Drivetrain Warranty

The Gist:

• A drivetrain warranty covers moving parts connected to the engine, including the transmission, driveshaft, axles, CV joints, and wheels.
• Unlike a powertrain warranty, a drivetrain warranty does not cover engine components.
• You can purchase a drivetrain warranty from a dealership or from a third-party provider.

Even car enthusiasts sometimes confuse drivetrain warranties and powertrain warranties, which are two ways to describe the coverage found in vehicle service contracts. When you’re buying a new car or choosing an extended protection plan for your vehicle, it’s important to know exactly what’s included in your coverage.

Here, we discuss the difference between a drivetrain and a powertrain warranty before breaking down the industry’s leading warranties. Afterward, you’ll be able to make better informed decisions when it comes to car maintenance and repair coverage.

What Is A Drivetrain Warranty?

A drivetrain warranty is an automaker or aftermarket vehicle service contract that covers the car part system known as the drivetrain. The drivetrain encompasses all moving parts that connect with the engine to make your vehicle move, so it includes the transmission, the driveshaft, the axles, and the wheels. Each of these parts allows for the transfer of energy from the engine to the wheels. Besides the engine, the drivetrain is the most essential component of any vehicle.

What Does A Drivetrain Warranty Cover?

A drivetrain warranty covers all the parts of the drivetrain that help the vehicle to move, including:

• Transmission
• Driveshaft
• Differential
• Axle shafts
• CV joints
• U joints

Warranties can vary, so we recommend reading the fine print of any sample contract so that you know exactly what’s covered.

Drivetrain Warranty vs. Powertrain Warranty

Although people often hear the terms drivetrain warranty and powertrain warranty used interchangeably, it’s important to note that these words don’t mean the same thing. A powertrain warranty covers all the parts of the drivetrain plus all engine components, which is why people often confuse the two. However, drivetrain warranties don’t cover the engine or any of its parts.

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What Is An Extended Drivetrain Warranty?

Even if you get a long-lasting factory warranty on your drivetrain, the coverage is going to expire eventually. Luckily, both car dealerships and third-party extended warranty companies offer coverage plans to help car owners get the most out of their cars and avoid costly repairs.

An extended drivetrain warranty typically covers the repair or replacement of components like:

• Transmission
• Axle shafts
• CV joints
• Axle seals
• Axle housing
• Gears
• Sprockets
• Transfer case
• U joints
• Chains
• Seals
• Gaskets

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Where Can I Purchase An Extended Drivetrain Warranty?

When considering any extended auto warranty, you have two options: dealer-backed or third-party plans. Below, we break down each of these options as well as their benefits and drawbacks.

Dealer Extended Warranty

An OEM-backed extended warranty, which is purchased from the original equipment manufacturer, typically provides similar coverage to the manufacturer’s warranty. While some companies like General Motors allow customers to simply extend their existing factory warranty, most extended warranties are separate plans that protect the vehicle after the original warranty expires. These vehicle service contracts sometimes include added perks like roadside assistance and towing coverage.

Dealer warranties almost always require that you perform all repairs and part replacements at a dealership repair facility with name brand parts. This may mean higher cost of repairs, and in some cases, long wait times for repairs. Additionally, some dealer vehicle service contracts request proof of regular maintenance performed at an authorized dealership facility before performing covered repairs.

Third-Party Extended Warranty

Third-party warranties make up a large portion of the extended car warranty market today. Like dealer warranties, they provide coverage for mechanical issues after the factory warranty expires. Although vehicle service contracts vary between third-party providers, most include coverage for anywhere from five to 10 years.

Third-party vehicle service contracts often offer car owners more flexibility. You can generally choose your own repair shop from a network of local mechanics and national chains. The contracts also don’t require brand name parts, allowing the repair facility to use the most cost-effective options. Finally, most third-party warranty companies offer benefits like 24/7 roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement, and trip interruption coverage as standard parts of the contract.

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Best Factory Drivetrain Warranty Coverage

Although most automakers provide average warranty coverage for new vehicles, a few brands stand out with longer term lengths and great added benefits.

