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.

From paying for gas and car insurance to getting oil changes and tire rotations, car maintenance costs can really add up. The last thing you want to do is pay for unexpected repairs and replacements.

When it comes to protecting your Volvo, you’ll want to find the best comprehensive coverage out there. The Volvo warranty doesn’t cover every repair or replacement—and it doesn’t last the car’s lifetime.

Volvo New Car Warranty

Every owner of a new Volvo gets the standard Volvo New Vehicle Warranties that protect you from paying for repairs or replacements due to defective materials or workmanship. Terms are measured in years or miles, whichever comes first.

The 2019 Volvo warranty includes:

  • New Vehicle Limited Warranty (4 years/50,000 miles)
    • Starting on the purchase date, almost your entire vehicle is protected through this warranty, known as “bumper-to-bumper” coverage. It also includes any Genuine Volvo Accessories. Any exceptions are specifically listed in your owner’s manual (see below).
  • Battery Warranty (4 years/50,000 miles)
    • This warranty offers full coverage for defective batteries.
  • Adjustments (1 year/12,000 miles)
    • Minor repairs that don’t require full replacements are covered.
  • Seat Belts and Supplemental Restraint Systems (5 years/unlimited miles)
    • This covers defective seat belts or related parts.
  • Corrosion Protection (12 years/unlimited miles)
    • Defective or perforated (rusted-through) painted body sheet metal panels are covered.
  • Emission Defects and Performance (2 years/24,000 miles or 8 years/80,000 miles)
    • These required Federal warranties cover a long list of emissions control parts such as the catalytic converter, fuel injector, heated oxygen sensors, ignition coil, spark plug, supercharger, and more. See your specific warranty to understand the term difference for each part.
  • California Emissions Warranty (3 years/50,000 miles or 7 years/70,000 miles)
    • Cars registered in certain states (California, Maine, New York, Washington, and several others) follow these warranties, which cover similar emissions parts, but for slightly different terms.
  • Volvo On Call® Roadside Assistance (4 years/unlimited miles)
    • This emergency service gives you access to an operator and other perks.
  • Factory Scheduled Maintenance (3 years/36,000 miles)
    • The first three maintenance services at 10,000, 20,000, and 30,000 miles are included free of charge. The good thing is that some wear and tear items like brake pads can be covered under this warranty. The major stipulation is that you must schedule your maintenance services with an authorized Volvo dealer.

Hybrid Volvo vehicles have additional hybrid battery protection, lasting 8 years/100,000 miles. The terms are even longer with the California Hybrid Battery Warranty at 10 years/150,000 miles.

If you decide to sell your Volvo while it’s still under warranty, the remainder of the coverage can be transferred to the new owner.

  • Tires
  • Trip interruption reimbursements (such as towing, lodging, and meals)
  • Environmental damage from tree sap, salt, windstorms, or other factors
  • Repairs needed due to lack of routine maintenance
  • Severely damaged or totaled vehicles
  • Damage from using the wrong type of gasoline
  • Broken glass (unless defective)
  • Repairs caused by parts or service not approved by Volvo
  • Damage from misuse, such as racing or negligence
  • Odometer tampering

How Does Volvo’s Warranty Compare?

Unlike many manufacturer warranties, Volvo’s new car warranty doesn’t have a long powertrain warranty. Coverage is wrapped into the New Vehicle Limited Warranty, lasting only 4 years/50,000 miles. This is short for powertrain coverage and low-to-average for bumper-to-bumper coverage.

However, the included factory scheduled maintenance is a bonus for Volvo owners. Outside of these differences, the rest of the warranty is pretty standard across new car warranties.

Common Costs of Volvo Repairs and Replacements

Your Volvo warranty will cover many repairs, but it’s not a reliable long-term solution. Even reliable cars are more likely to break down as they age, and many times, that’s after the warranty expires.

In 2018, Business Insider ranked Volvo as one of the least reliable car brands on the market, with a score of just 22 out of 100. Some of the issues included a rattle inside the cabin for the XC60 and a problem with the display screens in S90 sedans and the XV90 SUVs.

Common problems associated with Volvos are transmission shifting issues and transmission failure. Costs vary depending on the make, model, and mechanic, but here’s what you can expect to pay to repair common Volvo Parts:

On average, Volvo cars cost an annual $769 in repairs, which is more expensive than some of the best extended warranty options. With CARCHEX, a small monthly payment for an extended warranty can relieve some of the stress that comes with car repairs. You’ll just pay for your contract and a small deductible, which can be much more manageable than a costly repair.

In addition, with CARCHEX you get more than just coverage on repairs and replacements—you get highly rated customer service and 24/7 roadside assistance.

Smiling African young woman driving car.She smiling and looking at camera

What Is Volvo’s Extended Warranty?

Volvo has their own version of extended warranties or vehicle service contracts called Volvo Increased Protection (VIP). Depending on your vehicle, make, and model, you could get up to six years of protection or up to 120,000 miles, whichever comes first.

Volvo has three coverage levels:

  • Platinum Coverage PlanThis Volvo Platinum warranty is a bumper-to-bumper plan and covers everything in the Gold and Powertrain plans, but excludes dozens of parts, such as solar powered devices, heater and radiator hoses, exhaust system, and more.
  • Gold Coverage PlanThis plan covers everything in the Powertrain plan plus steering, brakes, air conditioning, front/rear suspension, and electrical.
  • Powertrain Coverage PlanThis is Volvo’s extended warranty plan for powertrain parts, including the engine, transmission, transaxle, transfer case, drive axle, and additional hybrid components.

