2021 Tahoe Z71 disabled after software update

[dusttur]

Keep me updated on yours!!! Mine got towed on Wednesday. Same thing. Got in to try to start it, every light inside came on, heater was running, it was throwing all sorts of errors on the screen and telling me to hit the button again to start. Radio worked and everything, but it would not let me shut anything off and would not actually turn over the engine or start it! I could not disconnect the battery because I did not have the tools. I could not shift it to neutral manually or by pushing neutral, so I had to call a flatbed to come tow it to the dealer. It's a 2021 Tahoe Z71 4x4. I do not know if my vehicle received an update or not one was trying to download for about a week but kept saying it failed to download so who knows. The dealership has NO CLUE what is going on with it. I have tried to tell them stuff on this thread to check but they keep doing their own thing. They have hardly even looked at it. I am so beyond frustrated.

Did you figure anything out? Same thing happened to my 2022 Yukon XL AT4 that I bought a week ago!! 7k miles on it, had to go out of state to get exactly what I wanted. My very pregnant wife was stranded with our other kids, no power to anything. Couldn't even lock the doors. Nobody would tow it for fear of damaging something since it couldn't be switched in to neutral. Sat in a parking lot for two days and two nights fully unlocked. A guy who knew what he was doing finally loaded it on the flat bed no problem and it's at the dealership. They don't know what to do, doubt they've looked at it. Very frustrating.

 

[dusttur]

Be aware of system updates! My Tahoe prompted an update on 12/15/2022. I allowed the install to happen because I have done previous updates without any issue. The car was sitting at my office parking lot in a safe location. Around lunch time I returned to my car to run some errands. When I attempted to start my vehicle... nothing. No power. I called my husband & he just assumed a dead battery. He arrived to try to jump start it without success. We called Chevy Roadside Assistance for a tow. The 1st driver, attempted to jump start it and he was also unsuccessful. He was unable to tow the vehicle because there was no way to put the car in neutral without dragging it. The 'gearshift' is the electronic buttons. No power means we can't shift the car into neutral. We cancelled his services and requested another driver that could lift the vehicle & roll it (aka a Repo Truck). It was towed to the dealership where it has sat for over a week. They have also tried jump starting it. Also, we are being told there's a tool to 'unlock the transmission to be able to put the car in neutral & move it into the shop". The dealership says they only have 1 key and it's currently stuck in another vehicle. I love my Tahoe, and this is the first issue I have experienced with it. We purchased it Oct 2020. I'm beginning to fear that this is a bigger issue than just disconnecting the battery & resetting it. I have tried researching this issue online but can only fine experiences where the car was still drivable. My car is a completely disabled. I can't even lock the passenger door due to no power. Battery tests show that I have full power on the battery. Why is my car dead?!

Did you figure anything out? Same thing happened to my 2022 Yukon XL AT4 that I bought a week ago!! 7k miles on it, had to go out of state to get exactly what I wanted. My very pregnant wife was stranded with our other kids, no power to anything. Couldn't even lock the doors. Nobody would tow it for fear of damaging something since it couldn't be switched in to neutral. Sat in a parking lot for two days and two nights fully unlocked. A guy who knew what he was doing finally loaded it on the flat bed no problem and it's at the dealership. They don't know what to do, doubt they've looked at it. Very frustrating.

 

[Donnation]

Put me in the same group here. I came home from vacation last Monday to a completely dead battery in my garage. Nothing, no power, wouldn't do anything. Had to put it on wheel dolly's and push it out of the garage with my neighbors due to the comically bad choice of not being able to put the vehicle in neutral. Had it towed to the dealership and they said the battery had gone bad. They replaced it and I picked it up that evening and drove it home.

