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Jennifer Cook is a writer for USA TODAY Homefront and has spent hours perusing sample warranty contracts from vehicle manufacturers and warranty providers. She began her career in automotive content researching insurance and vehicle shipping companies. Jennifer is based in the sleepy town of Cedar Mountain, North Carolina and spends much of her time exploring the Blue Ridge Mountains. She hopes to become an accomplished scuba diver in the coming years but knows that fear of sharks is a healthy thing.
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Powertrain warranties cover certain components in critical vehicle systems, such as engines, transmissions and transfer cases.
Coverage costs between $115 and $150 monthly, per quotes we received from top providers.
Powertrain warranties offer minimal coverage but can reduce the expense of critical repairs.
Powertrain warranties protect against sudden mechanical failure in your car’s most critical systems. However, not all powertrain warranty coverage is the same — it can vary in coverage terms, monthly payments and additional perks. Depending on your vehicle and other factors, you may need more comprehensive coverage.
Based on quotes we received from top auto warranty providers, powertrain coverage costs between $115 and $150 per month, on average.
Endurance offers coverage for up to 8 years or 200,000 miles, but it only offers long-term plans.
Simply put, a vehicle’s powertrain is the system of components that makes it move. Systems within the powertrain include the engine, transmission or transaxle, and front- and rear-wheel drive systems.
A powertrain warranty is a type of vehicle service contract. These plans cover limited parts and repairs associated with a few major vehicle systems.
When you purchase a new vehicle, the dealership or manufacturer typically includes powertrain warranty coverage alongside the new vehicle warranty and other standard protections. Powertrain coverage is also available through manufacturer and third-party extended warranties.
Powertrain warranties provide what’s typically known as stated-component coverage. This means that powertrain plans cover only the parts and repairs listed explicitly in the contract.
Bumper-to-bumper warranties are often referred to as exclusionary or comprehensive warranties, meaning they cover everything except the parts and repairs listed in the contract.
Comprehensive warranty coverage is typically designed for new or recently new vehicles and may not be available for older or high-mileage vehicles. These plans offer more extensive coverage, more restrictive coverage terms and higher plan costs than powertrain warranties.
If you’re debating whether to extend your car’s powertrain coverage, you may have the choice between dealer-backed and third-party powertrain plans.
Like new vehicle warranties, manufacturer-backed powertrain warranties require you to take your vehicle to specific dealerships or service centers for repairs. Third-party powertrain warranties, by contrast, typically you to choose your preferred repair facility.
Manufacturer powertrain protection plans often must be purchased before the original limited warranty expires. Fortunately, if you miss this window, third-party powertrain warranties are available for purchase at any time and provide similar levels of coverage.
Finally, factory powertrain warranties, whether original or extended, guarantee the use of original equipment manufacturer parts. One drawback of a third-party powertrain warranty is that generic parts may be substituted during repairs.
A drivetrain warranty covers fewer systems and is typically limited to the specific components that move the wheels. Common types of drivetrains include front-, rear and four-wheel drive systems. Powertrain warranties combine engine coverage with drivetrain coverage.
Powertrain warranties cover specific components within each associated vehicle system. Internal parts such as the constant-velocity joints, axle shafts and engine heads are all part of the powertrain system.
Since warranty companies usually offer multiple levels of stated-component powertrain coverage, we can’t tell you exactly what will be covered in every contract. However, you can expect most plans to cover some or all of the following powertrain components:
Many powertrain warranties include additional perks, such as rental car reimbursement, roadside assistance, towing and trip interruption assistance.
Before committing to a powertrain warranty contract, read all listed coverages and exclusions and compare them with plans from other providers. Understanding your coverage levels can guarantee that you will get the protection you need and can streamline the claims process.
Powertrain warranty coverage is designed to protect you from expensive repairs resulting from manufacturer defects or subpar workmanship. These stated-component plans are considered minimal coverage. This means they won’t cover some of the most expensive parts of a vehicle, such as high-tech electric systems or air conditioning.
Like most warranty coverage, powertrain plans won’t cover routine maintenance or wear-and-tear services. These include oil changes, tire rotations, alignments and other standard upkeep. In most cases, vehicle service plans also won’t replace brake pads or air filters.
When budgeting for your powertrain plan, remember to include the cost of vehicle maintenance to prevent voiding your warranty coverage from improper upkeep. Powertrain warranty coverage may be void for select parts, systems or the entire vehicle if damages in a claim are caused by any of the following:
Most manufacturer powertrain warranty coverage is capped at five years or 60,000 miles. If you’re interested in extended warranty coverage, you’ll need to compare your options before this limited window ends. Fortunately, some factory powertrain plans, such as those from Kia, cover critical systems for as long as ten years or 100,000 miles.
When it comes to extended powertrain warranty coverage, term limits depend on the provider. Automakers and dealerships typically offer plans with shorter terms and lower mileage limits. In contrast, third-party powertrain warranty providers may provide coverage for an unlimited number of years or as much as 300,000 miles.
How much you’ll pay for powertrain warranty coverage depends on several factors. Your vehicle’s make, model and mileage will play significant roles, but so will the warranty administrator you choose.
Factory coverages typically have set prices, while third-party powertrain plans allow you to shop around and save. Additionally, different warranty companies will quote varying rates for the same vehicle with the same mileage. For this reason, it pays to compare quotes from a few providers.
Below, we highlight monthly payment quotes we received from some of our top powertrain warranty providers:
The Endurance quote was provided for a 2018 Toyota RAV4 with 90,000 miles. Carchex and Olive quotes were provided for a 2014 Nissan Altima with 90,000 miles.
Except for monthly plans such as those offered by Carchex, powertrain warranty coverage is often paid in full before the coverage expires. This means you may only make monthly payments during part of your coverage. Also, many powertrain warranties require you to pay a deductible, typically around $100, before administrators will cover claims.
Considering the cost of a powertrain warranty, it’s understandable to wonder if the coverage is worth it. Whether powertrain coverage will pay off for you depends on your vehicle, how often you anticipate needing repairs and your budget.
If you have a new vehicle with existing coverage, you may not need an additional powertrain plan. Similarly, if you can afford to pay for potentially expensive and critical vehicle repairs out of pocket, this type of coverage may be unnecessary. However, for most drivers, a powertrain warranty can provide peace of mind in case of a severe mechanical breakdown.
The best way to find the right powertrain warranty for your vehicle is to compare providers. If your car is covered by a manufacturer’s warranty, begin this process weeks or even months before your coverage expires.
Most extended warranty companies will provide free, fast quotes online or over the phone. During the quote process, you may have the option to choose an upgraded warranty plan, add on coverages such as maintenance, or sign up for other incentives.
Once you receive sample contracts and provider quotes, compare coverages and costs associated with each plan. Consider lists of included and excluded parts or systems, as well as listed ways coverage may be voided. Compare payment terms, coverage terms and cancellation policies as well. Know each contract well before committing, and always read the fine print.
A powertrain warranty can be a wise investment if you’re interested in protecting your vehicle and budget from severe mechanical failure. While these plans offer minimal coverage, you’d pay much more out of pocket for critical engine, transmission and drive system repairs than you would with a powertrain warranty in place.
We analyze, rate and rank top vehicle service contract providers to help you discover the right one for your needs. The best auto service contract companies offer transparency, affordability and expansive coverage options, among other qualities.We rate companies using our objective scoring methodology. We assess brands on factors that are important to consumers like you — including cost, coverage, market standing, trustworthiness and customer experience. After scoring companies on a 100-point scale, we simplify final scores into the 5-star ratings you see in our content.
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