Chevrolet P3260
• There are no additional DTCs stored in the HPCM. There will be a P0AC4 stored in the ECM which requests the MIL illumination, but the HPCM contains only a P3260. • There are no m
Quick answer
For a 2016–2017 Chevrolet Volt (US), NHTSA-published GM bulletin 16-NA-400 addresses a P3260 condition when the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) is illuminated and specific freeze-frame criteria are met. The documented action is to reprogram the Drive Motor Power Inverter Module to the latest available calibration.
This page separates verified manufacturer/regulator evidence from supporting material. Unsupported causes, repairs or safety conclusions are not guessed.
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1. What does P3260 mean?
For a 2016–2017 Chevrolet Volt (US), NHTSA-published GM bulletin 16-NA-400 addresses a P3260 condition when the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) is illuminated and specific freeze-frame criteria are met. The documented action is to reprogram the Drive Motor Power Inverter Module to the latest available calibration.
2. Technical explanation
Verified bulletin evidence states that P3260 may be stored in the Hybrid Powertrain Control Module (HPCM), while P0AC4 may be stored in the ECM to request MIL illumination. The bulletin instructs technicians to review HPCM freeze-frame information and confirm the specified conditions before applying the programming repair.
3. What system is affected?
Hybrid Powertrain Control Module (HPCM), ECM, and Drive Motor Power Inverter Module.
4. How serious is this code?
Not yet established by verified evidence.
5. Symptoms you may notice
- MIL illuminated.
- P3260 stored in the HPCM under the bulletin’s described condition.
- P0AC4 stored in the ECM requesting MIL illumination under the bulletin’s described condition.
- No major current driveability concerns when the bulletin’s listed freeze-frame criteria apply.
6. Possible causes
- The verified bulletin identifies a condition addressed by updated Drive Motor Power Inverter Module calibrations. A specific underlying component failure or root cause is not yet established by verified evidence.
7. Can I still drive the vehicle?
Not yet established by verified evidence. The bulletin describes a subset of cases with no major current driveability concerns, but it does not provide a general driving-safety determination.
8. Can I charge the vehicle?
Not yet established by verified evidence.
9. What you can safely do
- Have the vehicle scanned and have freeze-frame data reviewed by a qualified Chevrolet/GM service provider.
- Confirm whether additional DTCs are stored in the HPCM.
- Do not assume this bulletin applies if other HPCM DTCs or major driveability concerns are present.
10. Step-by-step troubleshooting
- Review freeze-frame information in the HPCM.
- Determine whether there are no additional DTCs stored in the HPCM.
- Verify whether P0AC4 is stored in the ECM and requests MIL illumination.
- Determine whether there are no major current driveability concerns and MIL illumination is the primary concern.
- If all bulletin conditions apply, reprogram the Drive Motor Power Inverter Module to the latest available calibrations.
- If other HPCM DTCs are present, further diagnostic direction is not included in the supplied verified evidence.
11. When to contact service
Contact a Chevrolet/GM-qualified service provider for diagnostic scanning, freeze-frame review, and, if the bulletin criteria are met, Drive Motor Power Inverter Module programming.
12. What the service center may check
- Check HPCM stored DTCs.
- Check ECM for P0AC4 requesting MIL illumination.
- Review HPCM freeze-frame data.
- Assess whether major current driveability concerns are present.
- Confirm the applicability of GM bulletin 16-NA-400 before programming.
13. Possible repair or resolution
- When all documented bulletin conditions apply, reprogram the Drive Motor Power Inverter Module to the latest calibrations available.
- The supplied evidence does not establish a repair outcome for vehicles with additional HPCM DTCs or major driveability concerns.
14. Affected vehicles
- Chevrolet Volt · 2016–2017 · US
15. Related TSBs / service bulletins
- GM bulletin 16-NA-400, published through NHTSA as Manufacturer Communication PDF 10111768 on 2016-12-08. It applies, based on supplied applicability evidence, to US-market 2016–2017 Chevrolet Volt vehicles.
16. Recall information
- Not yet established by verified evidence.
17. Official manufacturer information
Official source: NHTSA Manufacturer Communication PDF 10111768, GM bulletin 16-NA-400: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2016/MC-10111768-9999.pdf
19. Frequently asked questions
What does P3260 mean for a 2016–2017 Chevrolet Volt?
The supplied verified evidence documents a P3260 condition addressed by GM bulletin 16-NA-400. In the described case, P3260 is stored in the HPCM and P0AC4 is stored in the ECM to request MIL illumination. A broader code definition is not established by the supplied evidence.
Is P3260 covered by a service bulletin?
Yes. NHTSA-published GM bulletin 16-NA-400 addresses the described P3260/MIL condition for the supplied US 2016–2017 Chevrolet Volt applicability.
What repair does the bulletin specify?
If all listed freeze-frame conditions are met, the bulletin specifies reprogramming the Drive Motor Power Inverter Module to the latest available calibrations.
Does the bulletin apply when other HPCM codes are present?
The supplied evidence says the bulletin condition requires no additional DTCs stored in the HPCM. It does not establish that the programming repair applies when other HPCM DTCs are present.