I'm Pissed! 🤬 Beware of GM

Grussell · February 27, 2022

It's no better with Ford. I just traded in my 2021 F150 on a 2022 Sierra. The F150 had a charging system issue. The dealer had it 6 weeks and couldn't fix it. Told me they needed more time. I told the dealer the only way they could have time is if they made my payment. I'm driving a 2022 Sierra 1500 Limited Elevation. So far I love it.

Wiggums · March 2, 2022

Goodness, that sucks. OP attacks others for dissing Chevrolet.. now this.. LOL. Pot calling kettle black, eh.

newdude · March 2, 2022

On 2/10/2022 at 8:45 PM, Dmax3 said:

The dealer didn't steal it, they threw it in the trashcan. They should be aware enough to check for non-standard software before replacing everything with the update.

MVI uses factory parts and programs them as if GM did. The software part #s would more than likely be an 8 digit GM calibration part #. In GM SPS, it would show you the current part # calibration that is programmed in, and then list out any new/updated cal files and their appropriate #s. Dealer can't tell if the current # belongs to a nav or non-nav radio, not without calling GM Techline support and verifying the existing calibration files.

Non standard software would be something like an ECM tune that will clearly have a non GM calibration part #.

Dealer addressed the OP's issues with his radio by reprograming it based on his VIN, which is how GM works. In doing so, the MVI provided cals were wiped, and the module was restored to the latest cals for his VIN. Its literally that simple.

The right thing for OP to have done was contact MVI BEFORE going to the dealer and see what the best option would be to fix his issues and HE purchased his NAV upgrade from MVI and not GM as GM had discontinued the factory upgrade path.

IF it had the GM nav, reprogramming of the radio after that install would have been flagged in the system on GM's end and OP wouldn't be in this situation.

But instead...its GM/dealer's fault and they "stole" something. Which they didn't.

Edited March 2, 2022 by newdude

BIGDOGx · March 3, 2022

15 hours ago, newdude said:

MVI uses factory parts and programs them as if GM did. The software part #s would more than likely be an 8 digit GM calibration part #. In GM SPS, it would show you the current part # calibration that is programmed in, and then list out any new/updated cal files and their appropriate #s. Dealer can't tell if the current # belongs to a nav or non-nav radio, not without calling GM Techline support and verifying the existing calibration files.

Non standard software would be something like an ECM tune that will clearly have a non GM calibration part #.

Dealer addressed the OP's issues with his radio by reprograming it based on his VIN, which is how GM works. In doing so, the MVI provided cals were wiped, and the module was restored to the latest cals for his VIN. Its literally that simple.

The right thing for OP to have done was contact MVI BEFORE going to the dealer and see what the best option would be to fix his issues and HE purchased his NAV upgrade from MVI and not GM as GM had discontinued the factory upgrade path.

IF it had the GM nav, reprogramming of the radio after that install would have been flagged in the system on GM's end and OP wouldn't be in this situation.

But instead...its GM/dealer's fault and they "stole" something. Which they didn't.

It's a simple fix and MVI should send him another firmware file so he can put the nav back in place. Why this situation is difficult is beyond me, the dealer only did what it thought was right, a new file for the user to put in his system would cost MVI 0 dollars. MVI is the one who needs to make it right and i very much doubt this is the first time it has happened to a customers of theirs, these files should come with a lifetime replacement just for this very issue imo!

2016 Sierra Owner · March 3, 2022

I guess we'll never know the outcome from this as the OP did not get the overwhelming response from others that this was the dealers fault. Hopefully MVI was able to help him out again.

March 7, 2022

On 3/2/2022 at 5:49 PM, newdude said:

MVI uses factory parts and programs them as if GM did. The software part #s would more than likely be an 8 digit GM calibration part #. In GM SPS, it would show you the current part # calibration that is programmed in, and then list out any new/updated cal files and their appropriate #s. Dealer can't tell if the current # belongs to a nav or non-nav radio, not without calling GM Techline support and verifying the existing calibration files.

Non standard software would be something like an ECM tune that will clearly have a non GM calibration part #.

Dealer addressed the OP's issues with his radio by reprograming it based on his VIN, which is how GM works. In doing so, the MVI provided cals were wiped, and the module was restored to the latest cals for his VIN. Its literally that simple.

The right thing for OP to have done was contact MVI BEFORE going to the dealer and see what the best option would be to fix his issues and HE purchased his NAV upgrade from MVI and not GM as GM had discontinued the factory upgrade path.

IF it had the GM nav, reprogramming of the radio after that install would have been flagged in the system on GM's end and OP wouldn't be in this situation.

But instead...its GM/dealer's fault and they "stole" something. Which they didn't.

The dealer was wrong because the dealer did the reprogram before talking to him. If they had alerted them to the plan, he could have made a plan accordingly. Many mechanics are just parts changers. They aren't really competent at what they do, especially for the markup they charge.

newdude · March 7, 2022

9 hours ago, 1454 said:

The dealer was wrong because the dealer did the reprogram before talking to him. If they had alerted them to the plan, he could have made a plan accordingly. Many mechanics are just parts changers. They aren't really competent at what they do, especially for the markup they charge.

