Washington Metropolitan Auto Body Association

09/09/2026

🚨 Counterfeit airbags: a growing safety threat our industry can’t ignore.

The latest numbers from NHTSA are alarming: an 11th death has now been linked to a defective counterfeit airbag inflator.

These aren’t simply inferior replacement parts—they can pose a serious and potentially fatal risk to vehicle occupants. And for collision repairers, the challenge is that counterfeit components can make their way into vehicles before they ever arrive at a reputable repair facility.

That makes knowing your parts source, following OEM procedures, and thoroughly inspecting safety systems more important than ever.

A properly repaired vehicle starts with genuine, compliant parts. When it comes to airbags, there is no margin for error.

👉 Read the latest from Repairer Driven News:

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified an 11th death caused by a counterfeit airbag part that the agency banned earlier this year. The death happened Aug. 27 in …

09/09/2026

🚨 Another tragic reminder: counterfeit airbags can be deadly.

NHTSA has now identified an 11th death caused by a defective counterfeit airbag inflator. The agency says the latest fatality occurred in Dallas on August 27 in what was otherwise considered a survivable crash.

For collision repairers, this is more than a parts issue—it’s a vehicle safety issue. Counterfeit components can make their way into previously damaged or salvaged vehicles, sometimes before a vehicle ever reaches a reputable repair facility.

That’s why knowing your parts source, following OEM procedures, and thoroughly inspecting safety systems like airbags and seatbelts are so important.

When it comes to occupant safety, there is no room for counterfeit parts.

👉 Read the latest from Repairer Driven News:

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified an 11th death caused by a counterfeit airbag part that the agency banned earlier this year. The death happened Aug. 27 in …

09/08/2026

🚨 Are collision repairers being heard?

A recent Repairer Driven News article highlights concerns raised by a North Carolina collision repair shop and the Carolinas Collision Association (CCA) regarding the state’s Department of Insurance and its handling of issues affecting repairers.

The concerns center around communication, responsiveness, and whether the perspectives of collision repair professionals are being adequately considered in the regulatory process.

For an industry working every day to navigate increasingly complex repairs, insurance claims, and consumer expectations, having a meaningful voice in these conversations matters.

This is an important read for collision repairers and anyone interested in the regulatory environment affecting our industry.

👉 Read the full article:

A North Carolina collision repair shop and the Carolinas Collision Association (CCA) have taken issue with recent correspondence from the North Carolina Department of Insurance (NCDOI), which advis…

09/04/2026

In the September issue of Hammer & Dolly, we celebrate Washington Metropolitan Auto Body Association Tool Grant award winners, showcase highlights from the July Collision Industry Conference and much more! Available now at
https://www.grecopublishing.com/hammer-and-dolly-september-2026.

09/02/2026

🚗🔧 Big investment. Big opportunity for the next generation of technicians.

The ASE Education Foundation is putting its $25 million, four-year U.S. Department of Labor apprenticeship grant to work expanding Registered Apprenticeship opportunities across the automotive, collision and truck service industries.

The initiative is designed to help employers recruit, train and retain new technicians, with financial incentives tied to apprentice retention milestones. Participating sponsors can receive up to $3,500 per apprentice as they reach 90- and 270-day milestones.

For an industry facing an ongoing shortage of skilled technicians, investments like this can make a meaningful difference—giving more people a pathway into a skilled, rewarding career while helping shops develop the workforce they need.

💡 The future of collision repair depends on developing talent—and apprenticeship is an important part of that future.

👉 Read more about how the funding is being put to work:

This article has been updated since its initial publication to quote Dave Johnson’s answers to Repairer Driven News’ questions, which were provided after the publication deadline. In th…

09/02/2026

⏰Time is running out for Early-Bird Pricing – Register Today!

The 2026 RDE series delivers four days of practical, industry-specific education at The SEMA Show, designed to help collision repair professionals strengthen operations, protect revenue, and bring actionable insight back to the shop.

From repair planning and leadership to technology, financial strategy, mechanical operations, and marketing, these sessions are built around education you can put to work.

Early bird pricing ENDS Friday, September 25. Register now to save and secure your place: https://na2.hubs.ly/H07z0vn0

09/01/2026

📱🚗 How often is cellphone use actually a factor in crashes?

A new study from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) suggests the answer may be significantly higher than police reports indicate.

Researchers examining anonymized telematics data found cellphone use in the 30 seconds before impact in 7% of single-vehicle crashes and 8% of two-vehicle crashes—while police reports recorded phone use in less than 1% of those crashes.

The findings highlight just how difficult it can be to identify distracted driving after a crash—and underscore the importance of keeping our attention where it belongs: on the road.

👉 Read the full story from Repairer Driven News:

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) says its new study, based on anonymized cellphone data from Cambridge Mobile Telematics (CMT), shows that more drivers use cellphones before crashe…

08/31/2026

DEG Inquiry 41796 elaborates on modifications for replacement parts.

“Please reference the following information from the labor general information section of the procedure pages under Additions to labor time: Rework Parts To fit a particular year or model (example: cutting holes for lamps, modifying a radiator support).”

For example, 2024 Ford Bronco front bumper reinforcement may ay require “Drill Holes As Required, Shim As Needed” which can be found in the Ford OEM Parts Catalogue

https://degweb.org/inquiries/41796/

08/19/2026

📋 **Estimators: Is your estimate telling the whole repair story?**

The **Database Enhancement Gateway (DEG)** continues to provide valuable estimating guidance to help repairers identify potential gaps, understand what is—and isn't—included in estimating system labor times, and better document the work required to complete a proper repair.

With estimating challenges constantly evolving, staying current on DEG updates can be another valuable tool in your repair-planning toolbox.

🔎 **Take a look at the latest DEG estimating tips and see what may apply to your shop.**

👉 Read the full article:

The Database Enhancement Gateway’s (DEG) most recent estimate tips explore label replacement labor, welded seams and weld zone repair and refinish, data access fees, masking bumpers with texture or…

08/18/2026

A class action filed in Montana alleges State Farm systematically refuses to pay for pre- and post-repair scans in the state when those scans are performed at independent collision repair shops. S…