Checking Out the Lincoln Warranty | Autance

What IS Included

The automaker offers a basic warranty setup for a little extra peace of mind when you buy one of its new Lincoln vehicles.

Bumper-to-Bumper

At four years or 50,000 miles, the bumper-to-bumper warranty (also known as the comprehensive warranty) provides the standard coverage Lincoln offers new customers with each new vehicle. This warranty is an exclusionary type of coverage, meaning it simply lists the basic parts it doesn’t cover and leaves everything else on the table.

The warranty covers the primary internal and external parts of any model, except for a few wear items, accessories, and specialized components. The service plan also includes a few adjustments for wear items like wiper blades, tires/wheels, and brake pads, but these aren’t covered for replacements. 

Powertrain

In addition to the comprehensive coverage, Lincoln includes a standard powertrain warranty that is focused on the main drive components of the vehicle. This means the coverage isn’t as broad as the bumper-to-bumper warranty, but it does last longer at six years or 70,000 miles. This effectively means the main drive components are covered longer, even when the comprehensive coverage expires. 

As an inclusionary warranty, the powertrain coverage lists out what parts it actually covers. On this list, you’ll find major parts like the engine, transmission, front, rear, and all-wheel drive systems. 

Extras

For the most part, Lincoln doesn’t include much in terms of extra services and warranties. The only major addition is the 24-hour roadside assistance program that deals with defect issues that arise while traveling. This program includes handy services like free towing to a nearby Lincoln dealership, rental car arrangement, lockout assistance, battery jump-starting, and more.

The roadside assistance is designed to last the life of the vehicle itself, as long as it isn’t sold or traded. For second and beyond owners, the assistance will only last as long as the remainder of the powertrain warranty. 

What’s NOT Included

Lincoln’s new vehicle limited warranty earns the “limited” portion of its name in a few important ways.

Maintenance

Lincoln has a very limited coverage of basic maintenance services like oil changes and tire rotations. In fact, the only maintenance services the warranty does cover are a few part alignments for the wheels/tires. Beyond this, you will have to cover the cost of such services yourself or even do some of the DIY tasks at home on your own.  

Non-Defect Repairs

Most automaker factory warranties are limited to addressing factory defect issues. This means other types of damage and problems caused by accidents, bad weather, or vandalism are unlikely to be covered, which can reduce the money-saving value you should expect from the warranty. 

The Good

The Lincoln factory warranty has a lot to like in terms of basic coverage and the parts it covers. Between the bumper-to-bumper and powertrain warranties, almost all of the parts on a vehicle are covered from defect issues. More importantly, both warranties last a tad bit longer than most automakers, so you have more protection in the long run, which should be expected from a luxury brand.

In addition to the slightly longer primary coverage, the included roadside assistance can come in handy with unexpected roadside issues. While we have a couple of complaints here (see The Bad), we appreciate that the service will last the life of the vehicle for the original owner. This means you won’t have to worry about the service ending when the main warranty coverage expires if you’re the original owner.

The Bad

The ugly side of the Lincoln warranty is small, but important, if you want to really understand what you aren’t getting with the coverage. The factory defect limitation is just that: a limitation. Don’t get a new Lincoln expecting the warranty coverage will kick in if you get into an accident or damage the exterior in a hail storm. This will require extra coverage from a third-party warranty or auto insurance.

The roadside assistance length for subsequent vehicle owners is also problematic. Since the “lifetime” roadside assistance goes away if the vehicle is ever sold, new owners will be limited to the remainder of the powertrain warranty. If you receive a used car (and it’s not a part of the Lincoln certified pre-owned program), you’ll be out of luck with roadside assistance. 

Takeaway Value

As a luxury vehicle brand, you may expect the Lincoln factory warranty to offer more than what it actually does. This is a valid issue, but you’ll still receive decent coverage that can keep your vehicle running if the right (wrong) issues arise.