potential hidden warranty associated with your vehicle
Driving a car isn't cheap, with regular maintenance, tune-ups, and occasional repairs costing an average of $1,452 annually. Car warranties can help with these expenses, but they usually only last for three years or up to 36,000 miles. Once your car surpasses this coverage, you'll need to find ways to save money on repairs. However, you might not be aware that your vehicle could be protected by a "secret warranty."
A "secret warranty" is an unofficial extension offered by car manufacturers when they discover defects in specific parts or components. These defects often result in unusually high failure rates or problems. To control liability, manufacturers will extend the warranty on the defective part, providing free replacement parts or discounted service work.
These warranty extensions aren't always advertised and are often referred to as "policy adjustments," "service campaigns," or "good-will programs." Because they're voluntary, there's no law requiring manufacturers to notify vehicle owners. Dealer awareness of these programs is also limited, with many owners missing out on potential free or discounted repairs.
At any given time, over 500 secret warranties might be active from various auto manufacturers. Each extension represents potential repair and safety work you could benefit from if you can uncover the information.
To find out if your car is covered by a secret warranty, start by reviewing your vehicle's original manufacturer warranty and any extended warranties you've purchased. Then, check for Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) where manufacturers inform dealers about specific parts they can replace at a reduced rate or no charge.
You can discover TSBs by consulting state laws, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database, or directly contacting your car's dealer. State laws in California, Connecticut, Maryland, Virginia, and Wisconsin require dealers to notify you when your warranty is extended or modified. The NHTSA maintains a database of TSBs, and your dealer is another resource that can provide information on warranty adjustments or extensions.
While finding a TSB for your car doesn't necessarily mean a secret warranty is available, it does provide you with valuable communication from the manufacturer. Armed with this knowledge, you can inquire with your dealer about possible warranty extensions you can utilize. Keep in mind that secret warranties have expiration dates, so timing is crucial.
Reference(s):[1] Edmunds: https://www.edmunds.com/money/the-5-best-extended-car-warranty-companies[2] CARCHEX: https://www.carchex.com/blog/extended-car-warranty-providers/
- Regarding your car's maintenance costs after the car warranty expired, you might be unaware that your vehicle could be protected by a "secret warranty" offered by the manufacturer, which represents potential savings on repairs.
- In Connecticut, state laws require dealers to notify you when your warranty is extended or modified, which could help you identify any secret warranties available for your car.
- Checking the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database or directly contacting your car's dealer for Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) can help you discover potential repair benefits from secret warranties or warranty adjustments.
