A Look at Toyota’s Factory Warranty | Autance

What IS Included

Toyota has a basic warranty that fits the model of most automakers, particularly ones that err on the shorter side of coverage lengths and terms. With that said, there is still a lot to like about the coverage if you want some extra peace of mind from unexpected defects.

Bumper-to-Bumper

The main part of the Toyota warranty is known as the comprehensive or bumper-to-bumper warranty. This warranty covers all Toyota cars, SUVs, and trucks from the expenses of major factory defects you’d otherwise have to cover out-of-pocket. 

Lasting three years or 36,000 miles, the bumper-to-bumper coverage has the same exclusionary coverage as other automakers, meaning you’ll find coverage for parts all along the interior and exterior of the vehicle. The coverage kicks in when issues are caused by factory defects, which excludes other issues third-party basic coverage options tend to cover. 

Powertrain

Lasting longer than the comprehensive warranty (five years or 60,000 miles), the Toyota powertrain warranty is the type of coverage you’ll be using long after the initial vehicle purchase to cover defect expenses. This is also the warranty that keeps the vehicle running more than the other coverages.

The main focus of the powertrain warranty is on the drivetrain-specific components like the engine, transmission, transaxles, and virtually anything you’d find on a all-wheel-drive, rear-wheel-drive, or front-wheel-drive system. Beyond these parts, the warranty excludes most general and hybrid-related components.

Other

In addition to the standard Toyota factory coverage, the company includes a few extra perks and warranties like an anti-perforation warranty, roadside assistance (with basic towing), emissions coverage, safety system warranties (i.e. airbags and safety belts), and general travel protection. 

Some warranties, like the anti-perforation coverage that reduces the expenses of damage caused by corrosion perforation of sheet metal around the vehicle, support the main comprehensive and powertrain warranty. Others kick-in in specific conditions, especially if you experience non-normal wear and tear while traveling.

In addition to things like the unlimited-mile roadside assistance, the coverage includes a no-cost maintenance plans (two years or 25,000 miles). Unlike most automakers, Toyota will cover the basic maintenance costs on all factory-recommended services.

What’s NOT Included

The limits of the Toyota limited warranty tend to match those of other automakers.

Major Maintenance

While the Toyota new car warranty includes coverage for basic maintenance items, it falls short of offering lengthy coverage. This is because the specifics of the maintenance guide and limit how effective the plan can be to the owner. Outside of the factory-recommended schedule, the maintenance won’t help if you want to deviate or need to add other services into the routine.

You should check with a local Toyota dealership to get the complete details on what is and isn’t covered under the ToyotaCare plan.

Accidental Damage

Outside of factory defect issues, the Toyota warranty is limited on the types of damage it covers. For damage outside of your (and the company’s) control, the warranty won’t apply. If a transfer case or axle assembly, for example, is damaged due to extreme off-roading conditions, you will be footing the cost of the repairs. The factory, on the other hand, will cover the costs if the issues are caused by poor workmanship or materials.

The Good

While the overall warranty is standard, the thing we like about the Toyota warranty is the coverage it offers for special vehicles and technologies in its lineup. For example, the coverage for its hybrid vehicles, an eight-year/100,000-mile warranty that covers all of the hybrid drivetrain components, isn’t something you’ll find with most automakers. 

The no-cost maintenance plan is also a nice touch, even if it’s on the shorter side compared to the few competitors that offer similar coverage. This type of extra perk is good, not just for the money it can save you, but also for keeping the vehicle on a factory-recommended maintenance schedule as well. 

The Bad

The main complaint we have against the Toyota warranty is just the length, plain and simple. Toyota is widely known as a company that manufactures great vehicles that can take a lot of regular abuse. It isn’t too unrealistic to expect that the warranty should last as long as this coverage as well.

There is also room for extra perks. The basic maintenance plan and roadside assistance are great but Toyota could offer more in terms of reimbursing costs for getting substitute transportation or coverage for non-factory-defect issues.

Takeaway Value

Most people buy a Toyota vehicle for the manufacturing quality or performance of the vehicle itself. Since the warranty coverage is nothing special, we tend to recommend doing the same if you are interested in a Toyota vehicle. There’s nothing about the warranty itself that should entice you, but the coverage is good enough for a little extra peace of mind if you do buy one.