How much does it cost to repair or replace truck’s rear bumper?

The rear bumper is a convenient and important exterior accessory for trucks. Its function is to absorb the impact and protect the rear of your vehicle when your truck is involved in a minor or serious collision, minimizing damage and injury. Since the rear bumper is an external protective component that protects the rear of the truck from damage, it is often the most vulnerable to damage when a collision occurs.

Damage to the bumper is a very common thing. For some minor damage, you can repair it at home. If it is serious damage, you will need to seek help from professionals or even replace the bumper. Unfortunately, the cost of repairing or replacing the bumper is not cheap. It mainly depends on the degree of damage to the rear bumper, the repair method, and the vehicle.

In this article, we introduce the cost of repairing or replacing the rear bumper and other key matters. Want to know how much it costs to repair or replace your rear bumper? Let's take a look below!

Types of truck’s rear bumper damage

It is a well-known fact that the cost of repairing a rear bumper depends mainly on the severity of the damage. We divide the damage into minor damage and major damage. Most people prefer to repair rather than replace the bumper. Below, find out what kind of damage your rear bumper is in and take timely countermeasures.

Minor rear bumper damage

We classify damage that can be fixed by repair as minor damage. This minor damage does not affect the structural integrity of the rear bumper, nor does it cause damage to the accessories and body inside the rear bumper, but it will have a certain impact on the appearance of the vehicle. Generally, this damage is caused by extremely minor collisions, such as when you finish shopping at a supermarket and push the shopping cart to the parking lot and accidentally hit the rear bumper of the truck.

The following are common signs of minor damage to the rear bumper:

• Scratches: This is the most common type of minor damage. When the vehicle is parked in a narrow space or has slight contact with other objects, it is easy to get scratches or scrapes. Scratches are limited to the surface paint layer or the outer material of the bumper and will not affect the structural integrity of the bumper.
• Dents: It can also be said to be a slight dent, which is generally caused by a low-speed rear-end collision or a minor collision. It will not penetrate the bumper material and will only leave a dent in the appearance.
• Paint damage: The paint layer on the bumper will be eroded by long-term exposure to bad weather, such as strong sunlight, rain, snow, hail, etc. Ultraviolet rays, in particular, will cause the paint of the bumper to fade or crack.

Major rear bumper damage

When your rear bumper is severely damaged, you will have to replace it with a new one. Unlike minor damage, serious rear bumper damage involves the internal structure of the bumper and even threatens the overall safety performance of the vehicle. This type of damage is often caused by high-speed collisions, rear-end collisions, or high-force impacts.

The following are common signs of serious rear bumper damage:

• Deep dents: When the rear of the vehicle is hit hard, the rear bumper is prone to deep dents. This can penetrate the plastic or metal surface of the bumper. It can even damage the internal support structure. The internal material of the bumper is also compressed by the collision dent and can no longer absorb the impact.
• Cracks: Sometimes the impact force on the rear bumper is too great, and its outer shell will directly crack due to the pressure, exposing the internal metal structure and shock-absorbing materials
• Sensor damage: The rear bumper of modern vehicles integrates a variety of sensors and electronic devices, such as reversing radar, rear camera, parking assist system, etc. When the bumper encounters a serious impact, these precision components will be damaged or fail.

Rear bumper repair cost

Minor damage may only require repair, which can be relatively inexpensive, depending on the type and severity of the damage.

• Scratches: Minor scratches on the surface can be removed by sanding and polishing to restore the bumper to a smooth, flat surface. This type of repair is less expensive, costing anywhere from $50 to $300 for a professional to repair. You can also purchase a DIY bumper paint repair kit for $15 to $30.
• Dents: Dents are easy to repair, and repairers use specialized tools to level the dented portion of the bumper and perform structural repairs. This type of repair is slightly more complex and therefore more expensive, costing anywhere from $150 to $500 or more for a professional repair.
• Paint damage: If the damage only affects the paint layer of the bumper, a partial repaint may be sufficient to repair it. The cost of repainting varies, depending on the difficulty of the color and the quality of the paint, and can range from $200 to $500.

Rear bumper replacement cost

When the rear bumper is damaged beyond repair, especially with deep dents or broken sensors, or when the cost of repair approaches the cost of replacement, it's time to replace the entire bumper. Replacing a rear bumper can cost anywhere from $400 to $900, or more, depending on:

• Vehicle make and model: Bumpers on luxury brands or imports are often more expensive to replace because of the higher cost of parts and require more professional installation services, usually between $1,000 and $3,000.
• Material used for rear bumpers: Plastic bumpers are generally much cheaper than metal bumpers, which cost about $300 to $700, while metal bumpers can cost up to $1,000 or more.
• Labor installation costs: Professionals at auto repair shops charge between $48 and $215 per hour. If you do it yourself, you can save a lot of money.
• Paint and finish options: Many bumpers are black plastic. If you want a custom paint or finish, the cost can increase by $200 to $600.
• Damaged sensors: If your rear bumper has multiple sensors and electronics, such as parking sensors, then its replacement cost will be higher, adding at least $500.

How to save money on repairing and replacing a truck's rear bumper?

Hopefully, the following tips can help you save money on your bumper repair or replacement:

• Consider DIY repairs for minor damage: If your truck's rear bumper has minor damage, such as a small scratch or dent, you can repair it yourself with the right tools and materials.
• Use an aftermarket bumper: Instead of choosing an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) bumper, save money by purchasing an aftermarket bumper. Aftermarket bumpers cost 30-50% less than OEM bumpers. An OEM bumper might cost $300 to $700, but an aftermarket bumper might cost between $150 and $500.
• Buy a used or refurbished bumper: A used bumper can cost much less than a new one, sometimes as little as $100 to $300.
• Shop around for repair quotes: Contact several local repair shops and request detailed estimates for repairs or replacements. We select the most appropriate repair shops based on need and price.
• Insurance claim: If the damage to your rear bumper was caused by an accident and you have comprehensive or collision insurance, you can file a claim.

FAQs

Why is the truck's rear bumper replacement so expensive?

Purchasing a new rear bumper typically costs between $300 and $700, depending on the type of truck, plus labor costs of $50 to $200 per hour, plus the cost of repairing or reattaching the bumper's technical components, which can quickly add up to around $2,000, especially if the damage is extensive.

Can the rear bumper be repaired?

Yes, the rear bumpers can be repaired. For minor scrapes, dings or dents, repairs are possible, usually by sanding, polishing or repainting to restore the appearance. However, if the bumper has severe cracks or deformation, repairs may not be enough and the entire bumper will need to be replaced.