Honda has a reputation for building safe and reliable vehicles that last for a long time. Like other manufacturers, they also back every new vehicle with a warranty, so every new car owner can drive away feeling confident that they’re protected. The factory warranties are divided into several categories, including bumper-to-bumper and powertrain. If you want extra coverage, you can purchase an extended drivetrain warranty in addition to the standard coverage. Take a look at the factory warranty and the Honda drivetrain warranty.
What Does the Honda Powertrain Warranty Cover?
Honda provides protection for the drivetrain through the limited powertrain warranty with every new Honda vehicle. It covers routine maintenance and the cost to replace parts for the transmission, transaxle, drivetrain, engine, and restraint system for five years or 60,000 miles.
The powertrain warranty specifically covers all the parts of the powertrain, which includes the drivetrain. The drivetrain is made up of all the components responsible for making your Honda move besides the engine itself. The warranty covers the transmission, including the outer transmission hold and all the parts within the differential(s), the torque converter, the control module, gaskets, and seals.
For front-wheel drive Hondas, the warranty covers the transaxle and all components within, plus CV joints, driveshafts, seals, gaskets, and hubs.
What Is a Drivetrain vs. Powertrain?
When considering a drivetrain warranty, it’s important to know the difference between a drivetrain and a powertrain. While the powertrain and the drivetrain make a car move, and the two terms are sometimes used interchangeably, they have one significant difference. The powertrain includes the engine plus all the components of the drivetrain, such as the transmission, differential(s), driveshafts, etc. The drivetrain does not include the engine itself.
Knowing the difference when shopping for a drivetrain warranty is essential because if you want a warranty to cover the engine, you may need a powertrain warranty, not a drivetrain warranty.
What Other Warranties Does Honda Offer?
In addition to the powertrain warranty, Honda provides other protections for new vehicles. Every new Honda comes with a New Vehicle Limited Warranty, which covers:
- Bumper-to-Bumper Limited Warranty: Provides coverage for almost every component outside of the powertrain. It includes the battery, air conditioning, electrical components, the infotainment system, and more. This warranty lasts for 36 months or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first.
- Replacement Parts Limited Warranty: Provides covers for Honda genuine parts for 12 months from the date of purchase through the end of the New Vehicle Warranty, which lasts for 36 months or 36,000 miles. The warranty covers routine maintenance parts such as spark plugs, brake pads, and filters if they were improperly constructed, purchased from, and installed by a Honda dealer.
- Rust and Corrosion Limited Warranty: Provides coverage for any corrosion perforation, rust, and degradation of factory-installed sheet metal panels. This coverage lasts for five years, and there is no mileage restriction.
- Accessory Limited Warranty: Provides coverage for Honda Genuine Accessories purchased through a Honda dealer. These accessories have coverage for three years or 36,000 miles.
- Roadside Assistance: Provides 24-hour emergency roadside assistance for new Hondas. Coverage lasts for three years or 36,000 miles.
Does Honda Have an Extended Drivetrain Warranty?
You can extend your coverage of the drivetrain through Honda Care. This vehicle service contract will keep you covered after the original factory warranty expires. Honda Care lasts for up to eight years and 120,000 miles, and covers:
- Powertrain components, including the engine
- Drive axle
- Electronics repairs and replacement
- Chassis
- Engine cooling system
- Roadside assistance
- Rental car reimbursement
- Concierge services through HondaLink
Honda Care is available for new Honda vehicles and used vehicles from Honda and other manufacturers. If you buy Honda Care when you purchase a vehicle, you can either roll the cost into your car loan or use one of Honda’s payment plans. To find out the cost, contact your Honda dealer to get a customized quote based on your vehicle model, year, and mileage.
The factors that may affect the cost of your Honda Care Extended car warranty include:
- Vehicle age and mileage
- Deductible
- Contract Length
- Coverage level
- Remaining factory coverage
It’s important to look over your contract carefully when purchasing Honda Care. There are some limitations on coverage. If you purchase Honda Care through a dealership, Honda requires that all repairs under warranty be completed by factory technicians. They must use genuine Honda parts, and all repairs need to be completed at a Honda dealership.
Honda may also ask you to provide proof of routine maintenance before determining if the extended warranty will cover the repairs. Routine maintenance can include any maintenance, such as oil changes, tune-ups, and other suggested services.
Is Honda Care Extended Warranty Worth The Cost?
Although Honda produces some of the most reliable cars and SUVs on the road, things can still go wrong, and it’s impossible to predict when and where it may happen. Having the peace of mind that potentially expensive repairs are covered can be worth the cost of the service plan. If you plan to drive your Honda well past the years and mileage of the original warranty, getting Honda’s extended warranty or one through a third party is probably a good idea.
What About a Third-Party Drivetrain Warranty?
Third-party warranty companies sometimes offer more flexibility and more choices for coverage options than Honda Care. For example, if you want to save money, you could find just a drivetrain warranty. With a third-party company, you also have the option to bring your Honda to a repair shop that’s not a Honda dealer. Another benefit of using a third-party company is that you won’t have to show proof of routine maintenance.
When it comes to investing in a Honda drivetrain warranty, it’s smart to purchase it early, so you can take advantage of the coverage for as long as possible. Shop around to find the coverage you need at the lowest price.
Buying a new or used Honda means you will have a reliable car, but a Honda drivetrain warranty ensures you don’t have to pay for expensive repairs out of your own pocket. Consider all your options and the length of time you’ll keep the car before purchasing an extended warranty.
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