Quote

Last week I took my truck to the dealer for its 22,500 mile service, and a few warranty issues. One of those warranty issues regarded the crooked reverse camera. While working to correct the crooked reverse camera they did some sort of software update, per GM's instructions.

Transient · March 7, 2022

On 3/3/2022 at 1:42 PM, 2016 Sierra Owner said:

I guess we'll never know the outcome from this as the OP did not get the overwhelming response from others that this was the dealers fault. Hopefully MVI was able to help him out again.

Update has nothing to do with lack of response, but simply due to lack of something to update. MVi is still silent, and the dealer is too. Remember, GM wanted to charge the dealer $75 just to talk to them. Dealer wanted to pass that cost on to me. There was no guarantee there would be a fix after spending that money. Dealer isn't willing to reach out to GM and explain the situation to see if they'd waive the fee. This wasn't my fault in any way. I wasn't aware of the issue until after the fact.

Transient · March 7, 2022

On 3/2/2022 at 2:44 PM, Wiggums said:

Goodness, that sucks. OP attacks others for dissing Chevrolet.. now this.. LOL. Pot calling kettle black, eh.

Get your facts straight. I didn't attack you for dissing GM. I asked questions, and pointed out similar or bigger problems with Ford. Many of which you didn't answer or acknowledge. I presented facts. You presented insults, such as calling people failures. More evidence to support my claim is that you posted here simply to start problems. Feel free to move along now.

TNTSierra · March 7, 2022

Good to see you back on the forum @Transient

And yes it seems like all Wiggums wants to do is argue, he is doing the same with me over on the Fuel Mileage section!

March 7, 2022

On 2/4/2022 at 6:04 PM, Transient said:

I did not approve GM or the dealership to remove anything from my truck, therefore its also not my fault. GM's repair procedure does not check for added software prior to being conducted. A "tech company" should always be aware that's a possibility.

Furthermore, risk of the factory nav, or any other software, being deleted was not outlined. The truck handled OTA updates without affecting navigation. I also wasn't notified of programming being reflashed was part of the process until after the fact. And, it wasn't 1 reflash they did, but 2 different ones because the first reflash didn't fix the angle of the camera. I suspect it's the 2nd reflash that deleted the software, which also didn't fix the camera angle. GM was ready to warranty the entire tailgate to fix the camera angle, until a 2nd tech suggested swapping the bezel.

9 hours ago, newdude said:

@newdude again, read. Everyone attacked @Transient without half the facts. No tech that isn't fresh out of community college would execute a firmware update on something that was clearly a hardware issue. A screen is only going to display what the camera is giving it as an input. So clearly the first step would be to check the hardware. That's no different than the cam on your phone pointing toward the sun and thinking a firmware update is going to fix it. If it is what the repair procedure called for, the procedure was wrong from the start. Also, even with warranty work, they are supposed to get customer approval before completing work. This was either a service advisor issue or a tech issue with proceeding with the fix before confirming with the customer that they are ok with the repair procedure.

A better analogy would be taking your truck in for a "shake" and the dealer finding out it is an out of balance wheel. Then proceeding to warranty your non-factory wheels with new factory replacements without asking you if you want them to put them on the balancer first to see if a weight has come off. This is the equivalent of what they did. Honestly, after dealing with the dealer on my truck for over a month, and the run around I got from GM, I understand where he is coming from. After working for 6 years in the dealer world before completing my BS, and owning various new cars in the last 10 years, GM gave me the absolute worst dealer experience I could imagine. After they finally replaced the LKA camera, the idiots told me I had to bring it back another day because they didn't want to finish calibration on a Saturday. They scheduled it for the following Tuesday knowing full well it was supposed to rain (95% chance M-W) for me to bring it back. THEN, I brought it back only for them to tell me that "oh gee, we need I nice sunny day for calibration". So they wasted a whole day of my time because they didn't verify the procedure in advance despite scheduling the appointment. That was the end of a full month long saga. So please, don't apologize for GM and their clearly poor dealer network and technicians.

Dealers are literally the only reason I hope Tesla survives. The dealer network needs to be burnt to the ground. It just sucks they make piles of crap to sell.

bwoodsmn · March 8, 2022

1 hour ago, 1454 said:

Everyone attacked @Transient without half the facts. No tech that isn't fresh out of community college would execute a firmware update on something that was clearly a hardware issue. A screen is only going to display what the camera is giving it as an input. So clearly the first step would be to check the hardware.This was either a service advisor issue or a tech issue with proceeding with the fix before confirming with the customer that they are ok with the repair procedure.

A better analogy would be taking your truck in for a "shake" and the dealer finding out it is an out of balance wheel. Then proceeding to warranty your non-factory wheels with new factory replacements without asking you if you want them to put them on the balancer first to see if a weight has come off. This is the equivalent of what they did.

