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.

Many car owners wonder what a powertrain warranty covers on a new vehicle. The powertrain includes your car’s engine, transmission, and drivetrain, so you can expect a warranty to cover the cost of repairing or replacing these parts for around five years or 60,000 miles.

In this article, we’ll give more details on what a powertrain warranty covers and how you can keep these critical car parts safe after protection runs out.

What Does a Powertrain Warranty Cover?

Simply put, a powertrain warranty covers the key components that move your car. Most powertrain warranties last for around 60,000 miles but cover far fewer parts than a bumper-to-bumper warranty. While the number of covered components is shorter, powertrain protection takes care of your car’s most important systems.

Below are the internal parts that a powertrain warranty covers after your deductible in almost all instances:

A Powertrain Warranty Typically Covers:

  • Engine
  • Drive shafts
  • Crankshaft and pistons
  • Timing chain and timing belt
  • Engine and transmission mounts
  • Transmission
  • Drive axles
  • Transfer case
  • Oil pump and oil pan gasket
  • Turbocharger and supercharger
  • Differentials
  • Cylinder block
  • Seals and gaskets
  • Powertrain control module (PCM)
  • U-joints and CV joints

You’ll receive coverage regardless of whether your car’s drivetrain is four-wheel drive, all-wheel drive, or rear-wheel drive. To learn the specific details of your car’s powertrain warranty, refer to the fine print in your sample contract from the dealership or third-party provider.

What’s Excluded From a Powertrain Warranty?

In general, a powertrain warranty covers the engine, transmission, transfer case, and drive axles on vehicles. However, it excludes damages caused by the following:

  • Accidents or collisions
  • Insufficient or improper maintenance
  • Vehicle misuse
  • Maintenance services like oil changes and tire rotations
  • Contaminated or low-quality fuel
  • Corrosion or rust
  • Wear and tear parts like brake pads
  • Environmental causes
  • Aftermarket products
  • Alterations you were warned against
  • Systems like air conditioning and heating

The sections of the powertrain warranty may vary depending on your warranty provider, as well as on your car make and model. In general, powertrain warranties cover the engine, transmission, transfer case, and axle assemblies on light-duty vehicles but exclude components in the following categories:

Engine ExclusionsTransmission / Transaxle ExclusionsTransfer Case ExclusionsDrive System Exclusions
SensorsTransmission cooling linesTransfer case cooling linesWheel bearings
WiringHosesHosesDrive wheel front and rear hub bearings
ConnectorsRadiatorRadiatorLocking hubs
Engine radiatorSensorsSensorsDrive system cooling
Coolant hosesWiringWiringLines and hoses
Coolant heater coreElectrical connectorsElectrical connectorsSensors and wiring
Starter motorClutch and pressure plateTransfer case control moduleElectrical connectors related to drive systems
Entire pressurized fuel systemTransmission control moduleDrive system control module
Control module and module programming

Note that your car’s exhaust system, which includes the catalytic converter, is covered by an emissions limited warranty and not by your vehicle’s powertrain service contract.

How Long Does a Powertrain Warranty Last?

Powertrain coverage is typically for five years or 60,000 miles, whichever comes first. That number might differ slightly across automakers, so don’t expect Ford and Toyota to offer the same coverage. Heavy-duty pickup trucks, commercial vehicles, and government fleet cars often receive higher mileage as part of their powertrain warranty coverage.

Kia, Hyundai, Genesis, and Mitsubishi offer some of the industry’s longest powertrain warranties, reaching up to 10 years or 100,000 miles.

Should I Extend My Powertrain Warranty?

As your factory warranty comes to a close, you may find yourself wondering whether your car is safe without an extended powertrain warranty. It’s smart to consider the following as you think of what a powertrain warranty covers on used cars as well as high-mileage vehicles:

  • Is your car dependable?
  • Can you afford unexpected repairs without a warranty?
  • How much longer will you keep the car?
  • Is a bumper-to-bumper warranty a better choice?
  • Can you handle the stress of unexpected repair bills?

If you’d prefer to pay one monthly payment upfront instead of having repair costs sneak up on you, an extended car warranty may be a wise choice.

Bumper-to-Bumper vs. Powertrain Warranties

There are many coverage plans on the market, but two common ones are powertrain and bumper-to-bumper warranties. Here are some differences between the two:

  • A powertrain warranty covers fewer car parts but lasts longer.
  • Bumper-to-bumper coverage is a much more comprehensive warranty choice than powertrain protection.
  • Powertrain plans usually last around five years or 60,000-miles, while bumper-to-bumper plans often last only three years or 36,000 miles.
  • Both are free on new vehicles, but extended powertrain warranties are cheaper.

While powertrain and bumper-to-bumper warranties come standard with new cars, you can also find extended warranty options for each one. While a powertrain warranty covers significantly less parts, it’s more affordable in return.

Why Choose CARCHEX?

CARCHEX extended vehicle protection plans are designed to protect your car from the most common and expensive repairs, most definitely including your powertrain. All five of our protection plans, from Bronze to Titanium, cover your powertrain for somewhere between five and 10 years. Our plans also include benefits such as 24/7 roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement, towing services, and gas delivery.

As your car ages and its manufacturer warranty expires, you could find yourself on the hook for expensive repairs. That’s why you should call CARCHEX to get one of our high-quality and affordable extended warranty options.

CARCHEX warranties stand at the top of the industry with over 20 years of experience and a score of 10.0 from ThoroughlyReviewed. We’ve also earned an A+ customer service rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and have been accredited since 2009.

In addition, you’ll enjoy the following peace of mind benefits when you choose CARCHEX for your extended powertrain warranty:

CARCHEX Warranty Benefits

  • Roadside assistance and towing
  • “Customer Experience Above All”
  • No-Haggle, Low-Price Everyday Guarantee™
  • Gas delivery services
  • Affordable warranty coverage and various plans
  • 30-day money-back guarantee
  • Trip interruption services
  • Rental car reimbursement
  • Direct claim payment to repair shops

Get Free Powertrain Warranty Quotes

Powertrain warranties cover most critical car components, and they’re at their best when you pick Bronze coverage from CARCHEX. We also offer four other flexible extended warranty plans that cover a larger number of car parts.

Getting a car warranty quote online from CARCHEX is free, fast, and easy. You can also call us at 866-261-3457 to speak with a specialist today about what a powertrain warranty covers.

FAQ: What Does a Powertrain Warranty Cover?