What Does a Drivetrain Warranty Cover?

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Do you drive an old or high-mileage vehicle that’s still reliable? If so, you might be able to save money on your extended car warranty coverage by purchasing a basic drivetrain warranty instead of a more comprehensive plan.

In this review, we’ll discuss the difference between a vehicle’s drivetrain and its powertrain, as well as what a drivetrain warranty covers, the cost of coverage, and whether your car is eligible for drivetrain coverage.

We’ll also introduce you to a couple of the industry’s best extended car warranty companies so you can find out where to get high-quality, low-cost drivetrain coverage. To start comparing drivetrain warranty prices from our top providers, use the buttons above.

Although drivetrain warranties cover many expensive vehicle parts, you could still be left with a heft repair bill if your engine or gaskets blow. According to Bridwell Automotive Center, the average price to replace an engine at an auto repair shop is between $3,000 and $4,000. If you have it replaced at a dealership, it could cost you upwards of $7,500.

For this reason, many extended warranty providers offer only powertrain coverage.

We found Endurance to offer the best extended vehicle warranty coverage on the market. Endurance extended warranties come in six plan levels, including two levels of powertrain coverage and a specialty powertrain plan for high-mileage vehicles.

Endurance has overall positive customer reviews, earning 4.4 out of 5.0 stars from Trustpilot. It also has an A+ rating from AM Best, which means it’s financially reliable and has a superior ability to pay out customer claims. Finally, another perk to Endurance vehicle service contracts is that your first year of coverage comes with free enrollment in the Endurance Elite Benefits program, an impressive benefits package that includes:

CARCHEX has the strongest reputation of any top car warranty provider. It partners with household names such as CARFAX, Edmunds.com, and Kelley Blue Book, has earned an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, and has a 3.2 out of 5.0-star customer rating on Trustpilot.

CARCHEX offers five extended vehicle protection plans, including two levels of powertrain-specific coverage that can cover cars up to 250,000 miles.

Some benefits that come with all CARCHEX plans include:

What is included in the drivetrain?

Your vehicle’s drivetrain includes the transmission, driveshaft, differentials, axles, CV joints, U-joints, and wheels. In other words, “drivetrain” is an umbrella term referring to all of the parts that make your car move, except for the engine.

How much does it cost to fix a drivetrain?

Here are average drivetrain repair and replacement costs across top car brands in America, according to RepairPal and YourMechanic:

Prices range considerably based on factors like the year, make, and model of your car, your location, and whether or not you have powertrain or drivetrain warranty coverage.

What is a powertrain warranty?

A powertrain warranty covers all parts that make your car move, including the engine and the drivetrain. Your powertrain warranty provider will pay for covered repairs after a mechanical breakdown.

How long is a powertrain warranty?

The best factory powertrain warranties can last up to 10 years/100,000 miles. Typically, manufacturer’s powertrain warranties last for 5 years/60,000 miles.

If you want to extend your powertrain coverage, you can purchase an extended auto warranty. Top third-party providers will cover powertrains up to 200,000 or 250,000 miles.