When you purchase a vehicle, it is essential to find the best warranty plan to cover any repairs that might be necessary after you bring it home. Car warranties may differ depending on the car model and manufacturer. By reviewing the cars with the best warranty terms, you can choose the right one for your requirements.
What Is a Car Warranty?
A car warranty is a standard guarantee that manufacturers offer when you buy a vehicle from them. With a warranty, the manufacturer assures you that it will assume responsibility if the car has or develops any defects, requires repair work, or needs to be replaced within a specified period. Your end of the bargain involves completing regular car maintenance and using the dealership for warranty-covered work.
While car warranties are for a specified period, you can extend them through the manufacturer or a third-party car warranty company. When you buy a used car, you can get a used car warranty that provides coverage should specific parts of the vehicle break or fail.
What Is the Specified Period for a Car Warranty?
Generally, car warranty coverage is good for a specific number of years or a fixed number of miles, whichever comes first. You can match your requirements to available cars with the best warranty terms. For example, if you are a low-mileage driver, you might want warranty coverage for more years. If you tend to drive a lot, you might want warranty coverage with more miles. If you plan on giving the car to a family member or friend, you’ll want a warranty that allows you to transfer the remaining coverage to a second owner.
A common factory warranty generally covers three years or 36,000 miles, but you can get warranties that extend beyond that. Some car manufacturers may offer car warranties of five years or 60,000 miles and a 100,000-mile powertrain warranty for new and certified pre-owned vehicles. The powertrain warranty is not a bumper-to-bumper warranty. It covers the engine, transmission, and drivetrain. Many manufacturers also offer an anti-corrosion warranty. The terms of different warranties can vary. For example, Mitsubishi offers a seven-year, 100,000-mile extended warranty, while Volvo offers a corrosion protection warranty for 12 years with unlimited mileage.
Know What Your Car Warranty Covers
It is crucial that you read the warranty details carefully before purchasing a vehicle. Since each warranty contains specific exceptions and exclusions, it is important to know what your warranty covers so that there are no surprises down the road. You should also make a point of following the required car maintenance schedule and keep those records to show that you took proper care of the vehicle in case of a dispute over coverage. Most warranties generally do not cover standard maintenance work, but some automakers offer complimentary maintenance programs.
Types of Car Warranties
Here are a few different types of car warranties dealerships may offer, along with some information about what they typically cover:
Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty Coverage
A bumper-to-bumper warranty is a comprehensive guarantee that provides three to five years of coverage for most parts and systems of the car. All car manufacturers offer bumper-to-bumper warranties for new cars. That means they will pay for repairs or replacement parts if your new vehicle breaks down due to defective materials or workmanship. The warranty does not cover brake pads, windshield wiper blades, tires, or other wear-and-tear replacement parts. It also does not cover oil changes, tire rotations, or other routine maintenance work. Additionally, it does not cover corrosion and the components for regulated emissions.
Powertrain Warranty Coverage
A powertrain comprises a set of components that generate power, transfer it to the wheels, and thus enable your car to move. The main parts include the car engine, transmission, driveshaft, transfer case, axles, and differentials. A powertrain warranty covers the cost of these parts if they are damaged and you need to repair or replace them. It generally lasts for up to five years or 60,000 miles.
The coverage can include internal engine parts, valve train, oil pan, fuel injectors, flywheel, gaskets, seals, cylinder block, and heads. Some powertrain warranties may cover wheel bearings, wheel hubs, exhaust manifolds, and intake manifolds. If you buy an electric car, its powertrain coverage will include the drive system components like the battery, electric motor, transmission, and power electronics.
Roadside Assistance Coverage
A roadside assistance warranty guarantees help from the nearest authorized service center if your car breaks down and leaves you stranded. The warranty also provides coverage if you lock yourself out of your vehicle, lose your car key, develop a flat tire, or run out of fuel. You can have your car towed, or get fuel delivery.
Cars With the Best Warranty
Here are some cars with the best warranty terms in 2022:
Hyundai
- Bumper-to-bumper coverage: Five years/60,000 miles
- Powertrain coverage: 10 years/100,000 miles
- Roadside assistance: Five years/unlimited miles
Kia
- Bumper-to-bumper coverage: Five years/60,000 miles
- Powertrain coverage: 10 years/100,000 miles
- Roadside assistance: Five years/60,000 miles
Mitsubishi
- Bumper-to-bumper coverage: Five years/60,000 miles
- Powertrain coverage: 10 years/100,000 miles
- Roadside assistance: Five years/unlimited miles
Genesis
- Bumper-to-bumper coverage: Five years/60,000 miles
- Powertrain coverage: 10 years/100,000 miles
- Roadside assistance: Five years/unlimited miles
Volkswagen
- Bumper-to-bumper coverage: Six years/72,000 miles
- Powertrain coverage: Six years/72,000 miles
- Roadside assistance: Three years/36,000 miles
Jaguar
- Bumper-to-bumper coverage: Five years/60,000 miles
- Powertrain coverage: Five years/60,000 miles
- Roadside assistance: Five years/60,000 miles
Acura
- Bumper-to-bumper coverage: Four years/50,000 miles
- Powertrain coverage: Six years/70,000 miles
- Roadside assistance: Four years/50,000 miles
Lincoln
- Bumper-to-bumper coverage: Four years/50,000 miles
- Powertrain coverage: Six years/70,000 miles
- Roadside assistance: Lifetime coverage for original car owners
Infiniti
- Bumper-to-bumper coverage: Four years/60,000 miles
- Powertrain coverage: Six years/70,000 miles
- Roadside assistance: Four years/unlimited miles
Cadillac
- Bumper-to-bumper coverage: Four years/50,000 miles
- Powertrain coverage: Six years/70,000 miles
- Roadside assistance: Six years/70,000 miles
Lexus
- Bumper-to-bumper coverage: Four years/50,000 miles
- Powertrain coverage: Six years/70,000 miles
- Roadside assistance: Four years/unlimited miles
Volvo
- Bumper-to-bumper coverage: Four years/50,000 miles
- Powertrain coverage: Four years/50,000 miles
- Roadside assistance: Four years/unlimited miles
- Hybrids/EV batteries: Eight years/100,000 miles
Polestar
- Bumper-to-bumper coverage: Four years/50,000 miles
- Powertrain coverage: Four years/50,000 miles
- Roadside assistance: Four years/unlimited miles
- Hybrids/EV batteries: Eight years/100,000 miles
Porsche
- Bumper-to-bumper coverage: Four years/50,000 miles
- Powertrain coverage: Four years/50,000 miles
- Roadside assistance: Four years/50,000 miles
- Hybrids/EV batteries: Eight years/100,000 miles
This information can help you understand the coverage you can get from various car manufacturers. By reviewing different cars with good warranty terms, you can narrow down your options and find the right vehicle that can offer coverage that suits your needs.
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.
