The IIHS survey contacted more than 3,000 owners, with most saying they had never needed to repair their crash avoidance features. However, around half of those who did have to repair the features experienced problems, according to IIHS Senior Research Scientist Alexandra Mueller, who designed the survey.
Many owners had problems with the technology after repairs, with some requiring the same feature to be repaired multiple times. Despite this, most of the respondents still said they would buy a vehicle equipped with the technology again, and were happy with the out-of-pocket cost.
The research found that around two-thirds of people who needed a windshield replacement experienced issues with their vehicle's safety tech. Three-quarters of those who needed crash damage fixed also reported problems with the systems.
On the other hand, less than half of those who needed repairs not related to the windshield or a crash experienced issues with their collision prevention tech. Whenever a sensor or camera is removed or replaced, it requires recalibration. This process is also necessary during windshield repairs. The IIHS believes that the incidence of post-repair problems is related to mechanics having difficulty with the calibration process, which can require specialized training and equipment.
While repairing safety features after a collision can be difficult, the study found that crash prevention technology is reliable when no repairs or replacements are necessary. The IIHS-affiliated Highway Loss Data Institute found that the reduction in insurance claims for Subaru and Honda models with these systems was consistent, even for vehicles that were over five years old.
Although the issues with repairing safety features can be annoying, the IIHS study found that only around five percent of owners who experienced a problem with the technology said they would not purchase another vehicle with similar systems.
Source: IIHS