Best Car Warranty Companies in 2026: 7 Automakers and Extended Warranty Providers Compared
Which car warranty companies are best? We compared 7: 3 automakers with long factory coverage and 4 extended warranty providers, with terms and catches.

- Editor's choice
HyundaiLongest factory powertrain coverage for original owners
Starts atIncluded with a new vehicleVisit hyundaiusa.comFull review - Great alternative
KiaStrong factory coverage with extra EV battery terms
Starts atIncluded with a new vehicleVisit kia.comFull review - Also consider
MitsubishiNew-car buyers who want 10-year powertrain coverage
Starts atIncluded with a new vehicleVisit mitsubishicars.comFull review
TL;DR:
- The longest factory coverage in this list comes from Hyundai, Kia and Mitsubishi: each lists a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, but for Hyundai and Mitsubishi it applies to the original owner only.
- Extended warranties from companies like Endurance, CARCHEX, CarShield and Toco are sold as vehicle service contracts, and none of the four publish prices. You get a quote after giving your vehicle details.
- Endurance advertises a 30-day money-back guarantee, and Toco lists "cancel anytime" as a benefit. Read the contract itself, because the web page is not the authority on what is covered.
- CarShield paid $10 million in 2024 to settle FTC charges over its advertising, so check what a contract actually covers before paying.
- The FTC warns that a service contract can duplicate your manufacturer's warranty, so check your factory coverage first.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starts at | Free plan? | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Longest factory powertrain coverage for original owners | Included with a new vehicle | Included with purchase | Visit | |
| Strong factory coverage with extra EV battery terms | Included with a new vehicle | Included with purchase | Visit | |
| New-car buyers who want 10-year powertrain coverage | Included with a new vehicle | Included with purchase | Visit | |
| Buying extended coverage after the factory warranty ends | See website | No | Visit | |
| Comparing extended warranty quotes online before you buy | See website | No | Visit | |
| Drivers with older or high-mileage vehicles | See website | No | Visit | |
| Cancel-anytime coverage with a no-down-payment start | See website | No | Visit |
The best car warranty companies
There are two different things people mean by "car warranty company." The first is the automaker, whose factory warranty comes with a new vehicle. The second is a company that sells an extended warranty (technically a vehicle service contract) after that coverage runs out. We list both, label which is which, and put the automakers first because their coverage costs nothing extra.
This is general information, not legal, insurance or financial advice. Read the full contract and ask for it in writing before you pay for any extended coverage.

Hyundai makes its case for "what car company has the best warranty" directly on its own warranty page. The new vehicle limited warranty runs 5 years/60,000 miles, the powertrain limited warranty runs 10 years/100,000 miles, and the anti-perforation warranty (rust holes through body panels) runs 7 years with unlimited miles. Roadside assistance lasts 5 years with unlimited miles, and the hybrid and electric battery warranty is 10 years/100,000 miles.
Hyundai also lists complimentary maintenance for the first 3 years/36,000 miles on 2025 models, which covers four basic service visits (oil and filter changes plus tire rotations).
The catch is in the fine print. Hyundai states that the 10-year powertrain coverage applies to the original owner only, and that second and later owners are covered under the 5-year/60,000-mile warranty. If you plan to buy used, the long warranty will have shrunk. Hyundai also publishes a comparison table showing Toyota, Honda and Nissan at 5 years/60,000 miles on the powertrain, which is a manufacturer's own comparison, so treat it as a starting point.
- 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty
- 5-year/60,000-mile new vehicle warranty
- 5-year unlimited-mile roadside assistance
- The 10-year powertrain term applies to the original owner only
- Second owners get 5 years/60,000 miles on the powertrain
Kia's terms look similar to Hyundai's on paper. The basic limited warranty is 5 years/60,000 miles, and the powertrain limited warranty is 10 years/100,000 miles, covering engine, transmission, axle, differential and driveshaft parts. The anti-perforation warranty is 5 years/100,000 miles.
The notable extra is for electric vehicles. Kia lists a 10-year/100,000-mile EV system warranty covering the motor, high-voltage battery, power control unit and on-board charger, and its battery coverage applies if capacity drops below 70 percent of original.
Kia's roadside assistance is shorter than Hyundai's, at 5 years/60,000 miles for 2025 models, and the page says the powertrain coverage applies to the original purchaser and to buyers of a Certified Pre-Owned Kia. It does not spell out transfer rules for other coverage, so read the Warranty and Consumer Information Manual if you are buying used.
