Chip or Crack in Front of Your Windscreen Camera

Chip or Crack in Front of Your Windscreen Camera

A chip anywhere on the windscreen is a nuisance, but a chip right in front of your driver-assistance camera is a different matter. The camera reads the road through that small patch of glass, so damage there can affect the safety features that rely on it.

Where the Camera Looks

Most cameras sit at the top of the windscreen behind the rear-view mirror, inside a black housing. They look through a small window of clear glass, often surrounded by the black frit. See how to tell if your windscreen has a camera and what the black dots on your windscreen are.

Why Damage There Matters

• A chip or crack can scatter light and distort what the camera sees.
• Features such as lane-keep assist, traffic-sign recognition and automatic emergency braking may work less reliably, or switch off.
• You may see a camera warning on the dash.

Can It Be Repaired?

Usually not. Even a good resin repair leaves a slight optical change, which is fine for your eyes but can affect a camera. Many vehicle manufacturers advise against repairs in the camera’s viewing area, so damage there generally means a replacement windscreen followed by calibration. A technician will check the exact position against your vehicle. Calibration costs vary by vehicle and are quoted separately; Aussie AutoGlass coordinates with specialist calibration providers where it’s needed.

Damage elsewhere on the glass, away from the camera and the edges, can often be repaired. Stone chip and crack repairs start from $110. See types of windscreen chips and cracks.

What to Do Now

• Take a photo showing the chip and the camera housing together.
• Note any warning lights or features behaving differently.
• Avoid placing stickers, toll tags or dashcams in front of the camera — see toll tags and dashcams after a replacement.
• Book an inspection.

Frequently Asked Questions

My car shows no warning. Is the camera fine?

Not necessarily. A camera can work with reduced accuracy without showing a warning. Have it checked.

How close to the camera is too close?

It depends on the vehicle and the camera’s field of view. A technician will assess it.

Will a new windscreen fix the camera?

The new glass gives the camera a clear view, and calibration confirms it is aiming correctly. See ADAS recalibration.

Can I drive in the meantime?

Usually, carefully, but do not rely on the driver-assistance features until it is fixed.

Chip near your windscreen camera? Aussie AutoGlass is a mobile service across greater Sydney — we come to your home or workplace. Book an appointment or call 0405 412 951.