2003 domestic new car & truck warranties: YOu can maintain your new-car warranty here!
The new-car warranty is designed to protect both the carmaker and consumer. It warrants certain parts of the vehicle for a specific period of time or a specific number of miles. It also limits the carmakers’ liability beyond those points.
Knowing what’s covered, and what’s not, is important for all concerned. The specific items covered are explained in detail in the warranty statement or booklet that comes with each new vehicle.
Some car owners fear they’ll void their new-car warranty if the car isn’t serviced by the dealer. According to the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, you can have your car serviced by any competent independent service station, shop or garage and still maintain your warranty. In addition, you can use any name-brand, quality parts to service the car. The carmaker cannot require you to use original equipment brand spark plugs, filters, oil, belts, hoses, brakes, wiper blades or any other parts unless they’re supplied for free!
All you have to do to keep your warranty in force is have the car serviced at the intervals specified in your Owner’s Manual or Warranty Booklet, and keep careful records. Read all the fine print about service requirements. Note that the carmaker’s definition of “severe service” may be what you consider normal driving.
Service receipts should list the date, odometer reading, make, model and vehicle identification number, and show the brand names of all parts used. If there’s a service log in your Owner’s Manual or Warranty Booklet, fill it in for each service visit.
If your car breaks down and the defective parts are still covered by your warranty, the new-car dealer should make the repairs. Carmakers rarely reimburse customers directly for warranty work done at independent shops, other than in emergency situations where a new-car dealer is not readily available.
Many warranties are a package of different coverages for different time periods. The Basic Warranty covers most parts on the vehicle. Tire and battery warranties, on the other hand, vary by year and manufacturer. Other equipment groups may be covered for varying periods of time.
On some earlier models, a separate Powertrain Warranty may cover the engine, transmission and driveshaft for a longer period, but may have a $50 or $100 deductible the car owner must pay.
The Corrosion Warranty pays for the repair of body parts, but only if rust eats a hole all the way through the metal. Paint bubbles, cosmetic rust or damage from paint scratches or industrial/ environmental fallout are not usually covered.