GM Replacement Parts Warranty

**ob_1jr** · 05-27-2009, 04:41 PM

Ok, i just got back from the dealership. I had a third waterpump replaced in under 62,000 miles. I had to fight with the dealer to cover something that they needed to anyway. Here's the background on my truck.

I had the first waterpump replaced in July 07 with about 47,000 miles on my truck. I had to pay the $100 deductable at that time for the engine warranty...i had no issues with that. I then had to get it replaced again in june 08 with about 52,000 miles on my truck. they tried to fight me on that replacement to be covered under the 12 month/12,000 mile warranty. After talking to the service manager, he said that they would cover it free of charge.

Now fast forward to today. I took my truck in with a little over 61,000 miles on it (61,155 to be exact). They looked at my truck and then talked to me telling me that i would have to pay the $100 deductable again since the last replacement was covered under the 12/12,000 warranty. They stated that it the warranty was only good from the time of the first repair where i paid the deductable. Anyway I told them fine i would pay the $100. SO, i waited around for about 5 hours and then the service advisor came to me and said they made a mistake, i would have to pay for the repair since my truck was no longer covered under the 5yr/100,000 mile warranty as it expired back in november. I told them that i couldn't pay for the repair and they told me that they would cover the labor if i paid for the waterpump...$315 or they would put my old one back on.

I decided that i pay that. In the process of paying and everything i was talking to them about why the waterpump would be failing like it is? In this i asked for my old part back since i paid for it and asked to get a copy of the 12/12,000 warranty. they had no issues with that. So they print me up a copy and the service advisor reads it and then has the warranty guy read it. Well it seems that i would be covered by GM for the part afterall. They said it was a new policy warranty update since oct 07, but i think that they didnt really know the wording. here is what it says:

Under partst covered, All GM Service replacement parts & accessories that are DEALER INSTALLED...Warranty is effective from date of installation to original purchaser, 12 months or 12,000 miles whichever occurs first from date of installation (parts and labor). Subsequent replacements under this warranty will receive a new 12 month or 12,000 mile warranty from the new date of installation.

So that statement covered me and i got a refund back. The column i think they were thinking of was SOLD OVER THE COUNTER warranty is effective from date of sale by the dealer...12 months 12,000 miles from the date of original sale by dealer (parts only). Subsequent replacements under this warranty will receive the balance of the original 12 month warranty period..

They played it off as it was a change back in 07 that they didnt know about, but looking at the page there is a bold bar on the right side (further down the page from this area) that signifies the changes made. I know this because the Air Force does the same thing in our technical orders to work on jets.

Anyway, i wanted to post this here so someone doesn't get screwed for a repair that should otherwise be covered under the warranty. So if something ever sounds fishy to you ask to see it in writing!!

**bigdaddydiesel** · 05-27-2009, 05:05 PM

I have had major arguments with dealers and others over that, I am glad you posted it!!!

**ob_1jr** · 05-27-2009, 06:25 PM

yeah i was a little ticked when they told me that it wouldnt be covered. I would have had them put the old one back on but i had been sitting around for about 5 or 5 1/2 hours waiting for the one they put in to get installed. Then of course i was thinking.....$300 or possibly get stranded somewhere down the road and worst case blow my engine. I always like to see it in writing. At least the military has taught me something. I know i could have handled changing the waterpump, but why when it's covered under warranty. Hopefully this dealer doesnt go under for as long as im here since i have no plans whatsoever to get rid of my truck.

I got sticker shock today when i was bored....they wanted almost $49,000 for a crewcab work truck with a duramax. The rest of the normal crewcabs were going for $54,000+ on the sticker. They try to add an "alaska mark-up" for delivery and such of $3000. yeah, i dont see ever buying a brand new vehicle again...i will let someone else take the hit on that first depreciation.

sc3283 · 06-09-2009, 10:41 PM

Everyone needs to realize that a Dealer's BEST paying customer is the manufacturer. The dealer would prefer the manufacturer to pay them than a customer because they know the payment is good. Manufacturers do make many changes with policies set forth and it can be difficult for a dealer to keep up with them in this fast paced world. True they should know all policies as they are the retail rep for the manufacturer but it can be very a very tough thing to do and to be able to keep all dealer customer reps informed. The info and procedures for the dealership employees can be very difficult to stay on top of. I am not saying your dealer was wrong or right, you did get your situation taken care of which is a good thing.

**ob_1jr** · 06-09-2009, 10:54 PM

That policy has always been like that...it didnt just change....it could have changed in 07, but that was almost a year and a half ago...oct 07 to may 09? they should have known, but i feel my dealership just wanted more money.....i would be willing to bet that they took payment and then turned the parts in for warranty. Of course now the dealership is under different management than when i first bought my truck, but the warranty guy is the same IIRC.

06AFDmax · 06-09-2009, 10:57 PM

Thanks for the tidbit OB.... which dealer did you go to... Alaska sales and service?.. I have to take my truck in next monday so they can change my front cv axle seals... my slip yoke... and look and the seal on the rear axle. (has a TON of play in it)

**ob_1jr** · 06-09-2009, 11:01 PM

No im in fairbanks. Aurora. They have been decent with me for the most part.

06AFDmax · 06-09-2009, 11:04 PM

Oh snap your up there... damn... figured you were here in anchorage... What do you do up there?.. MX?

**ob_1jr** · 06-09-2009, 11:09 PM

yeah, im actually an F-16 Avionics guy but i'm working Red Flag as an avionics liasion.

06AFDmax · 06-09-2009, 11:12 PM

Thats cool red flag starts down here soon... I was up there Back in Jan.. damn the -65... should told ya I was coming up.. we had some fred's(c-5's) come up there and me and 2 other buddies had to make sure they didnt stay there... Im in the enroute down here at Elmendorf... I Work on heavies... Less than one month to go then it's no longer Sgt Fontenot... but MR. Fontenot