November 3, 2010
New crash tests show aftermarket bumpers can perform just as well as originals
40 mph frontal offset tests:
Engineers crash tested a 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup fitted with an aftermarket bumper that meets the material, dimensional, strength, and vehicle fit requirements of the standard developed by the Certified Automotive Parts Association (CAPA). Then they compared the performance with the same model fitted with a Dodge bumper. Results for both of the pickups were nearly identical, and both earn good ratings in the test.
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2008 Dodge Ram 1500 with aftermarket bumper: action shot taken during the 40 mph frontal offset crash test 7/30/10 |
2008 Dodge Ram 1500 with aftermarket bumper 7/30/10 |
2008 Dodge Ram 1500 with Dodge bumper 7/22/10 |
Low-speed bumper tests:
Estimated repair costs for a Ford F-150 with an aftermarket bumper that doesn't meet the CAPA requirements were lower than for an F-150 with a Ford-supplied bumper in a 5 mph full-width barrier test. That may seem like a positive outcome, but it isn't. Manufacturers of aftermarket structural parts should reverse-engineer bumper beams to match original equipment and not attempt to make them better or worse.
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2005 Ford-F-150 in 5 mph test with aftermarket bumper that fails CAPA standard. |
2005 Ford F-150 in 5 mph test with Ford bumper. |
Low-speed bumper tests:
In 5 mph tests into a full-width barrier, there were clear differences between a Toyota Camry with an aftermarket bumper that doesn't meet CAPA's requirements and a Camry with a Toyota-made bumper. The center of the Toyota bumper buckled. The stronger aftermarket bumper didn't buckle, and as a result the bumper frame ends crushed. Small changes in design can skew airbag sensors and alter vehicle damage patterns.
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2009 Toyota Camry in 5 mph test with Toyota bumper. 6/2310 |
2009 Toyota Camry in 5 mph test with aftermarket bumper that fails CAPA standard. 6/23/10 |
