So My Tahoe Got Rear Ended...

Bikinjohn · April 21, 2009

Well driving home last night, stopped at a stop sign waiting for traffic to clear to make a left when POW! Well everyone was ok so far but now my rear end is damaged and the park assist doesn't work and the truck likes to tell me so on the DIC. So when I put it in reverse I get a red light. So my question is, is there an upgrade to the rear of the vehicle, like a Denali rear or something? Or do they all look the same with one having more chrome strips, etc. I just figured if it's getting replaced might as well do it with something nicer. I was going to ask on Tahoeforum.com too but they seem to be down. I log in and it gives a database error and nothing's been posted since 4/7/09. And I know the rules...so here are the pics:

As you can see the guy seems to be parked a little too close:

Oh Snap! Pontiac G6 front end FAIL (Actually, it crumpled like it was supposed to, but it sure made some awful noises as I pulled my truck up) And no paint transfer since our cars were the same color.

My truck's damage:

tobias · April 21, 2009

II believe the '09's are using the Escalade rear fascia. I would personally explore going that route either way including the LED tails and new pillar vent covers. The Escalade rear has a little more chrome but also has the integrated hitch cover which is nice.

Sorry about your luck but glad to hear everyone is okay! Welcome to the site, again!

stadt11 · April 21, 2009

D@mn, that sucks, sorry to hear. That G6 looks totaled.

Z71kris · April 21, 2009

yes the g6 took the brunt of that..

Bikinjohn · April 21, 2009

Another thing I was wondering, this truck's supposed to have rear sensors that activate the seatbelt pre-tensioners to prevent wiplash. Is that something that will have to be replaced because I thoguht the pretensioners were a gas/explosive charge that cinched up the seatbelt, thus a one time use thing.

coffeeman2881 · April 21, 2009

I've been in your shoes before with an 03 Z71 Tahoe and getting rear ended sucks. Good Luck...

tobias · April 21, 2009

Another thing I was wondering, this truck's supposed to have rear sensors that activate the seatbelt pre-tensioners to prevent wiplash. Is that something that will have to be replaced because I thoguht the pretensioners were a gas/explosive charge that cinched up the seatbelt, thus a one time use thing.

I'm not sure if the vehicle does or does not have that system but yes, the pre-tensioners are a one-shot deal. My guess is that if the belt was not in use, the pre-tensioners did not go off. If your seat belts still function they did not go off.

Bikinjohn · April 21, 2009

Another thing I was wondering, this truck's supposed to have rear sensors that activate the seatbelt pre-tensioners to prevent wiplash. Is that something that will have to be replaced because I thought the pretensioners were a gas/explosive charge that cinched up the seatbelt, thus a one time use thing.

I'm not sure if the vehicle does or does not have that system but yes, the pre-tensioners are a one-shot deal. My guess is that if the belt was not in use, the pre-tensioners did not go off. If your seat belts still function they did not go off.

Well we were both wearing our seatbelts and teh truck is equipped with that system as far as I know. That was one of the safety whooplahs for the new '07 when it came out. But I did not smell anything funky in the truck after the accident so I don't know. Can they tell if they've been deployed at the body shop without popping interior body panels?

tobias · April 21, 2009

Another thing I was wondering, this truck's supposed to have rear sensors that activate the seatbelt pre-tensioners to prevent wiplash. Is that something that will have to be replaced because I thought the pretensioners were a gas/explosive charge that cinched up the seatbelt, thus a one time use thing.

I'm not sure if the vehicle does or does not have that system but yes, the pre-tensioners are a one-shot deal. My guess is that if the belt was not in use, the pre-tensioners did not go off. If your seat belts still function they did not go off.

Well we were both wearing our seatbelts and teh truck is equipped with that system as far as I know. That was one of the safety whooplahs for the new '07 when it came out. But I did not smell anything funky in the truck after the accident so I don't know. Can they tell if they've been deployed at the body shop without popping interior body panels?

See bold text above.

mr_bots · April 21, 2009

That really sucks about your Tahoe. The pretentioners are probably like airbags, the acceleration forces have to be over a certain threshold to activate. Your damage looks minor compared to the G6, maybe $2500-3000. Good lookin' Tahoe though

pennzoil29 · April 21, 2009

Sorry to hear about your accident. I'm glad all is alright.

2005LT · April 21, 2009

Welcome to the site John and sorry to hear about the accident. It looks like the Tahoe came out pretty well considering the damage to the G6. Just looks like the rear bumper panel.

Bikinjohn · April 21, 2009

Welcome to the site John and sorry to hear about the accident. It looks like the Tahoe came out pretty well considering the damage to the G6. Just looks like the rear bumper panel.

Well I got to lookin' under there and there's a small metal bracket that's welded to the metal bumper under the fascia, it's bent flat. The other part is where the metal bumper (Which is what the hitch receiver is intergrated into) bolts to the frame is slightly pushed in on the impact side so I don't know if they're going to replace that whole bar or just bend it back out. The tail lights aren't damaged and the liftgate still clears. Also the rear drivers side door seems to feel different when I open it, like there's a problem with the latch. I don't know if it's from the accident or if I just happened to have noticed it because of the accident but the latch/handle deal definitly feels different than the other 3 doors.

Thanks for everyone welcoming me and being glad I'm OK. I feel cared for