Loaner or rental vehicles from dealership while part is on back order

[Elevated_]

Hey,

 

I’ve been driving my 2021 Sierra Elevation for just over a year and with 26k miles the engine started to make a loud metal rattle noise. My local dealership initially said they couldn’t look at it for a month but they let me in earlier after I got a diagnosis at an auto shop. Turns out I have a broken water pump.

 

This is a relatively new vehicle so it’s covered under warranty, but the dealership is telling me the part is on back order. I’ve been calling regularly to check if they have loaners but I haven’t had any luck. I’ve also called GM about a rental vehicle and they told me that I could rent one and request a reimbursement later but that the reimbursement was not guaranteed. Does anyone have any experience with these rental vehicles?

 

The last time they told me the part was on back order it took many months but the vehicle was drivable without changing that part. This time my car is in the dealership with no estimate on when the part would arrive and I don’t have anything to drive. 
 

Does anyone have advice on what I should do?

[SteveP45]

If this is the dealership which sold you the vehicle, talk to the salesperson who sold it to you.   Ask them for a free loaner to use.   If they have 1/2 a brain, you will have a free used loaner within minutes.  If the sales person does not do this, politely let them know you will go someplace else for your next vehicle (new or used) and you will let everyone you know why.

[Elevated_]

10 minutes ago, SteveP45 said:

If this is the dealership which sold you the vehicle, talk to the salesperson who sold it to you.   Ask them for a free loaner to use.   If they have 1/2 a brain, you will have a free used loaner within minutes.  If the sales person does not do this, politely let them know you will go someplace else for your next vehicle (new or used) and you will let everyone you know why.

The dealership I purchased my car from is about 250miles away. The dealership in my area told me they didn’t have any loaners available and that they’re given on a first come first serve basis. I’ve called them back multiple times but they never had one available. 

[SteveP45]

Not a surprise since you did not purchase it from there.   I am fortunate enough to have 4 dealerships near me, but I purchased my vehicle from the one which was the farthest away (35 minute drive) because they have the best deal.   

 

Do did not indicate whether you talked with a sales person though.  If they think you are a prospective customer, they may still get a used car for you to drive.   Talking to the service people for a loaner will get you nowhere.

[dieselfan1]

2 hours ago, Elevated_ said:

Hey,

 

I’ve been driving my 2021 Sierra Elevation for just over a year and with 26k miles the engine started to make a loud metal rattle noise. My local dealership initially said they couldn’t look at it for a month but they let me in earlier after I got a diagnosis at an auto shop. Turns out I have a broken water pump.

 

This is a relatively new vehicle so it’s covered under warranty, but the dealership is telling me the part is on back order. I’ve been calling regularly to check if they have loaners but I haven’t had any luck. I’ve also called GM about a rental vehicle and they told me that I could rent one and request a reimbursement later but that the reimbursement was not guaranteed. Does anyone have any experience with these rental vehicles?

 

 

Does anyone have advice on what I should do?

 

If it was me I'd be trading it for a new truck. I'm not waiting for parts while making payments and having nothing to drive.

[Mike Duhaime]

I've had many GM vehicles, as well as Mazda, Kia, Honda. GM was always the only one to give free loaners. Even on a crappy work truck, they supplied a loaner if the truck was still under warranty. I'm in Canada, not sure if rules are different in US. My work truck, a Chev express, had diesel issues with 159,000 miles. It needed an emission part that had to be ordered. Service rep said GM has to give a loaner at no charge. Since they had none,  I was sent to Enterprise. If it was a GM vehicle, it was free. The work truck was purchased 100 mile away. He told me it was GM policy, nothing to do with where  i bought it. If you're truck is still running, and useable, they wont pay for a loaner

[richard wysong]

Welcome to the Forum!

[Transient]

I use to work for a rental car company that had a rental counter inside a Chevy dealership.  If the dealer didn't have a loaner for warranty repair the service wrote would walk with the customer to my rental counter and I would bill the dealership and required to supply a GM vehicle.  I'm now in a different city and state, and no longer in that industry.  I've taken my truck to a dealership for warranty and been told no warranty until the dealership performs the diagnosis.  Getting the diagnosis could take weeks due to backlog and not enough techs.  This dealership has also told me they won't provide a rental if they are out of loaners.  I have since started having my truck serviced at another dealership a few miles away from the one with a backlog and no loaners.  I get quick service and they have an Enterprise across the street.  I recommend finding another dealer to have your beehives serviced at. 

[Bikerjon]

Transient is right. Explain to the Service Manager (not some service writer) that you will be taking your repairs and new purchases to a different dealer if he cant help you with a rental car. My car insurance also covers rental reimbursement for car repairs. You could also try your insurance company.