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Common Drivetrain Warranty Repairs and Costs

Many people wonder if an upfront or monthly payment toward a drivetrain warranty is a cost-effective choice. After evaluating some of the most common drivetrain repairs through RepairPal, we think the numbers speak for themselves.

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Do New Vehicle Warranties Include Drivetrain Coverage?

When you purchase a new vehicle, the factory warranty that comes included will likely provide drivetrain coverage through the bumper-to-bumper warranty and powertrain warranty.

The bumper-to-bumper warranty covers virtually everything on the vehicle except for wear and tear items like tires, brake pads, and windshield wipers, along with routine maintenance including oil changes and tire rotations. Most bumper-to-bumper warranties last for at least three years or 36,000 miles.

The powertrain coverage offered by most manufacturers usually lasts beyond the bumper-to-bumper warranty. As discussed above, this type of coverage includes the drivetrain.

Although an extended powertrain warranty doesn’t cover as many components as a bumper-to-bumper warranty, it does cover the repair or replacement of everything that moves the car from the engine and transmission to constant velocity joints and axle shafts. Typically, most powertrain warranties last for at least five years or 60,000 miles.

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Is An Extended Drivetrain Warranty Worth it?

While an extended drivetrain warranty lacks coverage for the engine, it does include many of the other most essential – and sometimes most costly – repairs. It’s also important to note that an extended drivetrain warranty generally lasts significantly longer than an extended bumper-to-bumper warranty.

An extended drivetrain warranty can provide you with peace of mind knowing that your car’s most important systems are covered in the event of a breakdown. It can also add value to your car if you ever decide to sell it and the warranty is transferable.

However, the warranty you need depends on your current situation. We recommend comparing multiple coverage options and costs to get the best deal possible to protect your vehicle.

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Drivetrain Warranty: Our Take

Drivetrain warranties provide you with great coverage for the parts that allow your vehicle to move. While coverage may not be as inclusive as with a powertrain or bumper-to-bumper warranty, it can help to offset repair costs for major components of your car. As with any warranty, we recommend weighing provider coverage options and costs before making a decision.

Recommended Drivetrain Warranty Providers

We researched the most popular extended car warranty companies and rated them on reputation, coverage, customer service, and extra benefits. Based on our findings, we think it’s important to consider the following companies when making a decision about an extended drivetrain warranty.

Best Plan Offerings: Endurance

Endurance, which offers direct-to-consumer extended service plans, received a 4.5-star rating from our team. Endurance stands out among its competitors in the following ways:

1. Repair options: Endurance allows automobile owners to choose from any repair shop certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) to complete their covered repairs.
2. Covers automobiles with high mileage: Endurance offers extended service plans for automobiles with up to 200,000+ miles. This mileage rate is much higher than with most other providers, and makes Endurance a great option for used car coverage.
3. Gold-level certification from the Vehicle Protection Association: The Vehicle Protection Association (VPA) is a nonprofit organization that checks whether its member companies are using the best business practices. Few companies hold a gold-level certification from the VPA, so this accomplishment by Endurance is impressive.

Here’s a closer look at Endurance warranty plans:

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Drivetrain Warranty: FAQ

Below are some frequently asked questions about drivetrain warranties:

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How We Rate Warranty Providers

Our review process aims to deliver consistent and unbiased assessments of extended auto warranty providers. While there are multiple qualities that make a warranty company successful, our review team focuses on those we believe are the most important for consumers:

• Reputation: It’s important that an extended car warranty company is able to meet its claims obligations. Companies with a strong rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and a long history of reliable service score well in this category. We also evaluate the availability and transparency of each company’s contracts, as well as whether each provider offers a money-back guarantee.
• Coverage: Our team of experts looks at the number of extended warranty plans available, as well as term limits, exclusions, and added benefits like roadside assistance. Ratings also take into account the availability of maintenance coverage.
• Price: Cost can be difficult to compare between providers because so many factors impact vehicle service contract pricing. To determine our cost score, we perform a secret shopper analysis for a variety of vehicles and plans and consider available deductibles.
• Customer Experience: We listen to real customer sales calls and comb through reviews on sites like the BBB to learn about customer experiences. Warranty companies with a low volume of complaints score well in this area. We also consider the availability of mobile apps and chat features.

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