Disclosure: This content was produced by an independent editorial party for the purposes of educating our customers, and is not influenced by the other business operations of CARCHEX.
An extended car warranty is protection from the vehicle manufacturer against mechanical breakdowns. This term is sometimes incorrectly used to describe coverage from third-party providers, which offer similar protection plans called vehicle service contracts. CARCHEX is a vehicle service contract provider.
Each new Honda comes with a factory warranty that protects your vehicle from costly repairs, but what happens when that coverage ends? A Honda extended warranty can keep your vehicle safe for the long haul – if chosen wisely.
Read on to learn about Honda extended warranty costs and whether coverage is worth it. We’ll also explain the benefits of a vehicle service contract from CARCHEX as an alternative to manufacturer-backed extended coverage.
What Does the Honda Factory Warranty Cover?
Before we check out the Honda extended warranty, it’s important to note the protection that comes with new models. Honda manufacturer warranties generally include two types of coverage:
- The New Vehicle Limited Warranty, or Honda bumper-to-bumper warranty, covers the majority of your car’s repairs for 3 years or 36,000 miles.
- The Powertrain Limited Warranty protects your car’s powerhouse systems, like the engine and transmission, for 5 years or 60,000 miles.
Here’s a look at the Honda factory warranty’s two most well-known types of coverage, along with more protection that comes with new Hondas:
Honda Warranty |
Factory Warranty Details |
|---|---|
New Vehicle Limited Warranty |
|
Powertrain Limited Warranty |
|
Accessory Limited Warranty |
|
Remanufactured Parts Limited Warranty |
|
Rust Perforation Limited Warranty |
|
*The above table includes some but not all warranty plans under the Honda factory warranty.
What a Honda Factory Warranty Doesn’t Cover
While you may think the Honda factory warranty seems extensive, remember that no warranty covers every vehicle component. Here’s what Honda owners can’t get covered under the manufacturer’s warranty:
- Normal wear or deterioration of any part
- Cleaning and polishing
- Adding any fluids
- Broken, chipped, or scratched window glass
- Cosmetic flaws
- Tires
- Damage due to misuse, an act of nature, or the installation of accessories not authorized by Honda
What Does the Honda Extended Warranty Cover?
When you’re looking to purchase new repair coverage for your Honda, you generally have two choices: either a Honda Care® vehicle service contract (Honda extended warranty) through your dealership or a protection plan from a third-party provider like CARCHEX.
Honda Care vehicle service contracts offer four primary levels of coverage depending on your car’s state. Details of each option can be found below:
Vehicle Components |
New Vehicle Coverage |
Pre-Owned Vehicle Coverage |
Certified Additional Coverage |
Powertrain Coverage* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Drivetrain coverage |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Electronics coverage |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Chassis coverage |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Heating and cooling coverage |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Honda Genuine Accessories |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Roadside assistance |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Rental car reimbursement |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Trip interruption benefit |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
*Applies only to certified pre-owned Honda vehicles.
Honda Care also features Certified Used Additional Coverage and Certified Used Powertrain Coverage—both of which are specific to previously owned vehicles that are not certified by Honda. These coverage levels apply to the same things as the Certified Additional and Powertrain Coverages, respectively. Coverage for oil changes can be purchased separately from these plans through the Honda Care Sentinel program.
The Honda Care factory extended warranty can last up to eight years or 120,000 miles after your new vehicle warranty expires.
Should I Get Extended Coverage?
You may be tempted not to purchase a Honda extended warranty for your used or new car. After all, the Honda Accord, Civic, Odyssey, and CR-V are noted for their ability to amass up to 300,000 miles. While Honda receives excellent marks for its cars’ reliability, mechanical problems that require expensive repairs do sometimes occur.
In the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study℠, for example, Honda isn’t even in the top 10 for reliable vehicles. It landed in 19th place out of 29 total auto manufacturers, having encountered an average of 206 problems per 100 vehicles. This was slightly above the industry average of 190 problems per 100 vehicles.
What all this shows is that Honda vehicles are more likely to break down over time compared to the average automaker, which could mean hefty repair costs without extended protection. But this also means that if you have a Honda extended warranty or service plan, you’re more likely to use it.
Over time, car repair costs can add up and start to test your patience. Once your vehicle is no longer under Honda’s limited factory warranty, you’ll have to pay for repairs out of pocket unless you get Honda extended warranty coverage.
Average Honda Repair Costs in 2024
Take a look at some common Honda repairs and their typical price tags, according to data from RepairPal, a trusted automotive repair and maintenance research site:
Honda Model |
Repair |
Estimated Repair Cost |
|---|---|---|
Crosstour |
$312–$333 |
|
Insight |
$329–372 |
|
Accord |
$529–$779 |
|
CR-V |
$622–$773 |
|
Civic |
$672–$745 |
|
Insight |
$1,060–$1,269 |
|
Ridgeline |
$4,606–4,915 |
While Honda may build reliable cars, expensive repairs don’t pay for themselves. You may want to wait for your manufacturer warranty to expire before even considering a Honda extended warranty or third-party vehicle service contract, but doing so could add on hundreds of dollars in needed repairs.
CARCHEX Vehicle Protection Plans and Benefits
While Honda Care provides quality coverage, a vehicle service contract from CARCHEX includes these benefits:
PROS OF CARCHEX VEHICLE PROTECTION PLANS
- Your choice of repair shop
- Claims paid directly to the repair facility
- Transferable coverage
- Affordable payment options
- No-Haggle, Low-Price, Everyday Guarantee™
- Customizable plans
- Doesn’t add interest to your car loan
- 30-Day Money–Back Guarantee
Customizable Plans
Instead of having Honda tell you what’s covered, CARCHEX can help you determine what’s best for your vehicle.
Take a look at the five customizable levels of coverage provided by CARCHEX below:
- Titanium—This high-level coverage provides only a short list of items that aren’t covered.
- Platinum—This is stated-component coverage that protects elements of all major vehicle systems.
- Powertrain Plus—Along with the engine, transmission, and drive axle, this enhanced powertrain plan also covers the air conditioning, fuel system, cooling system, and various electrical components.
- Powertrain—This is basic powertrain protection that covers your vehicle’s engine, transmission, drive axle, transfer case, and cooling system.
- Extra Care—This unique plan protects components not associated with the powertrain, such as the electrical system, steering, suspension, and braking.
Keep your Honda protected with CARCHEX Extended Vehicle Protection Plans, from your car’s brakes and air conditioning to its drive axle and cooling system. Our plans typically cover your vehicle for five to seven years, with some options providing coverage for up to 10 years.
Each Honda protection plan from CARCHEX also includes added benefits such as roadside assistance, concierge services, and towing for extra peace of mind.
Protect Your Honda with a Plan from CARCHEX
With a custom Honda service contract from CARCHEX, you can protect your vehicle for up to 10 years past your new vehicle warranty. That will likely include covered repairs that you won’t have to worry about.
Sources:
Honda:
https://owners.honda.com/Documentum/Warranty/Handbooks/2024_Honda_Warranty_Basebook.pdf
CheatSheet.com:
https://www.cheatsheet.com/money-career/cars-can-take-300000-miles.html/
J.D. Power:
https://www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases/2024-us-vehicle-dependability-study-vds
RepairPal:
https://repairpal.com/honda
Better Business Bureau:
https://www.bbb.org/us/md/hunt-valley/profile/extended-warranty-contract-service-companies/carchex-0011-23015869