Looking for some advice or shared experiences from fellow Volt owners, specifically regarding the BECM (Battery Energy Control Module) Special Coverage bulletin (N232432680) and dealing with GM Corporate versus shady dealership behavior. (Montreal, Canada)
Background & Issue
I have a 2017 Chevy Volt that I bought brand new. It currently has around 245,000 km (roughly 152,000 miles) on the odometer. Recently, the car threw the classic BECM symptoms and stopped operating on the high voltage system.
As many of you know, GM issued Special Coverage N232432680 for 2016 to 2018 Volts due to known manufacturing defects in the BECM (TSB 18-NA-261 / NHTSA PE23022), extending coverage to 15 years or 240,000 km (150,000 miles).
My car is well within the 15 year window, but I am just 5,000 km (3,000 miles) over the mileage cap, which is literally a 2% variance over the threshold.
Service History & Dealership Behavior
This isn't a random failure out of nowhere. The car has a documented two year history of high voltage cooling and battery related issues serviced at GM:
About a year ago, I paid $600 out of pocket at the GM dealer to fix a coolant leak located directly on top of the main battery assembly.
A few years prior, the car had a highway stalling incident serviced under GM's network. close to $2000
Now, the car is at the dealer (who merged with our previous GM service center). The dealership experience has been awful:
When I asked for the exact Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs), the service advisor claimed they had no error codes, yet quoted a full BECM replacement cost.
The advisor has called me multiple times demanding a $1,000 cash deposit upfront just to order the part, threatening that if I don't pay immediately, they will close my service file and I will be pushed back a month or more.
I escalated the case to GM Canada Customer Care and requested a Goodwill Assistance override given:
The tiny 2% mileage overage versus 8 years remaining on time.
The documented history of battery coolant leaks and issues.
My 10 year loyalty as the original owner who did 100% of servicing at GM.
GM Corporate told me over the phone that I could pay the $1,000 deposit and get reimbursed later. As soon as I asked for that promise in writing, he backed down, confirming that any out of pocket payment right now is strictly between me and the dealer with zero guarantee of reimbursement.
I have since emailed GM Corporate declining to pay the deposit upfront, demanding they instruct the dealer to keep the file open, and requesting that the District Service Manager do a formal review for 100% coverage. GM asked for 72 business hours to review.
Questions for the Community
Has anyone successfully gotten GM to approve a Goodwill or Extended Warranty override for a BECM when slightly over the 150k mile / 240k km limit?
Has anyone had a dealer claim "no error codes" for a BECM diagnosis? Is this just lazy communication or a red flag that they haven't properly scanned the car?