Came out to my vehicle early in the morning the next day and when I tried to start it the dash just lit up with all of these errors and warnings and the Tahoe wouldn't start. Couldn't turn it off and just had to let it sit there until the dealership opened. Had to have it towed again back to the dealership. Dealership has now had it a week and their last text made me laugh as they said "This is a top priority and we are searching for the issue." Which to me translates "We haven't looked at it yet but will soon, hopefully." Meanwhile the documents they gave me when I brought the Tahoe to them the 2nd time said the vehicle had an expected fix date of Wednesday, May 10th. What do you want to bet the dealership magically finds the issue today and tells me the car is fixed?

This is enough to make me want to trade it in. For something like this to happen to a vehicle that is only a year and a half old is completely unacceptable and gives me major doubts that this vehicle is going to last. To just render the vehicle inoperable is absolutely ridiculous. The no-neutral without power issue is not only a joke but also puts you at risk for majorly damaging your vehicle. When I had it towed the only option was to drag it up a flat bed which I'm sure was great for the transmission and axels.

I really think I'm going trade it in for something different. Assuming they fix my vehicle it still has a good resale value so I might as well do it now. Will be my last GM vehicle which saddens me as its all I've driven for the past 10 years. I've put some considerable money into my Tahoe but I just don't trust it to not die on me again. If I would have been traveling for work I would have been completely screwed.

 

[Coolman1987us]

The downloads occur over the onboard Cellular Data connection. The only satellite data going to the vehicle is the Sirius XM radio and the GPS positioning data.

and its all one way, none of these vehicles "talk back" to the satellites, all the data transfers from the vehicles are done over cellular.

 

[Coolman1987us]

Put me in the same group here. I came home from vacation last Monday to a completely dead battery in my garage. Nothing, no power, wouldn't do anything. Had to put it on wheel dolly's and push it out of the garage with my neighbors due to the comically bad choice of not being able to put the vehicle in neutral. Had it towed to the dealership and they said the battery had gone bad. They replaced it and I picked it up that evening and drove it home.

Came out to my vehicle early in the morning the next day and when I tried to start it the dash just lit up with all of these errors and warnings and the Tahoe wouldn't start. Couldn't turn it off and just had to let it sit there until the dealership opened. Had to have it towed again back to the dealership. Dealership has now had it a week and their last text made me laugh as they said "This is a top priority and we are searching for the issue." Which to me translates "We haven't looked at it yet but will soon, hopefully." Meanwhile the documents they gave me when I brought the Tahoe to them the 2nd time said the vehicle had an expected fix date of Wednesday, May 10th. What do you want to bet the dealership magically finds the issue today and tells me the car is fixed?

This is enough to make me want to trade it in. For something like this to happen to a vehicle that is only a year and a half old is completely unacceptable and gives me major doubts that this vehicle is going to last. To just render the vehicle inoperable is absolutely ridiculous. The no-neutral without power issue is not only a joke but also puts you at risk for majorly damaging your vehicle. When I had it towed the only option was to drag it up a flat bed which I'm sure was great for the transmission and axels.

I really think I'm going trade it in for something different. Assuming they fix my vehicle it still has a good resale value so I might as well do it now. Will be my last GM vehicle which saddens me as its all I've driven for the past 10 years. I've put some considerable money into my Tahoe but I just don't trust it to not die on me again. If I would have been traveling for work I would have been completely screwed.

This is why right to repair is such a big deal. If 3rd parties could diagnose and fix these issues we wouldn't have to wait on GM to never do anything. Of course what does GM care they have your money already... I got a knock off tech2 a few months ago and I just got my MPVI3 from HP Tuners Friday. F**k GM ill do it myself.

 

[Donnation]

This is why right to repair is such a big deal. If 3rd parties could diagnose and fix these issues we wouldn't have to wait on GM to never do anything. Of course what does GM care they have your money already... I got a knock off tech2 a few months ago and I just got my MPVI3 from HP Tuners Friday. F**k GM ill do it myself.

Yeah, I’m really disappointed. I work in the medical field and am needed at different hospitals every day. If this would happen in a hospital garage where parking is really tight I’d be completely screwed. I’m not sure there would be any way to get it out. The steering wheel locks and you can’t move it. I have no idea what I’d do in that situation. I’d more than likely have to wait until that night when everyone has left to try and get a tow truck in there. It would be a disaster.