- 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty
- 10-year/100,000-mile EV system and battery coverage
- 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty
- Roadside assistance is limited to 5 years/60,000 miles
- Powertrain coverage transfers only to the original purchaser or a Certified Pre-Owned buyer

Mitsubishi is the least talked-about name in this group, but its numbers hold up. The company lists a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty, a 5-year/60,000-mile new vehicle limited warranty and 5-year roadside assistance with no mileage cap. A limited maintenance plan covers three oil and filter changes, three tire rotations, three multi-point inspections and one cabin filter change for 2 years/30,000 miles.
The terms are clear about ownership. Powertrain coverage is applicable only to the original owner, and subsequent owners receive the balance of the 5-year/60,000-mile new vehicle limited warranty. The maintenance services are not transferable.
If you buy a Mitsubishi new and plan to keep it, the long powertrain coverage is a good deal. If you buy used, the 10-year term does not follow the car, so consider whether a separate service contract makes sense.
- 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty
- 5-year/unlimited-mile roadside assistance
- Subsequent owners keep the balance of the 5-year/60,000-mile warranty
- Powertrain coverage applies to the original owner only
- Maintenance coverage is short and not transferable

Endurance
Best for: Buying extended coverage after the factory warranty ends
Endurance is one of the best-known companies selling extended coverage directly to drivers. Its site lists three main plan tiers (Secure Plus for older vehicles, Supreme as the most comprehensive, and Superior), plus personalized coverage for other vehicles. Each plan lists covered components, with the full list behind an "Explore Full List" link.
Perks on the site include 24/7 roadside assistance with any plan, an "Elite Benefits" package (tire repair and key fob replacement) free for one year subject to offer details, the freedom to use any certified mechanic, and a repair shop network through a RepairPal partnership of over 4,000 shops. The company cites 20 years of experience.
Pricing is by quote; the site shows average repair costs for context, not plan prices. Endurance is also direct that "not all repairs may be covered by the VSC you purchase," so your contract is the authority. The advertised 30-day money-back guarantee is a reasonable safety net, but you still need to read the contract inside that window.
- 30-day money-back guarantee advertised
- Roadside assistance with any plan
- Choose any certified mechanic
- Plan prices are not published
- The site warns that not all repairs may be covered
CARCHEX leans on its comparison tooling. After you submit a free quote request, a representative prepares quotes, and you can review them on an online site with a product comparison tool and a self check-out option. There are also mobile apps in the Apple App Store and Google Play, live chat and a guest payment page.
The site says its contracts are provided by Liberty STF, Inc., of Lakewood, Colorado, but it does not say whether CARCHEX acts as a broker or an administrator, which is worth asking about because it determines who handles your claim. Its footer mentions rental car benefits, deductibles and exclusions, with details in the contract, and it says replacement or remanufactured parts of like kind and quality may be used.
CARCHEX describes itself as a BBB Accredited extended warranty contract service company in Hunt Valley, Maryland, accredited since 2009. The page does not give a letter grade, so check the BBB listing and your state's consumer protection office before you sign.
- Online comparison and self check-out tools
- Phone and live chat support
- BBB Accredited since 2009 according to its site
- Quotes are custom and require a representative
- The site does not say whether it acts as a broker or administrator
CarShield is probably the most advertised name in this category, and it is also the one with the most documented controversy, so we want to be plain about both sides. On the positive side, its site says it administers its own contracts through American Auto Shield, pays claims directly to the shop, includes towing in all contracts and 24/7 roadside assistance in most, and offers rental car coverage on many. Its quote form accepts mileage up to 325,000. The company says it covers over 3 million vehicles and has paid more than $1 billion in claims, which are its own figures.
On the other side, the FTC announced a $10 million settlement with CarShield and American Auto Shield on July 31, 2024. The FTC alleged that repair claims were often denied even though customers paid up to $120 a month, and that celebrity and customer endorsers made false statements. CarShield said it disagreed with many of the assertions while sharing the commitment to helping customers understand what it provides. The settlement requires truthful advertising and endorsements.
None of that means every contract is a bad one. It means you should ask for the sample contract (the site has a Sample Contracts page), check exclusions and the shop-choice terms, and get everything in writing before payment.
