I am writing on to report on the experience of a Chevrolet Corvette owner who is enduring what appears to be a significant service and support issue involving a 2006 Corvette and the programming of an original equipment (OEM) replacement key fob.
For context, I have worked with Corvettes for many years and have personally programmed numerous C5 and C6 key fobs. I have 51 years of Corvette sales and service experience and have sold more than 1,000 used Corvettes in the last 13 years. My team and I understand the programming procedures used on these vehicles and are aware that there are important differences between Canadian-specification and U.S.-specification Corvettes.
On U.S.-specification Corvettes, key fob programming can be performed by the owner. The procedures are published in the owner's manual and are widely documented. Canadian-specification Corvettes, however, require dealer intervention and access to GM systems to complete the programming process.
The vehicle in question is a 2006 Corvette with one functioning key fob. The owner purchased a new OEM replacement fob intended for the vehicle and sought assistance from a GM dealership to program it.
The first dealership, Ontario Motor Sales in Oshawa, charged approximately $150 plus tax and attempted to program the new fob. The dealership advised the customer that the existing fob was incorrect and should not function, despite the fact that it did. They further advised that the newly purchased OEM replacement fob was also incorrect and recommended purchasing another fob at a cost of approximately $350, despite the replacement appearing to correspond to a later-model Corvette.
Concerned by this advice, the customer contacted me. I suggested seeking assistance from another Chevrolet dealership with Corvette experience.
I then contacted Roy Nichols Chevrolet in Courtice and spoke with a service advisor, Jackie, to confirm that the dealership had both the equipment and expertise necessary to program a 2006 Corvette key fob. I was assured that they could assist.
The customer attended the appointment, but the dealership was also unable to complete the programming. During the visit, the technician explained that the vehicle was receiving signals from the existing fob and that the original fob appeared functional. However, they were unable to add the second fob.
The technician acknowledged awareness of the secondary key-fob relearn procedure. As I understand it, the Corvette platform utilizes two programming methods:
As a result, the customer left with the same single functioning fob he arrived with.
To date, the customer has:
• Purchased a new OEM replacement key fob.
• Visited two GM dealerships.
• Paid diagnostic and programming charges.
• Made multiple trips to and from dealerships.
• Spent approximately $400 with no successful outcome and no additional functioning key fob.
My concern extends beyond this individual case.
If GM dealerships are unable or unwilling to complete the documented relearn procedure on a 2006 Corvette, Canadian owners may effectively be left with no practical solution when they need additional key fobs. If the last remaining fob is lost, damaged, or becomes inoperative, the vehicle could become unusable despite otherwise being fully functional.
I have attempted to contact both dealerships directly to discuss the relearn process and share information regarding the procedures commonly used within the Corvette community. I have since spoken to representatives of both and I am awaiting their feedback.
I have requested clarification from GM Canada on the following points:
Owners reasonably expect that basic vehicle access systems such as key fobs will remain serviceable throughout the life of the vehicle. We have contacted GM Canada and the two dealerships involved and will report back our experience in resolving this matter and clarifying the company's position regarding continued support for these vehicles.
Lee Munro's Garage
535 Paris Rd
Paris, Ontario
For context, I have worked with Corvettes for many years and have personally programmed numerous C5 and C6 key fobs. I have 51 years of Corvette sales and service experience and have sold more than 1,000 used Corvettes in the last 13 years. My team and I understand the programming procedures used on these vehicles and are aware that there are important differences between Canadian-specification and U.S.-specification Corvettes.
On U.S.-specification Corvettes, key fob programming can be performed by the owner. The procedures are published in the owner's manual and are widely documented. Canadian-specification Corvettes, however, require dealer intervention and access to GM systems to complete the programming process.
The vehicle in question is a 2006 Corvette with one functioning key fob. The owner purchased a new OEM replacement fob intended for the vehicle and sought assistance from a GM dealership to program it.
The first dealership, Ontario Motor Sales in Oshawa, charged approximately $150 plus tax and attempted to program the new fob. The dealership advised the customer that the existing fob was incorrect and should not function, despite the fact that it did. They further advised that the newly purchased OEM replacement fob was also incorrect and recommended purchasing another fob at a cost of approximately $350, despite the replacement appearing to correspond to a later-model Corvette.
Concerned by this advice, the customer contacted me. I suggested seeking assistance from another Chevrolet dealership with Corvette experience.
I then contacted Roy Nichols Chevrolet in Courtice and spoke with a service advisor, Jackie, to confirm that the dealership had both the equipment and expertise necessary to program a 2006 Corvette key fob. I was assured that they could assist.
The customer attended the appointment, but the dealership was also unable to complete the programming. During the visit, the technician explained that the vehicle was receiving signals from the existing fob and that the original fob appeared functional. However, they were unable to add the second fob.
The technician acknowledged awareness of the secondary key-fob relearn procedure. As I understand it, the Corvette platform utilizes two programming methods:
- A 15-minute procedure used when adding an additional fob while a functioning fob is already present.
- A more comprehensive relearn procedure that erases all stored fobs from memory and then reprograms every fob to the vehicle. This process typically requires approximately 30 minutes and may occasionally need to be repeated.
As a result, the customer left with the same single functioning fob he arrived with.
To date, the customer has:
• Purchased a new OEM replacement key fob.
• Visited two GM dealerships.
• Paid diagnostic and programming charges.
• Made multiple trips to and from dealerships.
• Spent approximately $400 with no successful outcome and no additional functioning key fob.
My concern extends beyond this individual case.
If GM dealerships are unable or unwilling to complete the documented relearn procedure on a 2006 Corvette, Canadian owners may effectively be left with no practical solution when they need additional key fobs. If the last remaining fob is lost, damaged, or becomes inoperative, the vehicle could become unusable despite otherwise being fully functional.
I have attempted to contact both dealerships directly to discuss the relearn process and share information regarding the procedures commonly used within the Corvette community. I have since spoken to representatives of both and I am awaiting their feedback.
I have requested clarification from GM Canada on the following points:
- Is there any GM policy, software update, or technical bulletin that prevents programming a new OEM key fob to a 2005-2007 Corvette?
- Is the complete key-fob relearn procedure still approved by GM for these vehicles?
- Are GM technicians currently trained and authorized to perform the full relearn procedure when the standard add-fob procedure fails?
- Has GM discontinued support for the original key-fob system used on early C6 Corvettes?
- If support remains available, can GM Canada direct this customer to a dealership with the required expertise and equipment to successfully complete the programming?
- If support is no longer available, what is GM Canada's recommended solution for owners of these vehicles?
Owners reasonably expect that basic vehicle access systems such as key fobs will remain serviceable throughout the life of the vehicle. We have contacted GM Canada and the two dealerships involved and will report back our experience in resolving this matter and clarifying the company's position regarding continued support for these vehicles.
Lee Munro's Garage
535 Paris Rd
Paris, Ontario