 

[Geotrash]

Yeah, I’m really disappointed. I work in the medical field and am needed at different hospitals every day. If this would happen in a hospital garage where parking is really tight I’d be completely screwed. I’m not sure there would be any way to get it out. The steering wheel locks and you can’t move it. I have no idea what I’d do in that situation. I’d more than likely have to wait until that night when everyone has left to try and get a tow truck in there. It would be a disaster.

There is a way to get it into neutral but it's a pain. Short version: 1/ disconnect both rear wheel parking brake actuator connectors, 2/ Use a 10mm combination wrench to manually shift the transmission into neutral from underneath and zip tie it in place.

I don't know what Einstein figured this arrangement was a good idea - it could get someone killed on the side of the road.

 

[Donnation]

There is a way to get it into neutral but it's a pain. Short version: 1/ disconnect both rear wheel parking brake actuator connectors, 2/ Use a 10mm combination wrench to manually shift the transmission into neutral from underneath and zip tie it in place.

I don't know what Einstein figured this arrangement was a good idea - it could get someone killed on the side of the road.

Thank you for that. It’s absolutely stunning to me that they designed it this way. I’m not going to worry about it. If and when my Tahoe with less than 50,000 miles on it is up and running again I’m getting rid of it. This entire experience gives me zero confidence that this vehicle is going to last and if this happened in a parking garage that I’m in every day it would be really bad.

 

[Geotrash]

Thank you for that. It’s absolutely stunning to me that they designed it this way. I’m not going to worry about it. If and when my Tahoe with less than 50,000 miles on it is up and running again I’m getting rid of it. This entire experience gives me zero confidence that this vehicle is going to last and if this happened in a parking garage that I’m in every day it would be really bad.

I get it. Unfortunately, many other vehicles are now designed similarly.

 

[Blueinterceptor]

There is one other thought. We control whether or not the update gets installed. Don’t do it unless you’re home or wait until the dealership to do it. I have a 21 Tahoe that asked to update. I tried a few times and the install did not work. (I don’t have their data plan.) I tied the car to my homes Wi-Fi and the data upload worked. This was last week.

 

[dusttur]

Put me in the same group here. I came home from vacation last Monday to a completely dead battery in my garage. Nothing, no power, wouldn't do anything. Had to put it on wheel dolly's and push it out of the garage with my neighbors due to the comically bad choice of not being able to put the vehicle in neutral. Had it towed to the dealership and they said the battery had gone bad. They replaced it and I picked it up that evening and drove it home.

Came out to my vehicle early in the morning the next day and when I tried to start it the dash just lit up with all of these errors and warnings and the Tahoe wouldn't start. Couldn't turn it off and just had to let it sit there until the dealership opened. Had to have it towed again back to the dealership. Dealership has now had it a week and their last text made me laugh as they said "This is a top priority and we are searching for the issue." Which to me translates "We haven't looked at it yet but will soon, hopefully." Meanwhile the documents they gave me when I brought the Tahoe to them the 2nd time said the vehicle had an expected fix date of Wednesday, May 10th. What do you want to bet the dealership magically finds the issue today and tells me the car is fixed?

This is enough to make me want to trade it in. For something like this to happen to a vehicle that is only a year and a half old is completely unacceptable and gives me major doubts that this vehicle is going to last. To just render the vehicle inoperable is absolutely ridiculous. The no-neutral without power issue is not only a joke but also puts you at risk for majorly damaging your vehicle. When I had it towed the only option was to drag it up a flat bed which I'm sure was great for the transmission and axels.

I really think I'm going trade it in for something different. Assuming they fix my vehicle it still has a good resale value so I might as well do it now. Will be my last GM vehicle which saddens me as its all I've driven for the past 10 years. I've put some considerable money into my Tahoe but I just don't trust it to not die on me again. If I would have been traveling for work I would have been completely screwed.

