GM has extended its customer satisfaction program to retrofit units of the 2022 and 2023 Buick Envision crossovers with heated and ventilated seats.
These units were built without heated front seats (RPO code KA1), ventilated front seats (RPO code KU9) and heated rear outboard seats (RPO code KA6) because these features were under constraint as a result of the semiconductor chip shortage.
These Buick Envision units were built starting on November 15th, 2021, which is when the constraint first went into effect. Affected trim levels for the heated driver and front passenger seats (KA1) include the Preferred trim level if equipped with the Comfort and Convenience Package (RPO code PS1) and the Essence and Avenir, which normally include heated front seats as standard. Heated rear seats (KA6) and ventilated front seats (KU9) are unavailable on the Preferred and Essence trims and standard on the Avenir trim level.
The dealership notified purchasers of an affected Buick Envision about the condition at sale, and informed them about their eligibility for a retrofit once the necessary parts became available.
Vehicles affected by these constraints can be identified by a window sticker containing appropriate RPO codes. The RPO code 00V indicates a 2022 Buick Envision or 2023 Buick Envision built without the heated and ventilated front seats, while RPO code 00R indicates constrained heated rear outboard seats.
Now, affected units are eligible for a dealer retrofit for the heated seat feature as of February of 2023. There is no charge for the dealer retrofit of this feature.
Dealers are instructed to replace the front seat heater control module and, if necessary, reprogram both the heater and air conditioning user interface and the HVAC control module. The dealer might also retrofit the front seat ventilation blower motors on some models.
The customer satisfaction program retrofit applies to several other Buick models as well after multiple models underwent feature deletions because of the semiconductor shortage. These include the Buick Encore GX and the 2022 Buick Enclave.
As a reminder, the 2023 Buick Envision is powered by the turbocharged 2.0L I4 LSY gasoline engine developing 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The crossover’s GM nine-speed automatic transmission is matched to a standard front-wheel drivetrain, while AWD is available as an option.
The 2023 Envision rides on the GM E2 platform, with production taking place exclusively at the GM Jinqiao plant in Shanghai, China.
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Comments
Will 4 way power lumbar be a retrofit for full size trucks and suvs? Or will owners be stuck with 2-way for life?
When will the safety and security issue of only having one key fob be fixed ? Cannot recommend the 2023 Buick Envision to Single females or young families due to the safety and security issues of only having on KEY FOB !
My dealer never informed me that the heated seat retrofit was underway for my Envision. After reading your article, I called and informed them that they failed to notify me. I had an appointment and the retrofit was completed quickly! Now waiting to see on your site that the rear park assist chip is available so I can call for that! Thank you!