GWC Warranty

In December, truck was towed to a 5-Star garage with 10 bays and a machine shop that specializes in rebuilding engines. Garage #2 said the same thing about car warranty companies but they relented after I begged and took the truck in. It is now the end of March 2023. Garage#2 spent weeks trying to contact GWC and it took 17 phone calls to finally get through. This 5 star garage says GWC is the worst company they have ever worked with. Truck needs timing chain and valve job. Garage says it's a $6,000 job at a shop rate of $155/hr. GWC says they only pay a labor rate of $11 and claim the will only authorize 5.7 hrs while the garage says it will take 9.6 hrs. GWC says they will only pay $4,100 and GWC will NOT pay for oil, filter, a few bolts and 3 actuators. I have been without the vehicle for 4 months and it is still not fixed. GWC should change motto to: "Worry! Get used to walking and hire an attorney."

On Saturday, November 19, I left Altadena, CA, and drove to San Luis Obispo, CA (189 miles). On Sunday, November 20, while returning to Altadena, a check engine light came on. I still had the OBD sensor attached, so I did a OBD scan and it gave a “P0744 – Powertrain Torque Converter Clutch Circuit Intermittent” code.

The Torque App has a "clear code" function, so I cleared the code to see if there was is a real problem or if was just a “blip”. On Monday, November 21, I was back in San Luis Obispo, and I took the car to Coastal Nissan and told them about the check engine light. I also told them that I had the GWC warranty and asked them to please contact GWC first before performing any work. They told me that they would need to do a transmission diagnostic test and pull the transmission pan to see if there were metal fragments in the pan.

They found a PO744 “history fault” in the diagnostic test and recommended a new transmission, however, GWC would not approve a new transmission unless another fault code appeared. They told me to bring the car back if a new code appeared. I paid them $219 and left. That evening, the code appeared again (this time I didn’t clear it), and the next morning I drove it back to Coastal Nissan, who said they would have to run another diagnostic test ($189). GWC denied the claim stating that it was a “preexisting condition”.

When I purchased the car, I received a California Smog report. In doing some research, I read where check engine lights would cause the test to "fail". My car’s report shows that there were no OBD codes at the time of the test. So I submitted a claims appeal. After several more phone calls, I was able to talk to a GWC supervisor who told me that the transmission problem was "wear-and-tear" (or "preexisting") not a "failure." (So much for GWC's “No Worries, Just Drive”). Wouldn't any failure with a used car be "wear and tear"?

The transmission check engine light continues to stay on. I'll have to decide if I'll keep it, wondering if the transmission is safe, pay to replace the transmission, or just take my "lumps" and trade it in on something more reliable.

I was able to piece together the last few oil changes, brake/pad change, tire change. As well as all the repair records from the dealership and the 1 oil change from them. I explained to GWC I didn't have the old statements and all I could get is what I sent them. They denied my claim because of couldn't produce them. I questioned that when I brought my car into the dealership for repair and was given a good bill of health for my car, then able to provide service records from that point. They couldn't give me an answer and said that they need all service records. They would not work with me in any way!!!!

Basically they would have paid $800 and I would be left to cover the $1900 remaining. So instead of getting the issue fixed by my warranty I am going to pay $800 (instead of 1900) to get the rear AC capped off so only the front works. Buy this warranty if you want just know they are not going to cover anything except that specific part and labor and there is almost always other things that need to be done as a result of the issue.

March 3rd I received an email stating "We cannot in good conscience move forward with a complete tear down because we don't believe GWC will honor the warranty" and I should sell the truck and absorb the loss of thousands of dollars. I received a call 3/15 from GWC stating my bill was paid for and I should have the truck towed elsewhere. Knowing I didn't approve such action, I called the shop. The service manager stated he wasn't paid and even if he was I would still owe a balance. Had I towed the truck, I could have been arrested for theft of services. GWC and their adjuster have seen images and videos of the damage taken with a boroscope. The adjuster has seen the damage and has held the pieces of metal. Yet, here I sit making payments on a truck I haven't seen since December and 10 ASE certified technicians telling me the engine needs replaced but GWC refuses to honor the warranty I purchased.

I have GWC on two cars which was activated as a courtesy by the dealerships that I bought my vehicles from. The coverage is worthless and confirm and affirm why I have never believed in extended warranties, especially for vehicles and have never directly purchased such coverage. Google this company and lack of coverage is more common than the reviews that state they did cover something. The hassle of time and energy is not worth it. This is my second review of this company for the same issue especially since they keep sending me reminders as if they have done something for me. My first review was on google but their google profile has mysteriously disappeared. Even when I wrote my google review, I was contacted by the review with the same appearances of concern as the other reviews showing GWC reaching out but after giving them my contract number, I never heard anything back. It is all for show.

Total service: ~$400

About a week ago, my engine had a catastrophic meltdown due to a blown head gasket, which is a covered item. I stopped the car when I saw the overheating warning and got it towed to my house, just like you’re supposed to under the warranty. A day or two later it was towed to a GWC preferred facility. The mechanic and the third-party inspector both agreed that the meltdown was due to a blown head gasket and the engine needed to be replaced. So it was a surprise when the mechanic called and said GWC wanted a full engine teardown. The mechanic is pushing back, saying it’s obvious that the head gasket blew and caused severe damage and the whole engine needs to be replaced.

I called GWC, and they said they didn’t care. GWC claimed the inspector actually recommended a teardown, despite the mechanic stating the inspector agreed that the damage was from overheating due to a failed head gasket. Given that there’s numerous reviews of GWC stating that they’re laser-focused on tearing apart your engine no matter what, I believe the mechanic.

I’m posting this for two reasons, one selfish and the other a little more altruistic. First, I want GWC to hold up their end of the bargain and fulfill the terms of the warranty that I paid for without putting me through the wringer. It’s unacceptable that they sent me to their own mechanic and then turn around and claim that their own mechanic’s assessment isn’t adequate. Second, I want everyone who’s reading this, both dealerships and customers, to think long and hard before giving GWC your business and money. Dealers, you should give your customers the best experience possible and pick another warranty company. Fellow car owners, save yourself the headache and just say no to GWC. If they make this right without making my life hell, then I’ll update this post. Until then, stay away from GWC Warranty.