Mine is still at the dealership and it's been three days and they still haven't been able to get power to the vehicle. I got an update yesterday saying they couldn't do the software update manually. They are now having to "reprogram" the vehicles electrical modules because none of them are talking to each other like they should. This vehicle is less than a year old and has 8k miles, I just find it unfathomable that a failed software update can cause such problems. And to have no "manual" option to override the system leaving you absolutely stuck where you're at is ridiculous. I'm hopeful they'll get it fixed soon, but fearful what kind of long term problems I may have because all the stock components have now been compromised. Will post when I hear anything.

 

[UsualSuspect]

If you think GM is the only one that does OTAU's with issues. Just search and you will find most of the others have issues at times.

Automaker	OTA-Upgraded Components
Audi	Navigation
BMW	Infotainment, optional features
Ford	ADAS, several other components
General Motors	Nearly every vehicle component on EVs, major components on combustion vehicles
Honda	Infotainment
Hyundai	Infotainment, voice assistance
Jaguar/Land Rover	Infotainment, charging capabilities
Lucid	Nearly every vehicle component and system
Mercedes-Benz	Infotainment, navigation
Nissan	Infotainment
Polestar	Nearly every vehicle component and system
Porsche	Limited functions
Rivian	Nearly every vehicle component and system
Stellantis (FCA)	Infotainment
Tesla	Nearly every vehicle component and system
Toyota	Infotainment
Volkswagen	Several vehicle components and systems on EVs
Volvo	Nearly every vehicle component and system

 

[mikez71]

Same thing happened to my 2022 Yukon XL AT4 that I bought a week ago!! 7k miles on it, had to go out of state to get exactly what I wanted. My very pregnant wife was stranded with our other kids, no power to anything. Couldn't even lock the doors. Nobody would tow it for fear of damaging something since it couldn't be switched in to neutral. Sat in a parking lot for two days and two nights fully unlocked.

OMFG! I'm never buying chevy again.. I thought my 2012 had issues.. mostly annoyances so far, to be fair.

Thank you for that. It’s absolutely stunning to me that they designed it this way.

This is why right to repair is such a big deal. If 3rd parties could diagnose and fix these issues we wouldn't have to wait on GM to never do anything. Of course what does GM care they have your money already... I got a knock off tech2 a few months ago and I just got my MPVI3 from HP Tuners Friday. F**k GM ill do it myself.

This vehicle is less than a year old and has 8k miles, I just find it unfathomable that a failed software update can cause such problems. And to have no "manual" option to override the system leaving you absolutely stuck where you're at is ridiculous.

Completely against car ethos.. Gonna drive mine until it's not worth fixing, never going back..
If a lot of newer companies are doing the same, I won't be looking at their products either.

 

[mikez71]

If you think GM is the only one that does OTAU's with issues. Just search and you will find most of the others have issues at times.

An infotainment or driver assist issue.. those are features. Not nearly as bad as "major components" or "Nearly every vehicle component"!

The only other companies in the same category are Lucid, Polestar, Rivian and Tesla.. oh and Volvo
None other major manufacturers..

To leave you stranded with no way to get running again in any timely fashion.. on a new car.. Verboten in my book.

 

[Donnation]

Mine is still at the dealership and it's been three days and they still haven't been able to get power to the vehicle. I got an update yesterday saying they couldn't do the software update manually. They are now having to "reprogram" the vehicles electrical modules because none of them are talking to each other like they should. This vehicle is less than a year old and has 8k miles, I just find it unfathomable that a failed software update can cause such problems. And to have no "manual" option to override the system leaving you absolutely stuck where you're at is ridiculous. I'm hopeful they'll get it fixed soon, but fearful what kind of long term problems I may have because all the stock components have now been compromised. Will post when I hear anything.

Lol my dealer just told me the same thing this morning. I’m assuming this has to be fixable but either way I’m dumping my Tahoe. I don’t ever want to have to go through this again.

