Skipping a Software Update in a GM Vehicle Could Cost Owners Later
Owners must install the over-the-air updates within 45 days of the update becoming available.
If they do not, any damage related to the out-of-date software will not be covered by the warranty.
In a world of constantly changing technology, it can be hard to keep up. Applications and operating systems are constantly being improved, pushing updates to your phone, laptop, other smart devices—and nowadays, even cars. Sometimes we don't update right away, however, whether it's out of laziness or fear that the updated system will introduce new bugs of its own. But if you own a vehicle built by General Motors, you won't want to procrastinate, as delaying an update could cost owners big time.
According to GM's official Limited Warranty and Owner Assistance Information booklets, owners need to install over-the-air updates within 45 days of the update becoming available, as reported by GM Authority. If owners do not install the update within that period, any resulting damage caused by the failure to perform the update will not be covered by the vehicle's warranty. This applies to 2025 and 2026 models and includes all four brands under GM's umbrella: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC.
Michael Simari
|
Car and Driver
Over-the-air software updates are becoming increasingly common in the automotive world. GM has been rolling out a new electronic architecture that allows for OTA updates that fix bugs, improve performance, and sometimes add new features without forcing the owners to bring their car to the dealership. However, leaving it up to the customer to install the update means that some updates might get missed, and if something goes wrong later due to that uncompleted update, we now know it could lead to an expensive dealership visit.
For those who tend to wait on updates to make sure all the bugs are ironed out, GM's policy states that that won't be an issue, stating, ". . . if an Over-the-Air software update causes damage to the vehicle, that damage will be covered for the applicable warranty coverage period." Since any new bugs would be fixed for free, the best move seems to be to install any OTA updates as soon as they become available.
We've reached out to General Motors for clarification on the policy and will update this story if we hear back.
Caleb Miller
Associate News Editor
Caleb Miller began blogging about cars at 13 years old, and he realized his dream of writing for a car magazine after graduating from Carnegie Mellon University and joining the Car and Driver team. He loves quirky and obscure autos, aiming to one day own something bizarre like a Nissan S-Cargo, and is an avid motorsports fan.
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