Manufacturer’s Factory Warranty Information
The California Lemon Law relates to repairs done to your vehicle under the manufacturer’s factory warranty. Our California Lemon Law does not apply to repairs done under any consumer-purchased “extended warranty” (AKA: Service Contract) sold by car dealerships, credit unions, etc. Vehicles purchased “private party”, and under factory warranty are NOT applicable to California Lemon Law.
A “warranty” in California is defined as something that is provided free by the automobile manufacturer, on new or used vehicles.
One new vehicles, manufacturers warranties are broken down into one or more categories (varies by manufacturer). These include:
- Bumper-to-Bumper warranty. Virtually anything that fails on the vehicle.(other than normal maintenance/wear-and-tear items).
- “Powertrain Warranty”. This typically covers the internally lubricated parts of the engine, transmission, differential(s), transfer case (if so equipped), and drive axles. It is longer than the “Bumper-to-Bumper” warranty.
- Hybrid Power System Warranty. (Varies by manufacturer and/or model). This includes specifically listed components.
- Emissions Warranty. 3 types exist on California emissions vehicles, and each has different lengths of coverage and components covered.
- Warranty extensions on specific components/systems by manufacturers in response to their product durability tests. Some manufacturers will issue warranty extensions. An example would be a failing A/C compressor that the manufacturer issues a warranty extension on.
On used vehicles, the balance (if any) of any of the above warranties will stay in force. There are exceptions to being able to transfer some manufacturers Powertrain warranties. Consumers can talk with their dealership Service Advisor to find out on their vehicle.
Some used vehicles will be sold with a manufacturers CPO (Certified Pre-Owned) warranty. Again, this is provided free of charge to the consumer on qualifying vehicles on used car lots of franchised new car dealers selling that same make.
MANUFACTURER’S CURRENT NEW VEHICLE WARRANTIES AT A GLANCE*
| Mfr. | Basic | Powertrain |
| Acura | 4 years / 50,000 miles | 6 years / 70,000 miles |
| Audi | 4 years / 50,000 miles | 4 years / 50,000 miles |
| Bentley(new) | 3 years / unlimited miles | 3 years / unlimited miles |
| BMW | 4 years / 50,000 miles | 4 years / 50,000 miles |
| Buick | 4 years / 50,000 miles | 5 years / 100,000 miles |
| Cadillac | 4 years / 50,000 miles | 5 years / 100,000 miles |
| Chevrolet | 3 years / 36,000 miles | 5 years / 100,000 miles |
| Chrysler | 3 years / 36,000 miles | Lifetime Limited |
| Dodge | 3 years / 36,000 miles | Lifetime Limited |
| Ford | 3 years / 36,000 miles | 5 years / 60,000 miles |
| GMC | 3 years / 36,000 miles | 5 years / 100,000 miles |
| Honda | 3 years / 36,000 miles | 5 years / 60,000 miles |
| Hyundai | 5 years / 60,000 miles | 10 years / 100,000 miles* |
| Infiniti | 4 years / 60,000 miles | 6 years / 70,000 miles |
| Jaguar | 4 years / 50,000 miles | 4 years / 50,000 miles |
| Jeep | 3 years / 36,000 miles | Lifetime Limited |
| Kia | 5 years / 60,000 miles | 10 years / 100,000 miles* |
| Lexus | 4 years / 50,000 miles | 6 years / 70,000 miles |
| Lincoln | 4 years / 50,000 miles | 6 years / 70,000 miles |
| Mazda | 3 years / 36,000 miles | 5 years / 60,000 miles |
| Mercedes-Benz | 4 years / 50,000 miles | 4 years / 50,000 miles |
| Mini | 4 years / 50,000 miles | 4 years / 50,000 miles |
| Mitsubishi | 5 years / 60,000 miles | 10 years / 100,000 miles |
| Nissan | 3 years / 36,000 miles | 5 years / 60,000 miles |
| Porsche | 4 years / 50,000 miles | 4 years / 50,000 miles |
| Saturn | 3 years / 36,000 miles | 5 years / 100,000 miles |
| Scion | 3 years / 36,000 miles | 5 years / 60,000 miles |
| Smart | 2 years / 24,000 miles | 2 years / 24,000 miles |
| Subaru | 3 years / 36,000 miles | 5 years / 60,000 miles |
| Toyota | 3 years / 36,000 miles | 5 years / 60,000 miles |
| VW | 4 years / 50,000 miles | 5 years / 60,000 miles |
| Volvo | 4 years / 50,000 miles | 4 years / 50,000 miles |
*Information above on warranties is deemed reliable but not guaranteed to be up-to-date or correct. Check the manufacturer’s website for the most up-to-date warranty coverage information. If your vehicle is not a current-year vehicle, you can look up your vehicles warranty in your glovebox warranty booklet or by calling the vehicle manufacturer.
(Your vehicle is a 2018 - 2025, purchased or leased brand new, from an automobile dealership in California.)