July 31, 2025 – According to a report from GM Authority on the 27th, General Motors (GM) is stepping up its digital transformation efforts, with a key focus on the new-generation electronic architecture known as Global B, also branded as the “Vehicle Intelligence Platform (VIP).” This system enables GM vehicles to receive over-the-air (OTA) updates, allowing users to enjoy functional optimizations, performance enhancements, and even the addition of entirely new features without ever setting foot in a dealership.
While the visible benefits of OTA updates are widely recognized, a crucial aspect often goes unnoticed—failure to install updates in a timely manner could potentially impact warranty coverage. According to GM’s recently released “Limited Warranty and Customer Support Guide” for 2025 and 2026 model-year vehicles, owners are required to complete OTA update installations within 45 days of their release. The guide explicitly states, “Damage resulting from the failure to install over-the-air software updates is not covered under warranty.”
This policy applies across all four of GM’s brands in the U.S. market: Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, and Cadillac. If missing an update leads to system degradation and subsequent component damage, vehicle owners will be responsible for covering repair costs out of pocket.
However, GM has also provided some reassurance—if an OTA update itself causes damage, the company will take responsibility for related issues under the warranty period.
Behind GM’s aggressive push for OTA updates lies a deeper strategic consideration: rapidly rising warranty costs. Reports indicate that GM’s warranty expenses have surged by $300 million this year, driven by factors including the recall of 6.2-liter V8 L87 engines and persistent software vulnerabilities. Nevertheless, since the introduction of the Global B architecture, GM has seen a 25% reduction in software-related warranty costs for new vehicle models.
