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While Toyota’s vehicles are consistently ranked among the most reliable, no car is immune from the eventual need for repairs. Whether you’re considering a new Toyota or already own one, it’s a good idea to understand what’s covered by the Toyota factory warranty, what isn’t, how long it lasts, and the extended warranty options available to you once your original coverage expires.

In this guide, we’ll explain everything you should know, as well as the benefits of extended protection from one of the best extended car warranty companies.

All new Toyota vehicles come with a standard factory warranty, which begins on the vehicle’s in-service date. The Toyota warranty for all new cars can be broken down into four types of coverage: Basic Coverage, Powertrain Coverage, Restraint Systems Warranty, and Corrosion Perforation.

Basic Toyota Warranty Coverage includes repairs and adjustments related to defects in materials or workmanship, excluding normal wear and maintenance items. Coverage lasts for 36 months or 36,000 miles, whichever occurs first.

This covers the engine, transmission/transaxle, and front-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive systems, as well as related components. Coverage lasts for 60 months or 60,000 miles, whichever occurs first.

This covers repairs for any defects in seatbelts or air bug systems for 60 months or 60,000 miles, whichever occurs first.

This “rust-through” coverage is for perforation of sheet metal and lasts for 60 months, regardless of mileage.

Your Toyota may be eligible for this coverage depending on where you live, as coverage varies under federal and California regulations. If an EPA-approved vehicle emissions inspection and maintenance program is enforced in your area, your vehicle is eligible to receive repairs if it fails to meet applicable standards. Such failures may result in a penalty to you, such as a fine or denial of the right to use your vehicle. Coverage lasts 24 months or 24,000 miles, whichever occurs first.

If your new Toyota is a hybrid, you’ll receive Hybrid-Related Component Coverage in addition to the coverage listed above. Hybrid-related coverage covers the HV battery, battery control module, hybrid control module, and inverter with converter for eight years or 100,000 miles, whichever occurs first.

If you purchased a Toyota Certified Used Vehicle (TCUV), it’s covered by the TCUV Warranty. This warranty is essentially an extension of the original factory warranty and includes:

Keep in mind warranties can vary marginally by car model and purchase location. The best way to determine your Toyota’s exact coverage is to refer to the car’s warranty and maintenance guide or to contact the dealership.

While a new car’s factory warranty is sometimes referred to as “bumper-to-bumper” or a “full warranty,” this language, which indicates comprehensive coverage, can be misleading.

In addition to the time and mileage coverage caps listed above, the Toyota factory warranty excludes regular maintenance items, and damage or failures resulting directly or indirectly from a long list of incidents.

To help you understand the potential costs incurred from the failure or breakdown of what’s not covered, here’s an overview by type of what’s not included in Toyota factory warranties:

Toyota has become a household name. Their cars are among the most dependable vehicles available, and the brand is one of the most trusted on the road today.

Consumer Reports, who annually polls its subscribers to determine which cars go the distance without much fuss, consistently ranks Toyota among the most reliable on the market. The survey covers 500,000 vehicles and 300 models spanning the 2000 to 2018 years. While Lexus took the top spot on the list, Toyota claimed five of the top 10 with the Prius c, Prius Prime, Corolla sedan, Prius, and Highlander.

Other industry reports confirm Toyota’s reputation for reliability. The Japanese-based company was given three J.D. Power awards in 2019, including the quality, dependability, and performance awards. These are awarded to the brand who had the fewest problems reported during the first 90 days of ownership; the fewest problems during the last 12 months for three-year old vehicles; and the highest new car owner design and performance ratings after the first 90 days of ownership, respectively.

Toyotas are also known for having a low incidence of recall, but they do happen. While not every recall is dangerous, they can be real hassles. It’s no surprise car models with high recall rates are associated with overall reliability issues. Toyota vehicles are among those with the best record, as the company claims two spots in Consumer Reports’ list of the top 10 cars with the fewest recalls.

Despite Toyota’s generally admirable track record, its vehicles have had their fair share of problems over the years. We looked at RepairPal and CarComplaints.com to show you just a few common repairs:

While the frequency of widespread problems like these has been on the decline since the early 2000s, it’s hard to say with 100-percent certainty something won’t come up in the years ahead. This laundry list of Toyota problems isn’t meant to be an attack, but rather an honest look at the issues all major brands have from time to time.

If you’d rather not leave too much to chance after your Toyota warranty expires, consider purchasing an extended car warranty. Whether you’re someone who drives a car for a long time or likes to sell it after a few years, this type of service contract helps mitigate costs from unexpected repairs that occur after the standard coverage period.

One of the best ways to determine whether extended warranties are worth the cost is to take a look at a car’s reliability rankings, common issues, and associated repair costs. With certain Toyota models prone to defects and reliability issues, an extended warranty can offer security. It’s an investment in limiting financial risk and can save you money on costly parts, labor, and repairs down the line.

