Almost all of them. If the vehicle has a forward-facing camera mounted at the windshield, the manufacturer's service information calls for that camera to be recalibrated when the glass is replaced. The strength of the published language varies by make, which is exactly what this guide documents, with a source for every claim.
Why the windshield is the one trigger every make agrees on
The forward-facing camera behind the rearview mirror runs lane keeping, automatic emergency braking and, on many platforms, adaptive cruise. It is aimed through and referenced to the windshield, so replacing the glass disturbs its aim even when the bracket never moves. That is why windshield-camera calibration is the most consistently documented trigger across manufacturers, either in a public position statement or in the model's service information. Subaru, Toyota, Honda and Tesla publish enough detail to earn their own pages: see the Subaru EyeSight guide, the Toyota Safety Sense guide, the Honda Sensing guide and the Tesla guide. This page covers the rest.
One reading note: some quotes below are reproduced verbatim from the manufacturer document, and some requirements are summarized from the source with a link. Either way, the source is named, and the procedure for the specific VIN is always the final authority.
Ford, GM and Nissan
- Ford states in its collision repair position statement that "removing panels, glass, or components can introduce new fault codes requiring recalibration or initialization," and requires pre- and post-repair diagnostic scans on all 1996-and-newer vehicles involved in a collision (Ford, October 2025).
- GM's windshield replacement position statement calls for a calibration or learn procedure whenever a front-view windshield camera or sensor is removed, reinstalled or replaced, and when the windshield itself is removed and replaced (GM windshield position statement). GM also requires that "all vehicles being assessed for collision damage repairs must be tested (Pre Scan) for Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs)" and retested after repairs (GM, March 2026).
- Nissan and INFINITI publish the broadest trigger language of any make: "After any ADAS component removal, replacement, and even vehicle alignment, the proper calibration procedure must be performed" (Nissan, via I-CAR RTS). A windshield that carries the camera falls squarely inside that rule.
Stellantis: Jeep, RAM, Chrysler and Dodge
Stellantis' glass replacement position statement directs that a windshield-mounted forward-facing camera must be recalibrated after the windshield has been installed (Mopar glass position statement, December 2025). Its bumper and fascia guidance likewise requires the blind spot monitoring calibrations or initializations in the service information to be completed before the vehicle is returned (Mopar bumper/fascia position statement). On the diagnostic side, FCA's scan tool statement says use of the wiTECH diagnostic tester "is necessary before and after collision repair" (FCA US).
The German makes: Volkswagen, Audi, Mercedes-Benz and BMW
- Volkswagen's glass replacement guidance notes the forward-facing camera needs calibration for lane keep assist to function properly after a windshield replacement (I-CAR RTS, Volkswagen glass replacement).
- Audi mirrors the VW windshield guidance and goes further on geometry: its alignment clarification calls for a full four-wheel alignment when rear axle toe was adjusted or suspension components were changed, and stresses confirming the thrust angle is true before calibrating (I-CAR RTS, Audi wheel alignment clarification).
- Mercedes-Benz service guidance states calibration of the multifunction camera near the rearview mirror is required after a windshield replacement, and its collision position statement calls post-repair scanning necessary after collisions regardless of apparent damage (I-CAR RTS, Mercedes-Benz glass replacement; MBUSA collision position statement).
- BMW and MINI route pre- and post-repair diagnostics through BMW's collision repair bulletin, and their bumper guidance restricts stickers or film in the radar's radiated area (I-CAR RTS, BMW/MINI; bumper guidance). Windshield-camera specifics live in the model's ISTA service information, so they are confirmed per VIN.
Volvo
Volvo publishes one of the plainer windshield rules: calibration of the camera and radar unit (ASDM) is required after a windshield replacement (Volvo Car USA, ADAS statement, February 2022). Its bumper guidance adds that ADAS-equipped vehicles may require calibration after a bumper cover is removed or replaced (I-CAR RTS, Volvo bumper cover repair).
The Korean brands: Hyundai, Kia and Genesis
- Hyundai's glass guidance says vehicles with a forward-facing camera "may need to have the camera calibrated" after windshield work (I-CAR RTS, Hyundai glass replacement), and its corner-radar guidance is blunt: damaged, contaminated or overspray-affected corner radars "must be replaced and recalibrated according to shop manual procedures" (I-CAR RTS, crn-2227). Hyundai also requires pre- and post-repair scans "regardless if a warning light or malfunction indicator light is illuminated" (Hyundai, June 2025).
- Kia's glass guidance carries the same caution: "vehicles equipped with a forward-facing camera will need to have the camera calibrated" (I-CAR RTS, Kia glass replacement). Kia's scanning statement calls pre- and post-repair scans "an essential task" rather than an option (Kia, May 2021).
- Genesis is the most direct of the three: "The Front View camera will require calibration if the windshield is removed/installed or replaced" (I-CAR RTS, Genesis glass replacement).
How to use this on an estimate
The pattern to act on is simple: if the glass carries a camera, plan the calibration as part of the windshield operation, then confirm the exact procedure and method for the VIN in the manufacturer's service information. Focal ADAS maintains the underlying manufacturer position statements on its OEM procedures page, performs the calibration on-site across the Seattle to Tacoma corridor, and returns documentation that names the OEM requirement, so the line survives the carrier's review. The windshield trigger guide covers the operation itself in detail.
