Typical front bumper replacement costs
| Job | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bumper cover only (painted, installed) | $600–$1,200 | Aftermarket or used cover, no sensors |
| Full replacement, painted & installed | $900–$2,000 | Most common: new cover + paint + labor |
| With parking sensors / cameras | $1,200–$2,500 | Sensor transfer, testing, extra labor |
| With radar + ADAS recalibration | $1,500–$3,000+ | Calibration alone is $200–$600 |
| Luxury / EV (Tesla, BMW, Mercedes) | $2,000–$4,000+ | OEM-only parts, complex sensors |
What affects the price
- OEM vs. aftermarket vs. used. An OEM cover fits perfectly and matches mounting points; aftermarket can save $200–$400 but fitment varies. A used cover in your color is the budget play, but paint fade rarely matches.
- Sensors and cameras. Parking sensors, fog lights, tow-hook covers, and radar units behind the bumper all add parts and labor. Radar for adaptive cruise usually requires calibration afterward — skip it and your safety systems may not work right.
- Paint and blending. A bumper is almost never just bolted on. It gets painted off the car, and on metallics, pearls, and tri-coats the shop blends into the fenders so it doesn't look like a replacement. That's $300–$700 of the bill.
- Trim-specific parts. This is the big one people miss. A bumper cover for a base trim vs. the sport trim with sensor holes and a different grille opening are different part numbers at different prices. Always price by exact trim.
- Hidden damage. The absorber foam, impact bar, and brackets behind the cover crush on impact. A good shop checks them; a cheap quote that ignores them isn't a complete repair.
- Shop labor rate. Body labor runs roughly $75–$150/hour depending on region. A bumper is typically 2–4 hours plus paint time.
Repair vs. replace
Small cracks and scuffs can sometimes be plastic-welded and refinished for $300–$600 — but only if the damage is cosmetic and no mounting tabs are broken. Once tabs snap or the cover is torn through, replacement is the honest answer. Any quote that plastic-welds a structural tear and calls it done is cutting corners.
Related cost guides
Frequently asked questions
Can I drive with a cracked front bumper?
Usually yes for a cracked cover, but get it checked: a cracked bumper can mean a crushed absorber behind it, which won't protect you the same way in a second hit. Also, dangling pieces and exposed wiring are a no.
Should I use OEM or aftermarket bumper parts?
OEM fits best and keeps sensor mounting exact. Quality aftermarket (CAPA-certified) is fine for many cars and saves real money. I'd avoid no-name covers on cars with radar or cameras — sensor alignment is picky.
How long does a front bumper replacement take?
The job itself is usually 1–2 days once parts arrive. Paint has to cure, and ADAS calibration adds time. Parts availability is what stretches most jobs to a week.
Will insurance cover my bumper replacement?
Collision coverage does, minus your deductible. If the repair is $1,200 and your deductible is $1,000, filing rarely makes sense — and a claim can raise your premium.