Here are a few benefits of purchasing an extended warranty:

While some might argue an extended warranty, like health insurance, is something you may never use, precaution is generally better than a cure. In cases of hard-hitting repair bills, an extended warranty keeps costs at bay and provides additional benefits that lessen the interruption caused by having a car in the shop.

If you’re interested in an extended auto warranty for your Toyota, there are quite a few options and contracts available to you. A Toyota extended warranty can be purchased from the manufacturer in the form of a Vehicle Service Agreement (VSA).

Here are a few details about Toyota’s VSA:

While these plans offer protection for your car, they don’t cover everything. The batteries, rotors and drums, filters, brake linings, bumpers, and many other parts are not covered.

Also consider how Toyota extended warranties from the dealer tend to be more expensive than third-party options. You may also feel restricted, considering there’s little customization available. For example, a licensed dealership must be visited for repairs and, in some cases, the warranty will be rolled into your monthly car payment, which means you’re actually paying interest on the warranty.

We’ve reviewed a variety of third-party extended car warranty companies, and we’ve placed Endurance and CARCHEX is at the top of the list. These companies are one of our highest recommendations for a variety of reasons, ranging from their excellent customer service to the affordable coverage options and added benefits.

Endurance is one of the few extended car warranty providers that is a direct provider, meaning no brokers or middlemen, which is one of the many reasons why we’ve named it the “Best Overall” provider. After much research, we’ve compiled everything you need to know about this company into one, comprehensive Endurance review.

If you live in California, you’ll need to look elsewhere for coverage, as Endurance doesn’t offer protection plans to California residents. But if you live in any other state, Endurance currently offers six comprehensive levels of coverage, each one carefully designed to maximize coverage and value for the customer:

If you’re interested in purchasing a plan from Endurance, our tools below can help you get started.

Industry veteran that handles your plan directly, from quote to claim

Drivers of new, used, and certified pre-owned Toyotas can benefit from up to 10 years of additional protection with a CARCHEX Extended Vehicle Protection Plan. CARCHEX offers five coverage levels, 16 plans, and is accredited through the Better Business Bureau with an A+ rating.

Depending on which plan you choose, a coverage term of anywhere between five to 10 years will be available. CARCHEX representatives make it easy to decide which of the five protection plans are right for you by taking a consultative approach. Here’s what each of the coverage plans offers:

Top-rated provider with unmatched customer service and affordable coverage

Toyota does provide transferable warranties, but where you live, whether the vehicle was purchased new or used, and the year and mileage of the vehicle all play a role in your ability to transfer the warranty to another owner. According to Toyota’s website, the New Vehicle Limited Warranty is automatically transferred at no cost to subsequent vehicle owners, assuming the vehicle is sold during the warranty period. For example, if a two-year-old Toyota Highlander is sold by the original owner, the new owner could enjoy the basic warranty for another year. If the vehicle is Toyota-certified used, the used car warranty is also transferable, but the coverage begins from the date of the vehicle’s original purchase date from a Toyota dealership. Keep in mind Toyota warranties are not transferable in Hawaii, and transfers in certain states, including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina, consist of different warranty coverage.

An extended warranty is a safeguard against expensive, unforeseen repairs. It covers repairs for an agreed-upon period of time and miles, and the coverage varies depending on the provider and the plan you purchase.

The standard Toyota warranty is included at no additional cost with the purchase of a new car and, like all car warranties, covers certain mechanical breakdowns.

The Toyota warranty begins when the vehicle is delivered to the purchaser. It includes basic coverage, powertrain coverage, rust-through coverage and, in some states, emissions coverage.

An extended car warranty from the manufacturer generally costs more than $1,000.

Yes, Toyota offers three levels of protection that can be purchased through a dealership: Platinum, Gold, and Powertrain. However, these options don’t cover everything and can feel limiting to car owners since repairs must be completed at a Toyota dealership.

While the choice is ultimately up to the needs and preferences of the car owner, shoppers may feel more satisfied with the options available through third-party providers. Our recommendation is CARCHEX, a provider that offers highly-customizable plans, flexibility and choice with regard to repair shops, extensive coverage, and added benefits to the driver. You can get a free quote from CARCHEX online or when you call 866-254-0205.

*Figure accurate as of May 2017. Average monthly coverage cost is based on the average total price of the Vehicle Protection Plan over a four year coverage period. Actual monthly payments will vary per plan’s payment policy. Individual pricing is subject to change based on the combination of make, model, year, and mileage as well as coverage level and term length.

Our expert review team takes satisfaction in providing accurate and unbiased information. We identified the following rating categories based on consumer survey data and conducted extensive research to formulate rankings of the best extended auto warranty providers.

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