Ford has issued new ADAS calibration requirements that restrict collision repairers to using original equipment parts only, prohibiting aftermarket, salvaged, and reconditioned components for body panels, sensors, and cameras. The policy, effective October 1, 2025, requires specific calibration procedures for radar, cameras, and sensors, with warranty exclusions and potential lease violations for non-compliant repairs.
- Ford prohibits salvaged, aftermarket, and reconditioned parts for ADAS components including cameras, sensors, radar units, and structural members as of October 1, 2025.
- Specific calibration is required after replacing or reinstalling front radar, windshield cameras, parking sensors, and corner radar units.
- Warranty coverage is excluded for damage caused by unauthorized parts or repairs, and Red Carpet Lease vehicles face potential corrective charges and residual value reductions.
- General Motors and Nissan Canada have implemented similarly strict OEM-only policies citing safety system integrity and material consistency concerns.
- Complete calibration procedures are available in Ford vehicle-specific workshop manuals for technician reference.
Collision repairers have received new calibration guidance for driver-assistance systems from Ford amid a series of OEM restrictions on used and aftermarket body panels, structural components and sensors.
Ford’s newly posted ADAS job aid identifies operations that require calibration on Ford and Lincoln vehicles. Some requirements apply when technicians remove and reinstall the original equipment.
The guidance follows a broader Ford parts position dated Oct. 1, 2025. Under that policy, recycled, salvaged, aftermarket and reconditioned parts are not approved for use with Ford repair procedures.
The listed parts include body panels, structural members, bumper reinforcements, wheels, safety restraints, fasteners, cameras and sensors.
“Such parts are not approved for use with Ford Motor Company’s repair procedures.”
The stated reason is that those parts have not been validated against Ford engineering specifications. Damage or failure directly caused by their installation, or by unauthorized repairs, is excluded from Ford warranty and extended service plan coverage.
The position also addresses Red Carpet Lease vehicles. Under the stated lease requirements, collision-damaged parts must be restored using Ford original equipment parts.
“Any substitution with salvaged, aftermarket (including sensors and cameras) or reconditioned components may constitute a breach of lease terms.”
Potential consequences include corrective repairs at the lessee’s expense, a reduction in the vehicle’s residual value and additional lease-end charges. Corrective work may be billed at Ford’s standard parts and labour rates.
Under the new calibration instructions, front radar alignment is required after replacing or removing and reinstalling the cruise control module, its bracket or the front bumper beam. Returning the same hardware to the same position still requires alignment.
The bumper-cover instruction includes an exception: “No routine is required for front bumper cover replacements, if the CCM remains undisturbed.” CCM refers to the cruise control module.
Parking sensors require separate checks after sensor replacement, removal of a sensor from the bumper, or removal of the bumper or bumper cover.
The forward-facing windshield camera requires alignment after windshield replacement, camera replacement, or removal and reinstallation of the existing camera. Corner radar alignment is required when the radar unit is moved, removed or replaced. Removing or replacing a taillight containing a radar sensor also requires alignment. Complete procedures are available in Ford’s vehicle-specific workshop manuals.
An Aug. 19, 2026, General Motors parts position contains similarly broad restrictions: “GM does not approve and strictly prohibits the use of salvage, recycled/used, or non-Genuine aftermarket parts on Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, and Cadillac vehicles.”
The stated concerns include unknown prior damage, differences in materials and corrosion protection, and effects on safety systems. Under the GM requirements, collision, structural and system-dependent repairs must use genuine GM parts and approved procedures.
GM’s June 23 bumper policy also prohibits aftermarket, reconditioned and salvage bumper covers on ADAS-equipped vehicles. Damage requiring repairs to the underlying plastic requires replacement. Refinishing is permitted within a total paint-thickness limit of 13 mils, approximately 0.33 mm, verified with a gauge suitable for non-metallic surfaces.
Nissan Canada’s blind-spot warning guidance recommends new genuine rear bumper covers when damage occurs near the radar sensors. Repairs, filler application and paint work in the radar area are not supported. The stated concerns include differences in materials, construction and fit that could affect radar operation.
