Blind Spot Detection problems of the 2016 GMC Acadia

Hello. I got a recall and fixed in July 2021 for blind spot sensors/modules on my 2016 GMC Acadia slt. Now 3. 5 years later im having the same issue with these sensors that are located in the rear bumper of the car, they get water damage, corrosion, and then fail. A very poor design. And seems like the recall didn't fixed the issue either. This must to be a common issue for this car, lots of complaints online even after the recall. And the car dealership wont cover it because it was already fixed at that time and my warranty on my car expired not to long ago. They said it would be about $2000 to fix. I feel like this prematurely failed and it was recalled once for the same issue but now failed again is crazy after 3. 5 years. This shouldn't be a on going thing especially after a recall. I shouldn't have to pay for this outta my own pocket for a flawed design and would like my repairs for this to be covered again. Please help. Attached is a invoice from July of 2021 recall that was repaired. I only got a verbal estimate from the dealership (text messages) which I do have. Saying that it would be a $2000 fix this time. I didn't go through with it because I feel like it should be covered. Attached pictures of sensor/module in rear bumper that is corroded. Lights on both side mirrors will come on and stay on. Won't shut off. Messages on dash saying "service side dectection system". Blind zone setting won't shut off.

In March of 2022 the vehicle displayed a warning to service the side detection system. On March 31st 2022 the dealership diagnosed that the side blind zone alert module failed due to water intrusion. The replacement of the modular was completed free of charge under "campaign - n172097060 special coverage adjustment". In December of 2024 the same warning to service the side detection system was activated again, several weeks later the warning lights on the side view mirrors lite up and remained on. Upon bringing the vehicle on February 13th 2025 for service, in it was determined to be caused by the same failed part as the first occurrence. This time the repair was not covered by the dealer, and was 1099. 22. GMC has not solved the underlining problem with these parts. The side detection system is critical when driving a larger SUV for blind zone awareness to avoid collisions while driving in multi lane traffic. When the system failed, the lights on the side view mirrors made driving difficult due to the distraction and glare. Although this problem is known by the manufacture it has provided a permanent solution, as they continue to use the flawed original parts. Due to the sensor being electrical, there was no symptoms prior to failure; the warning appears and continued at each start up. The cost of repairing safety features on an ageing vehicle becomes a burden, especially when those features can only be repaired by a dealership at high prices. This keeps many people from maintaining or fixing their cars, putting others at risk. I have the modular from the most recent repair, and will include a photo if possible.

Special coverage adjustment n172097060 side blind zone alert module water intrusion was issued for my vehicle. I took it in to get fixed and was told I was past the 6 year extension (may 2022) but under the milage (79,199). They told me the parts are on back order from GMC. This was on 04-03-2023. On 04-05-2023 I was driving my vehicle and the instrument cluster went partially blank. I lost my speedometer , tachometer and most of the other gauges. I had numerous warning lights on. The blinkers stopped working and I had no control of any environmental controls or radio functions. I pulled off the side of the road and shut the vehicle off. I tried to restart it, it started but even more things began to fail electrically. I shut if off again, tried another restart and now it would not start. I tried multiple times and could not get it to start. With the car off and the key out of the ignition, the heater control panel would stay on and the fan was running. I tried a few more times and finally got it to run but still had no instrumentation. I was less than a mile from home and tried to make it back. While driving I had no electrical control of anything and no way to determine my speed. I made it back, but now my vehicle will not start at all. With the key out it still runs the heater controls and fan. This is a dangerous situation not being able to control your vehicle electrical systems and being able to start your vehicle. This needs to be a recall, not a manufacture " special coverage adjustment" that they know is a known issue and dont even have to parts to fix it.

Recently the "service side detection system" light came on. Now the blind side monitoring doesn't work. While driving all of lights on the dash, radio, and headlights turned off. I was unable to see the road, my speed, or anything within the vehicle. I did some research and this is a vary common issue with these vehicles and nothing has been done to correct it.

I received an error stating “service side detection system” first. Then I started having issues with every error code coming up, side air bag, the side detection lights staying on at all times while engine is on, and I lost my radio entirely. Without my radio I have back up camera! a dealership told me my wire harness is defective, either a frayed wire, corroded wire, and that it is blowing all my fuses. This is before they have completed my service, at my expense. The electrical system runs my car!! side detection system issues are a safety issue!! it seems this is not the first GMC has heard of this but their response is nothing! how can this safety issue be allowed to continue with GMC not taking steps to fix it in a recall?.

This is a follow up to my last report. My dealer service dept told me my "side detection modules" blew a fuse. When the fuse blew it should have turned them off. It didn't. The modules stayed on 24/7 until all my electrical components went haywire and burned my battery out. After spending $250 on a new battery, I had issues again with the alerts coming on my dic. After extensive tracing of the electrical issue by my local GMC dealer, he told me the side detection modules staying on 24/7 caused not only my battery to burn out but caused the wires to burn to the rear electrical harness. He stated this is a defect with the modules and this could have caused a fire right under where my three children sit! I now have to wait indefinitely to get the modules that my service dealer ordered because so many people are having this same issue that they are on back order forever! so my service dealer had to turn off the modules after he replaced the fused wires and wire harness and I have to drive with that alert on 24/7. This is a disgrace to GMC that this is a recall for other Acadia years but not my 2016 model! other GMC Acadia owners need to be alerted to this potential serious fire hazard!.

I have a 2016 GMC Acadia denali that has a "service side detection" error on the dic. Called in the GMC and there is a special coverage adjustment #n172097060 on this issue. It is supposed to be valid for 6 years / 80,000 miles. My Acadia has 41,000 on it. When GMC entered my VIN, it doesn't show up as being covered?? how can some be covered and some not if they all seem to have this issue?.

I have had the "side detection system" fail twice in 2 years. I see there is an open recall (n172097060) for this issue but this does not come up saying my vehicle is affected when I search the VIN. I believe there is more vehicles included than the 131,652 they is claimed in this report.