The car is most likely one of the most valuable possessions we have. Unfortunately, they degrade over time, especially as they age. A car warranty can protect you from paying out-of-pocket expenses if your vehicle requires repairs. However, not all warranties are created equal. Practically, not all warranties are valuable. A car warranty is a contract that states that your car’s manufacturer or the aftermarket warranty company from which you purchased an extended warranty will pay for certain repairs to your vehicle.
Warranties cover defects identified by the manufacturer and kick in when a component fails to meet reasonable expectations. As a result, they do not cover damage caused by accidents or when you use your car in a way that the manufacturer did not intend like damages incurred through unofficial car racing conducted by private groups. They also exclude normal wear and tear.
In general, new-vehicle warranties are divided into two parts:
1. Comprehensive Coverage
Comprehensive or full coverage applies to parts and labor costs for covered repairs; this typically excludes scheduled maintenance service, wear-and-tear items such as filters, brake linings, and windshield wiper blades, as well as failure deemed to be the result of abuse or improper maintenance.
2. Powertrain Coverage
Powertrain coverage applies to major mechanical components such as the engine, transmission, and axles and is subject to the same exclusions as standard coverage.
Car Warranty Covered
Car warranties are valid for a set period or a certain number of miles. The typical auto warranty coverage is three years and 36,000 miles, which means it covers needed repairs for the first three years you own your car, or for the first 36,000 miles you drive it, whichever comes first. Many of its users consume the mileage limit prior to the three years warranty period.
The Industry Standard
The industry standard of equating one year of warranty coverage to 12,000 miles driven is a little out of date. The US Department of Transportation records that the average American drives around 13,500 miles every year. So, before three years have passed, most of us have exhausted those 36,000 miles which is tricky because according to a recent study the average new car on American roads is now more than 12 years old, which means that many of us are driving well past the end of our original warranties. Some companies offer extended auto warranties but brace yourself always and be cautious for the worst.
Let’s look at some of the car company which is considered to offer the worst car warranty as of this writing:
1. Toyota
Toyota is a renowned automaker known for its dependability and safety. However, according to reviews, it has the worst warranty available. To get to the bottom of it, let’s go over what the Toyota warranty covers first.
The car company’s basic new car coverage is extremely basic; any issues other than normal wear and tear are covered for three years or 36,000 miles, and this coverage does not last long, particularly for high mileage drivers.
The powertrain warranty is valid for 5 years or 60,000 miles on new vehicles. This service can assist with the engine, transmission, and transaxle issues. Furthermore, powertrain warranties cover new vehicle front-wheel and rear-wheel drivetrains, seat belts, and airbags. Rust-through coverage lasts 5 years or 60,000 miles. This covers sheet metal corrosion and perforation caused by normal wear and tear.
2. Subaru
Subaru is a popular car brand due to its versatility, safety, and long history of dependability. However, as new Subaru models with more complex in-car technology are released, the cost of maintaining these impressive vehicles has risen. Some people have wondered if Subaru is a good car manufacturer. When considering the answer, several factors must be considered, including safety, dependability, and cost.
Most manufacturers’ warranties are similar to Subaru’s. The manufacturer provides a 3-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty as well as a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. Coverage is comprehensive but does not last as long as some other brands, making Subaru the second worst car warranty from Toyota.
3. Nissan
Nissan vehicles aren’t just about safety features; they also have performance specs that will make competitors cry. Nissan has impressive horsepower and torque figures that are nearly unrivaled. When it comes to performance, consider purchasing a Nissan vehicle.
Nissan’s Reliability Rating is a solid 4.0 out of 5.0, ranking 9th out of 32 car brands, according to Repairpal.com. This rating is based on the reliability of 245 different car models.
However, according to www.motor1.com Nissan ranks third on the list of the worst car warranties.
This Nissan warranty covers the following items:
The basic coverage covers 3-year/36,000-mile limited warranty on repairs required to correct defects in materials or workmanship of original Nissan vehicle parts within 3 years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first.
5-year / 60,000-mile limited powertrain warranty which covers major systems original to the vehicle or supplied by Nissan, such as the transmission, engine, and drive systems. Engine parts such as the oil pump, water pump, and fuel pump are also covered by the limited powertrain coverage.
4. Mazda
Mazda has surpassed Toyota and Lexus to become the most reliable car brand in the United States. This is according to Consumer Reports’ 2020 Auto Reliability Surveys, which collect information from its members’ collective ownership experience with over 300,000 vehicles.
Mazda ranked first for the first time, ahead of second and third-placed Toyota and Lexus. According to Consumer Reports, one of the reasons Mazda scored so well is that it doesn’t make drastic changes to its new models.
Unfortunately, when it comes to car warranty Mazda comes the fourth in the list according to the 2018 list of Automaker worst warranty from the website www.motor1.com .
The New Vehicle Limited Warranty is bumper-to-bumper, which means it covers your Mazda from beginning to end with some exclusions, such as tires and parts affected by normal wear and tear. This warranty is valid for three years or three thousand miles, whichever comes first.
Mazda’s Limited Powertrain Warranty covers the vehicle’s most basic but critical components, including the engine, transmission, and drive axle. The terms are much longer than the New Vehicle Limited Warranty, as is the case with most powertrain warranties. You will be covered for five years or 60,000 miles, whichever comes first.
5. Honda
Honda has a well-deserved reputation for producing well-built, well-engineered vehicles, and this is true across the board. Most Hondas are both fuel-efficient and spacious, and they are both enjoyable to drive and dependable. Honda’s bread and butter is the mid-size Accord family sedan, a long-time 10Best award winner.
Sadly, when it comes to the worst car warranty manufacturer Honda stands fifth on the list. New Hondas come with a bumper-to-bumper warranty that covers manufacturing defects and includes roadside assistance for three years/36,000 miles. A powertrain warranty, which covers the engine, transmission, and drive axle for 5 years/60,000 miles, is also included with new vehicles.
Furthermore, many automakers include roadside assistance programs with value-added features that compete with the benefits of auto-club memberships. As a sales promotion, some manufacturers may offer free scheduled maintenance programs across the line or on select models for a set period or number of visits.
Keep in mind that every new-vehicle warranty has exceptions and exclusions galore, so make sure to read the fine print for any model you’re interested in at the dealership or on the manufacturer’s website to get the full picture.