Hyundai claims its factory warranty is “America’s Best Warranty,” but is it? According to our research and ranking, Hyundai offers the best new car warranty compared to its competitors, so let’s look at how it stacks up.
The Hyundai factory warranty provides threefold protection, including a 5-year/60,000-mile new vehicle limited warranty, 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty and 7-year/unlimited miles anti-perforation warranty.
If you plan on buying a Hyundai or comparing it to other makes, our Hyundai warranty coverage guide provides an extensive overview of everything the company offers. Tap the following links to jump to Hyundai’s factory, hybrid, CPO and extended warranty coverage.
What does the Hyundai factory warranty cover?
The Hyundai new vehicle limited warranty offers the longest bumper-to-bumper coverage in the industry, alongside Genesis (which it owns), Mitsubishi and Kia. It covers any Hyundai components defective in material or workmanship, including the cost of towing your car to the nearest Hyundai dealership or authorized repair facility if it’s inoperable.
Hyundai’s bumper-to-bumper coverage is transferable to subsequent owners. If you’re the original owner and you sell your car to another driver, they’re protected by the remainder of the manufacturer warranty — up to five years or 60,000 miles from the date you bought the car.
The company’s powertrain warranty provides stated-component coverage for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Powertrain coverage begins when the bumper-to-bumper warranty expires and lasts for 10 years and 100,000 miles since you first purchased the car.
In addition to warranty coverage, the company also provides three years of complimentary access to Bluelink after you purchase a new Hyundai. Bluelink lets you use your smart device to start your car, control its climate, lock and unlock doors, run diagnostic tests and monitor alerts, find your car and plan your driving route.
Roadside assistance is available for five years and unlimited miles. This 24/7 coverage includes towing to your nearest Hyundai dealer or authorized service facility (even for non-warranty-related tows), trip interruption assistance and enhanced roadside assistance (through Bluelink).
The company also provides complimentary maintenance for three years or 36,000 miles. This covers factory maintenance services such as engine oil and oil filter changes, tire rotation and multipoint inspections. However, complimentary services may be limited for “severe maintenance intervals.”
| Warranty | Coverage |
|---|---|
| New vehicle limited warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| Powertrain warranty | 10 years/100,000 miles |
| Anti-perforation warranty | 7 years/unlimited miles |
| Hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric vehicle warranty | 10 years/100,000 miles |
| Replacement parts and accessories limited warranty | 1 year/12,000 miles |
| Federal emissions coverage | 5 years/60,000 miles (or up to first scheduled maintenance, whatever comes first) |
| Federal emissions: specific parts coverage | 8 years/80,000 miles |
| California emissions coverage | 5 years/60,000 miles (or up to first scheduled maintenance, whatever comes first) |
| California emissions: specific parts coverage | 8 years/80,000 miles or 7 years/70,000 miles |
| Accessories coverage | 1 year/unlimited miles |
| Adjustments | 1 year/12,000 miles |
| Air conditioner refrigerant charge | 1 year/unlimited miles |
| Paint | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Radio, navigation system, Bluetooth | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| 12V battery warranty | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Roadside assistance coverage | 5 years/unlimited miles |
| Complimentary maintenance* | 3 years/36,000 miles |
What’s not included
No manufacturer warranty covers every event or type of damage and Hyundai’s is no different. Hyundai’s factory warranty doesn’t include coverage for the following items:
- Routine maintenance, such as cleaning and polishing, engine tuneups, fluid and oil changes, wheel alignment and tire rotations and other similar maintenance services
- Normal wear and tear, including replacing spark plugs, brake pads/linings/discs, clutch linings, filters, wiper blades and bulbs and fuses
- Vehicles with altered odometers
- Vehicles that have been declared a total loss, scrapped or issued a salvage (or similar) title
- Damage or failure as a result of negligence, lack of proper maintenance, misuse, abuse, accidents, theft, water, flooding or fire
- Damage from using improper or insufficient fuel
- Use of parts other than Hyundai Genuine Parts or parts of nonequivalent quality and design, or parts used for purposes other than their intended use
- Modifications, alterations, tampering or improper repair
- Water contamination
- Conditions that don’t affect the quality or function of the vehicle or parts, such as slight noise or vibration
- Tires
- Environmental conditions or “acts of God”
- Paint scratches, dents, dings and other body damage, including as the result of stone chipping paint and glass
- Other damages not resulting from defects in materials or workmanship
- Damages associated with a vehicle failure, such as cost of alternate transportation, lodging, loss of property, loss of pay or the loss of the use of the vehicle
Exclusions to the Hyundai new vehicle limited warranty are fairly standard and in line with warranties from other automakers. If your car is damaged or needs repairs because of something other than a factory defect or workmanship error, you’re responsible for paying for repairs.
