Toyota Extended Warranty Guide
Auto manufacturers offer protection against mechanical breakdowns through extended car warranties. While similar coverage from third parties is available, this coverage is technically considered a vehicle service contract–not an extended warranty. However, we've used both terms interchangeably in this article for simplicity.
Are you considering purchasing a Toyota extended warranty? In this article, our review team discusses the details of Toyota's extended warranty plans and how these plans compare to other leading warranty providers. We will also explain the benefits of purchasing a third-party extended warranty over a manufacturer extended warranty.
Toyota Extended Warranty:
Every new Toyota vehicle comes with a 3-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty. But for drivers who want to extend that coverage, the company offers additional protection for up to 10 years/125,000 miles. Toyota offers several coverage options to help drivers avoid surprise expensive repair bills and maintain peace of mind.
To see how Toyota's coverage compares to top third-party companies, check out our review of the best extended auto warranty providers in the industry.
Table of contents
Toyota Extended Warranty Overview
A Toyota extended warranty covers your vehicle after mechanical breakdowns for up to 5 years or 60,000 miles. Toyota offers three different extended warranty plans: Platinum Protection, Gold Protection, and Powertrain Protection.
Toyota's Platinum plan offers the highest level of coverage similar to the manufacturer's warranty that comes with new Toyotas-essentially bumper-to-bumper coverage with few exclusions. The Powertrain warranty covers only a vehicle's essential systems like the engine, transmission, and axle assembly. Toyota's Gold plan is stated component coverage too, but it protects more than the company's powertrain plan.
The maximum coverage term of each Toyota extended warranty plan depends on whether you are purchasing coverage for a new or used Toyota.
New Toyotas |
Used Cars |
|
|---|---|---|
Platinum Protection |
10 years/125,000 miles |
5 years/60,000 miles |
Gold Protection |
8 years/125,000 miles |
5 years/60,000 miles |
Powertrain Protection |
6 years/100,000 miles |
2 years/24,000 miles |
Below is a table breaking down the covered repairs that each Toyota plan offers. For every repair visit, you will owe a $100 deductible for service. If you take your Toyota to be repaired at the same facility at which you purchased your vehicle service contract, you may be eligible for your deductible to be decreased over time.
What’s Not Included
As with all extended warranties, a Toyota vehicle service agreement does not cover regular wear and tear and routine maintenance items. For example, your oil changes and tire rotations are expenses you will still be responsible for. You can purchase a ToyotaCare plan to cover regular Toyota maintenance costs. However, this is separate from the Toyota extended warranty. In addition, a Toyota extended warranty does not cover repairs at any repair shop you may like. Instead, you must bring your vehicle to a Toyota dealership each time for service.
Additional Perks
Toyota extended warranty plans come with these features:
- 24/7 roadside assistance for one year
- Reimbursement for vehicle rentals, meals, and lodging for up
- Access to the nationwide Toyota service network and service by factory-trained technicians
- Transferable coverage from the original owner to a private party once at no cost
- $0 or $100 disappearing deductible if repairs are made at the dealership that originally sold you the extended warranty
- You can cancel your vehicle service agreement (VSA) within 30 days for a full refund for a $50 processing fee.
Toyota’s benefits are decent but are not nearly as good as those of some extended warranty companies, such as Endurance. Endurance’s Elite Benefits includes a collision discount, reimbursement for tire repairs or replacements, total loss protection, and many other benefits.
Toyota Extended Warranty Cost
As a brand, Toyotas are very reliable. J.D. Power’s 2020 U.S. Vehicle Dependability StudySM ranked Toyota the fifth most reliable automobile manufacturer. Lexus, Toyota’s luxury vehicle division, ranked second in the study.
Similarly, RepairPal ranked Toyota as the seventh most reliable car manufacturer in its most recent reliability ratings. Drivers pay an average of $441 each year for maintenance and repairs, which is lower than the industry average of $652.
While Toyotas have a great reputation for reliability, they are far from immune to expensive repairs. Some Toyota models may require one or more of the repairs seen in the table above. As with any vehicle brand or model, if you cannot afford a costly repair, it is still a good idea to purchase an extended auto warranty.
Do You Need Extended Warranty Coverage?
The table below shows the cost of some expensive Toyota RAV4 repairs according to RepairPal.
Toyota RAV4 Repairs |
Cost |
|---|---|
Fuel level sending unit replacement |
$779 - $2,308 |
Heater core replacement |
$786 - $1,147 |
Head gasket replacement |
$1,122 - $1,608 |
Axle/half-shaft replacement |
$504 - $1,382 |
Steering rack replacement |
$1367- $2,123 |
Toyota Reliability
As a brand, Toyotas are very reliable. J.D. Power’s 2020 U.S. Vehicle Dependability StudySM ranked Toyota the fifth most reliable automobile manufacturer. Lexus, Toyota’s luxury vehicle division, ranked second in the study.
Similarly, RepairPal ranked Toyota as the seventh most reliable car manufacturer in its most recent reliability ratings. Drivers pay an average of $441 each year for maintenance and repairs, which is lower than the industry average of $652.
