Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Blind Spot Monitor System
To avoid serious or fatal injury on vehicles equipped with airbags, disable the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) before attempting any steering wheel, steering column, airbag, seat belt tensioner, impact sensor or instrument panel component diagnosis or service. Disconnect and isolate the battery negative (ground) cable, then wait two minutes for the system capacitor to discharge before performing further diagnosis or service. This is the only sure way to disable the SRS. Failure to take the proper precautions could result in accidental airbag deployment.
The following textual messages related to the Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) system may appear within the Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) display of the Instrument Cluster (IC) (also known as the Common Instrument Cluster/CIC):
- BLIND SPOT SYSTEM OFF - This message to the vehicle operator when the ignition switch first transitions to the On status indicates that the BSM system has been turned Off using the customer programmable features function of the EVIC.
- SERVICE BLIND SPOT SYSTEM - This message to the vehicle operator while the ignition switch status is On indicates that the BSM system is unavailable due to a monitored system fault.
- BLIND SPOT SYSTEM TEMPORARILY UNAVAILABLE
- This message to the vehicle operator while the ignition switch status is On indicates that the BSM system is temporarily unavailable as a result of one of the following:
- Sensor Blockage Present - The amber BSM visual icon in both outside rear view mirrors will be illuminated as long as the blockage exists.
- Sensor Misalignment - The amber BSM visual icon in both outside rear view mirrors will be illuminated as long as the misalignment exists.
If the BLIND SPOT SYSTEM TEMPORARILY UNAVAILABLE message is received for a minimum of 5 minutes, please verify that the outboard area at each end of the rear bumper fascia behind the rear wheel openings where the radar sensors are located is not blocked by snow, ice or road debris. If the area is blocked, remove the blockage. Full system functionality should be restored after about 2 minutes of driving. Then verify that the message is no longer present in the EVIC display.
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.