- Pays claims directly to the repair shop
- Most contracts include 24/7 roadside assistance
- Quote form accepts vehicles up to 325,000 miles
- Paid $10 million to settle FTC advertising charges in 2024
- Plan prices are not published
Toco Warranty (operated by Verdoro LLC, per the site footer) sells auto, home and workplace-benefit plans. For vehicles, its pitch is flexibility: no down payment, cancel anytime, a choice of mechanic and direct payment to the shop. Its site says that once a repair is authorized, you cover your deductible and Toco covers the rest, directly, with no reimbursements.
You enter your vehicle's make, model, year, mileage and ZIP code to see a price. The page does not describe cancellation terms in detail, so "cancel anytime" needs to be checked against the contract, including any refund calculation. The site also states that coverage is not currently available in all states, so confirm yours.
Toco is a smaller name than Endurance or CarShield, which can be good or bad depending on what you value. Ask for the full contract before you enroll, as you would with any provider.
- No down payment and cancel anytime, per its site
- Pays the shop directly
- Choose your own licensed mechanic
- Not available in all states
- Prices only shown after you enter vehicle details
How we picked these
We built this list from the companies' own websites and warranty pages and from consumer guidance published by the Federal Trade Commission. We did not run claims through any of these companies, and we cannot say how often any provider approves or denies a repair, so we do not rank them by claims performance.
We left out some well-known names, such as Olive and Autopom, because their official sites would not load for our checks and we did not want to rely only on third-party summaries. Prices are shown as "See website" because none of the extended warranty providers publish rates; each requires a quote.
How to choose a car warranty
Start with the warranty you already have, then decide whether extended coverage adds anything.
Check your factory warranty first
The FTC warns that a service contract may duplicate coverage you already have from the manufacturer and that you might pay more for it than you get back in benefits. If your car is still under factory coverage, you may not need anything yet. Hyundai, Kia and Mitsubishi list 10-year powertrain coverage, but their terms for second owners are shorter.
Read exclusions and who pays
Every contract has exclusions, a deductible and often a waiting period. The FTC advises that if something such as towing or a rental car is not listed in the contract, you should assume it is not covered. Ask whether claims are paid directly to the shop, whether you can pick your mechanic and who administers the contract.
Understand cancellation and refunds
Ask about cancellation fees and how refunds are calculated. A 30-day money-back window, like the one Endurance advertises, helps only if you actually read the contract in that time.
Watch for scams
The FTC says unsolicited calls or letters claiming your warranty is about to expire often come from unaffiliated sellers, and that such telemarketing calls are probably illegal if you have no connection with the caller. Find the company yourself and check complaints before you share any information.
Consider a repair fund
The FTC also suggests that putting money into a savings account for repairs can be an alternative to buying a contract. It is worth comparing the contract price with a realistic repair budget for your vehicle.
FAQ
What car company has the best warranty?
Among the automakers we checked, Hyundai, Kia and Mitsubishi list 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain coverage on new vehicles. Hyundai and Mitsubishi state that this applies to the original owner only, so the best warranty depends on whether you buy new or used.
Who are the best extended warranty companies?
Endurance, CARCHEX, CarShield and Toco are four well-known providers, but none publish prices, and we cannot rank them on claims performance. Compare quotes, sample contracts, exclusions and cancellation terms, and check complaints with the BBB and your state consumer protection office.
Are extended car warranties worth it?
It depends on your vehicle, your factory coverage and how much repair cost you could absorb. The FTC says a service contract might duplicate manufacturer coverage and that you may pay more than you get back, so compare the quote with likely repair costs.
Can I cancel an extended warranty?
Most providers allow cancellation, but refunds vary. Endurance advertises a 30-day money-back guarantee and Toco lists "cancel anytime," but both point to contract terms. Ask about fees and how a refund is calculated before you sign.
Is a warranty call about my car legitimate?
Be careful. The FTC says calls claiming your warranty is about to expire often come from unaffiliated sellers, and they are probably illegal if you have no relationship with the caller. Hang up and contact your dealer or a company you looked up yourself.
Sources
- https://www.hyundaiusa.com/us/en/assurance/america-best-warranty
- https://www.kia.com/us/en/warranty
- https://www.mitsubishicars.com/who-we-are/warranty
- https://www.endurancewarranty.com/
- https://www.carchex.com/
- https://www.carshield.com/
- https://www.tocowarranty.com/
- https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2024/07/ftc-says-carshield-didnt-cover-car-repairs-advertised
- https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/extended-warranties-and-service-contracts
- https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/03/what-know-about-auto-service-contracts-extended-warranty-scams
- https://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory/carshield-pay-10m-settle-deceptive-advertising-charges-112445765


