What Is a Safety Inspection?
Imagine this: You're at the wheel of your trusty 2017 Nissan Rogue, one of America's most popular cars, when out of nowhere, you're in a head-on collision. Your front bumper takes the brunt of the hit, puncturing your radiator and leaving you unable to drive away safely. Yet, the impact wasn't strong enough to trigger the airbags. Now, what comes next?
According to Nissan, your car needs a thorough check-up, and here's why:
Every component, from the driver airbag module in the steering wheel to the impact sensors in the engine compartment and the black-box-like airbag diagnostic unit, needs inspection. Your seat belts, child anchors, buckles, and retractors are no exception either.
Does every repair shop take these steps? Not really. And, the price for this in-depth check? It ranges between $500 and $1,100, depending on local labor rates.
You might be asking, 'Is this really necessary?' The short answer: Absolutely, because the manufacturer says so. The long explanation is more complex.
Imagine if any of these components are left damaged without inspection:
The driver or passenger airbag might fail to deploy in another accident, leaving you or your passenger unprotected. The clock spring, that ingenious device maintaining electrical contact with the airbag while turning, if damaged, might render the airbag useless during a turn.
If an impact sensor is left unchecked and damaged, it might disconnect over time, resulting in a failure to deploy the airbag when needed.
But the stakes are highest with the airbag diagnostic unit, the brain of your vehicle's safety system. Any damage left unaddressed can turn your vehicle's impressive five-star crash rating into a perilous zero in an instant.
Last but not least, damaged seat belts could fail to protect you or your child in the event of another collision, turning a minor accident into a serious threat.
In essence, while you, I, or the mechanic down the road aren't professional engineers, the experts at the car manufacturer are. They've painstakingly designed every detail of your car to ensure it retains its safety rating and protects you as it should in a subsequent collision.
With motorists typically keeping their vehicles for around eleven years, it's crucial to insist that your chosen repair facility perform a thorough safety inspection as per the manufacturer's instructions. Equally important is to demand that the at-fault insurance company reimburses you for this vital procedure. After all, the safety of you and your loved ones over the next decade hinges on these inspections. Don't you deserve the peace of mind that comes with knowing your investment in your vehicle also guarantees maximum safety?
Citations and Disclosures:
- John Huetter, "Shops Report State Farm Refusals of Subaru, Honda Auto Safety System Inspections," Repairer Driven News, October 30, 2020.
- Nissan North America, "Repairs and Inspections Required After a Collision," ALLDATA, 57306, March 28, 2021.
- Nissan North America, "Position Statement: Seat Belt Replacement Considerations," NPSB-16-601, June 20, 2016.
- Nissan North America, "2017 Nissan Rogue Owner's Manual and Maintenance Information," OM17EA 0T32U3, July 11, 2017.
- Joey Capparella, "25 Best-Selling Cars, Trucks, and SUVs of 2020," Car and Driver, January 6, 2021.
*The repair procedures mentioned herein are not to be misconstrued as technical repair advice for repair technicians or insurance personnel. The procedures mentioned herein are subject to change as vehicle manufacturer engineers alter and better their repair procedures regularly based on after-sales tests and data.
