Are ADAS Calibrations Getting Missed? Learn More

The service advisor hands you the work order for what appears to be a routine repair: Replace a cracked windshield on a sedan. Forty-five minutes later, the new glass is installed and the vehicle looks ready for customer pickup. 

But there's a critical step that might be overlooked—one that could leave your customer driving with compromised safety systems and your shop facing serious liability issues.

Modern vehicles are equipped with increasingly sophisticated Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) that rely on precise sensor calibration to function correctly. Yet despite the growing prevalence of these systems, calibrations are being missed at a concerning rate across the industry. Understanding why this happens and implementing systems to prevent it is now increasingly crucial for repair shops— especially since calibrations are billable services and may be required by OEM procedures. 

The hidden scope of missed calibrations 

A 2022 article from New England Automotive reported that around 85% of ADAS calibrations were being missed during repairs. While this has potentially decreased in recent years, by our own estimates, shops without the right diagnostic equipment and access to calibration procedures are still missing a significant number. 

ADAS calibrations are required after even common repairs like windshield replacements, wheel alignments, and body work. When technicians aren’t trained to account for calibration— or when you don’t have the right technology to identify when calibrations aren’t needed—, vehicles can leave the shop without actually having ADAS features that operate properly. 

Why calibrations are being missed 

Several factors contribute to the widespread problem of missed calibrations, starting with simple awareness gaps. 

Many technicians learned their trade before ADAS systems became commonplace, and may not fully understand which repairs trigger calibration requirements. Even experienced professionals can struggle to keep up with the rapid evolution of these systems.

Documentation challenges compound the problem. OEM calibration requirements are scattered across service manuals, position statements, technical bulletins, and manufacturer websites. Information that was accurate six months ago might be outdated today, and there's often no clear notification system when requirements change—and each vehicle has VIN-specific procedures, which can be a lot to keep up with. 

Time and resource constraints create additional pressure. Shops facing heavy workloads may skip calibration checks to move vehicles through faster, especially when the immediate repair appears successful. The fact that improperly calibrated systems may still appear to function normally can create false confidence that everything is working correctly.

Equipment limitations also play a role. Some shops lack the diagnostic tools or calibration equipment needed to identify or perform required procedures. Others may have the equipment but lack current software or calibration targets needed for newer vehicle models.

Training gaps represent another significant factor. ADAS technology evolves rapidly, and many technicians haven't received updated training on current calibration requirements. Without proper knowledge, it's impossible to recognize when calibrations are needed or perform them correctly.

Economic pressures can also contribute to missed calibrations. Shops may be reluctant to inform customers about additional calibration costs after completing what seemed like a straightforward repair, especially if the calibration requirement wasn't identified during initial estimates. They may also be reluctant if they’re worried that extra costs will turn customers away. Fortunately, the right marketing and selling techniques can help. 

The potential consequences of missed calibrations 

When ADAS calibrations are missed, the immediate risk is compromised safety system performance. A forward collision warning system with a misaligned camera might not detect obstacles in time to alert the driver or activate automatic braking. Lane keeping assistance systems might not recognize lane markings correctly, potentially steering the vehicle inappropriately.

These safety failures can have catastrophic consequences. Unlike traditional mechanical failures that might cause inconvenience or gradual performance degradation, ADAS system failures can occur suddenly during emergency situations when drivers are counting on these systems to prevent accidents.

From a legal perspective, shops that miss required calibrations face significant liability exposure. If an accident occurs involving a vehicle where calibration was overlooked, the shop could be held responsible for injuries or damages. This liability extends beyond the immediate repair—it can affect the shop's reputation, insurance rates, and long-term viability.

Customer relationships suffer when safety systems fail unexpectedly. Even if no accident occurs, customers who discover their ADAS systems aren't functioning properly after service work will likely lose trust in the shop. Word-of-mouth recommendations, online reviews, and repeat business all suffer when customers feel their safety was compromised.

Insurance implications are becoming increasingly important. Many insurance companies now require documentation that OEM procedures were followed for ADAS-related repairs. Claims may be denied or delayed if shops cannot demonstrate proper calibration was performed, leaving customers facing unexpected expenses and potentially souring the relationship between all parties.

Regulatory attention is also increasing. As safety agencies recognize the importance of proper ADAS calibration, we can expect more oversight and potentially mandatory documentation requirements. Shops that develop proper calibration procedures now will be better positioned for future regulatory changes.

How to avoid missed calibrations during vehicle service

Creating systematic approaches to calibration identification and tracking represents the most effective strategy for preventing missed calibrations. This starts with developing clear protocols that integrate calibration checks into standard workflow processes rather than treating them as separate, optional steps.

Pre-repair assessment should include specific ADAS system evaluation for every vehicle, regardless of the apparent scope of work. This means checking not just for obvious ADAS components but also understanding how the planned repair might affect system calibration requirements.

Staff training programs must emphasize current calibration requirements and be updated regularly as technology evolves. All technicians should understand which repairs trigger calibration needs and how to access current OEM procedures. This training should cover both technical procedures and the safety and liability implications of missed calibrations.

Documentation systems should capture calibration requirements during initial vehicle assessment and track completion throughout the repair process. Work orders should clearly identify required calibrations, and quality control processes should verify completion before customer delivery.

Equipment investment may be necessary to perform required calibrations in-house or partner with facilities that can provide these services. Shops should evaluate whether to develop internal calibration capabilities or establish reliable partnerships with specialized providers.

Customer communication plays a crucial role in preventing missed calibrations. Educating customers about ADAS systems and calibration requirements helps them understand why these procedures are necessary and builds support for proper processes.

Offering thorough ADAS calibration services to your clients 

There are clear ethical, legal, and financial implications that arise if you’re missing ADAS calibrations when working on your clients’ vehicles. Finding solutions to ensure you’re identifying and completing every necessary calibration, therefore, is more important than ever.

Preventing missed ADAS calibrations requires systematic approaches that integrate seamlessly into existing shop operations while providing reliable access to current manufacturer requirements.

Revv addresses the root causes of missed calibrations by automatically identifying all required procedures for each specific vehicle and providing instant access to current OEM calibration requirements. Instead of relying on technicians to remember complex calibration triggers or manually check multiple manufacturer databases, Revv's VIN-specific analysis ensures nothing gets overlooked.

Our platform eliminates the complexity of managing multiple manufacturer subscriptions while automatically updating procedures as requirements change according to OEM documentation. This means your team always has access to the most current information without the administrative burden of tracking constant updates across dozens of manufacturer sources.

Ready to start offering complete ADAS calibration services to your customers? Get started with Revv today. 

‍