New Silverado EV Owner Realizes Rear Door Sensors are not Working when he Drives with the Door Ajar and Walk Away Locking can Engage with Door Open

Cabin safety should be one of manufacturers' highest priorities when making a vehicle. So it was concerning when a newly purchased Silverado EV had an occupancy sensor failure. Jason Rosenzweig claimed the vehicle could drive off with its door ajar and no alerts on the dashboard. According to the post,

“Anyone else having issues with the rear door sensors not being connected? 2024 Silverado EV 4WT. I just purchased it two days ago. I know I'm not the only one who has included a tech note from Silverado Forum. This should be a recall for safety reasons as it's causing strange alerts from occupancy sensors. Also, I could accidentally drive off with the door ajar, and walk away locks engage with the door open, causing keys to be locked in the car with infant, etc., as doors shouldn't auto lock until they are all shut.”

The malfunction may lead to a dangerous scenario where the keys are locked in the vehicle with an occupant still inside. As illustrated, you can imagine him stepping out momentarily while a baby is still in the car seat, only for the truck to lock itself, and there is no way to access the cabin immediately. 

Similar Happenings with other Silverado EVs

Unfortunately, this is not the first time it has happened with Silverado EVs. Other owners have also had this happen to them, where they experienced erratic locking mechanisms and unusual occupancy sensor alerts of faulty rear door sensors. A user on a Silverado EV forum shared that the dome light does not remain on when the back doors are open, and the dash does not indicate when the doors are ajar.

In a similar case, a Silverado EV owner also highlighted a similar issue that left him frustrated and searching for answers. The problem entailed erratic door locks, unpredictable radio behavior, and even going into limp mode when driving. Some Silverados have also had problems with their 'service engine soon' light coming on and off as part of their electronics malfunctions. A Reddit post also indicated that all the 3WT and 4WT models are missing a rear door circuit, so this may be a prevalent issue in many models. 

Jason commented that he was upset with the dealer he bought from because of the specific instructions given before purchasing on the same matter. The dealer said they did but did not. The GM EV concierge assured us that it would be fixed under warranty. On the same thread, Tyler James Neilson added that his dealership handled the matter well and assumed it would also be a recall. They did the other WT on the lot before his and wanted to ensure the process was sorted before returning it. 

The Risks of Driving with Faulty Door Sensors 

A door-ajar warning system is essential for vehicle safety. If there is no working alert, the driver may unknowingly drive at high speeds while their car door is open, exponentially increasing the potential for accidents. In a worst-case scenario, children and pets would be at risk of accidentally falling out if the door swings open when in motion. 

Similarly, the auto lock feature engaging incorrectly is also a security issue. If a driver steps out while assuming the vehicle will not lock until all doors are closed, they may be locked out with their keys and valuables inside. In an emergency situation like having a child locked inside, the consequences may be severe. 

Manufacturer Considerations and Potential Recalls 

If the number of reports of these defects increases, then Chevrolet might have to issue a recall to deal with it. If enough complaints are lodged with the NHTSA an official action will be issued to correct the sensors and auto locking problem. That said, Silverado EV owners can mitigate the issue by taking precautions to avoid potential safety hazards. That is whether it is checking the doors before driving or carrying spare keys to avoid cases of accidental lock-ins. 

Image source: EV Silverado Facebook Group and Chevrolet.com Inventory

Nicholas Muhoro is an automotive journalist covering car news and has a decade of experience sharing working at HotCars and TopSpeed. You can follow Nicholas on X and on LinkedIn to stay in touch and follow his news coverage at Torque News.