How to Know If Your Car Is Under Warranty. Did Your Factory Warranty Expire?

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Learn how to tell if your bumper-to-bumper or powertrain manufacturer warranties have expired and how to extend coverage for repairs.

Key Points:

Bumper-to-bumper manufacturer car warranties expire between 3 years/36,000 miles and 5 years/60,000 miles depending on the brand.
Use your VIN to check warranty status on a manufacturer’s website or through a franchise dealer.
Most manufacturers’ extended warranties are only available before the factory warranty expires.

So you’ve got another “final car warranty notice” letter in the mail. But is your car’s warranty really about to expire? And if it is, what should you do? Read on to learn how to find out your car warranty status and how to look for a reliable extended car warranty.

Manufacturer Car Warranty Expiration Explained

All cars come with a manufacturer’s warranty. But it doesn’t last forever. Manufacturer warranties expire at a certain odometer mileage or number of years since the original purchase date (also called the in-service date).

Many brands like Toyota, Ford, and Honda offer bumper-to-bumper terms of 3 years or 36,000 miles. Powertrain warranties last longer, like 5 years or 60,000 miles. Warranties expire once either of these limits is met.

What Is a Factory Warranty on a Car?

A factory warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship. Think of issues like your air conditioner suddenly blowing hot air. A factory warranty doesn’t cover things like routine maintenance or parts that wear out naturally, like brake pads.

Vehicles automatically include factory warranties for free. Manufacturer warranties also last for their full lengths, regardless of how many times the car has been resold.

But in reality, a factory warranty is made of multiple parts. Bumper-to-bumper and powertrain warranties are the most important, though there are also other coverages. Let’s break it down.

Bumper-to-Bumper Coverage Details

When most people think of a factory or manufacturer’s warranty, they’re thinking of bumper-to-bumper coverage. This type of warranty covers almost any component between the front and rear bumpers, like electronics, AC, infotainment, and the engine. Brands normally call this the New Vehicle Limited Warranty or Basic Limited Warranty.

Bumper-to-bumper warranties cover so many parts that it’s easier to list what they don’t cover. So, you’ll see a list of exclusions on the paperwork. Anything that isn’t excluded is covered.

Some common bumper-to-bumper exclusions are:

Accident or environmental damage
Cosmetic issues with glass, paint, or trim
Certain emissions components
Regular maintenance services and parts

When you hear people talking about manufacturer car warranty expirations, in most cases, they’re talking about the bumper-to-bumper warranty expiring.

Powertrain Warranty Coverage Details

New cars also come with powertrain warranties. These cover the parts that make your car move, like the engine, transmission, and drive axle. Companies usually offer longer powertrain warranties than bumper-to-bumper warranties.

Hyundai, Kia, Mitsubishi, and Genesis offer the longest powertrain warranties that cover up to 10 years or 100,000 miles. Other brands offer shorter coverage, and some include powertrain coverage within the bumper-to-bumper term.

So, it’s possible your bumper-to-bumper manufacturer’s warranty has expired, but you still have powertrain coverage.

Rust and Emissions Coverage

Manufacturer warranties also include coverage for rust corrosion or perforation. For example, Ford’s warranty covers surface corrosion on body panels for 3 years/36,000 miles. But it covers panels from rust holes for 5 years/unlimited miles. New car warranties also cover certain emissions components like catalytic converters and engine control modules.

How To Check Your Car Warranty by VIN

Your car might have some of its bumper-to-bumper or powertrain warranty left, even if you bought it used. The vehicle identification number (VIN) is key to knowing exactly the coverage you have.

Manufacturer Online Portals

The best option for accurate information is to use your manufacturer’s online owner’s portal. You can find this on the main site for any major manufacturer. You’ll set up an account with the car’s VIN, and then you can see exactly how much warranty coverage remains.

For the most accurate and up-to-date information, check directly with your car’s manufacturer. Most automakers, including Ford, Toyota, Honda, and Chevrolet, have online portals where you can enter your VIN to verify warranty coverage.

Dealership Records

If you can’t access an owner’s portal through the manufacturer, you can contact an authorized dealer instead. You should be able to call any franchised dealership and provide the VIN to get detailed information about the manufacturer’s warranty expiration date. Keep in mind used car dealers and independent sellers won’t have access to this information.

