the customer to ignore the manufacturer’s guidelines.

When you bring your car to us, you can rest assured that we will adhere to the position statement in using only new OEM air bag components and performing both pre- and post-repair scans. We do this because we care about the integrity of our work, of course. More importantly, we care about the safety and wellbeing of our customers.

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Hyundai Does Not Approve of Wheel Reconditioning—Here’s Why That’s Important for Your Repair

Hyundai recognizes that wheel reconditioning is a dangerous and risky method of collision repair.

If you are not familiar with wheel reconditioning, it is a process of using various tools and methods to try to repair a damaged wheel, instead of replacing it entirely. Some methods include welding, re-plating, or reshaping the wheel.

Nearly every car manufacturer releases Position Statements explaining what methods of auto body repair they do or do not recommend. While some shops disregard these statements, we take a fine-tooth comb to the information they provide so that we can provide the best possible repair for every vehicle that comes through our doors.

When it comes to wheel reconditioning, Hyundai has issued a Position Statement explaining why they do not accept wheel reconditioning in any vehicle repairs. Here’s what they say:

“Hyundai Motor America does not approve the use of reconditioned steel or aluminum wheels on any Hyundai vehicle. Reconditioned wheels may not meet the same standards as newly manufactured wheels. Reconditioned wheels may contribute to poor performance and compromise safety.”

The problem with reconditioning methods, such as heating, welding, and reshaping, is that these techniques could compromise the structural integrity of your wheels. If a wheel is damaged enough to warrant reconditioning, then it should just be replaced outright.

Being the only parts of the car to actually make contact with the road, your wheels are essential to your safety and are worth investing the proper time and energy into. It is simply not worth the risk to your life to take chances with the condition of your vehicle’s wheels.

What wheel repairs are approved for your Hyundai?

Even though wheel reconditioning is not approved of by Hyundai, certain cosmetic wheel repairs are permitted:

“Hyundai only recognizes steel or aluminum wheel repair that is limited to surface treatment that restores cosmetic appearance of the finish coating.”

Basically, only superficial cosmetic adjustments are allowed, since they won’t jeopardize the integrity of the wheel structure. If the wheel is damaged beyond minor cosmetic issues, then it should be replaced entirely.

Not all shops follow these recommendations, but we do.

It’s disappointing, but some shops throw caution out the window and continue to practice wheel reconditioning, despite Hyundai’s adamant recommendation to avoid this practice at all costs. They can get away with this because no body shop is actually forced to adhere to a manufacturer’s Position Statement.

At our shop, we strongly believe that there’s no reason to take a chance with your Hyundai’s repair by going against the advice of the manufacturer. Reconditioned wheels can lead to very dangerous problems down the road. We will always replace your Hyundai’s wheels entirely if they’ve sustained significant damage or we will follow proper refinishing methods if the damage is cosmetic.

You won’t have to worry about driving on unstable wheels when you bring your vehicle to us. We always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations in order to deliver the safest possible repair to our customers.

Syndicated content from https://capturethekeys.com/.

GM Says It’s Dangerous to Use Salvage Structural Parts on Your GMC—Here’s Why They’re Right

Using salvage parts on your structural repair just isn’t worth the risk.

When you take your GMC to a body shop for collision repair, of course you’re going to want the job to be done as safely, efficiently, and cost-effectively as possible. At our shop, one of the ways we can ensure the best possible repair for our customers is by adhering to the recommendations of each vehicle’s manufacturer.

Just about every manufacturer provides “Position Statements” that explain how to repair their types of vehicles properly. Some shops toss this advice out the window, but we believe it’s imperative to study the information carefully and follow the recommendations as expressed by the manufacturer.

GM has issued a Position Statement about the reuse of salvage structural parts on their GMCs and here’s what they say:

“General Motors does not approve of or support structural repair procedures where Genuine GM Parts are not used for Buick, Chevrolet, GMC, and Cadillac vehicles. Any repairs performed not using Genuine GM Parts may expose current or future vehicle owners and occupants to unnecessary risk.”

Essentially, they are explaining that it would be detrimental to your safety if salvage structural parts are used in a repair.

How are structural parts different from any other parts?

Structural parts include floor elements, body panels, frame rails, and more that basically hold your vehicle together.

