Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Warns of vehicles approaching from the side while you reverse out of a space — or reports the system unavailable.
What it means
When reversing, radar watches for cross traffic you can't see and warns with this icon, a beep, and sometimes auto-braking. A steady amber dash warning means the system is off or blocked (same rear-bumper radars as blind spot monitoring).
Can you keep driving?
Yes. An active alert means stop reversing and look; a system-off warning just removes the safety net.
What to do now
- 1
Stop immediately when the alert sounds while reversing, then creep back with windows down — listen as well as look.
- 2
Keep the rear bumper corners clean.
- 3
Treat it as an aid, not permission to reverse blind.
Likely causes
- • Cross traffic detected while reversing (active alert)
- • Radar blocked by dirt or snow
- • Sensor fault or misalignment
Typical fix cost
$0 to clean sensors; $300–$1,000 for radar work
Ranges reflect mainstream US parts-and-labor pricing; your vehicle and region will vary.