To learn how to check a warranty on a car, you can start by looking in the vehicle owner’s manual, going online, or calling the dealer. Knowing this information helps you avoid costly car repairs that would have been covered.
The Lemon Pros are car warranty experts. As experienced car warranty lawyers, we know how to navigate the world of lemon cars. If you’re dealing with a car that cannot be repaired and is covered by a warranty, it’s time to contact us for a free consultation.
In this guide, we'll go over the basics of car warranties, explain the different types, and show you what's included. We also illustrate how to find the warranty on your car and explain what to do when the warranty doesn’t cover your car repairs.
A car warranty promises to cover car repairs during a specific timeframe. It acts as a safety net against unexpected costs, usually covering parts and labor if something goes wrong. Most new car warranties last at least three years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first. Yet, there are some that last five years or 60,000 miles and longer.
A new vehicle's limited warranty covers defects from the time the car leaves the dealership. It generally includes a variety of coverage terms, including a powertrain warranty, a bumper to bumper warranty, a corrosion warranty, and additional protection for hybrid/electric components.
When you buy a Certified Pre-Owned car, you get a limited warranty that adds to the existing factory warranty. This is one of the rare instances in which a used car includes warranty coverage. Whereas, an extended car warranty is optional coverage that’s purchased separately. It extends the existing protection for a specified time.
The most comprehensive type of warranty is the bumper-to-bumper, covering the majority of the vehicle components except for wear-and-tear items. This type is included with every manufacturer warranty on new cars, SUVs, and light duty trucks.
The new car also comes with a powertrain warranty. With this coverage, you shouldn’t have to pay for repairs to the engine, transmission, or drivetrain during the warranty period.
Other coverage can be added, or sometimes comes with the new car warranty, depending on the type of vehicle. For example, there could be corrosion coverage that ensures any rust on the structure or metal parts is included. Hybrid/electric components are also protected on their own warranty plans, usually lasting longer than a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty.
Federal law requires warranties on certain emissions components, also usually lasting longer than the factory warranty. Many new car warranties also include extra perks, such as free towing, flat tire service, and jump-starts, for those times when the unexpected occurs.
Dealerships get paid for warranty work any time that the component is included in the coverage. However, the majority of warranties do not cover everyday consumables, such as windshield wipers. Additionally, any unusual wear is going to cause exclusions, such as if you go off-roading in a car that’s not designed for the use.
There are several quick and easy ways to check your vehicle's warranty status. In a few minutes, you can have the answers you need.
Your car’s owner’s manual includes a warranty section that explains exactly what’s covered. You can find it quickly by looking at the table of contents. This section outlines how long the warranty lasts, the mileage limit, what parts are included, and which components or situations are excluded from coverage.
Every car has a vehicle identification number (VIN) that can be searched. This number is found on a sticker on the driver’s door or at the bottom of the windshield.
If you contact the dealer, you can provide the VIN number to the service department to receive the warranty information. Be sure to ask about the remaining coverage and the specific repairs that are covered. Additionally, the VIN can be used by the dealer to check for car recalls, which should also be free to repair.
Most car manufacturers have an online website with a page to learn more about the warranty. You would enter the car’s VIN to view your active warranty coverage. Each manufacturer seems to offer something a little different, so it’s good to see what’s available. For example, Toyota has a Manuals and Warranties page that also explains the difference in coverage, while Ford Support allows you to add extended service and maintenance plans to your existing coverage.
When you purchase a new vehicle, the original paperwork includes all of the warranty information. The same is true if your used car is sold with a warranty. If you’ve added an extended warranty, you can also look through the paperwork that you were given at the sale.
There are several important reasons to know your car warranty terms and coverage. For starters, you can avoid surprise repair bills. If you take the vehicle in for repairs, you want to know if you will be responsible for these bills or if they are included with the warranty.
By tracking the expiration date, you can get any needed repairs before the term expires. Therefore, if you’ve been putting off a necessary repair, you want to get it done before you are responsible for the bill.
When selling a car, you can verify that the warranty is transferable. The next buyer can take advantage of the remaining term. It is also important to understand what activities and situations may void the warranty coverage. Otherwise, you may make modifications to the car without knowing that the warranty may be voided in the process.
Above all, you should know exactly what’s covered by your warranty and what isn’t. It’s important to understand time and mileage limits to avoid surprises. But, even with careful planning, you could find that your warranty isn’t going to be enough to cover the repair bills and ongoing auto defects that you face. In this case, you want to take the following steps:
Document every repair and issue carefully – Keep detailed records of every service visit and correspondence with the dealer. Documenting the defects with photos and video further helps your case if you need to go to court.
Contact the dealer and manufacturer – If the problem continues to occur, you must tell the dealer and manufacturer that you want the case escalated. Ask for a written response to your request, so there’s a paper trail of everything happening.
Know your rights – Some persistent car defects qualify for legal protection. It’s important to research your options if the dealer and manufacturer refuse to fix the problems.
Consider an extended warranty – If the repairs cannot be performed due to the warranty status, consider adding more protection. Research extended warranty options to see if there’s a plan that suits your needs.
There will be times when, no matter how hard you try, you can’t get the repairs performed on your own, and you are stuck with a defective vehicle. When this happens, it’s essential to talk to a car warranty legal expert for more guidance. Car warranty lawyers can protect your rights and fight for the repairs you deserve.
By knowing your car warranty status, you can prevent a lot of headaches and disappointment. It’s not difficult to check whether you look through the original paperwork or you reference the online information. If you have a car warranty but are still having trouble getting repairs for your vehicle, it’s time to contact a lawyer.
The Lemon Pros successfully navigate the car warranty loopholes and challenges for today’s drivers. As the best car warranty lawyers in California, our team is ready to review your case and protect your rights. Contact us today for your free consultation.
Below you can find answers to the most common inquiries people have regarding car warranties.
Look through the original paperwork or call your local dealership with the vehicle identification number (VIN). At the same time, the dealer may be able to tell you if any recalls on your car require repairs. You can also use the VIN on many manufacturers’ websites to look up the warranty information.
Unless you purchased your vehicle as a Certified Pre-Owned (CPO), it’s unlikely that it came with a warranty. You can review the purchase agreement to see what was offered or confirm the extended warranty status through whatever provider was used.
Most factory car warranties transfer to the new owner, but terms may differ based on the brand of car you drive. As far as extended warranties, you would need to check with the providers to see who allows transfer.
Once the warranty expires, you will be responsible for any car repair cost. You can add an extended warranty through various providers to access further protection and get peace of mind.
It doesn’t make sense for every car owner to have an extended warranty. If you drive a newer model that’s reliable and you have the money to pay for repair bills out of pocket, you may not need it. As the odometer reading increases, repair bills may become more frequent, making the security of a warranty more appealing.
The bumper-to-bumper warranty covers many of the systems, offering more protection. However, the powertrain warranty tends to last long, covering the major parts that are going to cost more money for repairs.
Mileage tends to affect extended warranty eligibility and costs more than age. If you’re comparing two cars, the one with fewer miles will usually qualify for better, cheaper coverage, even if it’s a year or two older.
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