How it compares to third-party warranties
The best extended auto warranties offer similar bumper-to-bumper and powertrain coverage (depending on your chosen plan). They also often include additional benefits, such as tire protection, and rental car and maintenance cost reimbursement.
However, extended warranties are optional service contracts that cost about $2,845 in total. In contrast, factory warranties are included in your car’s sale price and aren’t a separate expense.
An extended warranty kicks in after your factory warranty expires — coverage doesn’t overlap. This makes an extended warranty a good choice if you plan on owning your car for longer than its factory warranty lasts — which, in the case of Hyundai, is five years.
Unlike Hyundai, which requires you to take your car to a dealership or authorized service center, extended warranties allow you to get repairs done at most repair shops (though they may require certification).
How it compares to other manufacturers
The Hyundai new vehicle limited warranty is the best coverage available among car manufacturers. That said, Genesis, Mitsubishi and Kia match its bumper-to-bumper and powertrain coverage terms.
Genesis provides the same factory warranty coverage as Hyundai because it’s Hyundai’s luxury brand. For a like-to-like comparison, we need to look at Mitsubishi and Kia.
Where Hyundai edges ahead of each brand is in its anti-perforation warranty, which protects your vehicle’s body sheet metal against corrosion due to defects or workmanship. Mitsubishi’s anti-corrosion/perforation warranty is limited to seven years and 100,000 miles and Kia only offers a 5-year/100,000-mile limited anti-perforation warranty.
Mitsubishi ties with Hyundai on the roadside assistance front, offering the same 5-year/unlimited mileage coverage. Kia limits its roadside assistance plan to five years and 60,000 miles.
We must also mention Jaguar, which ranks fifth in our ratings of best new car warranties. Jaguar offers the same 5-year/60,000-mile new vehicle limited warranty. However, its powertrain coverage is limited to five years and 60,000 miles.
What does the Hyundai hybrid warranty cover?
Hyundai’s lineup of hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles includes the Elantra, IONIQ, KONA, Santa Fe, Sonata and Tucson. In addition to the factory warranty, each new Hyundai EV comes with a 10-year/100,000-mile limited battery warranty.
Throughout the warranty period, Hyundai covers any warrantable repairs of your vehicle’s lithium-ion battery. This includes repairing or replacing the battery components — and even replacing the battery entirely with one that’s new or refurbished.
Any repairs or replacements made to your battery will maintain at least equal energy capacity to your original battery (before it failed) but will never be less than 70% of the original battery capacity. The warranty also specifies that battery use will not degrade more than 70% while the policy is in force.
In addition to the battery itself, Hyundai’s hybrid, plug-in and EV warranty also covers the following items:
- Components directly attached to or integral to the operation of the battery
- Battery management system
- Blower assembly
- Electronic air compressor
- Power relay assembly
- Hybrid starter and generator
- Traction motor and housing case
- Hybrid power control unit
- Onboard charger
- Electric power control unit
Like other warranties, Hyundai’s hybrid warranty lists certain exclusions, which are these:
- Damage resulting from intentional actions, such as misuse or neglect
- Accidents and collisions
- Damage to your battery (from physical, programming or other means) to extend or reduce its life (other than what’s specified in the owner documentation)
- Batteries exposed to direct flame or flooding the battery
What does the Hyundai CPO warranty cover?
