Welcome to our thorough information on powertrain warranties, a crucial component of car ownership that may offer priceless security and comfort. This article delves into powertrain warranties and examines their importance, advantages, and coverage.
This page is your go-to guide if you’re a vehicle enthusiast, a potential buyer, or just trying to learn more about automobile warranties. Come along as we explain the complexities of powertrain warranties so you can protect your automobile investment and make wise decisions.
What Is a Powertrain?
The car’s mechanism that produces and transmits power is called the powertrain. It consists of the drivetrain, gearbox, and engine or motor. The powertrain moves the car forward by transforming gasoline into mechanical energy or using electric power. The drivetrain transmits power from the gearbox to the wheels, providing functional and controlled movement, while the gearbox optimizes power delivery.
What is Included in the Powertrain?
The most crucial powertrain components include:
- Transmission
- Driveshafts
- Cylinder block
- Transfer case for all-wheel drive and four-wheel drive vehicles
- Turbochargers and superchargers
Is the Engine Part of the Powertrain?
Your vehicle’s engine is also part of the powertrain, along with its internal components. These include:
- Oil pump
- Gears
- Pistons
- Fuel Intake
- Gaskets
- Timing belt
- Crankshaft
- Exhaust valves
What Is Covered by a Powertrain Warranty?
The engine, gearbox, and drive system are the three major automotive systems often covered by a powertrain warranty. The systems’ covered parts differ based on your car and powertrain warranty agreement.
Below, we’ve created a more detailed list of the parts typically covered under a powertrain warranty:
Drive System
Differentials and differential housing, propeller shafts, all internal joints, driveshaft and drive axle shafts, constant-velocity joints (CV joints) and universal joints (U joints), axle hubs, intake manifolds, and wheel bearings.
Transmission
Transaxle, torque converter, transfer case (all-wheel and four-wheel drive), central gearset, hydraulic lines, clutches, actuation sensors, transmission fluid lines.
Engine
An engine mount, cylinder block, cylinder heads, engine gaskets and seals, pistons and compressor gaskets, fuel injection and hydraulic/oil/water pumps, timing chain, valvetrain, flywheel, timing gears, and belts
What does a powertrain warranty not cover?
A powertrain warranty typically does not cover regular maintenance items such as oil changes, filter replacements, brake pads, or tires. It also does not cover damage caused by accidents, negligence, improper maintenance, or modifications to the vehicle. Additionally, accessories and non-powertrain components like the audio system, navigation system, or interior features are generally not included in the powertrain warranty coverage.
Factory Powertrain Warranty
Usually, a bumper-to-bumper, powertrain, and other coverages make up an automotive manufacturer warranty. Compared to the bumper-to-bumper factory guarantee, the “powertrain limited warranty” that comes with a new car provides lengthier coverage for the powertrain parts.
What Is the Duration of a Factory Powertrain Warranty?
Powertrain warranties from manufacturers typically run five years or 60,000 miles (96560.64 kilometers), whichever comes first. However, extended powertrain warranty coverage may vary according to your provider, and many manufacturers provide powertrain warranties with shorter or longer durations.
The duration of the powertrain warranties for several of the top car brands available in the U.S. is shown in the table below.
- Hyundai Warranty: Ten years/100,000 miles
- Kia Warranty: Five years/60,000 miles or 8 years/80,000 miles for Bolt electric vehicle
- Chevrolet Warranty: 5 years/60,000 miles or 8 years/80,000 miles for Bolt electric vehicle
- Genesis Warranty: 10 years/100,000 miles
- Honda Warranty: 5 years/60,000 miles
- Nissan Warranty: 5 years/60,000 miles
Powertrain System Repair Cost
Unless you purchase an extended warranty, you are responsible for paying for repairs after the manufacturer’s powertrain warranty expires. Eight typical powertrain items are listed below, along with an estimate of how much it would cost to fix each without an extended warranty.
Powertrain Component and Average Cost
- Timing Chain Replacement: $1,266–$1,871
- Water Pump Replacement: $301–$653
- Engine Control Module: $919–$1,076
- Transfer Case Replacement: $2,466–$2,884
- Transmission Mount Replacement: $139–$267
- Axle Shaft Replacement: $485– $607
- Axle Seal Replacement: $158–$326
What Is Covered by a Manufacturer’s Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty?
Because it covers most of a car’s parts between the front and rear bumpers or the whole vehicle, a bumper-to-bumper warranty is titled as such. This kind of guarantee, which covers everything save a few mentioned restrictions, is known as an “exclusionary warranty” in legalese.
This indicates that a particular component is covered by a bumper-to-bumper plan unless specifically listed as an exclusion.