Carfax Warranty Check

A Carfax vehicle history report includes an estimate of the car’s remaining warranty coverage. You can buy a report with the VIN to see this information, plus other details like title brands, accident history, accident severity, previous owners, recall status, repair records, and more. It’s a great resource when you’re buying a car.

However, the warranty term estimate might not be 100% accurate. Some things can void a warranty, like tampering with the odometer. It’s rare, but Carfax might not know about these issues. Also, some warranties shorten for secondary owners, and Carfax doesn’t report this. Overall, the manufacturer and dealer should be your first points of contact for finding out if a manufacturer’s warranty has expired.

Free Warranty Check by VIN Tools

You might also find free tools that advertise warranty information. These tools may use similar methods to Carfax for calculating warranty coverage, so they might not be 100% accurate. You can try them to get an idea of coverage, but prefer manufacturer and dealer options.

Our Top Pick

After reviewing 20 extended car warranty companies, we’ve determined that Endurance is our preferred option.

Unlimited Miles for Cars Under 20 Years
Maintenance Coverage Available
Salvage or Rebuilt Cars Are Covered
24/7 Roadside Assistance
Direct Administrator of Claims

Car Manufacturer Warranty List

Knowing warranty coverage can be useful when you’re shopping for a recent model year used car or simply wondering what your current vehicle has. Check out the table below for standard bumper-to-bumper and powertrain warranty terms for 2025 models. For the most part, these warranty terms have stayed the same over the past few years.

Also, keep in mind that a warranty begins at the in-service date. For a 2025 vehicle, that could be anywhere from the fall of 2024 to the winter of 2026. That’s why consulting the manufacturer or dealer is important.

Manufacturer	Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty Term	Powertrain Warranty Term
Genesis	5 years/60,000 miles	10 years/100,000 miles
Hyundai	5 years/60,000 miles	10 years/100,000 miles
Kia	5 years/60,000 miles	10 years/100,000 miles
Mitsubishi	5 years/60,000 miles	10 years/100,000 miles
Jaguar	5 years/60,000 miles	5 years/60,000 miles
Ineos	5 years/60,000 miles
Rivian	4 years/50,000 miles or 5 years/60,000 miles (Gen 1 quad-motor)	8 years/120,000 to 150,000 miles (battery/drive unit, depends on configuration)
Tesla	4 years/50,000 miles	8 years/100,000 to 150,000 miles (battery/drive unit, depends on model)
Lucid	4 years/50,000 miles	8 years/100,000 miles (battery/drive unit)
Polestar	4 years/50,000 miles	8 years/100,000 miles (battery/drive unit)
Infiniti	4 years/60,000 miles	6 years/70,000 miles
Acura	4 years/50,000 miles	6 years/70,000 miles
Cadillac	4 years/50,000 miles	6 years/70,000 miles
Lexus	4 years/50,000 miles	6 years/70,000 miles
Lincoln	4 years/50,000 miles	6 years/70,000 miles
Alfa Romeo	4 years/50,000 miles	4 years/50,000 miles
Audi	4 years/50,000 miles	4 years/50,000 miles
BMW	4 years/50,000 miles	4 years/50,000 miles
Fiat	4 years/50,000 miles	4 years/50,000 miles
Land Rover	4 years/50,000 miles	4 years/50,000 miles
Mercedes-Benz	4 years/50,000 miles	4 years/50,000 miles
MINI	4 years/50,000 miles	4 years/50,000 miles
Porsche	4 years/50,000 miles	4 years/50,000 miles
Volkswagen	4 years/50,000 miles	4 years/50,000 miles
Volvo	4 years/50,000 miles	4 years/50,000 miles
Ram	3 years/36,000 miles	5 years/60,000 miles (5 years/100,000 miles for diesel)
Buick	3 years/36,000 miles	5 years/60,000 miles
Chevrolet	3 years/36,000 miles	5 years/60,000 miles
Chrysler	3 years/36,000 miles	5 years/60,000 miles
Dodge	3 years/36,000 miles	5 years/60,000 miles
Ford	3 years/36,000 miles	5 years/60,000 miles
GMC	3 years/36,000 miles	5 years/60,000 miles
Honda	3 years/36,000 miles	5 years/60,000 miles
Jeep	3 years/36,000 miles	5 years/60,000 miles
Mazda	3 years/36,000 miles	5 years/60,000 miles
Nissan	3 years/36,000 miles	5 years/60,000 miles
Subaru	3 years/36,000 miles	5 years/60,000 miles
Toyota	3 years/36,000 miles	5 years/60,000 miles

Hybrid and EV Warranties

Brands usually offer different warranties for hybrid or fully-electric drive systems and batteries. The industry standard term is 8 years/100,000 miles, but some companies offer longer coverage. Also, you can get longer coverage if you live in a state like California, which requires Transitional Zero Emission Vehicles (TZEVs) to have 10 years/150,000 miles of coverage.

