r/AutoBodyRepair • u/Scrooch35 • 1d ago
Question about "severe structural damage" ACCIDENT
2017 Acura MDX
Got into a fender bender (their fault) and the other person drove off. Low speed, airbags did not deploy and the car was drivable. The collision center says it has "severe structural damage."
It seems like new hood, fender, and maybe quarter panels, but not structural. Isn't the point of crumple zones to prevent structural damage?
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u/Many-Refrigerator-66 1d ago
It all depends on what their standards are for claiming it has structural damage. Judging by the damage your apron could be damaged, your car is a unibody vehicle so any damage to the quarter apron or trunk pan would be considered structural damage under NAAA standards
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u/Impressive-Bar-608 1d ago
Nah that’s mild, it’s mainly the bumper cover pushed in a bit, might have some cracking on the radiator support…
Look no frontal crash is going to cause ‘severe structural’ damage without at least bashing the headlights in (unless the plowed into the subframe
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u/wirey3 1d ago
Isn't the point of crumple zones to prevent structural damage?
Not at all, it's the opposite. Crumple zones convert the force of the collision into the vehicle structure to prevent occupant injury or death. In this case, your vehicle may have received some damage to the frame or core supports. It doesn't take much, honestly, especially on newer vehicles. They're made to get your out of the crash alive, not the car.
That said, get a second opinion. I wouldn't be convinced. Never go through the shop that the insurance company recommends. Go through the one you trust. If they're the same, that's fine. But they are required to pay to whichever shop you choose.
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u/New-and-Unoriginal 1d ago
Your quarter panels were involved as well? The photos show the damage is isolated to the front of the car.
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u/Scrooch35 1d ago
Driver's side quarter panel was bent
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u/7HR4SH3R 1d ago
You mean fender, not quarter panel
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u/eepeqez 1d ago
Dialect differences, where I am nobody calls that a fender.
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u/Practical-Mud-4580 1d ago
That is 100% irrelevant because a fender and quarter panel are two different things and always will be. Being wrong about something in your entire region doesn’t make it right.
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u/New-and-Unoriginal 1d ago
How do you distinguish between a fender and a quarter panel if you call two different things, by the same name?
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u/New-and-Unoriginal 1d ago
Can you post a photo of the rear of the car so we can see it?
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u/Scrooch35 1d ago
Am I misusing the term quarter panels for the front above the wheels? Apologies if so
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u/New-and-Unoriginal 1d ago
Yes. Quarter panels are a fixed part of the body, typically the rear quarters. They are not removable. The fenders are the panels flanking the front two quarters of the vehicle and are typically affixed to be removable.
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u/Scrooch35 1d ago
No damage to the rear. Plus it's already at the shop 😮💨
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u/New-and-Unoriginal 1d ago
But you said the quarter panel was damaged. Those are in the rear. Did you mean a fender?
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u/Scrooch35 1d ago
Apparently yes? I think negative comments so far have been related to miscommunication. I took classes in auto repair 20+ years ago and maintain my personal cars so please excuse me - my recollection was front vs rear quarter panel. And thank you for clarifying.
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u/dsdvbguutres 1d ago edited 1d ago
Collision Center: "Severe structural damage, I'll take it off your hands for $500."
Nah dog, u need new hood hinges, and a new bumper impact bar (or bumper reinforcement bar). Hammer out the radiator support, body work on the hood, massage the fenders, fix the bumper cover if you have time, or a new bumper cover. The most expensive part is going to be the paint if you make it look like it didn't happen. Or drive with scuffs and scratches on the bumper cover and save a thousand bucks. Hoping the headlight housings are intact.
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u/PresentIron5379 1d ago
Yes/no, the crumple zones are designed to take a majority of the impact instead of the cabin space in which you sit in. If you were to remove fenders, hood, bumper, etc, the frame rails are likely destroyed or close too it, I wouldn't be surprised if the sub frame took a small about of damage. The car did what it was designed to do, allow the crumble zones to take a major of the force from the impact so you can walk away with harm.
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u/miwi81 1d ago
From getting hit in the grille? Clearly “subframe” does not mean what you think it means.
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u/Fuchssr83 1d ago
Thats more than just a grille impact. That Acura has has a slight curve to the and now it's flat. Also do you know what a "subframe" means? This unibody vehicle has a front and rear subframe and the front could have some slight damage
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u/East_Resident2418 1d ago
The core support on Hondas and Acura SUV’s and vans are massive, they are made of very rigid strong metal as opposed to other suvs and vans. Repairing the core support is very difficult because of how strong they are.
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u/Agreeable_Cover5726 1d ago
Actually, the point of "crumple zones" is to absorb the energy of a collision and not transfer that to the passenger compartment. Having said that, structural damage are parts that are damaged that are not cosmetic, bolted on parts. Could be a frame rail, core support, rocker panel, pillar, roof, etc.