Exclusions from Bumper-to-Bumper Warranties
Exclusionary warranties do certainly include some exclusions, as you may surely anticipate. Typically, these include:
- Trim Inside
- Window Panes
- Footwear and Brake Pads
- Tire Tread and Support
- Structure of the Chassis and Panels
- Seating, Textiles, and Cabin
What Is the Duration of a Factory Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty?
Three years or 36,000 miles (57,936 kilometers) is the industry standard for bumper-to-bumper warranty coverage. Some manufacturers offer contracts for five years or 60,000 miles (96560.64 kilometers).
Powertrain Extended Warranty
You have the option to keep your powertrain covered after the end of your manufacturing warranty. This enables you to extend the time that the most critical parts of your automobile are protected.
Where is an Extended Powertrain Warranty Available?
When your automobile is brand-new, the manufacturer provides warranty coverage. However, you have additional choices if you decide to increase your coverage.
Your vehicle’s maker
Nowadays, automakers are more likely to provide their extended protection policies. Manufacturer-extended warranties may tempt customers who want work performed by licensed technicians using genuine components at their dealership.
However, we discovered throughout our investigation that many of these businesses only provide one level of coverage. These warranties are often more expensive than a regular powertrain plan since they are more comprehensive.
There are a few additional factors to consider, even if your manufacturer provides a powertrain plan. Not only is repair possible at your dealership’s repair facility, but plans from the OEMs frequently demand it. You must also utilize original equipment manufacturer (OEM) components. This can be a significant annoyance and result in protracted repair wait periods, depending on how far away your nearest dealership is.
Providers of Third-Party Warranties
Another choice is to purchase extended powertrain protection from a third-party warranty provider. These businesses, which focus on car servicing contracts, might make a good option.
Benefits of Third-Party Extended Powertrain Warranties
Independent warranty providers typically have a few benefits over manufacturers, such as:
Choice of repair shop: Plans from independent providers provide many more options than manufacturer plans, often forcing you to use the dealership for repairs. The majority let you select any ASE-Certified facility for repairs. This implies that you may take your automobile to your preferred local mechanic or just about anyone else.
Flexibility in purchases: Automakers frequently limit the timing and methods of purchasing extended coverage. Your manufacturer warranty may need to expire before purchasing your plan, and you may need to do it straight from the dealership. However, with independent carriers, you may nearly always buy coverage over the phone or online.
Choice of coverage: Third parties generally provide a more comprehensive range of plans than manufacturers. Almost all of them include powertrain warranties, but many also provide alternatives like powertrain plus plans that provide a little bit more coverage you might find helpful.
Additional benefits: Many independent vendors provide additional advantages with their warranty policies. These include services like towing packages, travel interruption insurance, reimbursement for rental cars, and more.
Add-ons for coverage: You may frequently discover alternatives to supplement your warranty plan that can help cover additional components of your car. These include things like regular upkeep or the cutting-edge parts of your automobile.
Quotes for an extended powertrain warranty
As part of hidden shopper research, we requested quotations for an extended warranty on a 2013 Honda Accord with 90,000 miles (144840.96 kilometers). The price for powertrain warranties with a $100 deductible is as follows:
1. CARCHEX
- Powertrain Warranty Plan: Silver
- Term Length: 5 years/75,000 miles
- Monthly Payment: $116.09 for 24 months
- Down Payment: First month’s payment
- Total Cost: $2,786.16
2. Endurance
- Powertrain Warranty Plan: Secure Plus
- Term Length: 5 years/100,000 miles
- Monthly Payment: $81.67 for 36 months
- Down Payment: $174.75
- Total Cost: $2,940.12
3. CarShield
- Powertrain Warranty Plan: Gold
- Term Length: Unlimited
- Monthly Payment: $99.99 monthly
- Down Payment: First month’s payment
- Total Cost: $1,199.88 per year
4. Protect My Car
- Powertrain Warranty Plan: Driveline
- Term Length: 4 years/75,000 miles
- Monthly Payment: $78.86 for 42 months
- Down Payment: $85.00
- Total Cost: $3,312.12
Cost Factors for an Extended Drivetrain Warranty
The prices we got were for a specific car at a particular moment. Your warranty expenses will probably differ from those shown in the chart above. This is because extended warranty fees vary depending on a number of different criteria. These consist of the following:
- Mileage: Cars with more mileage have a higher chance of breaking down, raising the repair cost.
- Vehicle age: Older automobiles are often more expensive to warranty coverage and are more prone to technical breakdowns.
- Plan of protection: Providers often provide powertrain warranties as their most affordable option. Usually, more comprehensive insurance is more expensive.
- Deductible: Many businesses let you select your own deductible, which can be as little as $0. However, the lower your deductible, the more you’ll probably have to spend on insurance.
