Understanding Vehicle Warranties ~ Podcast Episode 25

Today we take an in depth look at vehicle warranties. What do the different vehicle warranties mean? What do different car warranties cover? Why things are NOT covered under warranty, and more!

Join me as we discuss:
Base car warranty AKA bumper to bumper
Powertrain warranty
Federal Emissions warranty
Corrosion warranty
What MAY be covered
What is probably NOT covered
Why a dealer will not "just fix it all"
Manufacturer tracking of repairs
Dealership chargebacks
Where to find warranty information
All about Buying an Extended Warranty

Humble Mechanic Podcasts

Failed VW parts videos

Tool Reviews

How To videos

MK1 VR6 Swap Videos

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[Federer]

My Rear Main Seal was covered under warranty, Lower Control Arm Bushings was covered under warranty, Fog Lights were covered under warranty and the EVAP system was covered under warranty. These were just all the things that my VW's had work done under warranty throughout the years.

[tomgoodman]

I know one example of vw doing a corrosion warranty on a mk4 jetta wagon. My boss had his rear hatch completely replaced due to a rust hole in the upper glass corner. The car was 5 or 6 years old at the time and vw had something like a 12 year corrosion warranty at the time. With that in mind I tried to claim warranty on my 4 year old mk4 jetta for surface rust on a front wheel arch but was denied by VW Canada.

[frankgercas]

It's hard to believe your podcast is 10 yrs old. I enjoy listening to them. I'd like to get your opinion on my situation. I purchased a 2017 C7 stingray. 29000 miles good maintenance records in Carfax. I put 750 miles on it. I took it to a Corvette only mechanic to put a front splitter on. When I picked the car up he said he noticed a slight vibration at 2000 rpms. I checked some Corvette forums and noticed that torque tubes are an issue with Corvettes. I have been going to the same Chevy dealer for over 12 yrs. Never had any issues getting my cars serviced. I had them change all the fluids right after I bought the car. I took it in for an oil change and wanted them to check the vibration for a second opinion. The car has been at the dealership for 3 weeks. They say they are short handed. Also I purchased an extended warranty hopefully this repair will be covered. But after 3 weeks I am beginning to wonder if this dealership can do or want to do the repairs.

[TheCriminalk]

Im a Nissan Tech. There is a recall on the early '00 thrashfinders for the strut tower rusting out. there is another on the same gen altimas for the rear subframe rusting out.

[gregleightonalcock]

I’ve got the right front fender body panel out of alignment with hood on 2015 Buick Verano. The hood is in perfect alignment.
GM dealer here won’t cover under warranty as they say it’s been in an accident or hit. This is very doubtful as that has not happened.
The car is as new practically as was when purchased June 2018 @ 8k on odo, now 30k.
Feel like they’re shirking out of this one. Will go to insurance adjuster to see if they deem malignment is due to “accident”
Car has been driven normally. No pothole smacks etc. Fantastic car, by the way. Really like your videos and attention to helping out. Any ideas on what to do about this? Thanks! Greg

[conmildemonios]

I just found a crack under my windshield, took it to a shop and was told that it was caused by stress as there's no point of impact anywhere in the windshield. Would that be covered under factory warranty? Car is 1 yr old '16 jetta sport. Thanks, great show btw!

[dstblj]

The way around that warranty issue for complaints is to go to another dealership and get a pre trip on it

[VWGTI]

Hey are all GTI`s the same way as far as repairing?  Which brand of synthetic oil is the best for the GTI?  I heard   When I bought my MK6 it came with Castrol synthetic.

[g-afit]

Does the powertrain warranty cover an engine replacement?

[navie]

I bought a 2013 VW Jetta at a Fette Ford, Clifton NJ Dealership, fully covered. The door actuator needs to be replaced but dealership is telling me that it’s not under the extended fully covered warranty. I will actually have to pay over $1200. out of pocket if I want it fixed. It’s all a scam

[tomgoodman]

Wife and I are looking at an Atlas. So if I DIY my own basic maintenance like oil and filters and use an approved 502 or 507 oil and quality filters like a Mann or beck arnley will saving my receipts be sufficient if I ever have to claim powertrain warranty?

[AndrewBrowner]

where do rubber suspension parts fall in? ex control arm bushings, sway bar links, tie rod ends, ball joints ect

do U joints fall into base warranty or only power train add on? if a u joint fails that usually breaks the axle shaft and possible even the ring/pinion gears would all that be covered?

obviously truck warranties dont cover those things if you lift the truck or fit over sized tires but what if the customer is tech savvy and whenever he has a worn part or breaks something he puts the factory suspension and tires back on and takes it in to be serviced than after wards refits the lift and over sized tires.. it could be alot of work but some lifts are actually pretty simple and itd get a little easier and faster everytime ntm it could save you thousands of dollars if the oversized tires wrecked a transmission or broke anything in the axle

[reubenmorris]

Unless there's a hole in the side of the block and chunks of connecting rods in the oil pan there's almost no point in trying to get any kind of preventive warranty work.

[mblake]

How do extended warranties handle mods? I know oem warranties frown over mods

[jadoon]

Does this apply to a Air suspension fault in a 2013 Range Rover second gen?

[MrSlowestD]

So are all these different warranty extensions typically rolled into one base package or do you have to buy each separately (aside from the base warranty, of course)?  I know it differs from manufacturer to manufacturer but in general terms.

[MarrissaNicole]

My check engine light came on after I put my car in reverse or drive from park and it jolts hard. The code is P0601 the internal control module memory checksum error and P0700 p0700 transmission control system (mil request). I am under milage and date per Federal Emissions Warranty. Bought car in GA and live in GA. Would these two be covered under the emissions warranty? Both PCM and TCM are listed in the manual but im worried the dealership is going to tell me its not covered. Is there any reason it would not be covered?

[Precision_with_purpose]

What if they don’t cover a engine that’s completely stock that blows at 41k. I have records that prove I take care of it. Subaru won’t cover my WRX. they are saying I put 8qts of oil in it… which is impossible lol because I only purchase 6 like a normal person and I drain it prior to opening the damn oil… I checked the oil right before the tow came and oil was at normal levels per the dip stick.

[jmreynolds]

What if someone was to put something in your gas tank and cause your intake gaskets to go out?

[Ben-enyb]

Does Texas laws require mechanics to provide warranties after fixing the vehicle?