A new-car factory warranty is the auto manufacturer's pledge to absorb certain repair and replacement costs until a specified period of time elapses or the car has accumulated a stated number of miles--whichever comes first. The limitation is expressed as number of years/number of miles. Here's an overview of how manufacturers' new-car warranties work and what they generally cover.
Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty
The Basic Warranty is
"bumper-to-bumper" coverage for the entire car. It generally excludes tires and
the battery, which are covered by their own manufacturers.
Warranties are generally described as "limited," which affirms that they don't cover everything that might go wrong with the vehicle. Most basic warranties exclude:
- Normal wear and maintenance items (oil, filters, brake linings).
- Damage from the environment (hail, floods, 'acts of God').
- Damage from improper maintenance.
- Damage caused by the owner or vehicle occupants.
Several manufacturers include free scheduled maintenance that covers routine work such as oil changes, wiper-blade replacement, and other items. Some maintenance coverage lasts for the duration of the basic warranty; others are for a shorter period.
Extended Powertrain Warranty
A separate Extended
Powertrain Warranty that extends beyond the basic warranty is often offered. This applies to major components such as the engine,
transmission, and driveshafts. Chrysler, Jeep, and Dodge have lengthened this warranty for certain model-year 2008 vehicles.
Corrosion Warranty and Roadside Assistance
The Corrosion
Warranty covers "perforation" rust and extends beyond the basic warranty. Free
Roadside Assistance that offers on-the-road help is often included with most new
vehicles for a specified time period. Often, Corrosion Warranties and some
Roadside Assistance coverage is for a stated number of years, but with no limit
on mileage.
Government-Mandated Warranties
The federal government
requires two other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers
corrosion-related parts for 2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on
the catalytic converter and any on-board diagnostic device. These warranties
cover emissions performance (whether or not the car is able to pass an emissions
test) as well as design and defect issues. The Passenger Restraint Warranty
covers seat belts and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.
If the original factory warranty has not expired when the vehicle is sold, the warranty may be transferred to the new owner, either at no charge or for a fee. Specific second-owner exclusions may apply to leased and fleet vehicles.
Model-Year 2008 Manufacturers' Warranties
| Make | Bumper-to-Bumper | Free Maint. | Powertrain | Corrosion | Roadside Assist. |
| Acura | 4/50,000 | -- | 6/70,000 | 5/unlimited | 4/50,000 |
| Audi | 4/50,000 | -- | -- | 12/unlimited | 4/50,000 |
| BMW | 4/50,000 | 4/50,000 | -- | 12/unlimited | 4/50,000 |
| Buick | 4/50,000 | -- | 5/100,000 | 4/50,000 | 5/100,000 |
| Cadillac | 4/50,000 | -- | 5/100,000 | 6/unlimited | 5/100,000 |
| Chevrolet | 3/36,000 | -- | 5/100,000 | 6/100,000 | 5/100,000 |
| Chrysler | 3/36,000 | -- | Lifetime [1] | 5/100,000 | 3/36,000 |
| Dodge | 3/36,000 | -- | Lifetime [1] | 5/100,000 | 3/36,000 |
| Ford | 3/36,000 | -- | 5/60,000 [2] | 5/unlimited | 5/60,000 |
| GMC | 3/36,000 | -- | 5/100,000 | 6/100,000 | 5/100,000 |
| Honda | 3/36,000 | -- | 5/60,000 [3] | 5/unlimited | -- |
| Hummer | 4/50,000 | -- | 5/100,000 | 6/100,000 | 5/100,000 |
| Hyundai | 5/60,000 | -- | 10/100,000 | 7/unlimited | 5/unlimited |
| Infiniti | 4/60,000 | -- | 6/70,000 | 7/unlimited | 4/unlimited |
| Isuzu | 3/50,000 | -- | 7/75,000 | 6/100,000 | 7/75,000 |
| Jaguar | 4/50,000 | 1/12,000 | -- | 6/unlimited | 4/50,000 |
| Jeep | 3/36,000 | -- | Lifetime [1] | 5/100,000 | 3/36,000 |
| Kia | 5/60,000 | -- | 10/100,000 | 5/100,000 | 5/60,000 |
| Land Rover | 4/50,000 | 4/50,000 | -- | 6/unlimited | 4/50,000 |
| Lexus | 4/50,000 | -- | 6/70,000 [4] | 6/unlimited | 4/unlimited |
| Lincoln | 4/50,000 | 1/12,000 | 6/70,000 | 5/unlimited | 6/70,000 |
| Mazda | 3/36,000 | -- | -- | 5/unlimited | 3/36,000 |
| Mercedes-Benz | 4/50,000 | -- | -- | 4/50,000 |
unlimited |
| Mercury | 3/36,000 | -- | 5/60,000 [2] | 5/unlimited | 5/60,000 |
| Mini | 4/50,000 | 3/36,000 | -- | 12/unlimited | 4/50,000 |
| Mitsubishi | 5/60,000 | -- | 10/100,000 | 7/100,000 | 5/unlimited |
| Nissan | 3/36,000 | -- | 5/60,000 | 5/unlimited | 3/36,000 |
| Pontiac | 3/36,000 | -- | 5/100,000 | 6/100,000 | 5/100,000 |
| Porsche | 4/50,000 | -- | -- | 10/unlimited | 4/50,000 |
| Saab | 4/50,000 | 3/36,000 | 5/100,000 |
6/unlimited [5] | 5/100,000 |
| Saturn [6] | 3/36,000 | -- | 5/100,000 | 6/100,000 | 5/100,000 |
| Scion | 3/36,000 | -- | 5/60,000 | 5/unlimited | -- |
| Subaru | 3/36,000 | -- | 5/60,000 | 5/unlimited | 3/36,000 |
| Suzuki | 3/36,000 | -- | 7/100,000 | 3/unlimited | 3/36,000 |
| Toyota | 3/36,000 | -- | 5/60,000[7] | 5/unlimited | -- |
| Volkswagen | 4/50,000 | -- |
5/60,000 | 12/unlimited | 4/unlimited |
| Volvo | 4/50,000 | -- |
-- | 12/unlimited | 4/unlimited |