While Toyotas have a great reputation for reliability, they are far from immune to expensive repairs. Some Toyota vehicles may require one or more of the repairs seen in the table above. As with any vehicle brand or model, if you cannot afford a costly repair, it is still a good idea to purchase an extended auto warranty.
Toyota Factory and Certified Pre-Owned Warranties
Before buying an extended warranty for your Toyota, it is smart to consider how much of your Toyota factory warranty or certified pre-owned warranty is left on your vehicle. Drivers with relatively new cars still under Toyota’s bumper-to-bumper warranty might consider waiting until the end of that coverage before purchasing an extended warranty—but not too long. Toyota vehicles only have eligibility for the company's extended warranty while under the manufacturer's warranty.
Those with new or used cars already passed or coming to the end of the coverage period may want to purchase vehicle service agreements. Below are details on Toyota’s factory warranty for new vehicles and certified pre-owned used vehicles:
Basic Coverage |
Powertrain Coverage |
Rust-Through Coverage |
Hybrid Battery Warranty |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
Toyota Manufacturer Warranty |
3 years/36,000 miles |
5 years/60,000 miles |
5 years/unlimited miles |
10 years/150,000 miles (started in 2020) |
Toyota Certified Pre-Owned Warranty |
1 year/12,000 miles from date of pre-owned purchase |
7 years/100,000 miles from date of pre-owned purchase |
No additional coverage from manufacturer warranty |
8 years/100,000 miles from original in-service date |
Benefits of a Third-Party Extended Warranty
Check out the table below comparing an Endurance warranty with a Toyota extended warranty. As you can see, Endurance provides more coverage levels, longer terms, and the ability to start your extended warranty at any time. In addition, the repair network is broader than it is with a Toyota extended warranty.
Toyota Extended Warranty |
Endurance Extended Warranty |
|
|---|---|---|
Coverage Start Date |
Upon expiration of factory warranty |
Anytime |
Longest Term |
125,000 miles |
200,000+ miles |
Levels of Coverage |
3 |
6 |
Deductible |
$0 to $100 |
$0, $50, $100, or $200 |
Where to Get Repairs |
Toyota dealerships |
Any US or Canadian repair facility certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) |
Transferability |
||
Cancellation |
Refund available within 30 days |
Refund available within 30 days |
Roadside Assistance |
||
Rental Car Reimbursement |
||
Availability |
Purchase from Toyota dealerships |
Get Quote |
Conclusion
For most drivers, it makes sense to purchase a Toyota extended warranty. The manufacturer will cover you for up to 10 years/125,000 miles and provide perks like roadside assistance. Third-party providers like Endurance and CARCHEX offer similar levels of coverage and service for an affordable price.
If you’re currently shopping for an extended car warranty, we recommend getting quotes from multiple providers so you can compare coverage and rates. You can get free quotes from Endurance and another leading provider, CARCHEX.
Methodology
- Price: Comparing providers can be difficult due to the many factors that influence cost. To determine this score, we employ a secret shopper analysis using different vehicles, mileages, warranty plans, and locations.
- Coverage: A wide variety of coverage is essential to support the differing needs of customers. We take into account the number of extended car warranty plans available, term limits, exclusions, and additional benefits.
- Customer Service: The level of customer service and care provided by an extended warranty company is an important consideration. Our review team sifts through customer reviews and complaints from reputable sources such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Trustpilot. We also consider the responsiveness of each company's customer service team based on our secret shopper analysis.
- Reputation: Good extended warranty providers consistently provide quality experiences. Our team takes into account BBB ratings and the company's history of reliable service when giving this score.
- Transparency: Customers value a commitment to open and honest communication when it comes to vehicle service contracts. Our team of experts takes into account the availability of money-back guarantees and sample contracts.
Q & A
Does Toyota offer extended warranties?
Yes. Toyota extended warranties will cover your vehicle for up to 10 years or 125,000 miles, whichever comes first. Toyota offers three warranty plans for new and used Toyotas. You can get bumper-to-bumper coverage or basic coverage for your Toyota's essential parts and systems.
Is a Toyota extended warranty worth it?
If you're worried about expensive repairs, paying a small monthly fee for a Toyota extended warranty is worth it. At the time of service, you will pay only a deductible for repairs. Extended auto warranties usually come with roadside assistance and rental car reimbursement coverage, too.
What does Toyota's extended warranty cover?
Toyota offers three coverage options for extended warranty plans, protecting different components of your vehicle. The Platinum plan provides comprehensive, bumper-to-bumper coverage, while the Powertrain Plan focuses on covering the most expensive components of your vehicle like the engine.
Stephen Kenney is a writer and editor who focuses on car insurance, auto financing, and vehicle shipping services. He's a graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill and has experience covering categories ranging from travel to sports to environmental sustainability. In his free time, Stephen enjoys going on long-distance runs, trying out new recipes, and exploring his adopted hometown of Cincinnati.
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