What a Final Warranty Notice or Motor Vehicle Services Notice Means

We’ve all received robocalls and mailers with the terms “final car warranty notice” or “motor vehicle services notice.” The vast majority of these are sent by extended warranty companies, not your manufacturer or the DMV. That said, there could be reasons for legitimate notices, which we’ll cover here.

Why Would You Receive Motor Vehicle Services Notices?

The DMV or BMV in your state might send you a notice in the mail for the following reasons:

Your registration is expiring
Your license needs to be renewed
You have to do emissions testing

But the DMV has nothing to do with your car’s warranty. You should clearly see the return address information for the DMV if it’s a legitimate letter. If not, feel free to ignore it.

How To Tell If a Final Notice Car Warranty Letter Is Legitimate

Letters from warranty companies may say “final notice on your car warranty.” They’ll look official at first glance. The letters might reference the manufacturer’s service department or warranty department, too. But these are simply marketing messages.

If you have a Chevy, a Chevy dealer isn’t going to send you a letter about your warranty expiring. They’d rather get you to trade in or buy a new car.

Other warranty companies simply calculate estimated warranty lengths and use owner registration information to send advertising that looks official. Watch out for warranty scams using these tactics, too.

Do Used Cars Come With Warranties?

Used cars might have manufacturer warranties because the warranty stays with the vehicle. Nearly all warranties are fully transferable to other owners for free.

Used car dealers must display warranty information on the buyer’s guide, so you’ll see it when shopping around. Private party sellers don’t have to do that, but a private sale doesn’t change the warranty status. Just call a franchise dealership and give them your VIN to double-check.

Some Warranties Get Downgraded

A few warranties aren’t fully transferable to secondary owners. This applies to powertrain warranties from Hyundai, Genesis, Kia, and Mitsubishi. The first owner gets 10 years/100,000 miles of coverage, while the next owners get 5 years/60,000 miles.

Used Car Dealer Warranties

You also might find that some independent dealers provide their own warranties. For example, CarMax includes a 90-day/4,000-mile warranty on all vehicles. This is separate from any manufacturer’s warranty that they may have. Other used car dealers can offer similar warranties. But these warranties will be backed by a third party, not the manufacturer.

What Voids a Car Warranty?

Only a few things truly void a car warranty. This includes tampering with the odometer and having a salvage title. A manufacturer can also deny claims for specific parts if you’ve abused the vehicle. For instance, you won’t get your suspension covered if you mess it up off-roading.

What To Check Before Your Warranty Expires

If your factory warranty is about to expire, it can be a good idea to take your car to the dealer for an inspection. Have them inspect the powertrain, electronics, air conditioning, brakes, suspension, and seals and gaskets to see if there are any issues. They’ll do a diagnostic scan to check for trouble codes, as well. Be aware that you might have to pay a diagnostic or inspection fee if there’s nothing to fix under warranty.

Your Extended Warranty Options

Say your coverage really is ending soon, should you get it extended? If your car model is prone to repairs, there’s a good chance an extended warranty could step in and cover some of the cost.

You can find coverage from manufacturers, dealers, and third-party providers. Plans vary quite a bit in what they cover, how much they cost, and what they exclude. So, get quotes from reputable providers and read the fine print before buying a plan.

Can You Get an Extended Warranty After the Factory Warranty Expires?

Most manufacturers only sell you an extended warranty before your factory bumper-to-bumper warranty expires. Some companies will only sell extended warranties on the original vehicle purchase date. So, you’d have to decide whether you want coverage the day you buy the car.

A few companies sell plans after the factory warranty expires, but this isn’t the norm. So if your car has over 100k miles or the factory warranty has already expired, a third-party plan might be your best bet.

