What is a manufacturer’s warranty?
Take advantage of your car’s built-in coverage
A manufacturer’s warranty, also known as a factory warranty, is essentially a carmaker’s guarantee that you won’t have to worry about your new car breaking down anytime soon. If it does, the manufacturer pays for repairs — as long as certain conditions are met.
Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about manufacturers’ warranties, including what they cover, how long they usually last and how to see if your car is still under warranty.
Key insights
- Factory warranties cover repairs needed due to manufacturing defects, not accidents or neglect.
- New cars usually come with multiple warranties, but the two you probably want to pay attention to are the bumper-to-bumper and powertrain warranties.
- Three years/36,000 miles of bumper-to-bumper coverage and five years/60,000 miles of powertrain coverage are the industry standards, but policies vary.
- Manufacturers’ warranties are included in the price of new and certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicles, but you can also buy an extended warranty to protect your vehicle long-term.
What is and isn’t covered by a manufacturer’s warranty?
We’ve broken down the main things covered (and not covered) by most manufacturers’ warranties below. (If you want to know the specifics of what is and isn’t covered through your manufacturer’s warranties, look at the coverage details in your warranty agreements.)
Most manufacturers provide multiple warranties on their vehicles, so coverage is separated into different tiers and term lengths
Typical coverages
You might be expecting us to list various car parts and systems here, but that’s actually not a great way to understand your warranty coverage. Instead, most warranties broadly define their coverage by whatever caused repairs to be needed, such as:
- Manufacturing errors: Issues caused by faulty parts or poor workmanship are generally covered by your bumper-to-bumper or powertrain warranties.
- Corrosion: Most manufacturers provide specific warranties to cover body panels that need repair or replacement due to perforation from rust.
- Poor emissions control: If your vehicle fails to meet emissions standards, dedicated emissions warranties from your manufacturer should cover the cost of getting your vehicle back on the road.
The particular details of warranty coverage only matter if the repairs you need were caused by a covered problem, like those listed above. That means your engine might be covered if it breaks down due to a workmanship defect, but not if the cause is something you did. (More on that below.)
Typical exclusions
Generally, the following issues are not covered by manufacturers’ warranties:
- Regular maintenance: Oil changes, tire rotations and similar maintenance items are typically not covered.
- Wear and tear: Parts that are expected to break down or wear out through normal use, like brakes and windshield wiper blades, usually aren’t covered either.
- Damage caused by improper care: If something on your vehicle breaks down because you're not properly maintaining the vehicle, your warranty generally won’t cover it.
- Damage caused by accidents: If you get in a wreck, your warranty won’t pay to repair the damages — that’s what car insurance is for. (Your warranty also won’t cover damage caused by fire or flooding.)
» MORE: What does a car warranty cover?
Types of warranties
As we mentioned earlier, there are multiple types of manufacturers’ warranties when you buy a new vehicle, all with different levels of coverage. According to CARCHEX, the most common types of factory warranties include:
Bumper-to-bumper warranties
Powertrain warranties
Emissions warranties
Corrosion warranties
How long does a manufacturer’s warranty last?
Manufacturers’ warranties usually last for at least three years or 36,000 miles — whichever comes up first — but some really go the extra mile.
The specific limits of your manufacturer’s warranty will depend on the brand, model and year of your vehicle. For context, here are the bumper-to-bumper and powertrain warranty lengths of some popular manufacturers.
| Car brand | Bumper-to-bumper coverage | Powertrain coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Honda | 3 years or 36,000 miles | 5 years or 60,000 miles |
| Toyota | 3 years or 36,000 miles | 5 years or 60,000 miles |
| Ford | 3 years or 36,000 miles | 5 years or 60,000 miles |
| Nissan | 3 years or 36,000 miles | 5 years or 60,000 miles |
| Chevrolet | 3 years or 36,000 miles | 5 years or 60,000 miles |
| Tesla | 4 years or 50,000 miles | 8 years or at least 100,000 miles |
| Cadillac | 4 years or 50,000 miles | 6 years or 70,000 miles |
| Hyundai | 5 years or 60,000 miles | 10 years or 100,000 miles |
| Kia | 5 years or 60,000 miles | 10 years or 100,000 miles |
How to find out if your car is still under warranty
You can check to see if your car is still under warranty by following these basic steps:
- Find your VIN: Your vehicle identification number (VIN) is a 17-character code unique to your vehicle. You should be able to find it on the driver’s side of the windshield above the dash, on the inside edge of the driver’s door or under the hood. Sometimes, you’ll find it on the driver’s side rear wheel well. It’s also on the car’s paperwork (registration, insurance card and title documents).
- Check your car’s mileage: Most warranties expire when you reach a certain number of miles driven. Check the odometer to find out how many miles your car has on it. If it’s more than 100,000, it’s probably not under warranty anymore.
- Contact the dealership where you purchased the car: Provide your vehicle’s VIN and mileage, and the dealership should be able to find the terms of your warranty, when the car was purchased and if your vehicle is still covered. Alternatively, some automakers and dealerships have online tools you can use to look up your warranty status.