- Car type: Covering more expensive automobiles is a general rule. Additionally, a warranty plan may cost more for vehicles with recognized problems.
- Provider: As expected, various firms charge varying premiums, even for the exact vehicle’s equivalent coverage. Because of this, before purchasing, our staff urges you to compare prices from several suppliers.
What Is the Price of an Extended Powertrain Warranty?
An extended powertrain warranty’s price varies according to where you buy it and a number of other variables. Most manufacturers make it hard to obtain price quotations for their coverage plans, but we obtained accurate prices from third-party suppliers.
Is It Worth It to Get an Extended Powertrain Warranty?
The extended powertrain warranty coverage is well worth the money if you ever need to use it because you could wind up spending less for it overall than you would for repairs. The most crucial and expensive to replace automobile elements relate to the powertrain. According to RepairPal, a 2018 Honda Civic’s gearbox replacement may cost as much as $6,000.
How Long is the Warranty on a Powertrain?
The duration of powertrain warranties varies greatly across providers. Some of the better automakers give coverage for 10 years or 100,000 miles (160934.4 kilometers), whichever comes first if you buy a new car with a powertrain warranty. Other manufacturers, such as Ford, Dodge, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Honda, Subaru, and others, provide powertrain warranties valid for 5 years/60,000 miles (96560.64 kilometers).
What’s Excluded From a Powertrain Warranty?
Generally, a vehicle’s drive axles, transfer case, engine, and gearbox are all covered under a powertrain warranty. Damages brought on by the following are not covered, though:
- Crashes or mishaps
- Inadequate or poor upkeep
- Automobile abuse
- Tire rotations and maintenance procedures like oil changes
- Low-quality or contaminated fuel
- Rust or erosion
- Wearable components, such as brake pads
Depending on your warranty provider and car’s make and model, the powertrain warranty’s sections may change. In general, light-duty vehicle powertrain warranties cover the engine, gearbox, transfer case, and axle assemblies but do not cover the following types of parts:
| Engine Exclusions | Transmission / Transaxle Exclusions | Transfer Case Exclusions | Drive System Exclusions |
| Sensors | Transmission cooling lines | Transfer case cooling lines | Wheel bearings |
| Connectors | Radiator | Radiator | Locking hubs |
| Wiring | Hoses | Hoses | Drive wheel front and rear hub bearings |
| Engine radiator | Sensors | Sensors | Drive system cooling |
| Coolant hoses | Wiring | Wiring | Lines and hoses |
FAQs
Does the warranty for the powertrain cover suspension?
No, suspension repairs or replacements are rarely covered by a powertrain warranty. Remember that the powertrain warranty only covers automotive items directly related to how far forward or backward your car can go.
Is there a warranty for the powertrain that covers sensors?
Yes, sensors are often covered by a powertrain warranty. Essential sensors for the engine control module are covered under standard coverage. However, a powertrain warranty will not often cover your car’s auxiliary sensor systems, such as cabin awareness, braking, or suspension sensors.
Are warranties on powertrains transferable?
Powertrain warranties may often be transferred, yes. The powertrain warranty of an automobile can be transferred to the new owner if ownership changes, often for a nominal transfer fee.
Can the powertrain warranty be revoked?
If you break the terms of your warranty contract, your powertrain coverage will be invalidated. Your provider could reject your coverage claim if you merely slightly violate the terms of the agreement while still letting you maintain your underlying powertrain plan for future repairs.
However, more major warranty violations, such as misusing your car off-road, improperly scheduling maintenance, or aftermarket modifications, might cancel your powertrain guarantee entirely.
What is covered by a prolonged powertrain warranty?
The engine, gearbox, and drivetrain are all covered by an extended powertrain warranty in the same way as a manufacturer’s powertrain warranty. Depending on the terms of your contract, these systems’ specific internal components may change.
What distinguishes a powertrain warranty from a standard warranty?
A vehicle’s most crucial parts, such as the engine, gearbox, and drivetrain, are covered by a powertrain warranty. Warranties like bumper-to-bumper or defined component plans provide more thorough protection.
Conclusion
In conclusion, powertrain warranties are critical for car owners to understand since they offer priceless protection for a vehicle’s vital parts. Powertrain warranties often provide financial stability and peace of mind by covering the engine, gearbox, and drive system. Powertrain warranties help guard against pricey repairs, even if they include restrictions and exclusions.
To make an informed choice, whether choosing a manufacturer’s warranty or an extended warranty from a third-party provider, it’s crucial to consider the coverage, length, and cost elements. Ultimately, a powertrain warranty can offer the confidence and assistance required to protect your car investment.