@1454, I still don't blame the tech, or dealers, here. There is a TSB out there where the complaint is a distorted rear camera - the fix is a firmware flash. Its entirely possible thats the direction the tech was going when he flashed the firmware - we don't know, but you can't say for sure that its "Clearly a hardware issue to fix". Remember, the VSI updates are designed to leave a factory look - and none of the factory RPO codes were changed - so the tech had no idea the update had occurred - to be sure he could have asked, but there was no "tell" that might have tipped him off to do so. Thats a totally different situation than your analogy of a shaking aftermarket wheel, which is clearly an upgrade that is visible to the tech, and questions would be asked. In this situation the radio hardware looked exactly as it would have from the factory configuration.

Having said that, @Transient still lost the use of his navigation update from VSI, which still sucks. I get that he's upset, he should be, but he's mad at the wrong people - VSI has to have a solution for this, right? Well, I went to MVI's website and I was appalled at the tone and positioning they take for customer support - like, there isn't any, to speak of, except by text message, and that is not in real time - they do not offer any real time support. I don't know how MVI can sell these upgrades without a path to update when the factory firmware updates - Apple, Android and Microsoft all update their firmware all the time, and we look to the software manufactures to follow with updates as needed to make their software work - MVI makes no mention of anything like that on their website - no support links whatsoever. I'd steer well clear of MVI until they fix that problem and have adequate support for ongoing updates. OP, did you log the problem with their online chat? Have they responded yet? I'll be happy to apologize to MVI when they help you, if that day ever comes. But until then, it's on them to have a path for resolution.

March 8, 2022

34 minutes ago, bwoodsmn said:

@1454, I still don't blame the tech, or dealers, here. There is a TSB out there where the complaint is a distorted rear camera - the fix is a firmware flash. Its entirely possible thats the direction the tech was going when he flashed the firmware - we don't know, but you can't say for sure that its "Clearly a hardware issue to fix". Remember, the VSI updates are designed to leave a factory look - and none of the factory RPO codes were changed - so the tech had no idea the update had occurred - to be sure he could have asked, but there was no "tell" that might have tipped him off to do so. Thats a totally different situation than your analogy of a shaking aftermarket wheel, which is clearly an upgrade that is visible to the tech, and questions would be asked. In this situation the radio hardware looked exactly as it would have from the factory configuration.

Having said that, @Transient still lost the use of his navigation update from VSI, which still sucks. I get that he's upset, he should be, but he's mad at the wrong people - VSI has to have a solution for this, right? Well, I went to MVI's website and I was appalled at the tone and positioning they take for customer support - like, there isn't any, to speak of, except by text message, and that is not in real time - they do not offer any real time support. I don't know how MVI can sell these upgrades without a path to update when the factory firmware updates - Apple, Android and Microsoft all update their firmware all the time, and we look to the software manufactures to follow with updates as needed to make their software work - MVI makes no mention of anything like that on their website - no support links whatsoever. I'd steer well clear of MVI until they fix that problem and have adequate support for ongoing updates. OP, did you log the problem with their online chat? Have they responded yet? I'll be happy to apologize to MVI when they help you, if that day ever comes. But until then, it's on them to have a path for resolution.

The point isn't the obvious visual change, though. The service adviser should have been advised by the tech, and then spoke with the customer before performing a factory firmware reset. Even if to confirm with the customer that they are OK with their data being deleted. That wasn't done. No, there isn't a flag thst let's them no, hey stop, don't proceed. But had they spoken with their customer, it would have prevented all of this.

bwoodsmn · March 8, 2022

42 minutes ago, 1454 said:

The point isn't the obvious visual change, though. The service adviser should have been advised by the tech, and then spoke with the customer before performing a factory firmware reset. Even if to confirm with the customer that they are OK with their data being deleted. That wasn't done. No, there isn't a flag thst let's them no, hey stop, don't proceed. But had they spoken with their customer, it would have prevented all of this.

Yeah, and the OP could have said something to the dealer, too - but thats not the point. I'm not blaming OP or the dealer - The point is VSI doesn't seem to have a path to support their customers to navigate thru software updates, which anymore seems to be a regular occurence- so if you do a VSI "upgrade" your factory firmware is stuck in time, so "buyer beware".

VSI needs to work out a pathway for upgrades, or clearly state the potential for routine software updates disabling their system. I'm sorry the OP is stuck without a resolution path.

tbarn · March 8, 2022

1 hour ago, 1454 said:

The point isn't the obvious visual change, though. The service adviser should have been advised by the tech, and then spoke with the customer before performing a factory firmware reset. Even if to confirm with the customer that they are OK with their data being deleted. That wasn't done. No, there isn't a flag thst let's them no, hey stop, don't proceed. But had they spoken with their customer, it would have prevented all of this.

Are you kidding me? I've done hundreds (maybe thousands) of software updates on GM vehicles. If diagnosis via Technician, Tech Assistance or a TSB has indicated a warranty software update then it is done. Never once did I or should I have checked with the customer to see if it would be OK with them. If they come in with a coolant leak under warranty would we (the dealer) ask before putting a free water pump on? NO!