Almost died yesterday when I stoppped by a dealer to ask if I could purchase an extended warranty for an A/D 2004 2500. I bought the truck used from a local car whosaler a few weeks back. The dealer told me that my ability to purchase a warranty would depend on the vehicles VIN. When I asked why, he told me if I bought a truck manufactured for Canada, that not only could I not purchase an extended warranty.... But that the remaining 2+ years on the truck was not warranted either. I almost died when he told me that.


Since then I spoke to the dealer that sold me the truck. He called BS and told me the dealer doesn't have a choice in the matter. GM can force them to work on the truck within the first 3yrs/36,000.


Anyone else want to comment on this? I certainly would not have bought the truck had I known that the warranty was not valid. I love the truck, but I sure as hell bought it under the assumption that a significant part of the original warranty was still in effect.


Here is my VIN if that will help:


1GCHK23164F120675

BS I sold my last truck to a buddy of mine in the US. He has had it in a couple times for warranty. Edited by: Max Power

Bought mine used and it has the little stickers under the hood and on the door jam that says it was manufactured for Canada and converted to US units by so and so. I have had mine in for a couple of repairs, done under waranty, no hassels.


On the other hand, I guess they can chose whether or not to take your money on the extended warranty, but they still have to service your truck. I would suggest checking with another dealer to purchase the warranty, they might like getting your money and not having to service your truck.

I found this after looking up a Canadian VIN, On the applicable warranty info it says "POTENTIAL GRAY MARKET - WARRANTY MAY BE RESTRICTED IN THE US"
<H4><A name=Gray>Gray</A> Market Automobiles http://www.newyork.bbb.org/images/navigation/uparrow.gif (http://www.newyork.bbb.org/library/publications/subrep45.html#top)</H4>


Gray market automobiles are vehicles that were intended for sale outside the US. However, because of fluctuations in currency values, it may be less expensive to import a car than to buy it from a US dealer. If you intend to purchase a gray market automobile, you should be aware of the following:


A. Safety and Pollution Standards Differ


Imported motor vehicles are subject to air pollution control standards enforced by the Department of Transportation (DOT), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and US Customs. Since safety and air pollution standards vary from country to country, it is unlikely that vehicles purchased abroad comply with US standards. Gray market automobiles will often require modifications to satisfy US requirements. These modifications can add a considerable cost on the purchase of the automobile.


Although a non-conforming car may be admitted into the US, by a registered importer and under a bond equal to the price paid for the car or the invoice price, both the DOT and the EPA advise consumers that modifications may be impossible, impractical, or require extensive engineering. Furthermore, they warn that labor and material costs may be unduly expensive.


A motor vehicle designed primarily for use on public streets must enter the country through a registered importer, or through one who has a contract with such an importer, and its compliance must be established after entry into the US according to certain procedures. A vehicle that cannot be modified to US standards will not be permitted into the country. A non-conforming vehicle can be imported, on the condition that it will be brought into conformity within 120 days of entry.


B. Warranty Protection


Unlike an automobile intended for sale in the US, a gray market automobile may not be protected under the manufacturer's warranty. You may be able to purchase a service contract underwritten by an insurance company, but there may be significant restrictions. For example, you may have to provide the money to pay for the contract or service in advance. Furthermore, if your automobile needs repairs, you may be required to file a claim for reimbursement with the company, instead of returning to the car dealer as you would with a car intended for sale in the US. In addition, the buyer of a gray market automobile may not be eligible to participate in the various manufacturer's special mediation and arbitration programs.

Thanks for the uneasy feeling I now have GMCSID. Could you run my VIN to see if it is a "Gray Market" Truck?


1GCHK23164F120675


Appreciate the info.

Thanks for the uneasy feeling I now have GMCSID. Could you run my VIN to see if it is a "Gray Market" Truck?


1GCHK23164F120675


Appreciate the info.











Your truck was sold from Issaquah , WA. Nothing to worry about.

If a Canadian wants to buy a USA licenced vehical, one would first chech with customs, they provide a free list of all approved vehicals, eg. cars, trucks, motor homes, trailers, and 5th wheels. For a brockers fee of $180. you have 30 days to bring the vehical into Canada have it inspected at Canadian Tire free, you provide a letter from the manufacture there are no outstanding recalls, and you pay provincial taxes for which you get your licence plates.


sounds simple !!!!


good luck

You may want to check around with a few more dealers. I have an 03 CC D/A that was originally Canadian. It was converted and resold in the U.S. My local dealership is honoring the warrenty with the exception of the dash and it's electronic components (the conversion)


I've had my truck in several times for small problems i.e. keyless entry, door handle etc... The dealer covered the repairs under warrenty each time with one exception. I had to have the Overdrive/Off reprogramed into the computer because according to the dealer it was erased during the dash convertion. That one cost me about $200

I had the same problem. There is something in alaska law that cancels the warrenty if the truck was first registered for use in canada. Unfortunately I didn't have that truck long enough to press the buttons. (I rolled it 2 months after buying it) Of course, you shouldn't have a problem since your VIN starts with a 1. That is a vehicle produced for the US. I had a truck that had a VIN starting with a 2. Of course, I am no expert on this and I didn't get a chance to press the issue. Hope everything works out for you.

