GM Authority has learned that customers who own a 2022 Chevy Tahoe or 2022 Chevy Suburban affected by recent constraints on the SUVs’ heated and ventilated seats are now eligible to have the features retrofitted for free at the dealer.
According to sources familiar with the matter, dealerships are now contacting 2022 Chevy Tahoe and 2022 Chevy Suburban owners regarding retrofits for the heated and ventilated seat features. The 2022 Chevy Tahoe and 2022 Chevy Suburban were just two of several Chevy models affected by constraints on heated and ventilated seats as a result of the microchip shortage, with both features under production constraint between March 14th and April 17th. Affected units were indicated as such by the vehicle window sticker. The production constraint was lifted as of April 18th production.
Heated front seats (RPO code KA1) are normally included as standard for LT, RST, Z71, Premier, and High Country trim levels of the 2022 Chevy Tahoe and 2022 Chevy Suburban. The feature is not offered for the LS trim level. Ventilated front seats (RPO code KQV) are normally standard on Premier and High Country trim levels, and are not offered for the rest of the trim level lineup. Finally, heated outboard rear seats (RPO code KA6) are normally included with the Luxury Package (RPO code WPL) for LT, RST, and Z71 trim levels, and included as standard for the Premier and High Country trim levels. Heated outboard rear seats are not offered for the LS trim level.
Notably, the High Country trim level for both SUV nameplates was unaffected by the constraints outlined above.
The 2022 Chevy Tahoe and 2022 Chevy Suburban are available with three engine options, including the naturally aspirated 6.2L V8 L87 gasoline engine, the naturally aspirated 5.3L V8 L84 gasoline engine, and the 3.0L I6 LM2 turbodiesel Duramax engine. Both SUVs ride on the GM T1 platform, and both are produced at the GM Arlington plant in Texas.
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Comments
I have a Sierra 2500 HD and it was announced a couple weeks ago Jim was going to begin the retrofits. I called my dealer this week and he said my VIN is on the list but GM has not released the parts yet so check back with him in a month. I am quite disappointed the customer has to keep calling the dealer asking for the parts as opposed to the dealer receiving the parts and then schedule an appointment with customer. That’s extremely frustrating for the customer and very inefficient for the dealership to waste time on the phone answering questions of people calling in when they don’t have their parts.
Service manager also said that the ventilated seats and heated steering wheel will come separately and same scenario. So that’s three round trips to the dealership for three different items and it looks like my truck will be over a year old before I receive the first retrofit.
GM Authority, is it possible to request GM to provide a comprehensive update on the overall retrofit status? How about contacting “someone of decision making level” to provide a “press conference” and explain why GM believes it’s ethical to prioritize new vehicles and systems over existing customers.
According to what GM is telling its dealers is that the customer will receive a letter from GM when the chips for your specific VIN are in, similar to a recall. Then you can schedule an appointment with any GM dealer to get the retrofit. It doesn’t have to be the dealer who sold you the vehicle. My daughter has the same issue with her 2022 Traverse that she purchased in April. So you don’t have to call the dealer. Just sit back, and relax until you get your letter…..
Because if they leave the new vehicles without the features then they just compound the problem and have to keep going with the same song and dance, send a letter, send parts, coordinate retrofit, offer discount. Where if they fit it to new vehicles now there are no more going out the door that need added cost and attention. You were the one who decided you could go without the features for an unknown amount of time; you knew what you were getting in to buying at this time with all that is going on in a pandemic and global shortage with logistic issues. As a business I would very much prioritize the new builds to go out the door complete than those already out there.
If I had 1,000 chips and 1,000 new vehicles, I would allocate them all to the new vehicles. If I had 1,000 chips and only 900 new vehicles that needed them then I would have no new vehicles leaving incomplete and 100 less to retrofit. Which is better and would cost me less and keep from new people complaining? Do I make 1,000 people somewhat satisfied and retrofit their vehicles, or do I make sure I have no new upset customers and the ones that have been waiting and are already mad (and a retrofit months down the road won’t really fix their thought on all this) and keep them waiting?
