Bumper cover repair with ADAS: Hyundai

A simple bumper repair on a modern vehicle may not be as simple as it seems. New technologies, such as blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and other advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) utilize sensors behind the bumper covers. The ability for these sensors to be able to see clearly requires special caution when considering a bumper repair. Many original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) have different requirements when it comes to repairing bumper covers with ADAS—and Hyundai is no different. 

For repairing Hyundai bumper covers with ADAS, it is imperative to consult the general repair guidelines for bumper covers with corner radar units and ultrasonic sensors. 

Regarding bumper cover repair where a front or rear corner radar unit is present, Hyundai states the following: 

• Touch up paint can be used on the front or rear bumpers in the areas in front of the corner radar units. 

• Plastic repairs to the front or rear bumpers are not recommended—the altered shape or surface of the bumpers may affect corner radar performance. 

• Paints with excessive aluminum content may interfere with corner radar performance. Refer to TSB # 23-BD-012G for the maximum allowable percentages for each specific exterior colour. 

For vehicles equipped with ultrasonic sensors, there must not be any refinishing or touch up paint performed on the ultrasonic sensors. If there is any damage, contamination, or paint overspray on them, they must be replaced according to shop manual procedures. 

The ultrasonic sensors come pre-painted when ordering, so special care must be taken to ensure the correct selection is made. 

These are just some examples of bumper cover repair restrictions from Hyundai. Always be sure to reference the vehicle-specific body repair manual prior to performing any repairs to help ensure a complete, safe, and quality repair. 

To learn more about bumper cover repairs and ADAS, consult the I-CAR Canada course catalogue.