Issues With Rear Backup Assist? Hit A Pole!

coyotefreek · July 19, 2008

I feel like I'm always complaining on here I promise to have some more positive and constructive posts soon.

So I have the Rear Backup Assist on my brand new 08 Sierra Crew. I've had the truck now for almost 2 months and was finally starting to trust the sensors a bit more. Not a good move apparently. Now let me preface this by saying that I truly was watching and not going more then a couple mph, and I have witnesses lol.

So I'm backing up the other day watching behind me and checking out the sensors. While backing up it pinged and I was at one circle on the gauge. I knew that there was a wall several feet behind me so I thought so far so good, but I didn't know there was a pole in front of the wall. So I feel it hit and see that I hit the pole. No chimes, sensors never changed from one bar, nothing. Now whats more upsetting is that the pole literally hit the right most sensor so its not like I was coming at an odd angle or anything. There was no excuse for it not to see the pole.

I took it to the dealer and they did some tests on the system and say they couldn't find anything wrong with it and that its "operating to spec". Now they found a guide on the back up sensors and one of the things it says is that the system wont sense anything 3" in diameter or less. I went back and measured the pole and its 5".

I'm going to go back to the pole again and do further testing to see if any of the other sensors sense it and such. I'm hoping that if I can prove the system is not working properly to their spec of "greater then 3"" I can get the dealer to do something. I'll take some pictures of everything to post on here. I showed the bumper to my body shop and they quoted me $400 to replace the Pass Side Chrome cap and Pass side bumper mount. I was actually surprised but the pass side of the bumper actually pushed towards the truck about 1/2" but the brackets and everything look fine so its hopefully just the chrome piece is bent in which case it will be $330. Cant really tell how its pushed back, I thought truck bumpers are designed to push down and under in the event of an accident?

So here's the question, any similar experiences? Recommendations? Dealer is full of crap? Note I'm not intending for this to be a flame the dealer thread, I just want to know what to do to get my bumper fixed. Thanks

huero626 · July 19, 2008

The Rear Parking Assist is a cool feature and it is pretty accurate but I don't fully trust it, that is why I'm always looking in my mirrors to see what is behind me.

Zembonez · July 19, 2008

The Rear Parking Assist is a cool feature and it is pretty accurate but I don't fully trust it, that is why I'm always looking in my mirrors to see what is behind me.

No system will "see" everything. A lot depends on the size, construction, and shape of the object. That's why they still put that big rectangular glass thing in the back of the cab!

Yeah... I'm kidding. That sucks man.

slimjim2525 · July 19, 2008

+1

redsled2007 · July 19, 2008

I've had my Sierra Denali since April of 2007. Since then I've had my truck in to the dealer 4 times for the parking assist malfuntioning.(Backing out of drive way it just goes off beeping and flashing all three lights) Each time that I've taken it to the dealer I've been told "Sorry, we don't have anybody here that knows anything about this system." So other then checking the sensors, that's all they'll do.

Pretty frustrating for a system that's been out for a couple of years and a dealer that's been a GMC/Buick/Cadilac dealer for over 25 years can't (or won't) figure this system out!!

zxcv · July 19, 2008

When I read your thread topic - I was gonna say "Duh! What the hell do you think is going to happen to your backup assist if you hit it with a pole!?" Buuuut oh well!

Haha, I don't have that option on my truck, but I've got a trailer hitch that does pretty much the same thing. I just back up slowly until I feel some resistance. That's my trailer hitch hitting something.

In all seriousness, my dad has this on his SRX. It's been flawless so far, and I tried backing up into our basketball net. It's about 5" or 6" diameter post that is cemented in to the ground. The sensors detect it every time. I'm guessing that there might be a problem with your rear assist - maybe it isn't calibrated right? Is that possible?

scottydawg · July 19, 2008

I had this system in my 2007 Suburban and I trusted it and backed into another TRUCK.

The system doesn't work, it's just a sales pitch.

pm26 · July 20, 2008

I had this system in my 2007 Suburban and I trusted it and backed into another TRUCK.

The system doesn't work, it's just a sales pitch.

I suspect that these things are rather useless and create a sense of false confidence. I would not pay a dime for one of these "systems". A good backup camera - that would be much more useful.

slimjim2525 · July 20, 2008

I had this system in my 2007 Suburban and I trusted it and backed into another TRUCK.

The system doesn't work, it's just a sales pitch.

That's what i'm beginning to learn by this thread.

rvsahs · July 20, 2008

The Rear Parking Assist is a cool feature and it is pretty accurate but I don't fully trust it, that is why I'm always looking in my mirrors to see what is behind me.

No system will "see" everything. A lot depends on the size, construction, and shape of the object. That's why they still put that big rectangular glass thing in the back of the cab!

Yeah... I'm kidding. That sucks man.

All the technology in the world just doesn't replace plain old common sense. I have this feature in my truck too, but heaven help me if I just start backing up and hope the rear parking assist pulls my ass out of a jam.

By the same token, document what happened Coyote, hope you can duplicate the problem, and see if you can get a break from the dealer/GM.

D&SYukonDenali · July 20, 2008

I really don't trust the sensors. Mirrors and camara are my backing assist of choice.

jrrod2004 · July 20, 2008

If the sensors are dirty in any way, that really screws them up. another common item would be that the wire connections are loose. The main thing though is what everyone else said, that it will not 'see' everything.

HawkeyeOC · July 20, 2008

So far mine has worked flawlessly.

I now probably trust it too much after having a hell of a time trusting it all to begin with when I bought it. It even beeps in reverse while still in my driveway and a car is passing by on my street, it loves pedestrians and can detect hedges and little cars far below my bumper. And man, what it does for me at night while backing up when the shell on my truck makes looking behind me useless!

There is a reason why they tack on that word "assist" to this option I guess It's not foolproof, only a tool just like your mirrors are. There is no susbtitute for being aware of your surroundings

redsled2007 · July 20, 2008

If the sensors are dirty in any way, that really screws them up.

Also, if it's raining the sensors are useless!!

saxdogg · July 22, 2008

I use mine daily backing into my driveway up to my garage doors, work flawlessly. I would bet it got "confused" by a big wall and just couldn't "see" the pole/wall combo....it's not that smart. You still have to visually confirm what you're backing up to, check it's clear and THEN use the sensors. Going blind into will result in a crash almost for sure one day...