Hidden Dangers of ADAS-Capable Vehicles in the Used Car Market

As the automotive landscape evolves, Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) have taken center stage, promising safer and more convenient driving experiences. However, beneath this veneer of technological advancement lies a growing concern within the used car market. This article explores some of? the concealed hazards lurking in previously owned, ADAS-capable vehicles. While these systems offer remarkable potential, the lack of awareness and proper regulation has given rise to a range of unforeseen dangers that compromise the safety they aim to enhance.

Improper repairs and calibration challenges

Inspecting several after-auction vehicles has unveiled a disconcerting reality: numerous cars are plagued by issues stemming from improper repairs. These vehicles are then passed around until they make their way to an unwitting consumer. One where repairs to “clear the lights” requires a baseline repair trajectory that has a customer spending thousands of dollars for a proper repair. Or, looking for the lowest bidder to “clear the lights” and calibrate unsafe vehicles that are loaded with features to “make them safer”.

We have seen everything from the installation of? incorrect windshields, to damaged suspensions prevent a proper calibration and repair of a safety system. Without proper repairs and calibrations, ADAS systems cannot function as intended, exposing drivers to hidden risks on the road.

A flawless facade and hidden issues

The safety of a flawless used car can be misleading. Consider the tale of an impeccable? 2020 Kia Sportage with only? 30,000 miles. During initial inspections and test drives, no red flags emerged. However, this story takes a turn, shedding light on how appearances can be deceiving.

The unveiling of subtle defects:?

The narrative evolves when the Kia returns with an unrelated battery issue.? “The vehicle would just shut off while driving and at times, not restart.” After we quickly resolved that issue, we performed another test drive to confirm it wouldn’t happen again.. We? test drove the vehicle over a 100 miles during a span of two days. During this drive, subtle defects within the ADAS system became? apparent.

Shortcomings with the radar system reveal themselves, indicating the system’s inadequate performance and potential for accidents. We were able to repeatedly and reliably trigger instances of delayed ADAS response during certain driving scenarios: navigating S-turns, cresting hills, and situations with other cars pulling in front of the Kia.

I am working on putting together the videos of recorded test drives that will hopefully showcase some of these issues as we experienced them.

Highlighting the dangers?

A series of pressing concerns are exposed. The compromised functionality of ADAS systems are a danger on the road. Drivers assume their vehicles are safeguarding them, but they may be experiencing a false sense of security and not necessarily reality. The allure of advanced safety features can lead to less attentive driving, further exacerbating the potential for accidents.

Finding and fixing the issue?

Upon recognizing the peculiar behavior of the nearly flawless 2020 Kia Sportage’s ADAS system, a proactive step was taken. The owner was contacted, and with their consent, a deep dive into the system’s inner workings began. Armed with OE data and instructions sourced from Kia’s published documents, we started to investigate.

Despite lacking the official KIA tool for radar alignment checks, we leaned on our? five years of expertise, and an arsenal of tools to undertake the alignment assessment with high confidence in accuracy. We removed the vehicle’s front bumper, a process far from smooth due to the notoriously fragile nature of Kia and Hyundai front end.

Through a combination of alignment checks using two different digital angle gauges, a visual misalignment was confirmed. Applying the precise adjustments unveiled a noticeable transformation in positioning. This pivotal moment underscored the potential for miscalibration lurking beneath the surface.

A dangerously common notion? throughout the repair and collision industry?regarding ADAS:? “if there are no lights on, there’s nothing wrong”. We almost?forget these cars are made and serviced by humans.

The challenges ahead

The absence of regulatory oversight, a lack of? proper consumer education and technician training makes future used car purchases a risky proposition.??

Skilled technicians, equipped to accurately service and calibrate these intricate systems, are few and far between. As misaligned and/or improperly calibrated ADAS systems infiltrate the market through used car sales with early ADAS systems, the safety of countless driver is diminished.

As two chronically understaffed and undertrained industries (Auto Repair & Collision) grapple with the daunting task of navigating these advanced technologies, we are potentially reversing the very safety trends they aim to promote.

Navigating the future?

The path ahead is undeniably challenging .Without proper regulations and educational initiatives, the used car market will become a vast sea for compromised ADAS systems in poorly repaired or maintained vehicles. The absence of standardized practices and a dearth of skilled personnel leaves an unsettling void in an industry that demands vigilance.

This murkiness threatens to undermine the promise of ADAS technology, transforming it from a boon into a bane.

Conclusion

In this landscape of ADAS-capable vehicles within the used car market, an urgent call for awareness and change emerges. The hidden dangers illuminated by improper repairs, concealed defects, and regulatory gaps should serve as a call for consumers and industry stakeholders alike.

As the future unfolds, the spotlight must shift to education, regulation, and heightened scrutiny. The safety advancements offered by ADAS systems hold tremendous potential, but unless these pitfalls are addressed head-on, that potential may tragically remain unrealized.

BTW, we acquired the official KIA tool and were quickly unimpressed with the way it operates and how slow the actual machine is. What we did find value in, was the bubble levels the "Setting Level Meter" had.

By: Ricardo Da Cruz with Douglas Colish