Tesla is a luxury electric vehicle manufacturer that’s growing in popularity among U.S. drivers. If you own a Tesla, you want to protect your investment. Fortunately, the company offers a variety of new, used, and extended warranties on its vehicles. Here’s everything you need to know about Tesla warranty options and what the company covers.
Tesla’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty
Every new Tesla model comes with a new vehicle limited warranty that includes:
- Basic Vehicle Limited Warranty: This covers most vehicle repairs for four years or 50,000 miles.
- Supplemental Restraint System Limited Warranty: Tesla will pay for seat belt or airbag replacements or repairs for five years or 60,000 miles.
- Body Rust Limited Warranty: It covers rust perforation (essentially, holes) to the car body for up to 12 years and unlimited miles.
- Battery and Drive Unit Limited Warranty: You can expect Tesla to repair or replace the battery and drive unit for eight years or up to 150,000 miles, depending on the model, with at least 70% battery retention during that period. In other words, if the battery will no longer charge up to 70% or more, Tesla will pay to replace it.
To qualify for coverage under this warranty, the repairs or replacements must be due to normal wear or defects associated with Tesla’s materials, parts, or workmanship. If you sell the car before the new vehicle limited warranty expires, it transfers to the new owner, free of charge.
Tesla’s Used Vehicle Limited Warranty
Tesla also offers a used vehicle limited warranty to drivers who purchase a pre-owned vehicle directly from Tesla. Any used vehicle that hasn’t reached the four-year or 50,000-mile limit on its original basic vehicle limited warranty still benefits from that coverage under its new ownership. Once it has passed those limits, the Tesla is eligible for one year or 10,000 miles of used vehicle limited warranty coverage.
Tesla’s used vehicle limited warranty pays for repairs or replacements to fix issues with Tesla parts, materials, or workmanship. This warranty also transfers to new owners if the vehicle hasn’t exceeded its warranty limits. It does not apply to cars purchased from private sellers or non-Tesla dealers.
Parts, Body, and Paint Repair Limited Warranty
Tesla’s parts, body, and paint repair limited warranty pays to replace or repair any parts purchased from Tesla and installed by a Tesla collision or service center. It also covers labor associated with the service. The malfunctions or damage must have occurred:
- During normal use of the vehicle
- Because of poor workmanship
- Because of defects in Tesla’s materials or parts
Gradual or normal wear and tear of the vehicle over its life span does not qualify for this coverage. This warranty lasts for one year or 12,500 miles from its purchase date, with a few exceptions. It also covers repairs to these parts for the following periods:
- Sheet metal: Limited lifetime
- Drive unit: Four years or 50,000 miles
- High-voltage battery: Four years or 50,000 miles, unless you have a Tesla Roadster, which is covered for two years or 25,000 miles
- Wall connectors: Four years
- Touch screen and media unit: Two years or 25,000 miles
Tesla’s Optional Extended Warranties
Tesla offers extended warranties you can buy that take effect when the new vehicle limited warranty expires. It applies only to the Model S and Model X and is not available for the Model Y or Model 3. This warranty has two term limits you can choose: two years/25,000 miles or four years/50,000 miles. Both extended warranties cover problems with Tesla parts, materials, or workmanship, with the exception of:
- The electric vehicle lithium-ion battery
- The drive unit
- Upholstery
- Filters
- Appearance
- Weatherstripping
- Liquids
- Lighting
- Shock absorbers
- Paint
- Brake pads
- Suspension alignment
- Tires and wheels
Repairs might also be excluded from extended warranty coverage if:
- You did not take the vehicle directly to Tesla when you first noticed the problem
- The damage occurred from lack of maintenance, an accident, or misuse
- You had repairs done by an unauthorized third party
- The Tesla is a commercial vehicle
- An excluded part has caused damage to a covered part
- The odometer has been altered
- They occurred due to damage from driving on bad roads
- They occur to aftermarket modifications
You can get the best deal on a Tesla extended warranty if you buy it within 180 days of purchasing your vehicle. If you get an extended warranty within this period, it typically costs $2,500 to $5,100. Beyond this time, it costs $2,900 to $5,750. Also, expect to pay a $200 deductible for each claim. If you want to cancel the warranty, you can do so at any time and receive a prorated refund, depending on your warranty claim history and how long you’ve had the contract.
Things That Could Void Your Tesla Warranty
Under some circumstances, Tesla can void your warranty. Reasons might include failing to follow vehicle recommendations, such as:
- Exceeding load limits
- Not responding to a recall notice
- Failing to install vehicle updates
- Not installing vehicle updates properly
- Not making repairs
- Performing unauthorized services or repairs
- Altering the odometer or vehicle identification number (VIN)
Teslas designated as total losses, rebuilds, or salvages might also be refused coverage under the manufacturer’s warranty. Recommended maintenance intervals you can follow to ensure you don’t void your warranty include:
- Replacing the air cabin filter every two years
- Having the air conditioning system serviced every two, four, or six years
- Replacing the high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter every three years
- Testing the brake fluid every two years
- Scheduling a tire balance, rotation, and wheel alignment every 10,000 to 12,000 miles
- Having the calipers cleaned and lubricated every 12 months or 12,500 miles, particularly if you live in an area that experiences harsh winter conditions
Tesla stands by the integrity of its products and, therefore, offers generous warranties on its electric vehicles. Getting a Tesla warranty or extended warranty can prevent you from paying for expensive parts and repairs and give you peace of mind on the road. It’s particularly valuable if you have an older model or one that’s expensive to repair.
At FIXD, our mission is to make car ownership as simple, easy, and affordable as possible. Our research team utilizes the latest automotive data and insights to create tools and resources that help drivers get peace of mind and save money over the life of their car.