You might already be aware that GM disapproves of salvage parts in general for your vehicle, but it’s specifically important to preserve the integrity of your structural components, as they are the sections of your car that can help minimize damage in the event of a collision.

According to GM, “Structural parts are critical elements in the design of specific crush zones that allow the energy of a collision to be absorbed in a predictable way and maximize the effectiveness of the restraint system to protect the occupants. The use of parts not specifically designed and tested by General Motors may compromise the integral balance between these safety systems.”

Here’s the problem with salvage structural parts.

The biggest problem with salvage parts is that it’s impossible to know the quality of their condition by the time they get to you. They might be from a car that was already involved in a collision or experienced extreme weather fluctuations or simply survived general wear and tear.

Even upon close inspection, it’s often impossible to see all the microscopic damage a salvage part might have endured. Keep in mind that even very minor discrepancies in material or shape can cause a structural part to become less effective and, therefore, less safe to use on your vehicle.

The best replacement structural parts for your GMC are Genuine GM Parts.

General Motors explains in their Position Statement that the only parts you should ever use on your GMC are new OEM parts:

“Only authentic Genuine GM Parts are designed, engineered, manufactured and tested to the General Motors internal and government mandated standards and are the only ones equivalent to the original equipment installed on the vehicle.”

Unlike salvage parts, new Original Equipment Manufacturer parts have never been used, never been exposed to the elements, never been rendered defective by improper disassembly. New structural parts are made to function optimally on your vehicle, increasing your car’s performance and your personal safety.

While other shops might disregard GM’s recommendations, we respect this information because we care about the quality of your repair.

At our shop, we genuinely care about every repair we do. Because of this, we make sure to follow GM’s recommendation of using new replacement structural parts, instead of taking chances with salvage components.

It is our mission to do what’s best for your vehicle’s performance and for your safety.

Syndicated content from https://capturethekeys.com/.

Why It’s Essential That GM Recommends Pre- and Post-Repair Scans for Your GMC

GM naturally wants body shops to be thorough when conducting repairs.

If your GMC has been in a collision, there are very specific steps that an auto body shop needs to take in order to optimize your vehicle’s repairs. One of the smartest things that a shop can do is to review the manufacturer’s Position Statement regarding the type of repair needed. While every shop has access to this communication from each manufacturer, not every shop abides by the recommendations provided.

At our shop, however, we take this information very seriously, since we want to give you a safe and reliable repair.

In the case of your GMC, GM has issued a statement explaining why they strongly recommend pre- and post-repair scans in the event of a collision. If you are not familiar with these procedures and why they are important, keep reading for our explanation of the key points expressed in GM’s Position Statement.

Scans can provide shops with crucial diagnostic information.

Prior to conducting any repairs, we take the time to run a scan tool in order to uncover any damage to the vehicle’s internal systems. The scan tool will provide diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) that tell us exactly which systems are having issues. When armed with this crucial information, we are better equipped to get to the source of any malfunctions.

Of course it makes sense that a shop would need to scan a vehicle to diagnose and repair damage after a collision, but it’s equally important for us to scan a vehicle AGAIN after we have made repairs. Why? Here’s what GM says about it:

“Even minor body damage or glass replacement may result in damage to one or more safety-related systems on the vehicle. Any action that results in loss of battery-supplied voltage and disconnection of electrical circuits requires that the vehicle is subsequently tested to ensure proper electrical function. Many safety and security-related components, sensors and Electronic Control Units (ECUs) require calibration and/or learns when replaced. These systems must be repaired according to the corresponding GM repair procedures in Service Information (GMSi).”

What GM means is that any collision repair can impact the electronic systems within a vehicle—even when those systems are not the specific items needing repairs. As cars have become more sophisticated and technologically advanced, they are now equipped with more wires and sensors that can easily be disrupted when certain areas of the car are being addressed by an auto body technician. Repairing a dashboard or replacing glass could potentially lead to a disruption of the Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), for instance.

All parts of your GMC are designed to work together. When one part is impaired, this can affect a slew of functions within your car’s systems.

Another issue that can happen after a repair is that a system might need to be recalibrated. Cameras and sensors, for example, require very specific positions in order to function as needed. After a repair, it’s imperative to ensure that every part is calibrated to the precise measurement.

