Buy Chevrolet (Chevy) Tahoe Parking Assist Sensor

Quick Summary

The parking assist sensor on a Chevrolet Tahoe is a small ultrasonic "backup sensor" that lives in the plastic bumper. It sends out sound waves, times the echo, and warns the driver with beeps or seat shakes when objects are 6 feet (rear) or 4 feet (front) away. (Chevrolet) The system works only at low speeds, so it is mostly a parking helper. When dirt, water, or a trailer hitch blocks the sensor, false alerts or a "Service Park Assist" message can pop up. (NHTSA, Tahoe Yukon Forum) Replacing a failed sensor is a fast job (about 30 minutes) and costs roughly $385-$436 parts + labor. (RepairPal.com)

What It Does

• Uses 40 kHz ultrasonic pulses, the same frequency as many house-hold range finders. (comton.en.made-in-china.com)
• Measures distance up to 6 ft and feeds that data to a control module, which then drives warning chimes or seat vibration. (Chevrolet)
• Switches off automatically above about 5 mph so highway driving is not disturbed. (YouTube)

Where It Lives

• Sensors are nickel-size circles spaced across the front and rear bumpers-usually four in back and four in front. (Tahoe Yukon Forum)
• On recent Tahoes (2021-2025), the rear sensors sit 18-22 inches above the ground for best line-of-sight. (GM Envolve)
• A wiring harness routes signals to a park-assist control module hidden behind interior trim. (NHTSA)

Model Coverage

All Tahoe generations from 2007 through 2025 offer parking assist (sometimes called "Rear Park Assist" or "Front & Rear Park Aid") either standard or as an option, including Police PPV and High Country trims. (GM Envolve, experience.gm.com)

Common Problems

• Water intrusion into the connector causes intermittent beeps. (NHTSA)
• Paint buildup after body work blocks the sonar. GM advises never to paint a used sensor. (I-CAR)
• Sensor mis-alignment after a bumper tap changes the angle and reduces range. (NHTSA)
• Tow hitch reflections create constant tones; use the in-dash button to disable sensors while towing. (Tahoe Yukon Forum, The Hull Truth)

Warning Signs

• Long steady tone as soon as you shift to Reverse.
• "Service Park Assist" message in the driver display. (Tahoe Yukon Forum)
• One sensor is silent when listened to with a mechanic's stethoscope (good ones tick faintly). (YouTube)

Fix & Replace

1. Pop the faulty sensor out of the bumper from the back side.
2. Transfer the rubber grommet (if any).
3. Seat the new sensor squarely-torque the retaining clip to 3 N·m (hand-tight). (NHTSA)
4. Clear any stored codes with a scan tool or by cycling the key after repair.

Cleaning Tips

• Wipe sensors gently with a damp microfiber cloth; avoid high-pressure spray direct hits. (Consumer Reports)
• In winter, knock off ice around the bumper before driving; solid ice "blinds" the sensor. (NHTSA)

Calibration

After replacement, the Tahoe usually self-calibrates during the first low-speed drive. If warnings persist, run the "Park Assist Learn" routine with a scan tool or follow the GM reset bulletin. (NHTSA, NHTSA)

Specs

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Safety & Law

While not yet required by U.S. law, rear-vision systems (cameras) are mandatory on new light vehicles; ultrasonic sensors are an accepted supplement that helps meet NCAP safety ratings. (NHTSA) Some Tahoe police models add rear cross-traffic alerts that share these sensors for side detection. (GM Envolve)

Costs

• Sensor part: $120-$180 list, less online.
• Labor: 0.5-1.0 hour at $100-$150/hour.
• Total typical bill: $385-$436. (RepairPal.com)
  Diagnosis alone (if unsure which sensor is bad) averages $122-$179. (RepairPal.com)

Extra Tech

Modern Tahoes tie the parking sensors into the camera view. When an object is detected, yellow bars overlay the screen and a left-right chair-shake points to danger. (YouTube) Future models are expected to merge ultrasonic data with short-range radar for even finer object tracking. (NHTSA)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How many sensors does my Tahoe have?
A: Most trims have eight-four in front, four in back. Some lower trims have only the four rear sensors. (GM Envolve)

Q: Does a dirty sensor trigger the warning?
A: Yes. Snow, mud, or even heavy rain can cause false alerts or a blank screen; wiping them clean usually fixes it. (NHTSA)

Q: Can I paint a new sensor to match my bumper?
A: New sensors arrive primer-ready and may be painted once with light coats. Never repaint a used sensor-extra paint stops it from "hearing." (I-CAR)

Q: What tools do I need for replacement?
A: Only a trim tool or small screwdriver to release bumper clips, plus a basic scanner or the ignition-cycle method to clear codes. (NHTSA)

Q: Will the system work while towing a trailer?
A: You can turn it off with the console button to avoid constant beeps, then switch it on again when the hitch is removed. (Tahoe Yukon Forum, The Hull Truth)

Q: How do I test which sensor is dead?
A: With the key on and park assist active, put a finger on each sensor; a good one vibrates faintly. No vibration usually means failure. (YouTube)

Q: Is the sensor waterproof?
A: It is water-resistant, but submerged connectors or cracked housings can corrode and fail. (NHTSA)

Q: Why does the alert stay on even after replacing the sensor?
A: The control module sometimes stores a hard fault; clear it with a scan tool or perform the reset steps in the GM bulletin. (NHTSA)

Q: Does it need calibration every service?
A: No. It only needs calibration after sensor or bumper replacement, or if you change ride height. (NHTSA)

Q: What other names might this part have?
A: Backup sensor, reverse sensor, park-aid detector, ultrasonic parking module, PDC sensor-all refer to the same device.