In our ranking of best certified pre-owned (CPO) warranties, Hyundai took first place because of its extensive CPO coverage and benefits. To qualify as a Hyundai CPO vehicle, it must be under seven years old, have less than 80,000 miles on the odometer and pass a 173-point inspection.
The Hyundai CPO warranty provides the following:
- The remainder of the vehicle’s 5-year/60,000-mile new vehicle limited warranty
- A 10-year/100,000-mile warranty covering the powertrain (including the engine, transmission and transaxle) after the factory warranty expires or has expired (based on the vehicle’s original in-service date)
Hyundai also includes the following benefits and coverage in its CPO warranty:
- Roadside assistance: 10 years and unlimited miles (an increase of five years over its factory warranty)
- Rental car reimbursement: Up to $35 per day for up to 10 days for covered repairs
- Travel interruption reimbursement: Up to $100 per day and $500 per occurrence on trips 150 miles or more away from home
Unlike its factory warranty, Hyundai requires a $50 deductible for repairs made to a CPO vehicle under its 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. It also doesn’t allow you to transfer a CPO warranty to a second or subsequent buyer — these buyers need to purchase an extended warranty for used cars if they want coverage.
Why would you need extended coverage for a Hyundai?
Hyundai may offer the best warranty coverage among standard mass-market vehicles, but no car is guaranteed to never need repairs — and warranties don’t cover every breakdown and repair.
Factory warranties only cover manufacturer defects and workmanship — they don’t provide comprehensive coverage for routine maintenance, wear and tear and other policy-specific exclusions.
Extended auto warranties are vehicle service contracts (VSC) that pay for covered repairs, typically at a repair facility of your choice. As its name implies, an extended warranty extends the coverage of your original factory warranty beyond its initial term.
With the right VSC, you could effectively extend your Hyundai’s bumper-to-bumper coverage from the initial five years to upwards of 10 years or more. This is especially useful as your car ages, increasing the risk of costly breakdowns and repairs.
Hyundai reliability
Consumer sentiment around Hyundai reliability varies — as it does for most brands. On Reddit, users argue that recent model years are dependable, while others claim that models built with the 2.0T and 2.4L engines are unreliable and prone to engine trouble.
When looking at more concrete data, Hyundai ranks slightly below average, according to the 2024 J.D. Power U.S. Dependability Study. That said, the 2024 Hyundai Sonata ranked No. 3 in the study’s list of the top 3 most dependable midsize cars.
The Hyundai reliability rating is 4.0 out of 5.0 on RepairPal, which gave the manufacturer an overall rank of No. 4 of 32 car brands. To determine this ranking, RepairPal considered the following from the brand:
- Average annual repair cost: $468 (compared to $652 across all models)
- Frequency of unscheduled repairs: 0.3 times per year (compared to 0.4 across all models)
- Severity of repairs: 10% (compared to 12% across all models)
This means that RepairPal considers Hyundai as above average in terms of reliability. As a result, the cost of an extended warranty for a Hyundai may be less than for other less reliable brands.
Where should you get an extended warranty?
You have two options to purchase an extended warranty for your Hyundai: from the automaker itself or from an aftermarket third-party extended warranty provider. Either choice may give you peace of mind, but you should compare both options to determine which best fits your budget, needs and preferences.
Manufacturer extended warranty
The Hyundai Protection Plan Vehicle Service Contract (VSC) is the manufacturer’s extended warranty program. You can purchase the Hyundai VSC to extend your factory limited warranty or CPO warranty.