One of the best ways for us to ensure that a repair was done properly is to run a scan tool afterwards to ensure no diagnostic codes appear. This will let us know if all systems are functioning as they should.

The best way to scan for DTCs is with a factory scan tool.

Every car manufacturer has its own unique scan tool that can identify codes applicable to its own vehicles. General Motors is no different and recommends that shops use its scan tool (MDI or a J2534 device) and its own diagnostic software (GDS2 or Tech2/Tech2Win). Using any other scan tool or software can cause less accuracy in diagnoses.

The utmost safety and quality performance of your GMC are the reasons why our shop goes above and beyond with every repair.

If a shop makes the choice to skip the crucial steps of pre- and post-repair scans, they are risking the safety and overall performance of your GMC.

It might be hard to believe, but some shops try to shave off repair time by avoiding these necessary procedures. At a minimum, this might lead to minor inconsistencies in your vehicle’s performance. At worst, however, this could lead to catastrophe. If your collision detection sensors aren’t calibrated properly or your cruise control is defective due to wiring issues, for instance, you could end up in an accident.

We don’t think it’s worth the risk to you or to your car to ignore the manufacturer’s recommendations. At our shop, we make pre- and post-repair scans a priority.

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Why Honda Rejects Wheel Reconditioning in Collision Repair and How This Affects You

Wheel reconditioning is a dangerous practice in collision repair.

Honda is very clear that the company does not approve of any wheel repair that involves reconditioning.

When it comes to steel and aluminum wheel repair, Honda has issued a Position Statement explaining that they do not accept wheel reconditioning in any vehicle repairs. Here’s what they say:

“American Honda Motor Co, Inc. does not approve of any repair of steel or aluminum wheels that involves welding, bending hammering, straightening, re-machining, reforming, or adding new material.”

The reason why Honda does not approve of wheel reconditioning is that it’s simply not worth the risk to your life to take chances with the state of your wheels. If the wheels are damaged enough to warrant reconditioning, then they should just be replaced outright.

Heating, welding, reshaping, and any other methods of reconditioning could compromise the structural integrity of your wheels. Being the only parts of the car to actually make contact with the road, your wheels are essential to your safety and are worth investing in.

What wheel repairs are approved by Honda?

While wheel reconditioning is not approved of by Honda, some light refinishing is permitted:

“Any repair of steel or aluminum wheels must be strictly limited to minor cosmetic sanding or polishing that removes just the finish.”

Basically, only superficial cosmetic adjustments are allowed, since they won’t jeopardize the integrity of the wheel structure. Minor sanding and polishing repairs do not involve the use of heat or reshaping that reconditioning would entail.

Reconditioned wheels will void your warranty.

Another major reason to avoiding wheel reconditioning is that it can void your warranty:

“American Honda will not warrant any wheel other than an undamaged original or a new replacement part.”

The practice of wheel reconditioning is so problematic that Honda won’t even warrant wheels that have been repaired with this method. Not only is wheel reconditioning dangerous to your vehicle and yourself—it’s dangerous to your wallet, as well.

Not all shops follow these recommendations, but we do.

It’s disappointing, but some shops throw caution out the window and continue to practice wheel reconditioning, despite Honda’s adamant recommendation to avoid this practice at all costs. They can get away with this because no body shop is actually forced to adhere to a manufacturer’s Position Statement.

At our shop, we strongly believe that there’s no reason to take a chance with your Honda’s repair by going against the advice of the manufacturer.

Reconditioned wheels can lead to very dangerous problems down the road. We will always replace your Honda’s wheels entirely if they’ve sustained significant damage. You won’t have to worry about driving on unstable wheels when you bring your vehicle to us.

We always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations in order to deliver the safest possible repair to our customers.

Syndicated content from https://capturethekeys.com/.

Honda Recommends Only Using OEM Parts on Structural Repairs—Here’s Why That's Important

Honda doesn’t want you to take any chances with your structural repairs.

If you’re in a collision and need to take your Honda to a shop for repairs, it only makes sense that you would want the job to be done as safely, efficiently, and cost-effectively as possible. At our shop, one of the ways we can ensure the best possible repair for our customers is by adhering to the recommendations of each vehicle’s manufacturer.

Unlike those shops, we believe it’s imperative to study the information carefully and follow the recommendations as expressed by the manufacturer.

