Safety, Warranty, and Support Policy

At WAMS, safety, reliability, and OEM compliance are the foundation of every service and product we offer. This page outlines our approach to evaluating vehicle modifications, our warranty and risk standards, and how we manage long-term support in environments where OEM software evolves rapidly. Our goal is simple: provide OEM-quality solutions while operating responsibly, transparently, and with respect for the design intent of every GM platform we support.

1. Our Safety Philosophy

WAMS does not perform or offer any service that compromises vehicle safety systems, emissions systems, or regulatory compliance. All work we perform adheres to the following principles:

1.1 OEM-Respectful Integration

We work with existing vehicle architecture and data pathways — never against them.

We do not alter safety-critical systems, braking logic, airbags, battery management, stability control, or powertrain protections.

We do not override OEM security mechanisms or introduce functions that conflict with intended safety behavior.

1.2 We Decline Unsafe Work

If a requested modification presents any of the following, we will not accept the order:

  • Potential interference with safety systems
  • An unknown interaction with vehicle firmware or architecture
  • A change that alters a federally regulated component
  • A feature that could mislead the driver or misrepresent vehicle status
  • A request that circumvents OEM security in a manner we consider inappropriate

WAMS has a long history of refusing work that other shops or individuals may attempt — precisely because safety and platform integrity take priority over sales.

2. Warranty Clarification

WAMS does not void vehicle warranties. Only the manufacturer or dealership can make that determination. However, there are important distinctions:

2.1 OEM Warranty

GM warranties are governed entirely by GM. Under U.S. law (including the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act):

  • A warranty cannot be voided simply because aftermarket parts or programming exist.
  • The manufacturer must demonstrate that a specific modification caused the specific issue being claimed before denying coverage.

WAMS products are OEM new components when applicable, programmed to the customer’s VIN, following factory configuration practices — minimizing any potential for warranty concern.

2.2 WAMS Warranty

For any new OEM part purchased through WAMS:

  • The part carries its full GM warranty, identical to what a dealership provides.
  • Warranty claims follow GM’s standard process, which we support administratively when needed.

For custom programming or services:

  • Programming labor is warrantied against defects in workmanship.
  • It does not cover failures due to unrelated vehicle issues, wiring faults, or prior misdiagnosis.

We strongly encourage professional diagnosis before ordering replacement modules to avoid unnecessary parts replacement.

3. OTA Updates and Long-Term Support

Modern GM platforms — especially Global B and Ultium-based vehicles — receive periodic OTA (over-the-air) updates that can change:

  • Software structure
  • Network messaging
  • Security layers
  • Module compatibility
  • Feature availability

3.1 Our Support Position

If an OEM update later affects functionality of a previously supported upgrade:

  • WAMS will assess feasibility of continued support.
  • If maintaining compatibility requires disproportionate resources, or poses reliability risks, we may discontinue the product.
  • We will always communicate changes clearly and promptly.

This is the same reasoning behind discontinuing certain high-profile products where update cadence made long-term support unrealistic without compromising reliability.

3.2 What We Will Never Do

We will never:

  • Provide patches that bypass core GM security
  • Attempt unstable workarounds that put customers at risk
  • Continue supporting a product if doing so could degrade reliability or create unpredictable behavior

4. When an OEM-Only Path Is the Best Choice

There are situations where the safest and most predictable solution is to use OEM service procedures exclusively. Examples include:

  • Vehicles under full factory bumper-to-bumper warranty
  • Features tied deeply into active safety systems
  • Updates to systems that depend on encrypted network synchronization (e.g., EV propulsion firmware)
  • Scenarios where customer concerns involve safety-critical warning messages

When an OEM-only path is clearly the best option, we will tell the customer so directly — even if it means losing the sale.

This is a core part of WAMS’ brand integrity.

5. When a WAMS Retrofit Is an Appropriate, Low-Risk Option

WAMS solutions are typically a strong fit when:

  • The modification involves infotainment, driver information, or non-critical convenience features
  • The vehicle is out of basic warranty
  • The customer is replacing a failed module with a brand-new GM component
  • The upgrade is built using GM-level architecture and functionality (e.g., HMI, clusters, ACM, 2.5 conversions, etc.)
  • The solution does not alter safety behavior in any way

These services represent the bulk of our business and are where our 20+ years of platform expertise provide maximum value.

6. Transparency on Discontinued Products

Occasionally, WAMS may discontinue a product for reasons such as:

  • OEM software ecosystems changing too rapidly
  • Resource demands for long-term support becoming disproportionate
  • Ensuring future reliability cannot be guaranteed
  • Avoiding customer impact from unpredictable OTA updates

These decisions are made proactively, not reactively, and are always rooted in customer protection — not legal, warranty, or safety pressure from GM.

7. Our Commitment to Responsible Innovation

WAMS focuses on:

  • OEM-quality work
  • Compliance-minded engineering
  • Clear customer communication
  • Long-term reliability
  • Respect for OEM design intent
  • Safe, predictable retrofit behavior

We do not chase features or shortcuts that put customers, dealers, or the broader GM ecosystem at risk.

Our philosophy is simple:

If a modification cannot be supported safely, reliably, and professionally — WAMS will not offer it.

8. Customer-Supplied Hardware Policy

Many WAMS services allow customers to supply their own OEM modules or components for programming or configuration. While this provides flexibility, it also introduces variables outside of WAMS’ control. The following standards apply to all customer-supplied hardware services.

8.1 Compatibility Responsibility

When a customer elects to supply their own hardware, compatibility with the vehicle’s model year, network architecture, firmware generation, and option content is the customer’s responsibility unless a separate pre-verification service has been requested.

WAMS does not independently source, inspect, or validate customer-supplied hardware prior to service unless explicitly arranged in advance.

If a customer elects to proceed with hardware that does not match the vehicle’s original model year or architecture, the customer assumes all operational risks associated with that decision.

8.2 Model Year and Architecture Differences

Modern GM platforms frequently change communication architecture mid-cycle (for example MOST vs Ethernet, Global A vs Global B, etc.). Even when components appear physically identical, internal firmware and network differences may result in:

  • Loss of infotainment functionality
  • Inoperable displays or controls
  • Communication errors between modules
  • Feature limitations
  • Unexpected system behavior

These outcomes are not programming defects when caused by incompatible hardware selection.

8.3 Assumption of Risk

When proceeding with customer-supplied hardware — especially when model years, firmware generations, or architectures differ — the customer acknowledges and accepts that:

  • The service is limited to programming and configuration as ordered.
  • WAMS does not guarantee full vehicle functionality when incompatible hardware is supplied.
  • Resulting operational limitations do not constitute defective workmanship.

By completing checkout, customers affirm they have read the product description and understand the implications of their hardware selection.

8.4 Service Finality

VIN-specific programming services are custom labor operations and cannot be reversed once completed.

Service fees cover labor performed and are not contingent on customer-supplied hardware compatibility unless otherwise explicitly stated.

8.5 When WAMS Will Intervene

WAMS reserves the right to decline or pause an order if we identify a safety-critical conflict. However, when a customer has explicitly acknowledged compatibility risks and elects to proceed, WAMS will perform the service as ordered.