This extends warranty coverage to up to 10 years or 120,000 miles, with the potential to cover more than 1,500 parts and components depending on your chosen plan. The VSC also includes the following:
- 24/7 roadside assistance (including towing) for the duration of your VSC term
- Rental car reimbursement up to $35 per day for up to 10 days
- Trip interruption coverage up to $200 per day for up to five days
Available Hyundai VSC plans are:
| Covered Component | Platinum | Gold | Powertrain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Transmission | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Drive axle | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Climate control | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Shocks | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Suspension | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Fuel system | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Electrical system | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Steering | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Brakes | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| CV boots | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Audio | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| High-tech | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
Covered repairs must be performed at your Hyundai dealer. You may also be responsible for paying a deductible (depending on your plan), though there are no additional costs for covered work.
The cost of your VSC may be included in your original loan. However, VSC coverage is transferable to a subsequent private party, which may increase the resale value of your Hyundai.
In addition to its VSC, Hyundai also offers other policies, including the ones below.
A VSC for lessees buying their vehicle or original Hyundai owners. The VSC covers mechanical repairs, labor and up to 1,500 parts for up to 10 years or 100,000 miles, and includes roadside assistance, towing and rental car reimbursement.
Hyundai offers two CPO wrap programs for CPO vehicles. The CPO wrap program covers mechanical repairs, labor and up to 1,500 parts for up to 10 years or 120,000 miles. Plans include roadside assistance, towing and rental car reimbursement.
The Term Protection Plus plan provides up to five years or 60,000 miles of wear and tear coverage. Wear items include brake pads, batteries, headlamps, windshield wiper blades, belts and hoses, fuses and bulbs, wheel alignments and diagnostics with no deductible.
Unlike many extended warranty providers, Hyundai covers maintenance costs through its Maintenance Wrap program. This covers maintenance items based on your driving preferences or owner’s manual, including oil and oil filter changes, tire rotations and multipoint inspections.
Maintenance Wrap also extends your complimentary maintenance coverage up to eight years or 96,000 miles.
Third-party extended warranty
A third-party or aftermarket extended auto warranty may be as comprehensive as your car’s factory warranty or be limited to certain parts and systems, depending on the type of coverage you’re looking for.
Like the Hyundai extended warranty, you may purchase a third-party extended warranty when you buy your car. You may also purchase a policy later on, though costs generally increase as your car ages and racks up the miles.
Unlike Hyundai’s extended warranty program, third-party extended warranties are sold by various providers.
Some companies, such as Endurance and Omega Auto Care, administer the plans themselves, which means they decide when to approve or deny claims. Other providers, such as Autopom and Carchex, are brokers, which means they sell VSCs on behalf of administrators.
Third-party providers also allow you to visit the repair facility of your choice (though many require that the repair facility is certified). This gives you more freedom than with a Hyundai extended warranty, which requires you to visit your Hyundai dealership.
To find the best coverage and deal for you, shop around and compare quotes from the best extended warranty providers:
What’s next?
Hyundai claims it offers “America’s Best Warranty” and, according to our research, the moniker fits. But not even the best warranty lasts forever, and it doesn’t cover every repair or expense you’ll have over the lifetime of your new car.
We recommend you compare the brand’s extended warranty coverage to aftermarket plans for the best coverage and protection for your new Hyundai.
Our rating methodology for auto warranty companies
At Homefront, we analyze, rate and rank top vehicle service contract providers to help you discover the right one for your needs. The best automotive service contract companies offer transparency, affordability and expansive coverage options, among other qualities.
We rate companies using our objective scoring methodology. We assess brands on factors that are important to consumers like you — including cost, coverage, market standing, trustworthiness and customer experience. After scoring companies on a 100-point scale, we simplify final scores into the 5-star ratings you see in our content.
Editorial note: The name “Homefront” refers to the alliance between USA TODAY and Home Solutions that publishes review, comparison, and informational articles designed to help USA TODAY readers make smarter purchasing and investment decisions about their home. Under the alliance, Homefront provides and publishes research and articles about home service and home improvement topics.
Homefront has an affiliate disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Homefront editorial staff alone (see About Homefront). Homefront adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is believed to be accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.
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