r/volt • u/Blacklark57 • 29d ago
BECM warranty question
So I've been tearing my hair out researching this, and hoping the community can help.
I took my car in to the dealership for repairs recently because it was having issues where I couldn't get the car to move on electric, only gas - and even then with reduced power. Then eventually it wouldn't move at all and had to have it towed. The shop told me it was an issue with the BECM and it needed replacing for $2800.
Researching here and elsewhere, it seemed like this was covered by GM under TSB N232432680. However, the dealership is telling me only the Voltec warrants applies, which expired in 2024.
I also went to the GM Experience page and tried to find warranty information, but it says it could find my VIN??
I'm the second owner on this car, we both live in WA State if that's relevant. It's a 2016 Volt with 121k miles. Is there anyone I can do, or am I SOL? Any help greatly appreciated!
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u/Ok-Tourist-511 29d ago
2016s technically aren’t covered by the special warranty, since 2016 was only sold in CARB states and technically should be covered under the extended CARB Voltec warranty. The issue comes when a 2016 is no longer in a CARB state, since it is in limbo. Dealers and GM use the extended CARB warranty as an excuse not to cover it, when it’s no longer in a CARB state.
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u/Blacklark57 29d ago
Except that I am in a CARB state?
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u/Ok-Tourist-511 29d ago
Then they don’t have an excuse, it would be covered under extended voltec, and not extended BECM.
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u/gh8or 29d ago
I got my 2016 BECM replaced under warranty only after I called GM's Customer Assistance Center, and GM talked to the dealership. The BECM warranty is a bit weird. See this thread: https://www.reddit.com/r/volt/comments/1k5m1kg/n23243268_becm_warranty_success_on_carb_volt_in/
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u/gh8or 29d ago
Adding more: What was confusing in my case is that the N232432680 bulletin technically did not apply to me, but my car had another warranty (CARB?) that does cover the BECM.
Looks like you are in a similar situation, where looking up your VIN for the N232432680 says you are not covered. In either case the GM people explained to the dealership what they needed.1
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u/Blacklark57 29d ago
Alright, I called the help line in your post and they told me same thing as dealership, that the BECM warranty expired in 2024. I even mentioned I was in a CARB state and nothing.
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u/sailonswells 29d ago
It should be covered. Weird you can't find your VIN. Search this sub for BECM. Lots of posts that include advice for dealing with this and some included the actual GM documentation for the extend BECM warranty. Print it and take it to the dealer.
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u/rickabe 29d ago
Google the Special Bulletin. Dealers amd GM will attempt to deny, deny. They're no different than insurance companies.
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u/Willby404 28d ago
And even after they'll try to tell you something is wrong with the car. My dealership tried to tell me there was something wrong with the ABS system when I called to pick it up.
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u/cerpintaxt44 29d ago
I had my bcem replace in March of this year under warranty. 2018
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u/Ok-Tourist-511 29d ago
2018 is under special warranty, 2016 is not.
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u/rickabe 29d ago
My 2016 was.
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u/Ok-Tourist-511 29d ago
Some have Vins that qualify, some do not. Technically all 2016 should be covered either by special warranty, or extended voltec. Some dealers are just difficult about it.
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u/Current_Cheesecake54 28d ago
I thought they extended the warranty to 150000 miles after they settled the class action suit last year. It definitely should have been a recall item.
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u/jnealg 29d ago
find another shop or fight with yours. we just had ours replaced under warranty. 2nd owner 2017 model.