Frequently asked questions
Does every windshield replacement require a calibration?
Only vehicles with a windshield-mounted forward camera or glass-referenced sensors need one, but that now describes most of the fleet. If the vehicle has lane keeping or automatic emergency braking, assume the camera is there and confirm the requirement in the manufacturer's procedure for the VIN.
What happens if the calibration is skipped?
The camera keeps working from the wrong reference point, and it can do so without setting a fault code. Lane keeping and emergency braking then judge distance and lane position from a misaimed image. Manufacturers write their requirements around the repair operation precisely because a clean scan does not prove correct aim.
Which manufacturers publish the strongest windshield language?
Subaru, Genesis, Stellantis, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo state the requirement most directly in public documents. Ford, GM, Nissan, Hyundai and Kia publish requirement language that covers the windshield camera through their scanning and component rules. BMW keeps the specifics in per-model service information.
Does the make change how the calibration is done?
Yes. The manufacturer's procedure sets whether the calibration is static, dynamic or both, what targets or drive cycle it needs, and what counts as a pass. That is looked up per VIN, not chosen by the shop, which is why the procedure reference belongs in the repair file.
Sources
- Ford Motor Company, "Collision Repair Position Statement," October 2025 https://www.oem1stop.com/sites/default/files/FORD%20Position%20Statement%20ADAS%20Scanning%20-%20FNL%20(9-30-25).pdf
- General Motors, "Windshield Replacement" position statement https://www.gmparts.com/content/dam/gmparts/na/us/en/index/trade-professionals/position-statements/02-pdfs/windshield-replacement.pdf
- General Motors, "Pre and Post Collision Diagnostic Scans," March 2026 https://www.gmparts.com/content/dam/gmparts/na/us/en/index/trade-professionals/position-statements/02-pdfs/pre-and-post-collision-diagnostic-scans.pdf
- Nissan, "Collision Position Statement, ADAS Components," 2026, via I-CAR RTS https://rts.i-car.com/crn-2388.html
- Stellantis/Mopar, "Glass Replacement" position statement, December 2025 https://rts.i-car.com/images/pdf/oem-info/chrysler/position-statements/38225x.pdf
- Stellantis/Mopar, "Bumper/Fascia Repair With ADAS" position statement https://rts.i-car.com/images/pdf/oem-info/chrysler/position-statements/83311.pdf
- FCA US, "Scan Tool Usage" position statement, via I-CAR RTS https://rts.i-car.com/crn-405.html
- I-CAR RTS, "Volkswagen Glass Replacement Requirements." https://rts.i-car.com/crn-448.html
- I-CAR RTS, "OEM Linking Pin: Wheel Alignment, Audi ADAS Clarification." https://rts.i-car.com/collision-repair-news/crn-1605.html
- I-CAR RTS, "Mercedes-Benz Glass Replacement Requirements." https://rts.i-car.com/crn-487.html
- Mercedes-Benz USA, "Collision Position Statement." https://rts.i-car.com/images/pdf/oem-info/mercedes-benz/position-statements/26689.pdf
- I-CAR RTS, "BMW Preliminary Diagnostics For Collision Repairs." https://rts.i-car.com/crn-1356.html
- I-CAR RTS, "Bumper Cover Repair With ADAS: BMW/MINI." https://rts.i-car.com/crn-2347.html
- Volvo Car USA, "Statement on ADAS," February 2022 https://www.oem1stop.com/sites/default/files/Volvo_Position_ADAS(2-22).pdf
- I-CAR RTS, "Bumper Cover Repair With ADAS: Volvo." https://rts.i-car.com/crn-826.html
- I-CAR RTS, "Hyundai Glass Replacement Requirements." https://rts.i-car.com/collision-repair-news/crn-453.html
- I-CAR RTS, "Hyundai Corner Radar Guidance," February 2025 https://rts.i-car.com/crn-2227.html
- Hyundai Motor America, "Pre-Repair and Post-Repair System Scanning," June 2025 https://rts.i-car.com/images/pdf/oem-info/hyundai/position-statements/31340x.pdf
- I-CAR RTS, "Kia Glass Replacement Requirements." https://rts.i-car.com/crn-443.html
- Kia America, "Pre- and Post-Repair Scanning," May 2021 https://www.oem1stop.com/sites/default/files/Kia_Pos_Pre-and-Post-Repair-Scanning_Final(5-4-21).pdf
- I-CAR RTS, "Genesis Glass Replacement Requirements." https://rts.i-car.com/crn-1647.html
Focal ADAS handles it on-site, same day, from Seattle to Tacoma.
Keep reading
- Is ADAS Calibration Necessary After a Windshield Replacement?
- Does a Subaru With EyeSight Need Calibration After a Windshield Replacement?
- Does a Toyota Need ADAS Calibration After a Windshield or Collision Repair?
- Does a Honda Need Calibration After a Windshield Replacement?
- Does a Tesla Need ADAS Calibration After a Windshield Replacement?
- What the manufacturers actually require
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