Gm Loaner Vehicles: What's The Deal?

General Motors (GM) has a loaner vehicle program, but it is not always well-publicized. While GM's warranty does not provide for a loaner vehicle, many of its dealers will offer a loaner or rental car under certain circumstances, such as when a vehicle is in the shop for an extended period or for warranty or recall work. The availability of loaner vehicles can vary between dealers, and customers may need to specifically request them. Some dealers may also offer shuttle services or reimbursements for rental vehicles. GM has faced legal challenges over its loaner vehicle policies, with lawsuits arguing that the company should be more transparent about its programs.

GM's loaner car policy for recalls

In 2014, General Motors (GM) faced criticism for its loaner car policy for recalls, which was not widely communicated to customers. CEO Mary Barra told Congress that GM would provide free loaner cars for owners of recalled vehicles, but this information was not included in recall notices or posted on the official GM website. As a result, lawyers for GM owners in California filed a motion asking a U.S. District Court judge to order the company to notify customers about the loaner program, as required by the state's Secret Warranty Law.

GM's senior manager of sales and executive communications, James Cain, defended the company's communication efforts, stating that they had shared information through press releases, speeches, congressional testimony, press conferences, and various news media outlets. He also mentioned that they shared details through their Customer Care Center and dealerships. However, Cain acknowledged that the loaner program details were not on the GM website and suggested that they should be added.

According to some sources, GM's policy was to offer loaner or rental cars to customers with recalled vehicles if they specifically requested them. This policy was not consistently applied, and customers received varying responses from different dealers. Attorney Eric Gibbs argued that GM was trying to save money by not clearly spelling out the loaner program, leaving customers with the choice between bearing long-term alternative transportation costs or continuing to drive unsafe vehicles.

While GM did not comment on the litigation, Cain disclosed that about 13,000 people across the country were in loaner cars at the time. The company faced more than a dozen federal lawsuits related to the recall of vehicles with defective ignition switches. A Seattle-based law firm, Hagens Berman, sought to extend the notification requirement to other states with Secret Warranty laws, including Connecticut, Maryland, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

It is worth noting that the GM warranty does not provide for a loaner vehicle. However, dealers may offer a loaner or rental car free of charge under certain circumstances, especially if the vehicle is in the shop for an extended period due to warranty or recall work.

GM's legal requirements for providing loaner vehicles

General Motors (GM) does not have any legal responsibility to provide loaner vehicles unless it is specifically noted in the written warranty. No dealer has any responsibility to provide loaner vehicles unless they offer this benefit to the purchaser in writing at the time of purchase.

GM's warranty does not provide for a loaner vehicle. However, most dealers will offer a loaner or rental (free of charge) under certain circumstances. For instance, if a vehicle is to be in the shop for more than 8 hours for warranty or recall work, a dealer may provide a loaner or rental car. This is at the dealer's discretion, as they are privately owned and operate independently of GM.

The GM Protection Plan is an extended warranty that can be purchased, which offers mechanical coverage for the parts and labor costs of repairing covered vehicle components. Depending on the level of coverage, additional benefits may include roadside assistance, alternate transportation, towing, and basic maintenance coverage for specific maintenance needs.

In 2014, GM faced criticism for not clearly communicating its loaner car policy for recalled vehicles to its customers. CEO Mary Barra testified to Congress that the company had "empowered our dealers to take extraordinary measures" to assist its customers, specifically mentioning the free loaner policy. However, lawyers for GM owners in California argued that the company was required by California's Secret Warranty Law to notify customers about the loaner program. Similar lawsuits have been filed in other states with secret warranty laws, including Connecticut, Maryland, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

GM's loaner program

GMs loaner program is a service offered by the company to provide customers with a loaner or rental vehicle under certain circumstances. The program is typically available for customers whose vehicles are in the shop for warranty, recall, or repair work that will take more than eight hours. While the GM warranty does not include a loaner vehicle, many dealers will offer this service free of charge.

The GM Protection Plan, offered by GMAC Insurance, is an extended warranty that provides additional benefits such as roadside assistance, alternate transportation, towing, and basic maintenance coverage. This plan can be purchased to enhance the standard warranty coverage.

In 2014, CEO Mary Barra testified before Congress that GM would provide free loaner vehicles to owners of recalled cars, specifically those with faulty ignition switches. However, this loaner program was not widely publicized, and lawyers for GM owners in California filed a motion requesting that the company be required to notify customers about the program.

As of 2015, GM maintained that they had communicated information about the loaner program through various channels, including press releases, speeches, congressional testimony, press conferences, and media appearances. Nonetheless, details of the program were not easily accessible on the GM website, and customers reported varying responses from different dealers when inquiring about loaner vehicles.

It is recommended that customers in need of a loaner vehicle contact their dealer directly to discuss their specific situation and determine if they are eligible for a loaner or rental car under GM's loaner program.

GM's Protection Plan

General Motors (GM) does not provide loaner vehicles as part of its warranty. However, it has been reported that GM dealers may offer a loaner or rental vehicle under certain circumstances, such as when a customer's vehicle is in the shop for warranty or recall work for more than eight hours. This is decided on a case-by-case basis and is not a requirement.

GM offers a range of protection plans for its vehicles, including the Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, and Cadillac Protection Plans. These plans are optional and are not insurance. They provide additional coverage on top of the manufacturer's limited warranty and can be purchased at the time of vehicle purchase or within a specified time and mileage limit (up to 8 years or 100,000 miles). The specific coverage details, including limitations and exclusions, are outlined in the agreement, and coverage may vary by state.

The GM Protection Plan (GMPP) is an extended warranty that offers mechanical coverage for parts and labor costs of repairing covered vehicle components, even if the failure results from wear and tear (except in Kentucky). The GMPP also includes benefits such as roadside assistance, alternate transportation, towing, and basic maintenance coverage, depending on the level of coverage chosen.

Chevrolet also offers protection plans backed by General Motors, with coverage options including Powertrain, Silver, and Platinum. The Platinum coverage includes mechanical repair coverage for up to 8 years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first, and rental car coverage of up to $40 per day for a maximum of 10 days.

GMC Protection Plans offer a comprehensive suite of protection products with various tiers and options, providing added coverage for common wear and tear charges, and financial protection in the event of a total loss.

In addition, GM offers the PowerUp Protection Plan, which provides an extra two years of warranty coverage on top of the standard three-year manufacturer's warranty for a total of five years. This plan also includes coverage for charger replacement during the two-year protection period.

GM's Courtesy Transportation Program

General Motors (GM) does provide loaner vehicles under certain circumstances. This is part of their Courtesy Transportation Program. While GM's warranty does not provide for a loaner vehicle, most dealers will offer a loaner or rental free of charge if your vehicle is in the shop for more than 8 hours for warranty or recall work. This is at the dealer's discretion, and you will need to go through your salesperson or a manager to request one.

The GM Protection Plan is an extended warranty that offers mechanical coverage for parts and labor costs of repairing covered vehicle components. Depending on the level of coverage, it may include additional benefits such as roadside assistance, alternate transportation, towing, and basic maintenance coverage for specific maintenance needs.

Some dealers offer a fleet of new Chevrolet Courtesy loaner vehicles while customers' vehicles are in for service. These courtesy loaners are kept in service for a period of 90 days or 3,000 miles and are inspected and maintained by Chevy Certified technicians. Dealers may also choose to reimburse you for a rental vehicle that you obtain, although this is limited and requires original receipts, a completed rental agreement, and meeting certain requirements.

It is important to note that the availability of loaner vehicles and specific programs, such as shuttle services, may vary between dealers.

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