All three plans also include:

  • Towing reimbursement of up to $100 per breakdown
  • Rental car coverage from up to $40 per day for up to 10 days
  • Travel coverage up to $100 a day (maximum of $500 per occurrence) for food and lodging if you’re more than 100 miles from home

The Volvo extended warranty is transferable and can be financed along with your vehicle. However, this can mean you’re paying interest on your extended warranty. Exclusions are similar to the new car Volvo warranty. Like most extended warranties, you select a deductible.

Volvo recommends that you only use authorized Volvo dealerships for repairs. Keep in mind that means you’re limited to Volvo mechanics and replacement parts.

Why Buy Extended Warranties Through Third-Party Providers

Like most manufacturer warranties, extended Volvo warranties from dealerships come with stipulations. Here are some things to consider when shopping for an auto warranty plan:

  • Can you go to any repair shop? A lot of extended warranty providers require pre-approval on repair shops. This can be restricting, especially if you have a preferred mechanic that’s not on the list. Also, you don’t want to end up in the middle of the countryside, unable to get coverage because the only repair shop isn’t approved.
  • What parts can you use? If you’re limited to Genuine Volvo parts and accessories, you may be paying more than what you would for an aftermarket or used parts.
  • Do you get 24/7 roadside assistance? You want to make sure your warranty plan includes roadside assistance that’s available at all hours. Like Volvo warranties, CARCHEX and other third-party providers have roadside assistance and other perks like rental car reimbursement.
  • Is your contract renewable? Many manufacturer’s extended warranties have a set term length and end long before your car’s lifespan. Extended warranties from third parties typically include longer terms and can be purchased at any point, even if your original warranty is expired. The best extended warranties allow you to renew your contract, so you don’t have to drive without coverage.
  • What’s covered and for how much? Make sure you’re getting comprehensive coverage at a price that fits within your budget. Volvo has three coverage options, but providers like CARCHEX have five coverage levels, plus several contracts under each tier.

Choose a CARCHEX Extended Warranty

Ranked A+ customer service ranking by the Better Business Bureau, CARCHEX is a reputable extended warranty company that’s been around for more than 20 years. From powertrain to bumper-to-bumper coverage options, we aim to provide the best affordable, flexible coverage that fits your needs. Our five coverage options include:

  • Titanium Coverage—This is the highest level of coverage offered and is considered a bumper-to-bumper warranty.
  • Platinum Coverage—Covering your major systems, this is a good option for car owners who want a comprehensive, yet affordable plan.
  • Gold Coverage—This is a reliable coverage option for high-mileage vehicles.
  • Silver Coverage—Covering your powertrain and a few other major systems, this is the second most affordable option.
  • Bronze Coverage—A basic powertrain warranty, this covers your major systems like the transmission and engine.

Terms are available for up to 10 years for most coverage levels. When you call our car insurance and warranty experts, they can talk you through which plan fits the needs of your specific vehicle. To learn more and get a free quote, call CARCHEX and discuss the options for your Volvo vehicle today.

With an Extended Vehicle Protection Plan from CARCHEX, you don’t have to stress about paying absurd out-of-pocket expenses. You have an affordable monthly payment and a deductible, which can be as low as $0.

Extra Volvo Protection from CARCHEX

In addition to your choice of coverage, CARCHEX customers enjoy these perks:

  • On-the-Road Protection—24/7 assistance is available to all CARCHEX plan owners and includes emergency tire placement, lockout service, and more.
  • Financing Options—When you speak to one of our experts, make sure to ask about different discounts, but also about CARCHEX’s financing options. We promise a No-Haggle, Low-Price Everyday Guarantee™, meaning we won’t pressure you into an expensive contract. You’ll get a competitive price up front.
  • Trusted Service—With our extensive experience, CARCHEX is a leader in the industry and considered one of the best extended warranty providers. We’ve partnered with some of the best, trusted companies out there, including Kelley Blue Book, CARFAX, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, and more.
  • 30-Day Money Back Guarantee—If you’re not happy with your extended Volvo protection within 30 days of signing your contract, we’ll give you a refund. That’s how much we back our products and services.

At CARCHEX, we make it easy to stay protected after your Volvo warranty expires. Our representative can talk you through the contract options and the best payment plans for you. Find out what protection plans are available to you, and get the coverage you need before your next breakdown.

Sources:

Volvo: https://volvornt.harte-hanks.com/manuals/2019/2019%20Volvo%20Warranty%20Manual_01-23-18.pdf

Business Insider: https://www.businessinsider.com/car-brands-least-reliable-2018-2018-10

RepairPal: https://repairpal.com/estimator/volvo/940/ac-evaporator-replacement-cost

RepairPal: https://repairpal.com/reliability/volvo/xc90

RepairPal: https://repairpal.com/estimator/volvo/v40/exhaust-pipe-replacement-cost

RepairPal: https://repairpal.com/volvo/v40

RepairPal: https://repairpal.com/volvo

Volvo: https://assets.volvocars.com/us/~/media/us/downloads/brochures/service-and-maintenance/volvo-service-contract-brochure-v3-112718.pdf?la=en-us

NerdWallet: https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/loans/auto-loans/oem-vs-aftermarket-parts-car-choose/

Better Business Bureau: https://www.bbb.org/us/md/hunt-valley/profile/extended-warranty-contract-service-companies/carchex-0011-23015869