Yeah, pretty easy tell which is the best way for GM to lose the least money, upset the least customers, reduce the amount of work (when they are shot staffed as it is) and keep the most of their brand image…
Agree with you on what’s best for GM and its brand name and cost to retrofit later but I paid for my vehicle thinking it would only be a short period of time until chips would be available. I asked how long and was told we don’t know but shouldn’t be very long. So how long is it not to long ? Only time will tell. I would trade or sell my vehicle today for a refresh with all the chips but will lose money doing so. I can live a little longer without the heat and warning stuff but it was my fault for thinking this would be resolved quickly. Love GMC BRAND HAD THEM ALL MY LIFE. Will trust them to resolve ASAP. If I owned GM, I would do same as they are doing but try to help the loyal customers with maybe an email of thanks for waiting and a promise date to resolve.
I’m still waiting for the retrofit for my 2022 Equinox. Does anyone know when those chips will come in? It would be nice to have it before the winter. Also I need the chip for the Lane Change and Blind Spot notification as well. I’m hoping they’ll be in soon since Cadillac and Some Chevy SUV’s are finally getting them.
Same senerio on 22 GMC Sierra SLT LIMITED mfg January 22. Chat talk with customer service rep gives me no estimated time frame for retrofit. What is a reasonable time frame? Really, 1 year should be adequate. Was led to believe end of 3rd quarter would all be completed. I understand new chips are all allocated for new builds and that they need to move them to dealers asap but…..there are plenty already on lots completed . People are not buying because of mostly diesel engines and high interest rates not to mention price increases every month. Waited long enough
I too have a 22 Chevy Silverado awaiting front park assist, heated and cooling seat , and heated steering wheel retrofits and I am getting no satisfaction until when services are to be completed
It’s been no fun for the dealers either who are caught in the middle….
Dealers sold the vehicles to customers and they have been paid . They should handle the problem of followup on missing features and not the customers. The small inconvenience payment hardly covers the gas to drive back and all should be taken care of in one trip. Very frustrating . You can buy a new vehicle now with all features ordered. G M should be required to fix sold vehicles first before putting parts on new vehicles. They are losing customer satisfaction and some are looking to other makes and models.
The solution they have now is better than the original solution which was to just build them without the chip and don’t retrofit them at all. An idea that didn’t go over with dealers. Dealers didn’t create the problem. Similar to a recall, customers are getting letters from GM when the chip for the VIN-specific vehicle is ready. The customer then calls the dealer of their choice and schedules an appointment to have the retrofit done.
From what I have heard from owners who have had the retrofits done, it is a very simple procedure. Install the module, program the car to “see” the module and activate the features, and it is all done. 45 minutes. There have been some reports of dealers receiving batches of incorrect modules and GM having to send out the correct ones, but those reports haven’t been rampant. The important thing is that GM Is working on it. Fortunately, none of these features impact the ability to use the vehicle. Heated/ventilated seats, heated steering wheels, even front park assist. These are all luxury features that people previously never had and managed to drive and park just fine.
I currently own a GM vehicle, and am *not* a huge fan of GM’s recent business direction or their dealer service these days, but they are making an effort here to get customers the added features owed to them. Considering there are tens of thousands of vehicles impacted it is going to take some time. Owners should just feel fortunate they have possession of their new vehicle and aren’t still waiting several months like many current buyers. The luxury items will get retrofitted eventually.
Thanks for some clarifying comments. It’s clear that the dealers are receiving even less communication than the customers. Why?
I’ve been reasonable with sitting back and relaxing for 10+ months. At what point will this retrofit issue become unreasonable? 1 year? 18 months? 2 years? When the vehicle is no longer under warranty? After a customer no longer owns the vehicle and never received the options that they originally paid for?
Perhaps Mary could take 1 minute for each model line to reassure existing customers that GM has not forgot about them. GM is suffering a brand image problem that is getting worse as these issues continue to drag on without executive level true response.
The modules being shipped most likely need the VIN number programmed in it so the BCM can recognize it. Therefore, all retros must be built for that VIN only.
Received our retrofit letter for the heated seats, called the dealer, said they would order the parts. Month later dealer says only part of the kit came in? You would think the kit would be all together. Could really use the heated seats right about now.