Back Bumper Replacement Cost
The Average Cost for Replacing a Back Bumper Is Between $150 and $1,100 Depending on if You Go to the Mechanic or DIY.
This price range is based on national averages for all vehicles and does not factor in taxes, fees, or your particular make and model. For a more accurate estimate based on your make, model, and location, use the RepairPal Fair Price Estimator.
Get a more accurate estimate for your back bumper replacement using RepairPal’s Fair Price Estimator:
Cost at the Mechanic: $450 to $1,800
Parts: $150 to $1,100
Labor: $300 to $700
The final price for replacing your vehicle’s back bumper varies greatly depending on your make and model. In addition to paying for the bumper itself, you will need to pay for the installation and painting of your vehicle’s new bumper. If the mechanic has a bumper for your vehicle at the shop, this job can take around three hours to complete. If the mechanic must order your bumper, you’re looking at three to five days to complete this job.
Another factor is whether more than just the bumper needs to be replaced. A minor parking lot tap is probably fine, but a hard hit can crumple the body structure behind the bumper. This will need to get fixed before installing a replacement bumper. Otherwise, the new bumper won’t fit properly.
Cost to DIY: $150 to $1,100
- Difficulty Level: Beginner to Intermediate, unless more bodywork is required
- Parts Needed:
Replacing your back bumper can be a relatively easy DIY job. If you want to take this task on yourself, you can save quite a bit of money. Always refer to your vehicle’s owner’s manual or repair guide to make sure you have the right parts for your vehicle, as well as everything you’ll need to replace your back bumper before you start working. Be aware that many types of bumpers exist, and each model’s back bumper differs slightly.
What Is a Back Bumper?
Bumpers are designed to absorb impacts during a collision. They can also keep another vehicle from going underneath yours in a crash. A back bumper covers the rear portion of your vehicle. For many models, back bumpers are purely aesthetic. Some vehicles don’t even have back bumpers at all.
The part of the bumper you usually see might be anything from a simple molded plastic piece to a heavy-duty protective cover. Some vehicle components, such as lights and sensors, might integrate into the bumper. Behind the plastic, there is a more solid structural piece that actually protects your vehicle. There is often a great deal of foam as well, which helps to absorb the force of the crash.
What Does a Back Bumper Replacement Include?
When you take your vehicle into the shop to have its bumper replaced after a collision, the mechanic should also look for any frame or body damage. If you’re simply replacing the back bumper for aesthetic reasons, such as scratches in the paint or plastic, you shouldn’t have to worry about issues with the frame. Bumper replacement can take around three hours, but your mechanic might have to order the replacement parts, which can take several days.
The difficulty of this replacement job depends on the extent of the damage to your bumper. Replacing an entire bumper assembly will take longer and cost more than replacing just the bumper cover. Repairs to body damage behind the bumper will increase the cost and complexity significantly. If you want your bumper to match your vehicle’s body color, you might also have to get it painted. Talk to your mechanic or dealership technician about options for replacing your back bumper to get a better estimate of the final bill’s amount.
What Happens If You Don’t Replace Your Back Bumper?
If you have a vehicle that has a bumper designed to absorb impacts and keep other vehicles from going underneath it in a crash, you might lose these benefits if your rear bumper is damaged.
Some bumpers have taillights, cameras, sensors, and other components integrated into them. Check your owner’s manual or inspect your vehicle to see if any of these additional components have been damaged or are at risk of damage.
How Often to Replace Your Back Bumper
You only need to replace your back bumper if it has suffered damage in an impact of some kind. Even then, you might not need to replace it if the impact was minor. If you’ve been involved in a collision but you don’t want to go through the expense of having your damaged back bumper replaced, you should at least have your vehicle inspected to make sure no structural damage has occurred. If your back bumper has only been scratched or dented, you might not have to worry about replacing it.
Common Symptoms You Need to Replace Your Back Bumper
If you want to preserve the aesthetics of your vehicle, you can simply replace its back bumper as needed. But if any of the below symptoms apply to your situation, you might want to replace your back bumper to maintain or improve your safety on the road:
- Your bumper is easily moved, threatening to fall off
- Pieces of your bumper could fall off onto the road
- Your back bumper is rubbing against the ground
- Your back bumper is missing entirely
- The back bumper is damaged in such a way that it might be a sign of a damaged frame
The idea is to ensure your vehicle is as safe as it can be on the road. Though an unscathed back bumper isn’t required for safe driving, make sure that a damaged back bumper isn’t going to put you or your vehicle’s occupants in any danger.
Related Maintenance Services
The following services are commonly performed with back bumper replacements:
- Frame repair
- Taillight replacement
- Painting
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