Side detection system temporarily unavailable

[Iceman218]

No help here.  I have a 2021 Sierra AT4 with the same issue.  Tried cleaning the outside of sensors in the corner of the bumper (in the step section) many times and focused the hose on the sensors again today.  The truck is clean, but get the message just as the truck starts up so it seems the error is in history.  It works sometimes but then weeks go by with the start up message "Side Detection is Temporarily Unavailable".  Sure would like to know how to reset it.

 

Update Dec 31, yesterday I drove 71 miles to my son's house and the right mirror stayed lit the whole drive.  But the left mirror started showing rear overtaking vehicles about 20 miles into my drive.  I tried stopping and restarting the vehicle, but the right side remained lit.  Then on my return drive, both mirrors lit up at startup and both worked well at showing rear overtaking vehicles all the way home.  Today, the system again is working normally.  So my input is cleaning the sensors behind the rear bumper corner step is important but takes miles to reset.

Edited December 31, 2023 by Iceman218
Rear side detection now works again.

[POFFCaddyOwner]

What started as a SIDE DETEC ISSUE has triggered other, non-detectable issues.  Free revving/acceleration is the safety issue at hand.  You can watch the tach go up but the vehicle does not lunge forward.  Went shopping at big mall, out of town.  Got back to vehicle got in & started it.   A TON of codes came across the dash & radio.  I got out thinking someone damaged my truck.  Nothing.  Go to leave, it's as tho the truck was in theft mode.  would barely move, all kinds of errors flashing...then it DID go into theft mode, key fob wouldnt even work.  wouldnt start, and as it's push button start, had to call a tow truck....$$$ to get back home!   Sat overnight.  I googled theft mode & tried many tactics...still wouldnt start.. Mechanic put snap on diagnosis scanner - SIDE DETEC code only code stored.  Battery IS good.  anyone one else who had SIDE DETEC code/check engine light on have additional problems with the "moving" of the vechicle?  Was told to have computer modules reprogrammed...that they need to be "relearned".  I've put lots of $ at this truck the past year that has 138k miles:  both upper & lower ball joints, new fuel pump, new fuel sensor, both front struts to name a few.  Before spending $400 for each SIDE DETEC sensor (GM part) as other name brands dont seem to last, just wondering if all driving problems are from another part/computer or in fact the SIDE DETEC can cause multiple problems.  

[Melanie Gentry]

I have a 2023 1500 LTZ and after a recent wreck the right Detection System Unavailable began illuminating upon startup. I have been to the dealership only once but will be going back.

[billyf]

I have a 2001 Sierra SLT and have same problem. Side detection seems to work alright on shorter trips. I travel a few trips a year over a thousand miles each way. On these longer trips after an hour or so it stops working. When stopping to refuel it seems to work again for an hour or so. The message appears side detection temporarily unavailable. I have had it to dealership 2 seperate times for that problem with no cure. They told me they updated system. But hard to diagnose with problem not occurring while at dealership.  With only 23000 miles on vehicle i think the problem should be taken care of. This is the first vehicle I owned with this feature. When getting accustomed to using it you tend to depend on it,and when it stops working it can be dangerous. 

 

 

[Rborrego]

I have a 2018 Chevy Traverse High Country with side collision temporary unavailable message on the front display. My Traverse is clean and garage kept. Of course this issue started a year after the warranty ended. The dealership wants to charge me $600 to trouble shoot. Not to fix it just troubleshoot. I purchased the Haynes repair manual but nothing in there. I figured maybe a fuse or something simple but nothing. 
we live our 2018 Traverse. It only has 60k miles. 

[Mich337]

I have the same issue, brought to the dealer, they said it’s an issue with dirt/ salt buildup. Was told it is a know problem with no fix other than to take unit apart and clean. Since it’s listed as a “maintenance “ item dealer is not responsible for the repair. The vehicle (2026 2500hd) it is washed 2/3 per week. I have taken it to a self service wash and sprayed all around units, still not working. Was told that I need to take them off and clean them. Going back on previous posts, some as long as 6 years you would think that GM would have found a fix, possibly enclosed the area. So even after this gets resolved, the system is useless because as much as I enjoyed it on my Ford, I won’t trust it on my GMC.

[Mich337]

On 2/26/2026 at 7:43 PM, Mich337 said:

I have the same issue, brought to the dealer, they said it’s an issue with dirt/ salt buildup. Was told it is a know problem with no fix other than to take unit apart and clean. Since it’s listed as a “maintenance “ item dealer is not responsible for the repair. The vehicle (2026 2500hd) it is washed 2/3 per week. I have taken it to a self service wash and sprayed all around units, still not working. Was told that I need to take them off and clean them. Going back on previous posts, some as long as 6 years you would think that GM would have found a fix, possibly enclosed the area. So even after this gets resolved, the system is useless because as much as I enjoyed it on my Ford, I won’t trust it on my GMC.

 

[Mich337]

Took the units out, cleaned them(really was not to dirty). Reinstalled and still “temporarily unavailable “. Read online to disconnect ground cable on battery for 10 minutes, nope still does not work. Anyone have any thoughts?

[Z45]

Had some friends who had similar issues with a Buick SUV.  Only thing that worked was sitting in the dealers shop for couple days (dried out?).  Apparently our Michigan severe winters and the SUV bring driven on snow covered (often deep snow) back roads caused some anomaly and once the vehicle warmed up and dried out, things were back to normal.

 

Maybe not your issue but with all the electronic sensors on these vehicles it can have you chasing ghosts. 

[PhilB]

Wife's 2019 Traverse has the same issue.  First it was the driver's side not working.  Now it's both sides not working.  Occasionally they do work.  I suspect it could be the wiring.  Looked at YT videos on this issue, and you have to take the entire rear bumper cover off to get to the sensors and wiring.   Wife is not too concerned about it so it's not high on the priority list.  

[Kbob]

I purchased an aftermarket bumper to replace the OEM 2024 Chevrolet Silverado bumper.  My blind spot  sensors in the mirrors stopped working and I got the Side warning temporarily not working warning.  

For those with aftermarket bumpers, check to see that the sensors are electrically isolated from the new bumper.  You can use an ohm meter to verify this.   In my case the bumper came with a steel adapter that held the sensor and some 5mm steel bolts holding the adapter and a plastic blanking plate into an opening in the bumper.  I replaced the bolts with 1/4 inch X 1 inch nylon bolts and nuts from Ace Hardware.  This isolated the sensor from the bumper and the system now works and no warning.  Total cost, about $10.00.  The attachment to the bumper creates a ground loop and glitches the system