 

[UsualSuspect]

An infotainment or driver assist issue.. those are features. Not nearly as bad as "major components" or "Nearly every vehicle component"!

The only other companies in the same category are Lucid, Polestar, Rivian and Tesla.. oh and Volvo
None other major manufacturers..

To leave you stranded with no way to get running again in any timely fashion.. on a new car.. Verboten in my book.

The Infotainment on many new cars control more than just a radio. So far we have had 2 Ford's bricked the same way. Most of what I am reading, unable to vehicle in Neutral, any competent tow company should be able to so that, they did with the 2 Fords we had to have towed, both of which sat for close to 2 months on parts to get them going. No one likes bricking anything, but it isn't specific to GM vehicles, and it isn't every GM vehicle. Most manufacturers will tell you they are moving to OTAU's, it save them $$$. The grass isn't always greener, it's just a different shade of green.

Toyota's Statement on updates
Lexus
Ford - They already update F150's
Just Google any manufacturer, RAM for instance calls it a UConnect Update, but in reality they are updating other components. Pick your poison.

 

[mikez71]

Haven't driven many new cars, and without hard numbers, yes who knows. There's always a few lemons..

regarding OTAU's... I have a feeling they're following in the footsteps of iphone updates.. Forced obsolescence.

 

[DuraYuk]

Every new car is going to over the air updates. Anything can break and malfunction. Sounds like some of y'all are gonna be walking since the 'tech' scares you.

The others with the older vehicles fail to realize your 1 leaking capacitor away from being stranded somewhere. Good luck finding that fault on a obd1 vehicle. Obd2 easier but finding the problem then fixing it will also leave you with a mechanically totalled vehicle.

We are just now starting to see electrical component failures on the 'simple' machines.

 

[dusttur]

Picked my Yukon up from the dealer this morning and everything is back to normal. They were able to do the software update via wired connection after about three tries and it finally was successful. Regarding the OTAU, lessons learned: do not attempt any update unless you're parked at home or somewhere safe in case the vehicle turns into a brick like mine did. If you are running an update ensure you are somewhere a tow truck can access your vehicle. It is def unfortunate that something like this could happen; however, if you do some research it seems like all car companies are having these issues. I think it's a natural progression when car companies are suddenly in the software development space. Personally, I like the tech aspect of these vehicles and the convenience they bring to driving; however, it would be really nice if there was some way to bypass the electronics if something crazy happens allowing you to at least drive the vehicle to the dealer. I'm not writing off GM or the newer tech-filled vehicles (yet), I just think we as consumers need to understand that there are certain precautions we can take to avoid full on disasters like I had. The dealership (where I didn't even purchase the vehicle) did a great job troubleshooting, finding the problem, and solving it. Should it have ever happened? No. Who knows, maybe they'll push an OTAU to fix this......

 

[Donnation]

Picked my Yukon up from the dealer this morning and everything is back to normal. They were able to do the software update via wired connection after about three tries and it finally was successful. Regarding the OTAU, lessons learned: do not attempt any update unless you're parked at home or somewhere safe in case the vehicle turns into a brick like mine did. If you are running an update ensure you are somewhere a tow truck can access your vehicle. It is def unfortunate that something like this could happen; however, if you do some research it seems like all car companies are having these issues. I think it's a natural progression when car companies are suddenly in the software development space. Personally, I like the tech aspect of these vehicles and the convenience they bring to driving; however, it would be really nice if there was some way to bypass the electronics if something crazy happens allowing you to at least drive the vehicle to the dealer. I'm not writing off GM or the newer tech-filled vehicles (yet), I just think we as consumers need to understand that there are certain precautions we can take to avoid full on disasters like I had. The dealership (where I didn't even purchase the vehicle) did a great job troubleshooting, finding the problem, and solving it. Should it have ever happened? No. Who knows, maybe they'll push an OTAU to fix this......
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Glad to hear they were able to fix yours. I'm on day 9 and they are still saying they can't figure it out. I'm going in there this morning and will mention this to them. Thanks again.