Manufacturer Extended Warranty vs. Third-Party Vehicle Service Contracts

Technically speaking, manufacturers offer extended warranties, while third-party companies like Endurance offer vehicle service contracts (VSC). Both types of contracts can cover similar things, like the engine, transmission, electrical system, and high-tech parts. The difference is that a vehicle service contract is backed by a third-party plan. Here are a few more differences:

	Manufacturer	Third-Party VSC
Plan levels	Usually 1 to 3	Usually 3 to 6
Repair network	Dealership locations only	Licensed shops, including dealers
Purchase window	Before the factory warranty expires	Any time
How to buy	Upfront payment or finance into auto loan	Upfront payment or monthly installments
Maximum mileage	Usually 80,000 to 100,000	Usually 200,000+
Added benefits	Roadside assistance, rental car coverage, and trip interruption	Roadside assistance, rental car coverage, and trip interruption, plus more depending on company

Endurance Is Our Pick

After comparing 20 popular third-party providers, we rate Endurance 4.8 out of 5.0 overall and recommend it as a reliable option. The company offers six plans and unlimited mileage for vehicles up to 20 years old. Some of its plans can cover maintenance services, which an extended warranty doesn’t normally include. Get a quote if you’re looking for coverage beyond the factory warranty.

Our Top Pick

After reviewing 20 companies, we’ve determined that Endurance is our preferred option for extended car warranties.

Unlimited Miles for Cars Under 20 Years
Maintenance Coverage Available
Salvage or Rebuilt Cars Are Covered
24/7 Roadside Assistance
Direct Administrator of Claims

Bottom Line on Manufacturer Car Warranty Expiration

All cars come with a manufacturer’s warranty, but no warranty lasts forever. The only way to be 100% sure of when your coverage expires is to contact the manufacturer or a franchise dealership. If you want coverage beyond the expiration date, consider quotes from a few companies and read the contract to understand what is and isn’t covered.

Factory Warranty Expiration FAQs

Below are a few frequently asked questions about warranty expiration.

How long does a manufacturer's warranty last on a car?

Bumper-to-bumper warranties from manufacturers last between 3 years/36,000 miles and 5 years/60,000 miles. Powertrain warranties last between 4 years/50,000 miles and 10 years/100,000 miles.

How do I check when my car warranty expires?

For the best information, use your manufacturer’s owner portal online or call a franchise dealership. Give the dealer your VIN to calculate how much warranty you have remaining. You can also use Carfax or other tools, though these only provide estimates.

What happens if your factory warranty expires?

Once your factory warranty expires, you’ll have to cover any repairs. Keep in mind that you might still have powertrain warranty coverage (for the engine, transmission, and drive axle) after the bumper-to-bumper warranty expires.

Do all cars come with a five-year warranty?

Most cars come with a three- or four-year bumper-to-bumper warranty. Only Hyundai, Genesis, Kia, Mitsubishi, Jaguar, and Ineos offer five-year warranties on new vehicles.

How We Rank Extended Warranty Providers

We take a methodical approach to rating warranty companies. Here’s what that includes:

Coverage: We consider things like the number of plans, mileage limit, maintenance coverage options, and added benefits to score companies in this area.
Cost and buying experience: We get quotes from providers and pay attention to the experience with customer service. We also consider a company’s transparency during the buying process through sample contracts and clear coverage descriptions.
Reputation: This category includes a company’s longevity plus its rating on the BBB and whether or not it has BBB accreditation.
Customer service: To rate customer service, we look at BBB customer ratings plus Trustpilot scores. We also note whether the company is a direct warranty provider.

Brogan Woodburn

Brogan Woodburn has been a professional writer for six years and was an auto enthusiast before that. He enjoys breaking down complex topics and helping people understand categories like warranties and insurance. To date, Brogan has contributed to sites like MarketWatch, USA Today, Motor1.com, Oregon Live, and more. Brogan’s favorite car was a Hyundai Sonata Limited with a wine leather interior and turbo engine. He was also thankful for having a warranty when Kia replaced the engine on his Sportage just before the powertrain warranty expired. Brogan graduated from Berklee College of Music in 2013 and is based in Prineville, Oregon. He enjoys performing jazz guitar around Central Oregon and exploring the outdoors with his family.

Advertiser Disclosure: Consumer Review Center might earn compensation from the companies featured on this page. This compensation could affect the placement, order, and visibility of products, but it does not affect the recommendations made by the editorial team. Not every company, product, or offer has been reviewed.