Making Sense of New-Car Warranties

All new cars come with warranties, from comprehensive bumper-to-bumper policies to those that cover specific components like seat belts or catalytic converters. Many manufacturers also offer things like extended warranties and roadside assistance. In all, a car can leave the dealership with 10 or more warranties, which can be a mess for its new owner to wade through.

Related: How Do I Find Out if a Car Is Still Under Warranty?

Fortunately, most of these programs cover similar components. To find the most common auto warranties, we scoured owners’ manuals and online policies for dozens of vehicles and consulted with several experts. Here are the most common car warranties that you’re likely to encounter.

Bumper-to-Bumper

Often called a basic warranty or new-car warranty, a bumper-to-bumper policy covers items such as air conditioning, audio systems, vehicle sensors, fuel systems and major electrical components. Most policies exclude regular maintenance like fluid top-offs and oil changes, but some brands have separate free-maintenance provisions. Bumper-to-bumper car warranties typically expire faster than powertrain warranties and are usually good for a few years or until your vehicle reaches a certain mileage.

Powertrain

Don’t be misled: A 10-year or 100,000-mile powertrain warranty doesn’t promise a decade of free covered repairs for your new vehicle. It typically covers just the engine and transmission, along with any other moving parts that lead to the wheels, such as the driveshaft and constant velocity joints. Some automakers also bundle seat belts and airbags into their powertrain warranties. With a few exceptions, powertrain warranties don’t cover regular maintenance like engine tuneups and tire rotations.

Free Scheduled Maintenance

Some automakers and car dealers include free scheduled routine maintenance for items such as oil changes, air filters and tire rotations. Some include consumables such as brake pads and windshield wipers, as well; others don’t. Free maintenance programs are typically for the first few years of ownership of a new car.

Roadside Assistance

Some automakers include roadside assistance with their bumper-to-bumper or powertrain warranties, while others have separate roadside assistance policies. These programs cover anything from flat-tire changes and locksmith services to jump-starts and towing. Few reimburse incidental costs like motel rooms (if you have to wait for repairs).

Tires

Like replacement tires, new-car tires are covered by their manufacturers. Depending on the type of tire, most warranties have a year or mileage limit, whichever comes first. Generally, tires are eligible for warranty replacement if the tread-wear indicators — which signal the final 1.6 millimeters of usable tread — become visible prematurely. That doesn’t always mean a free set of tires; most tire makers prorate the new-tire cost based on premature wear, meaning you’ll only get reimbursed for the remainder of how long the tire should have lasted. Be sure to have your tires rotated regularly, as improper rotation, inflation or balancing can void your warranty. Unless a special policy has been purchased, basic tire warranties don’t cover punctures or collision damage.

Rust Perforation

Rust coverage covers body panels that have completely rusted through, which is a relatively rare occurrence with today’s rustproofing. Such policies generally last up to six years and have no mileage limits. Most policies don’t provide coverage for rust caused by rock chips, hail or acid rain. If you live in an area where rust is a major problem for vehicles, ask your dealership to see if this type of auto warranty is available for your vehicle.

Emissions

Since the 1970s, the government has required all cars to have emissions controls like oxygen sensors and catalytic converters. Two types of warranties exist: performance warranties and design and defect warranties. Performance warranties require automakers to repair or adjust emissions controls for at least two years or 24,000 miles if the car fails an emissions test. If emissions controls fail independent of a test, the design and defect warranty covers them for at least two years or 24,000 miles. Major components like catalytic converters and engine control modules are covered for performance and defects for eight years or 80,000 miles; on some items, California residents are eligible for additional coverage.

Factory Accessories

Factory accessories include everything from a fancier audio system to an engine modification from a manufacturer’s performance wing. Most automakers cover accessories for one to three years or the remainder of the bumper-to-bumper warranty, whichever is shorter. Be sure to check out all the specifics, as modifying the accessories after they’ve been installed can void your coverage.

Batteries

If it’s not covered in the bumper-to-bumper policy, a car’s conventional 12-volt battery sometimes gets its own warranty. Battery warranties usually range from two to three years; they cover defective batteries on a prorated basis, so you’ll be compensated only for the remaining battery life you lost. Battery warranties rarely cover maintenance or misuse, and they expire once the battery is past its expected lifespan.

Hybrid and EV Components

Components in an electric vehicle or a hybrid’s drivetrain include the high-voltage battery pack along with the electric motor (or motors) and all of the electrical connections in between — all of which may be expensive to repair or replace. Automakers are required to offer a generous warranty for the battery pack for eight years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first; a few brands offer longer coverage, and in California and the states that follow its rules, the battery warranty is good for 10 years or 150,000 miles.

Seat Belts and Airbags

Many carmakers include seat belts and airbags with powertrain or bumper-to-bumper warranties. Others make separate provisions, and the warranties sometimes carry no expiration date. Seat belts are generally covered for operating usability only, so don’t expect a replacement for discoloration or some other cosmetic defect.

Third-Party Components

Sometimes equipment made by other companies — such as a DVD player or wireless headphones for backseat passengers — carries a dedicated warranty from its manufacturer. Pay close attention to these, as they are likely shorter than the bumper-to-bumper warranty for the vehicle.

Optional Extended Warranties

When you buy a new car, most dealerships will offer to sell you a supplemental contract that extends beyond the standard powertrain and bumper-to-bumper policies. An extended warranty provides protection for your vehicle even after your manufacturer’s car warranties are no longer valid. Extended warranty programs can vary, so read the fine print carefully: An entry-level policy might carry a deductible and cover only the engine and transmission, while a deluxe policy could drop the deductible and include all the trimmings of a full bumper-to-bumper warranty. Some programs are backed by automakers, though it’s not uncommon for third parties to offer their own policies. Many extended warranty policies can be purchased months or even years after you buy your car, and most can be transferred to future owners, which can increase your car’s resale value.

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