The #1 or#2 has to do with the country of manufacturing.Not country of import.


Warranty is to be honored regardless of Canadian or US.Now other countries is different.I charge $225 per vehicle for brokerage and the average conversion costs us $400.


For example, find a 2002 Camaro with the first digit in the VIN being a #1.It's Impossible due to all of them were manufactured in ST Theresa QUE Canada.


Try to find a used late model truck in Canada right now,they are priced sky high,inventory got so depleted in the last 7 years.Edited by: BROKER

Wrong, The gmc I owned had a #2 on the VIN and it was manufactured in wisconsin I think. That's what the sticker said on the door and when I ran a vin check that's what it said too. That's why I was going to push the buttons on the warrenty issue. It was manufactured in the US and exported to canada. The warrenty thing has to do with Alaska. The manufacturer doesn't have to honor it since it is part of a law that was voted in here. That is Alaska's way of trying to get you to buy here and not on of the "cheaper" versions from canada.

IIRC ~ about 2yrs ago, there was a policy statement from DC that they would not honor crossed nation warranty on their products. Could that dealer also be a DC dealer? That may explain the confusion.

I had to go through the same BS with my last Truck (01' Expedition) it was found to be Canadian after I took it in for service while on a trip from Indy to the FL keys. (The truck intermittantly thought it best I run in 4X4 on the highway down there.....) after several hassles and the warranty not paying for anything since they couldnt find a broken part to replace.... I finally coerced them into figuring it out .... They didnt figure it out, but at least they decided to replace the GEM module.... 6 months later it started doing the same thing, so now I have my 03' sierra DMAX.... I do sometimes feel sorry for the guy who bought it after me....

Wrong, The gmc I owned had a #2 on the VIN and it was
manufactured in wisconsin I think. That's what the sticker said on the
door and when I ran a vin check that's what it said too. That's why I
was going to push the buttons on the warrenty issue. It was
manufactured in the US and exported to canada. The warrenty thing has
to do with Alaska. The manufacturer doesn't have to honor it since it
is part of a law that was voted in here. That is Alaska's way of trying
to get you to buy here and not on of the "cheaper" versions from
canada.



Wrong again!



First character of the vehicle's VIN corresponds to its country of FINAL ASSEMBLY - by Federal Law.



1 = US

2 = Canada

3 = Mexico

4 = US (Toyotas only I believe)

5 = US

J = Japan

K = Korea

W = Germany



and so on. Dunno any others off-hand.



We have a Mexican manufacured (first VIN character of "3") 2000 Yukon
XL in the shop as we speak. It was originally purchased new in Canada
and the speedo/odo read km's ONLY. Door jamb sticker also states that
it was manufactured for Canadian usage.

Almost died yesterday when I stoppped by a dealer to ask if I could purchase an extended warranty for an A/D 2004 2500. I bought the truck used from a local car whosaler a few weeks back. The dealer told me that my ability to purchase a warranty would depend on the vehicles VIN. When I asked why, he told me if I bought a truck manufactured for Canada, that not only could I not purchase an extended warranty.... But that the remaining 2+ years on the truck was not warranted either. I almost died when he told me that.


Since then I spoke to the dealer that sold me the truck. He called BS and told me the dealer doesn't have a choice in the matter. GM can force them to work on the truck within the first 3yrs/36,000.


Anyone else want to comment on this? I certainly would not have bought the truck had I known that the warranty was not valid. I love the truck, but I sure as hell bought it under the assumption that a significant part of the original warranty was still in effect.


Here is my VIN if that will help:


1GCHK23164F120675


pslinn, i have had my truck in to both dealers here in anchorage under warranty with no problems. i bought my truck from lyburger and knew that it was imported from canada but it was built in america. all d/a trucks were built in america as fas as i know. my vin also starts with 1. hope this is comforting. as far as an extended warranty i wouldn't waste my money!

GM is an international company which advertises warranty on all vehicals.


Yes even in Canada, so unless your vehical has exceded the warranty limits by either Mileage or time then you still have warranty and would most likely be able to buy extended warranty. Warranty is a GM corp. concern not a local dealer descretion.


This bussiness about where the truck was made is crap... Mine was made in texas it says so right on the door and I still have 6 yr 120,000 km (72,000 mile) warranty and I bought it and live in Canada.


That I what I know but there might be some other circumstance that is giving you trouble with the warranty. I think that the grey market is ment for countries that do not have the same standards as the U.S in terms of pollutiuon and highway traffic acts, Canada does so I don't see where anything like that might give you grief.Edited by: AbsoluteGMC