Fender Bender fixing best approach?

[akshay99]

Need some suggestions from the experts in this group.

Last Friday my wife had a fender bender when an aggressive driver was trying to merge in during a peak rush hour and hit the front right part of the bumper and caused it to scratch and a minor deformation close to the side sensor. Both of them pulled over to check the damage. A bunch of messages started popping up on the screen and the FP app and the steering got locked :

• The Electronic Power Steering (EPS) system has detected a fault.
• The anti-lock brake system module has communication problem.
• The pre-collision warning system has detected either a system fault or an obstructed radar sensor.
• The side obstacle detection control module has received invalid data from the ABS control module.

I asked my wife to turn off the car and wait for few minutes and turn it back again. Once the car was restarted the steering was unlocked and all the messages went away both from the screen and on FP app.

Later in the day I tried using the lane keep assist and adaptive cruise control to see if there was any damage to the sensor, but it seems to be working fine.

I need some guidance if I can only get the cosmetic damage fixed from a autobody shop as that would be the quickest way to get the car back or do I need to go to Ford dealership to verify and fix this damage.

Also is there a way to diagnose (screen / OBD) if all the sensors are working without any issue, Please let me know what would be the best approach. I'm open to suggestions.

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[RickMachE]

This is a great example of not cheaping out. The vehicle should be brought to a Ford dealer and checked for damage, which would include that all the things flagged are in fact working properly, or not. Many Ford dealerships have body shops that would do the repair including having the vehicle checked over mechanically.

If the other person was at fault, then your insurance will a) cover your damages and b) attempt to recover your deductible from the other driver.

 

[MachEMaster]

A good body shop will scan fault codes post collision.

 

[Murse-In-Airy]

To repair a fender bender one should unbend the fender which requires the services rendered by a fender bender mender to unbend the fender. To restore the car’s splendor don’t surrender it to the hands of a pretender. Avoid being an offender by taking it to a contender for the best fender bender mender.

(Sorry sleep deprived once again).

 

[Regularmache]

Most collision repair shops will have a third party that comes to the shop to realign and reset a lot of the safety and sensing features. Others will do the body work and at the right time take it to the Ford dealer if needed.

 

[ripperAZ]

Without pictures it’s hard to give an estimate but I would say just with the computer work and making sure the sensors are OK you’re looking at three grand on top of any body repair or parts. You’ve got to make sure those systems are all checked out to restore that little pony to it’s perfect state It’s just too valuable a vehicle now in this market not to get it perfect even if you have to lodge an accident against its Carfax if it’s minor that should not be an issue going forward
It may even require hiring a cockroach lawyer if you truly are not at fault.
I never had to do it before but was totaled last year and got a lawyer and ended up coming out quite nicely with an added vacation and some toys for the house. Insurance rates to not go up and my car was completely taken care of and the new one not a penny out of my pocket and in this market place that was really important

Jes sayin

 

[akshay99]

Sorry for not adding this picture on the initial post.
But it hurts every time I look at the damage my Pony endured ?
maybe this can give a better perspective at the damage I’m looking at.

 

[RickMachE]

You're looking at several thousand dollars, probably close to $5k, because you need a new painted section of the front bumper, plus they have to remove and replaced everything below it to get to it. I needed the bottom part and the grill part, both unpainted parts, and I was just under $2,000.

 

[Nklem]

Looks like a competent body shop can do that, you may need a new bumper cover. $672 wholesale for the part alone. Maybe a really good shop can repair it but more hours. 8 hours Prep and Paint plus 4-8 hours install time. At $100 per hour plus paint… and electronics Calibrations. Make sure the “space white“ is blended properly and do not accept if you can tell it’s been fixed. I would guess $2500. As noted above, if they need to replace more bumper components. It will keep adding up.

 

[Kurrisu]

Terrified what they will say about mine. I looked at all the frame and pulled a lot of pieces away from the front trunk area and could only see a small bend where the hood will connect. But the the fenders look great and the windshield is fine. I’ve been nauseous since 9:30 last night. It did have to be towed because the car kept flashing errors and wouldn’t let me turn it to drive (worth a shot)

Oh and I’m hoping the damage was just from the trucks trailer hitch going thru the grille.

 

[homerj31]

Terrified what they will say about mine. I looked at all the frame and pulled a lot of pieces away from the front trunk area and could only see a small bend where the hood will connect. But the the fenders look great and the windshield is fine. I’ve been nauseous since 9:30 last night. It did have to be towed because the car kept flashing errors and wouldn’t let me turn it to drive (worth a shot)

Oh and I’m hoping the damage was just from the trucks trailer hitch going thru the grille.

Minor scratch, that will buff right out, 100 bucks tops.

Ouch, hope the damage isn't too much.

 

[Kurrisu]

Minor scratch, that will buff right out, 100 bucks tops.

Ouch, hope the damage isn't too much.

I hope it isn’t either. I’ve really looked into the build of the car and crossing my fingers your right.

right after submitting this I realized I heart burn that I had been fighting all day and went to the bathroom and saw a giant scratch like cut across my chest. I coughed up some blood so here I am in the emergency room. Like a idiot.

 

[homerj31]

I hope it isn’t either. I’ve really looked into the build of the car and crossing my fingers your right.

right after submitting this I realized I heart burn that I had been fighting all day and went to the bathroom and saw a giant scratch like cut across my chest. I coughed up some blood so here I am in the emergency room. Like a idiot.

That's a real problem. Take care of yourself a car can easily be replaced. Priorities! Keep us updated.

 

[Nklem]

I hope it isn’t either. I’ve really looked into the build of the car and crossing my fingers your right.

right after submitting this I realized I heart burn that I had been fighting all day and went to the bathroom and saw a giant scratch like cut across my chest. I coughed up some blood so here I am in the emergency room. Like a idiot.

Did your airbags go off? I am glad you are OK. That’s the most important thing. Yes you will not get away with $2500. But it looks isolated to the hood and grille and what’s behind it. No fender work. Maybe a matte black hood?

 

[RickMachE]

In some states, having a hitch in place when not towing isn't legal.

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