Check out Consumer Guide's chart of model-year 2009 new-car warranties.
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 and wiper-blade replacement. Some maintenance coverage lasts for the duration of the basic warranty; some maintenance coverage lasts 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.
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 coverage and roadside assistance coverage is offered for a stated number of years, but with no limit
on mileage.
Government-Mandated Warranties
The federal government
requires three other warranties. Two federal emission control warranties exist. Both cover emissions-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 2009 New-Car 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 | 6/100,000 | 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 | 1/12,500 | -- | 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 | -- | 5/60,000 [5] |
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 | 4/50,000 |
6/unlimited [6] | 4/50,000 |
| Saturn [7] | 3/36,000 | -- | 5/100,000 | 6/100,000 | 5/100,000 |
| Scion | 3/36,000 | -- | 5/60,000 | 5/unlimited | -- |
| Smart | 2/24,000 | -- | 2/24,000 | 4/50,000 | 2/unlimited |
| Subaru | 3/36,000 | -- | 5/60,000 | 5/unlimited | 3/36,000 |
| Suzuki | 3/36,000 | -- | 7/100,000 | 5/unlimited | 3/36,000 |
| Toyota | 3/36,000 | -- | 5/60,000 [8] | 5/unlimited | -- |
| Volkswagen | 3/36,000 | 3/36,000 |
5/60,000 | 12/unlimited | 4/unlimited |
| Volvo | 4/50,000 | -- |
4/50,000 |
12/unlimited | 4/unlimited |
[1] Not available on SRT models, diesel-powered vehicles, Sprinter, Ram Chassis Cab, and certain fleet vehicles. Non-transferable. [2] 8-years/100,000-miles on hybrid components. [3] 8-years/100,000-miles on hybrid battery. [4] 8-years/100,000-miles on hybrid components. [5] 8-years/100,000-miles on RX-8 engine. [6] 10-years/unlimited-miles on 9-3. [7] Saturns have a 30-day, 1,500-mile vehicle exchange program. [8] 8-years/100,000-miles on hybrid components.
08.05.2008
