Which warranty covers it
A symptom rarely maps to one warranty. We name the family that typically governs it — powertrain, basic, emissions, corrosion, or hybrid battery — and show both readings when the cause decides.
Is it covered? Find out in 30 seconds.
Describe the problem with your car. We tell you which warranty likely applies, what it excludes, and what to do next — in plain language.
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How we answer
What’s excluded
Wear items, maintenance, and accidental damage sit outside every warranty. We show the exclusions in plain language before you get to the counter.
What to do next
Ask for the approval or denial in writing, keep the repair order, and log the visit so your timeline stays yours. We give you the words.
How to check what your warranty covers
Five steps that work at any dealer, for any brand. The order matters: dates decide which term applies, and writing decides what you can prove.
1. Find the in-service date
Warranty months are counted from the day the car was first sold or leased, not the model year. It is on the original paperwork, and a dealer can look it up by VIN.
2. List your coverage families
New cars carry several separate warranties: basic (bumper-to-bumper), powertrain, emissions, corrosion, and — on hybrids and EVs — battery coverage. Each has its own term.
3. Compare months and miles per family
Each coverage ends when its time or mileage limit is reached, whichever comes first. A car can be out of basic warranty and still inside powertrain or emissions coverage.
4. Read the exclusions before authorizing work
Wear items, maintenance, and accidental damage sit outside every warranty. Your warranty booklet names the exact exclusions — ask the dealer to point to the one they are relying on.
5. Get the diagnosis and the decision in writing
Ask for the approval or denial to be recorded on the repair order, and keep a copy. If a claim is denied, the written reason is what you respond to.
Planning ahead?
See everything your car is covered by — warranty by warranty, sorted by what expires first. Mileage tracking and expiry countdowns included.
See everything your car is covered by →Learn the language
Warranty booklets are written in a dialect. Our glossary decodes 52 warranty terms you will hear at the counter — each one with what it means, why it matters to your wallet, and what it is not.
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Warranty questions, answered
How do I know if my car is still under warranty?
Every warranty term is counted from the vehicle’s in-service date — the day it was first sold or leased — not the model year. Compare months elapsed and miles driven against each coverage family separately, because each one expires on its own schedule.
What does a bumper-to-bumper warranty actually cover?
Defects in materials and workmanship on nearly every part of the car — electrical, interior, sensors, trim. It does not cover wear items (pads, tires, blades), maintenance, or damage from accidents and misuse, and it expires sooner than the powertrain warranty.
What is the difference between a TSB and a recall?
A TSB (technical service bulletin) is a repair instruction manufacturers send to dealers for a known condition — useful, but not a safety order and not free coverage. A recall is a safety defect determination, and its remedy is performed free regardless of warranty status.
Are recall repairs free after my warranty expires?
Yes. Recall remedies are provided free of charge with no age or mileage limit. Check open recalls by year, make, and model — or by VIN — and ask the dealer whether remedy parts are in stock before scheduling.
What does “out of warranty” mean at the dealer?
Usually that one specific coverage has reached its time or mileage limit. Other families — powertrain, emissions, corrosion, battery — may still be running, and manufacturers sometimes run special coverage programs for specific conditions. It is worth asking which term was checked.
What is a deductible on a warranty or service contract?
A fixed amount you pay per repair visit before the plan pays the rest. Many factory warranties have no deductible; certified pre-owned and service-contract plans commonly charge one. “Covered” with a deductible still means you pay that amount.
Coverage answers elsewhere on this site are drawn from illustrative sample data and general warranty practice — always verify against your own warranty booklet.