In the event of structural repairs, Honda has released a Position Statement recommending that only Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts be used on their vehicles:

“American Honda does not support the use of aftermarket, alternative, reverse-engineered, or anything other than original equipment Honda or Acura parts for the collision repair of any Honda or Acura vehicle. Further, American Honda does not support the use or re-use of structural components that have been removed and salvaged or recycled from an existing vehicle that has been previously damaged.”

Essentially, they are explaining that it would be detrimental to your safety if anything besides OEM structural parts are used in your repair.

How are structural parts different from any other parts?

Structural parts include floor elements, body panels, frame rails, and more that basically hold your vehicle together.

It’s especially important to preserve the integrity of your structural components, as they are the sections of your car that can help minimize damage in the event of a collision.

These parts are designed with crush zones that are intended to absorb the energy in a collision, giving you and your passengers additional protection.

Here’s the problem with non-OEM structural parts.

There are plenty of aftermarket, recycled, and salvage structural parts available, but none of them will ever be as reliable or as structurally sound as new OEM parts.

Aftermarket parts are developed to fit a range of makes and models, so they may not fit the exact specifications for placement on a Honda. That means a technician would have to bend, heat, and employ other creative methods to get the part to fit properly.

It’s dangerous to use anything besides OEM parts in your repair.

The engineers at Honda have carefully designed their structural parts to work together seamlessly. According to Honda:

There’s no sense in taking chances with your safety.

OEM parts are higher quality than aftermarket parts. OEM parts have also never been used, never been exposed to the elements, never been rendered defective by improper disassembly like recycled or salvage parts.

New structural parts are made to function optimally on your vehicle, increasing your car’s performance and your personal safety.

While other shops might disregard Honda’s recommendations, we respect this information because we care about the quality of your repair.

At our shop, we genuinely care about every repair we do. Because of this, we make sure to follow Honda’s recommendation of using new replacement structural parts, instead of taking chances with aftermarket and salvage components.

It is our mission to do what’s best for your vehicle’s performance and for your safety.

Syndicated content from https://capturethekeys.com/.

Why Chevrolet Only Approves New Genuine GM Parts for Use with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems and Why You Should Care

Your Chevrolet’s ADAS requires new OEM replacement parts in order to function as intended by GM.

When you take your Chevy to a shop for repairs, it’s imperative that the shop follows the guidelines specified in General Motors’ Position Statement. Every shop has access to this information, but not every shop follows what the manufacturer says.

GM makes it clear that all shops should follow their instructions for how to properly repair Chevrolet bumpers/fascias on vehicles that are equipped with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and there are several reasons for this.

If you’re not familiar with what the ADAS does, it is the modern technology that can help you avoid collisions, park easily, switch lanes safely, and more. It can include sensors, cameras, alerts, and navigational help.

Depending on the GM model and the year it was manufactured, your vehicle may have a very different level of ADAS than another GM vehicle.

Many components of a vehicle’s ADAS are embedded within the bumper and fascia, and because Advanced Driver Assistance Systems can be very sophisticated, it’s crucial to use the precise parts necessary for repairs.

Why aftermarket, reconditioned, and salvaged parts just won’t cut it.

The biggest reason that GM wants you to use only new Genuine GM parts is because they have been designed and manufactured for your Chevy’s specific system.

GM explains, “General Motors (GM) vehicles, systems and components are engineered, tested and manufactured to protect vehicle occupants based upon both government mandated and internal corporate requirements relative to durability, Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH), occupant protection, and vehicle safety. The overall structural integrity of the vehicle is dependent on maintaining its inherent design specifications.”

Basically, they are saying that it would be taking a huge risk to use aftermarket, reconditioned, or salvaged parts, because those part might threaten the performance of your ADAS.

While Genuine GM parts have been made to fit your system like a glove, aftermarket parts are intended for use in a broader range of makes and models. They’re also usually made with cheaper materials than OEM parts.

As for salvaged parts, it’s often hard to determine their history and current structural integrity, so it’s difficult to predict how they’ll hold up.

The same goes for reconditioned parts, which may have been rendered less effective through the reconditioning process:

GM says, “Reconditioned Bumpers/Fascia’s available in the aftermarket may have been repaired using substrate repair “filler material” or reinforcement tapes and as such General Motors does not endorse the use of reconditioned ADAS Bumper/Fascia systems. Only Genuine GM ADAS Bumpers/Fascias and components are tested and validated as a safety system.”

