Damage guide
Front impacts concentrate force into the area that keeps your engine running and your cabin cool: the radiator, A/C condenser, and the reinforcement bar sit directly behind the grille. Even a low-speed front hit can crack a radiator seam that only starts leaking days later.
Educational content only. This is not a repair quote, insurance advice, or legal advice. Actual damage and costs depend on a professional in-person inspection.
From our versioned collision ruleset (v2026.09.3), the same data that powers our pricing guides. Severity is a typical starting point; your accident may differ.
| Part | Typical severity | Typical repair range |
|---|---|---|
| Front bumper cover | moderate (6/10) | $190 – $765 |
| Hood | moderate (5/10) | $325 – $910 |
| Radiator | moderate (5/10) | $240 – $635 |
| Front reinforcement bar | moderate (5/10) | $185 – $545 |
| Grille | moderate (4/10) | $20 – $330 |
| A/C condenser | moderate (4/10) | $200 – $530 |
| Left headlight assembly | minor (3/10) | $135 – $530 |
| Right headlight assembly | minor (3/10) | $135 – $530 |
Each row is that part alone: its price, the hours to fit it, and its refinish. If every listed part needed work the whole job runs roughly $2,415 – $7,690, which is more than the rows add up to because a repair also carries paint materials, calibrations and the operations published labor times exclude by rule, which come to $820 – $2,540 here. Most repairs involve a subset of these parts. Ranges are educational, not quotes.
Front impacts frequently damage the radiator, condenser, and reinforcement bar even when the bumper cover looks minor.
A shop will check the cooling system for leaks, inspect the condenser and reinforcement bar behind the bumper, confirm the hood latches safely, verify headlight aim and mounts, and scan for sensor faults on vehicles with front cameras or radar.
Full checklist: what to do after a car accident in Washington.
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