Covered Repairs After New Car Warranty
Coverage After the Basic Warranty Expires – Emissions, Safety & More
Aug 12, 2009
Even though there are exceptions, the normal basic warranty that comes with a new car or light truck is 36 months or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first.
Many luxury cars have a longer warranty and some vehicles come with a powertrain warranty that goes beyond the basic vehicle warranty. Due to various state laws, other components may also be covered beyond the basic vehicle warranty.
Vehicle Emission Warranty Coverage – Beyond Basic Coverage
Due to federal and some state laws, certain vehicle emissions defect are covered beyond the basic car warranty. Some states, like California actually cover more emission components than the Federal Emissions Coverage. Some states may even cover Federal emissions failed components beyond the Federal mileage and time. Under the Federal Emissions Warranty there are two types of emissions warranties for vehicles 1995 and newer.
- Federal Emission Performance Warranty – covers the vehicle if it fails an emissions test in the first 2 years or 24,000 miles, but some emissions components are covered up to 8 years or 80,000 miles.
- Federal Emission Design and Defect Warranty – covers the vehicle for a manufacturing design defect for an emissions component for the first 2 years or 24,000 miles. Like the performance warranty, specific major emissions components may be covered up to 8 years of 80,000 miles.
When ayellow check engine comes on there’s a better than average chance that the problem with the vehicle is due to a failed emissions components. Many car owners don’t even realize that the needed repair may be covered by the emissions warranty. If the vehicle is taken to an independent auto repair shop, the repair shop may not realize that the dealer may make the repairs under the factory emissions warranty.
Vehicle Safety Restraints Warranty Coverage
Many car manufacturers cover safety restraint defects beyond the vehicles basics bumper-to-bumper warranty. Items like seat belts and air bag components may be covered beyond the basic warranty. Safety restraint warranty coverage can very depending on vehicle makes and model year. For example, Ford has a safety restraint warranty that covers cars and light trucks for 5 years or 60,000 miles.
Powertrain Warranty Coverage
Some vehicle manufacturers have a powertrain warranty that covers engine, transmission, driveline and axle components beyond the basic bumper-to-bumper warranty. A powertrain warranty can also vary depending on vehicle makes, models and model year. Lets use Ford again as an example for powertrain coverage by certain years and models. The following examples are powertrain warranties that are automatically included with the vehicle at no extra cost.
- Ford 2002 model year vehicles (except 7.3L diesel engine) have no powertrain coverage.
- Ford 2003 to 2007 model year vehicles only include the Ford Focus for 5 years or 100,00 miles (expect 6.0L and 7.3L diesel engine). No other vehicles have powertrain warranty coverage for those model years.
- Ford 2008 to 2010 model year vehicles all have powertrain warranty coverage for 5 years or 60,00 miles. Power Stroke Diesel engines are up to 100,000 miles.
Manufacturers After Warranty Adjustments
Some car manufacturers allow their dealers to perform repairs after the warranty expires. The rules and regulations vary from one car manufacturer to another. Most of the restrictions may include some of the following rules.
- Mileage and in service time limits after the basic warranty
- Money cap limit per vehicle
- Number of repairs or service visits that can be performed per vehicle
- Certain components failures can be included or excluded
- Dealer and/or vehicle owner cost participation
- Dealership monthly, quarterly or yearly cost cap limits
- Owner loyalty to dealership service or vehicle purchases
Other Component Coverage Beyond the Basic Warranty
Besides emissions, safety restraints and powertrain coverage, other coverage beyond the basic bumper-to-bumper warranty may also apply. Some other needed repairs to look for maybe corrosion perforation, Hybrid components, battery and routine maintenance services.
Many of these above and beyond warranties are also transferable from one vehicle owner to another. To find out what’s covered beyond the basic warranty, ask the dealership. The next time a vehicle’s taken in for repairs other than the dealer, keep in mind that the repairs could actually be covered with little or no out of pocket expense. For a little peace of mind, an extended warranty may also be another consideration.
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