The process of reconditioning bumpers/fascia is generally disapproved of, because it can affect the stability of the components, rendering them unreliable.

Safety is always first when it comes to repairs.

In no uncertain terms, it can be very dangerous to cut corners with your bumper/fascia repair if your car is equipped with ADAS. Using the wrong parts could cause a cascade problems for your system, leading to a possible collision.

Imagine driving on the highway and your cruise control malfunctions or your emergency braking fails or your blind spot detection acts up.

Any one of these issues could lead to catastrophe.

“At General Motors, safety is our overriding priority. With the safety of our customers at the center of everything we do, we are limiting repairs to Bumpers/Fascia’s with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) to topcoat refinish only. Further, topcoat refinish material thickness of repaired ADAS Bumper Fascia systems must not exceed 13 mils in thickness. Any repairs such as gouges, tears or damage that requires the use of substrate repair material or reinforcement tapes must be avoided.”

As you can see, GM has specified that only very superficial cosmetic procedures are permitted in repairing your Chevy’s bumper/fascia.

Any repairs that might be necessary beyond these cosmetic procedures would warrant all-new OEM replacement parts in order to maximize your car’s performance and safety.

Save time, money, and possibly your life by choosing a shop that follows GM’s guidelines for how your Chevrolet is repaired.

We take a fine-tooth comb to every manufacturer Position Statement that comes our way, because we want to make sure we deliver the best possible repair to every customer.

Some shops don’t pay attention to what the manufacturer recommends or they simply disregard the information, even though they know better. We would never take that chance with your wallet or your safety.

You can trust us to treat you and your vehicle with the utmost respect and care.

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Why Chevrolet Recommends Only New GM Air Bag Components and Why That’s Important for Your Repair

GM wants to maximize your safety with properly functioning air bags in your Chevy.

In the auto body repair industry, we are provided with manufacturers’ Position Statements that describe each auto maker’s recommendations for how those repairs should be done. General Motors has released a detailed statement explaining why they prohibit the use of any parts other than genuine GM warranted parts in the repairs of their vehicles.

If you own a Chevrolet and need to have your air bag system replaced, it is crucial to follow the guidelines set forth by GM.

Safety is the biggest reason for using new OEM parts.

According to General Motors:

“Air bag system components are carefully developed and specifically tuned for the specific vehicle environment. Corresponding air bag system components from other models or other model years may appear similar from the outside, may even fit the vehicle, but different internal elements or calibrations may result in degraded restraint performance.”

GM is explaining that new OEM parts have been designed and manufactured specifically for the make, model, and year of your vehicle using the highest quality materials.

Using aftermarket parts, salvaged parts, or parts from previous model years could jeopardize your entire air bag system, potentially risking your safety.

The last thing you would want is for your air bag system to fail when you need it.

Safety and reliability go hand-in-hand when it comes to your vehicle. GM makes an important point about the reliability of salvaged parts:

“Reuse of used or salvaged components brings into question the conditions under which the components were obtained and stored prior to use. Components could have been damaged or stored under unfavorable conditions that could compromise performance and reliability.”

They are saying that it’s often difficult to determine the history of the car from which the salvaged parts came. Who knows if that car was previously in an accident or if the air bag components were compromised in some way?

A vehicle is a finely-tuned machine that functions well when all the parts work properly together.

Using a salvaged or used part could throw the whole system off.

Failure to use new OEM parts on your Chevrolet could void your warranty.

It’s pretty standard for manufacturers to stipulate that new parts must be used in order for them to honor your vehicle’s warranty.

This is no different for GM, which states, “The use of these new parts is consistent with the vehicle factory warranty and extended warranty programs.”

You can count on us for a repair that follows GM’s guidelines about air bag components.

The reason why we explain the manufacturer’s Position Statement to you is that we want you to understand why we take it so seriously ourselves.

Some shops don’t really care what the manufacturer says and they use whatever parts they can get their hands on. We simply refuse to take such a chance, because we don’t believe it’s worth the risk to your safety, your warranty, or your vehicle’s performance.

We deliver only the best repair for your Chevy.

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