"Front Sensor Not Working" error and losing adaptive cruise and highway assist - are others experiencing this?

[johnmcgrann]

In late February, I started experiencing an issue with an error on one or more of the front sensors. 2022 R1T (1st Gen, <10,000 VIN #).

I was driving on the highway with adaptive cruse + highway assist enabled, a major alert came up on my driver display to report that the sensor failed and that I had to disengage all driver assistance. A few minutes later on that same drive, the error cleared and I was able to engage ACC +HA, but that only lasted for about 5 minutes until I got the same error a second time.

I drove with this for a couple of weeks (through the next update, mostly to see if that resolved anything) and then reported it and got on the schedule for service for April 15 (yesterday).

While I was waiting for my service appointment, I had one other instance where the error cleared and I was able to activate ACC + HA, but this only lasted 10 minutes +/- and failed again. That was about 2 weeks ago.

So yesterday, I am all excited for my service appointment to get this resolved. I get in my truck at 7:30am for the hour-long drive to the service center and... no error. I was able to drive with ACC and HA engaged for the entire drive to the service center! What the heck?!?

I checked in, told the guy all the stuff I just described above, and explained that *at that moment* everything was functioning correctly with no errors. They brought it in, started checking things out. He came out to touch base with me and said something to the effect that "since a recent update, they've been having more reports of sensor errors, they'll confirm that there's no actual hardware/physical problem, and if that's the case, they'll consider this a known software issue that will get resolved." Then he made some reference to the possibility that it could even be related to the network. I was willing to accept the first part about vehicle software, a little more skeptical about the network explanation.

So they get wrapped up, confirm that all the actual sensors seemed fine, and sent me on my way. Basically said there's nothing to fix, I just have to live with it until a future update resolves things permanently.

I drove about 75 more miles yesterday, ACC + HA worked the entire time.

I got in the truck today, drove about 30 miles on the highway, and the error happened again, I lost all driver assist features, drove another 50 miles and it never come back.

So that's a lot of background to get to my questions:

1) has anyone else experienced these new-ish sensor issues that the service guy referenced yesterday in the past 2-3 months?

2) if so, has anyone been successful in troubleshooting this or at least getting the fake-malfunction to clear and get driver assistance features back?

Any other feedback will be appreciated too. Thanks.

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[RivAW]

Have you performed a full reset at all?
If so, it is far more likely you have a failing (but apparently not fully failed yet) sensor that needs to be replaced.
This isn’t something that’s been widely reported as a software issue

 

[johnmcgrann]

Have you performed a full reset at all?
If so, it is far more likely you have a failing (but apparently not fully failed yet) sensor that needs to be replaced.
This isn’t something that’s been widely reported as a software issue

Yes, I've done several soft/infotainment resets (including one today), and at least one full reset. I plan to perform another full reset tonight or tomorrow morning.

And yes, the failing-but-not-failed thing is what I've been suspecting, and I can't believe that it has been in failure mode 99% of the time since Feb 24 except for *exactly when* it was at the service center.

And yep, I'm a little wait-and-see on this as a widespread software issue following an OTA update. A search on this forum turned up no results except for one or two people at least a year ago.

Thanks for your reply.

 

[Brad Foster]

I had the same issues as you. Dealing with this now. R1S has been in the SC for two weeks now. The first week was the FCM replacement and that didnt fix the problem so they then went to the AXM to troubleshoot. Last night the (second) AXM was being replaced and I’m crossing my fingers that this fixes the issues. Should know this AM.

 

[vordo]

ok, I know it sounds dumb but have you physically cleaned the sensors on the front? - I’ve seen the error for a while but will go away when I wipe said sensors…

 

[babock]

When this happens to me, I just go around and wipe all the sensors or just wash the entire car and I immediately have my cruise control back.

 

[johnmcgrann]

ok, I know it sounds dumb but have you physically cleaned the sensors on the front? - I’ve seen the error for a while but will go away when I wipe said sensors…

I did try that once, I'll do it again - can't hurt/might help!

 

[johnmcgrann]

When this happens to me, I just go around and wipe all the sensors or just wash the entire car and I immediately have my cruise control back.

Thanks - maybe the courtesy wash at the service center helped me get 100 miles of cruise control driving?

 

[Nthrdedhro]

Have been experiencing this off and mostly on since February. Looks like Feb 3rd was my first incident. 2024 R1T Gen 1, VIN in the 31XXX range.

I drive so rarely (currently under 5800 miles) and it was crap winter weather here in MI that I just blew it off. Parked at my destination, all clear. Error popped back on within 5 minutes of driving again.

Since Feb, the frequency has increased from what seemed a one off to vast majority of drives, always within the first 10 minutes, most within the first 5. Doesn't matter if the truck is clean or dirty, if the weather is clear, cloudy, rain, hot, cold. Acceleration & incline don't seem to be a factor. Has even happened sitting in hold.

Software to 2025.10.01 seemed like it had resolved except no, it just took slightly longer to trigger initially. However, we are back to majority of times the vehicle is engaged and within the first 10 minutes.

Message is driver assistance systems unavailable. Not the same as when sensors need to be cleared (had that message more than once over winter). Happens whether or not cruise or driver assistance is engaged. If engaged it will simply disengage with same "not available" message.

The service center is a really sucky drive for me so I try to avoid single issue trips. Luckily for me my driver window seems to have randomly lost calibration - it is impossible to put it all the way down, one touch engages pinch protection, truck cannot recognize the window as closed when done w/o one touch. Add those two to my non-functioning rain sensor and I had to break down and schedule an appointment. I skipped the option for remote service so my appointment is about three weeks out.

Deep sleep, resets do not seem to address either sensor issue. Calibration does not impact the window operation.

I've had some ghosts here and there that the service center was great about chasing down so I don't expect we'll be in a scenario of throwing parts at it, but we'll see.

Probably not safe so I can't say I recommend it, but I always take pictures so that I have a time stamp for the techs to chase in diagnostics and try for video when I can.

 

[kkezir]

ugh.. I have been having this problem. It is very frustrating to not even have basic cruise control when the adaptive cruise (ACC) is unavailable.

I took mine to the KC service center and they said one of my coolants was low (nothing I could fix or check myself) and that was causing the modual that controlled ACC to fail. Well that didn't fix the problem. I am still having problems with it and I put another ticket in about it.. although they have not contracted me yet.

 

[johnmcgrann]

My R1T is in the service center now, actually getting repaired. The diagnosis is "front fascia damage on front radar module location causing front radar module fault."

I did notice the spot in question at one point, it looks like I must have either caught a big rock or someone backed into me or who knows what (see attached). I figured I'd repair the cosmetic part of it someday, didn't imagine that it was a perfect "direct hit" on the radar module behind this panel.

3 parts and $1,200 later, it looks like I'll get it back next Monday.

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