Tesla Warranty Protection: Get The Most For Your Vehicle

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.

Whether you opted for the $35,000 Tesla Model 3 or a pricier model, it makes sense that you’d want to spend as little as possible on repairs on your new Tesla. The original Tesla warranty protects you for the first few years, but what happens when it expires?

Learn more about Tesla’s warranty protection, and as you evaluate auto warranty protection, find out how third-party extended auto warranty companies like CARCHEX offer affordable, flexible coverage for many different types of vehicles. Get a free, customized quote today.

When you purchase a new Model S, Model X, Model Y, or Model 3 Tesla, it comes with a New Vehicle Limited Warranty. This Tesla warranty is transferable to a subsequent owner at no cost. The following protection is included under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.

Basic Vehicle Limited Warranty

Lasting four years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first, the Tesla Basic Vehicle Limited Warranty covers repairs or replacements to correct defective materials or workmanship of parts provided by Tesla. This is known as bumper-to-bumper coverage, meaning that most parts of the vehicle are included, with just a few exceptions.

Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) Limited Warranty

This warranty covers repairs or replacements for your Tesla vehicle’s seat belts and air bag systems for five years or 60,000 miles, whichever comes first.

Battery and Drive Unit Limited Warranty

These powertrain components will be repaired or replaced at Tesla’s discretion. The warranty period varies based on your Tesla model.

• Model S and Model X: 8 years or 150,000 miles
• Model 3 with standard battery: 8 years or 100,000 miles
• Model Y and Model 3 with long-range or performance battery: 8 years or 120,000 miles

Tesla also guarantees a minimum battery capacity retention of 70% over the warranty period. There are some restrictions and differences based on your battery type and model, so make sure to read your specific Tesla warranty.

Body Rust Limited Warranty

Tesla covers rust perforation—actual holes in the vehicle’s body panels—for 12 years or unlimited miles. This corrosion limited warranty is only for rust caused by defective materials or workmanship. For example, if you’re in an accident that chips the paint, and rust develops in those areas, your warranty doesn’t cover this.

Parts, Body, and Paint Repair Limited Warranty

This warranty covers repairs and replacements for genuine Tesla parts that fail under normal use. The warranty period is based on the part, but there is a limited lifetime Tesla paint warranty if your vehicle’s paint peels or cracks. Labor is also included. However, not all aspects of this warranty are transferable.

While Tesla owners have decent protection through the original warranty, there are many exceptions and limitations, as well as situations that can void your warranty.

According to Policygenius, it costs a few thousand dollars a year to maintain a Tesla. That doesn’t include the price of upfront costs, fuel, or insurance. That’s more expensive than most cars, including BMW ($1,081 a year) or Mercedes-Benz vehicles ($1,158). In fact, an inspection alone can cost between $475 and $750.

Tesla provides specific maintenance recommendations for your model in your owner’s manual. They also recommend you perform the following maintenance:

• Replace air cabin filter every 2 years
• Replace High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter every 3 years
• Air conditioning service every 2, 4, or 6 years, depending on the model
• Brake fluid testing every 2 years
• Tire rotation, balance, and wheel alignment every 10,000 to 12,000 miles
• Clean and lubricate calipers every 12 months or 12,500 miles (cold-weather regions)

Not required with Tesla vehicles: Oil changes, fuel filters, spark plug replacements, brake pads, and emissions checks

In addition to regular Tesla maintenance costs, you must account for surprise repairs and replacements. Once your Tesla warranty expires, or if the repair isn’t covered, it’s up to you to foot the bill.

That’s where an extended warranty comes in. These auto service contracts offset the costs of repairs or replacements, so you can have peace of mind knowing you won’t have to cough up hundreds or thousands of dollars to get your Tesla back on the road.

Take a look at these average Tesla repair costs.

Provided by the manufacturer, Tesla’s version of an extended warranty is called an Extended Service Agreement (ESA). These plans are transferable, however, the protection isn’t as extensive as you think. You may experience these extended Tesla warranty issues:

• Currently, only Model S and Model X vehicles are eligible for a Tesla ESA.
• Only faulty workmanship and defective parts are covered, meaning breakdowns from normal wear and tear isn’t included.
• There’s a separate warranty from the car’s lithium-ion battery and drive unit.
• You can only purchase a 2-year/25,000-mile or 4-year/50,000-mile ESA.
• Extended Tesla warranty costs range from $2,100–$4,800 if purchased within 180 days of purchasing your Tesla. The cost range increases to $2,600–$5,300 if you wait longer.
• Depending on your contract, there may be a $200 deductible per claim, according to Green Car Reports.
• You can cancel your plan at any time and receive a prorated refund. However, the refund is based on your claims history.

