“Do better Carvana…”
The promise of a warranty is that it removes some of the financial uncertainty of big purchases. They are supposed to offer security and protection.
However, one woman is alleging that though her Carvana purchase started smoothly, it ended with multiple trips to the mechanic and hundreds of dollars out of pocket.
Cydneyreeck (@cydneyreeck) is a working mother who is pressed for time. So when her new Chevrolet Traverse started giving her trouble, she thought her warranty would protect her time and money.
Under an on-screen caption that says, “Don’t buy a car from Carvana until you watch this,” Cydney recounts the post-purchase quagmire she experienced. The mother of two said she “truly hates having to make a video like this, because she doesn’t like to talk bad about companies on the internet.”
But she thinks it’s her duty to tell her story, because previously she was publicly singing Carvana’s praises.
After Cydney’s Chevrolet Traverse was delivered, she started it. “It sounded like a race car,” she said. Since 2024, the Traverse has a 2.5L 4 cylinder engine.
Then three weeks later, the check engine light came on. So Cydney reached out to Carvana. She alleges a Carvana representative said, “You’re still within the 100-day warranty. All you’ll have to pay is the deductible, as long as it’s covered under the warranty.”
The only problem? The closest Carvana-partnered shop is 40 minutes from Cydney’s house.
This threw a logistical wrench into her life. She’s not only got to get her kids to and from school, she has an hour commute to her job. “I need a working car. I need a reliable car,” she emphasizes.
Cydney said she had a great experience with the mechanics who repaired the cracked catalytic converter. However, she asserts that the Traverse was delivered damaged. “That’s why it sounded like a freaking race car every time I started it,” she said.
A week after the repair, the check engine light came back on. She said she called Carvana directly this time and they told her that the warranty coverage she has comes with a rental car.
Now she thinks that her repair is moving forward. But when she took it back to the shop, she says they ran the codes and the warranty company refused to cover the cost of the fix. The reason? Cydney was purportedly told, “It’s a known issue for this year’s make and model of this car.”
The mechanic then explained that Chevy has put out a special warranty for this issue. They’ll fix it for free. “All sounds fine and dandy,” said Cydney. But now her rental cost isn’t covered. Since the repair is covered by Chevy, not under her warranty, she no longer gets a rental vehicle. Now, she’s asking for remuneration from Carvana for her inconveniences and time.
There’s never a good time for a vehicle to break down. So what can you do to make sure the vehicle you purchased isn’t going to need repairs?
According to a Facebook reel posted by shipping company Amerifreight Car Shipping, first, inspect the vehicle. Do this before you sign the “Bill of Lading.” This document is issued by a carrier to shipper, detailing the type, quantity and destination of the goods being shipped.
Then document any visible damages to compare to images of the vehicle before it was shipped. Note any damages on the Bill of Lading, and inform the carrier and broker. Finally, if there is damage, begin insurance proceedings.
However, there is another tactic to consider: revocation of acceptance. You can refuse to accept delivery Before doing this, it is advisable to consult an attorney.
There is no shortage of people who have called on Carvana to “do better.” Three commenters said they had problems with the dealership’s vehicles.
“My friend just got a car dropped off today and it won’t even start,” alleged 2peas_in_da_pod.
While another speculated on the company’s 150-point inspection. “Unfortunately people know to sell to Carvana because you get more money from them typically and they don’t check them well enough,” says haleyacollins.
In an email to Motor1, Cydney said that in the end, she paid $360 out of pocket, and the problem was not solved to her satisfaction. “In fact, they were extremely unhelpful,” she wrote.
She added that they never reached back out, even with an apology.
Motor1 reached out to Carvana. We will update this article if they get back to us.
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– The Motor1.com Team