ADAS Calibration — 3 Myths That Can Get You Sued

Welcome to the world of ADAS calibration — where assumptions are dangerous, shortcuts are expensive, and lawsuits are just one bad radar alignment away.

There’s a lot of misinformation out there. Some of it’s innocent. Some of it’s repeated by people who should know better. And some of it? Comes directly from folks trying to save a buck by skipping steps.

Let’s clear the air — before someone clears their schedule to take you to court.

Myth #1: “If There’s No Trouble Code, Everything Must Be Fine”

Ah yes — the old “No DTC = No Problem” logic.

Let us be clear: ADAS systems don’t always throw codes when they fail. In fact, some of them fail quietly, which is arguably worse. The system might:

• Misread its surroundings

• Fire a false alert

• Miss an actual threat

• Or react to something that isn’t even there (hello, emergency braking for shadows)

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But because the scan tool doesn’t throw a red flag, people assume they’re in the clear.

Here’s the reality: a clean scan report doesn’t mean the system was calibrated correctly — or at all.And when that system fails? You won’t be able to blame the dashboard.

Myth #2: “The Calibration Passed, So It Must Be Right”

Another fan favorite.

Yes, your scan tool may say “Calibration Complete.”Yes, it may even print out a nice little PDF that says “Success.”

But guess what?

If your target was too close…If the floor wasn’t level…If the radar bracket was bent…If you measured off the wrong reference point…

That system is still wrong.

The scan tool doesn’t check your setup. It assumes you did everything perfectly.It only confirms the software ran from start to finish — not that the system was actually aligned.

A completed calibration with a crooked camera is like installing a new engine… without tightening the bolts.It still “starts.” Doesn’t mean it’s safe.

Myth #3: “We Didn’t Calibrate It Because the VIN App Didn’t Say It Was Needed”

You love your VIN decoder. We get it.

But VIN tools are guides, not gospel. Some apps over-call calibrations. Some under-call them.And most don’t understand context.

That’s your job.

If you’re blindly trusting an app instead of reading the OEM documentation and understanding how the repair affects the system?

You’re not fixing the car — you’re flipping a coin.

Final Word: These Myths Sound Harmless — Until They Cost You Everything

A mis-calibrated ADAS system doesn’t just inconvenience the customer.It puts them — and everyone around them — at risk.

And when that radar fails to stop the car…When that blind spot system doesn’t alert…When that emergency braking fires for no reason on the highway…

You can’t say:

“Well the scan tool said it passed.”

Or:

“The app didn’t mention it.”

Or:

“There was no code.”

Because none of those hold up in court.Only documentation, proper procedures, and professional judgment do.

So ditch the myths.Do it right.And let your competitors be the ones who learn this lesson the hard way.