If you’ve had the vehicle for a while and the dealership can’t help you, you can pay for a vehicle history report through a company like Carfax.
» MORE: Car warranty check by VIN
My manufacturer’s warranty expired — now what?
When their manufacturer’s warranty expires, people often think they have two options:
- Replacing their car with something still under warranty
- Driving without warranty protection
However, there’s a third option: buying an extended warranty or mechanical breakdown insurance.
You aren’t required to have a car warranty at all, despite what some scam callers say. Still, some people don’t like the idea of paying out of pocket for unexpected repair costs.
Extended warranties are available from car warranty companies and possibly even your vehicle’s manufacturer. Just know that they’re more likely to be worth it if you rely on an older vehicle as your primary mode of transportation and you plan to keep it for several more years.
Manufacturer's warranty vs. extended warranty
Manufacturers’ and extended warranties offer car owners similar financial protections. However, they do have some important differences.
Technically, only a manufacturer can issue a warranty. Extended auto warranties are actually vehicle service contracts.
A real car warranty is defined as “a contract to fix certain defects or malfunctions for specific amount of time after you buy a car” by the Federal Trade Commission. On the other hand, a service contract is an agreement “to perform (or pay for) certain repairs or services” that can be bought at any time.
Also, unlike with your factory warranty, you can choose how long your extended warranty lasts. “The industry average is three- to seven-year plans, depending on level of coverage. But there are some like Toco and olive that do month to month,” according to a ConsumerAffairs concierge team member.
| Manufacturer’s warranty | Extended car warranty |
|---|---|
| Technically a warranty | Technically a vehicle service contract |
| Provided by car manufacturer | Offered by manufacturers, dealers and third parties |
| Typically lasts three to 10 years | Typically lasts three to seven years |
| No waiting period | Usually has a waiting period |
| Included in vehicle price | Additional cost (negotiable) |
Car warranty FAQ
How does a manufacturer’s warranty work?
When it comes time to use your warranty coverage, the process is relatively simple. If there's a problem with your vehicle and your coverage is still active, you should be able to get it fixed for no cost at an approved dealership.
Depending on the car model you have, your manufacturer may have strict guidelines for how a car must be maintained to qualify for warranty coverage, though.
» SEE HOW THEY DIFFER: How an extended auto warranty works
What is the difference between a dealer warranty and a manufacturer’s warranty?
Most dealers advertise a limited service warranty on used cars, often a “90-day or 3,000-mile guarantee” or something similar, but a factory warranty comes with new cars and is backed by the automaker for much longer (usually at least three years or 36,000 miles).
Both are different from the extended car warranty plan a salesperson is likely to offer you when you buy a new or pre-owned vehicle.
Can a used car still be under a manufacturer's warranty?
Used cars can still be covered under the warranty that originally came with the vehicle when it was new. According to the Federal Trade Commission, dealerships are required to provide a “Buyers Guide” with every used vehicle, which tells you if the manufacturer’s warranty still applies.
What voids a manufacturer’s warranty?
Depending on the car model you own, your manufacturer likely has strict guidelines for how a car must be treated and maintained in order to qualify for warranty coverage. Sometimes, getting alterations or aftermarket modifications can void a manufacturer’s warranty. Racing and driving off-road can also void your coverage.
Follow the rules from your manufacturer to keep your car in the right condition and maintain your warranty coverage.
» MORE: What voids a car warranty?
If my car is under warranty, do I have to pay for a service?
It depends on whether the repair is covered by your warranty and the type of warranty you have.
If your vehicle is covered by the original manufacturer’s warranty or a dealership warranty and you have a valid claim, you won’t have to pay for covered repairs or replacements. Vehicle service contracts usually have a deductible that you have to pay toward repairs, though — even if they’re covered.
Bottom line
A warranty protects you from paying for repairs of manufacturing defects or workmanship issues. It doesn’t cost anything extra if you’re buying a new or certified pre-owned vehicle, and you are not required to purchase additional warranty coverage once the plan from the manufacturer or dealership expires. However, if you’re concerned about possible repair costs, consider getting an extended auto warranty.
If you’re buying a new car, find out how long the manufacturer’s warranty lasts. If you’re buying a used car, find out if it’s still covered by the manufacturer. If it’s not, don’t feel pressured to buy an extended warranty from the dealership. You can also get plans from third-party providers — often for a better price.
» LEARN: What to know about manufacturers’ extended warranties
Article sources
- Consumer Finance Protection Bureau, “ What is the difference between a manufacturer’s warranty and an extended vehicle warranty or service contract? ” Accessed Nov. 16, 2021.
- Federal Trade Commission, “ Auto Warranties and Service Contracts .” Accessed Nov. 16, 2021.
- Federal Trade Commission, “ Buying a Used Car From a Dealer .” Accessed Nov. 16, 2021.
- USAGov, “ File a complaint about your car .” Accessed Nov. 16, 2021.
- J.D. Power, “ How to Check if a Car Is Still Under Warranty .” Accessed Nov. 18, 2021.
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