What happens if there are problems after my car’s warranty expires?
If there are problems after your car’s warranty expires, all vehicle repairs will be your responsibility, regardless your vehicle's condition at the time of the warranty’s expiration. If you notified the manufacturer of the problem before the warranty expired, and they failed to fix it, then you may be able to request the claim be fulfilled. Learn what to do when your car’s warranty expires.
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Mary Martin
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Mary Martin has been a legal writer and editor for over 20 years, responsible for ensuring that content is straightforward, correct, and helpful for the consumer. In addition, she worked on writing monthly newsletter columns for media, lawyers, and consumers. Ms. Martin also has experience with internal staff and HR operations. Mary was employed for almost 30 years by the nationwide legal publi...
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UPDATED: Jul 17, 2023
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We strive to help you make confident insurance and legal decisions. Finding trusted and reliable insurance quotes and legal advice should be easy. This doesn’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own.
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about legal topics and insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything legal and insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by experts.
UPDATED: Jul 17, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right legal decisions.
We strive to help you make confident insurance and legal decisions. Finding trusted and reliable insurance quotes and legal advice should be easy. This doesn’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own.
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Whenever you purchase a vehicle that is still under warranty and a problem with the vehicle occurs, you can typically take the vehicle to any dealer authorized by the manufacturer and the issue will be taken care of free-of-charge to you. After the vehicle’s warranty expires, however, almost every instance in which a repair must be made to your vehicle will be your responsibility, regardless of the condition of your vehicle at the time of the warranty’s expiration. However, there may be limited exceptions to this warranty rule and you may have a couple of limited options for recourse.
What if I notified the manufacturer before the warranty expired?
If you notified the manufacturer of the problem before your car warranty expired, and they attempted and failed to fix it, then you may be able to request that the claim be fulfilled. If there were repeated repairs within the window of time set by your state’s lemon law rules, you may have a legal cause of action against the car manufacturer under those lemon law rules. In instances where a defective vehicle part causes a safety hazard that warrants a recall of all vehicles made with that same defective element, you could have your vehicle’s issues resolved without having to open your pocketbook at all. Or, if you bought the car and were given no warranty or an unreasonably short warranty, then the implied warranty of merchantability may kick in to protect you, unless the vehicle was sold “as is” and/or sold in a private transaction between private parties.
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Can I extend my car’s warranty after it has expired?
It is possible to extend your car’s warranty after it has expired. You can do this by purchasing an extended warranty from the dealership or a third party company.
As the car owner, you should consider the cost of extending your warranty on this car. The cost of extending a warranty varies depending on the make and model of the vehicle, as well as what type of coverage you have with your expired car warranty.
What should I do if my car still isn’t fixed?
If the issue involves an insignificant element of your vehicle, you’ll probably only become frustrated trying to deal with a complicated warranty and an unsympathetic vehicle manufacturer. You might be better off taking care of the problem yourself.
Making sure the terms of your warranty are honored can be difficult. It can also be difficult to deal with warranty issues if your repair is expensive. If you believe that your vehicle hasn’t performed as it reasonably should have, then it’s in your best interest to consult with a lawyer who can help you decipher the terms of your warranty in order to determine if you have any recourse.
Case Studies: Problems After Your Car’s Warranty Expires
Case Study 1: Notifying the Manufacturer
In this case, the car owner experienced a problem with their vehicle before the warranty expired and notified the manufacturer. Despite attempts by the manufacturer to fix the issue, the problem persists. In such instances, the car owner may have the option to request that the claim be fulfilled.
Depending on the state’s lemon law rules, repeated repairs within a specific time frame could give rise to a legal cause of action against the car manufacturer.
Case Study 2: Recall Due to Defective Part
Consider a scenario where a defective part in the vehicle poses a safety hazard, leading to a recall of all vehicles with the same defect. In this case, the car owner’s vehicle issues can be resolved without any out-of-pocket expenses. Recalls ensure that the manufacturer addresses the problem and rectifies it for affected vehicles.
Case Study 3: Extending the Warranty
When the car’s warranty has expired, it is possible to extend it by purchasing an extended warranty from the dealership or a third-party company. The cost of extending the warranty varies based on the vehicle’s make, model, and the desired coverage. Extending the warranty can provide peace of mind and financial protection against unexpected repairs.
Case Study 4: Seeking Legal Assistance
In situations where the car owner believes their vehicle has not performed as it reasonably should have, consulting with a lawyer can be beneficial. Dealing with warranty issues, especially for expensive repairs, can be challenging. A lawyer experienced in this area can help interpret the terms of the warranty and determine if there is any legal recourse available to address the unresolved issues.
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Mary Martin
Published Legal Expert
Mary Martin has been a legal writer and editor for over 20 years, responsible for ensuring that content is straightforward, correct, and helpful for the consumer. In addition, she worked on writing monthly newsletter columns for media, lawyers, and consumers. Ms. Martin also has experience with internal staff and HR operations. Mary was employed for almost 30 years by the nationwide legal publi...
Published Legal Expert
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about legal topics and insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything legal and insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by experts.