With over 20 years of experience, CARCHEX is known throughout the extended auto warranty industry as a trusted provider. In fact, we have endorsements and partnerships from Kelley Blue Book, Royal Administration Services, Edmunds.com, the Vehicle Protection Association, The Motoring Club, and more.

As you’re shopping for extended warranty coverage, consider the benefits CARCHEX offers:

• Your choice of mechanic—You can go to any of the 30,000+ certified auto repair shops or the dealership if that’s what you prefer.
• No deductible—With CARCHEX, deductibles can be as low as $0, so you’re not spending more on top of your warranty payment each time you file a claim.
• Excellent customer service—Our car warranty and insurance experts work by the motto “Customer Experience Above All” and will gladly answer your questions. We maintain an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and have been BBB accredited since 2009.
• Affordability—CARCHEX has both monthly and annual payment options, which are more manageable than a costly Tesla repair. In addition, we promise a No-Haggle, Low-Price, Everyday Guarantee™ and provide an affordable, fair price upfront when you call us for a quote.
• 30-Day Money Back Guarantee—We’re confident in the services and products we offer, so we back them with a satisfaction guarantee.
• Direct payments—CARCHEX pays your selected auto shop for repairs upfront, so you don’t have to foot an expensive bill and wait to be reimbursed.
• Roadside assistance—All CARCHEX plans come with 24/7 roadside assistance, gas delivery, trip interruption services, rental car reimbursement, towing, and other perks.
• Flexible plan options—Instead of choosing between two coverage options at Tesla, select from five levels of coverage and several plan options under each level at CARCHEX.

At CARCHEX, our plans are backed by industry leaders all competing for your business. Through these partnerships, we’re able to offer you competitive prices for plans that are designed to meet the specific needs of your vehicle.

• If you want a comprehensive, bumper-to-bumper plan, one of our Titanium-level coverage plans is your best fit.
• If you just want essential, basic protection from the most expensive repairs, our Silver and Bronze levels are a good fit.
• Looking for something in the middle? Try the Platinum and Gold coverage options.

CARCHEX plans can last up to seven or 10 years. You can keep driving and not worry about repair costs for years to come. We also give you the freedom to purchase extended protection at any time. 

What’s more, if you decide to sell your car, having a CARCHEX Extended Vehicle Protection Plan could increase the resale value, as our plans are transferable to the new owner. 

Ready to find an extended warranty that won’t break the bank? When you call CARCHEX at 866-261-3457 or fill out our outline form, you’ll talk with one of our knowledgeable representatives who can provide a quote that’s tailored to your car’s model and age, as well as your driving habits and specific needs. We will answer all of your questions about Tesla coverage. Get your free quote today.

Basic Vehicle Limited Warranty: 4 years or 50,000 miles
SRS Limited Warranty: 5 years or 60,000 miles
Battery and Drive Unit Limited Warranty: Up to 8 years/150,000 miles (varies)
Body Rust Limited Warranty: 12 years or unlimited miles
Parts, Body, and Paint Repair Limited Warranty: Varies based on part
Transferable: Yes, with some exceptions in the Parts, Body, and Pant Repair Limited Warranty
Used Tesla warranty: Similar coverage to new car warranty with some exceptions

Sources:

Tesla: https://www.tesla.com/sites/default/files/downloads/tesla-new-vehicle-limited-warranty-en-us.pdf
Tesla: https://www.tesla.com/sites/default/files/downloads/tesla-parts-accessories-body-repair-limited-warranty-en-us.pdf
Policygenius: https://www.policygenius.com/blog/how-much-does-it-actually-cost-to-own-a-tesla/
Tesla: https://www.tesla.com/support/car-maintenance
RepairPal: https://repairpal.com/bmw
RepairPal: https://repairpal.com/mercedes-benz
HotCars.com: https://www.hotcars.com/problems-with-tesla-nobody-talks-about/
YourMechanic: https://www.yourmechanic.com/estimates/tesla/3/brake-caliper-replacement
YourMechanic: https://www.yourmechanic.com/estimates/tesla/roadster/window-motor-regulator-assembly-replacement
Green Car Reports: https://www.greencarreports.com/news/1096220_tesla-model-s-aluminum-body-why-repair-costs-are-higher
CNET Roadshow: https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/see-just-how-complicated-the-tesla-model-s-door-handle-is/
Tesla: https://www.tesla.com/support/extended-service-agreement
Green Car Reports: https://www.greencarreports.com/news/1111921_life-with-tesla-model-s-beware-extended-service-agreement-fine-print
BBB: https://www.bbb.org/us/md/hunt-valley/profile/extended-warranty-contract-service-companies/carchex-0011-23015869
AAA: https://exchange.aaa.com/automotive/car-buying-and-selling/car-resale-value/#.XSdL7ZNKhTZ
Inside EVs: https://insideevs.com/news/396389/tesla-warranty-terms-change/