What is a drivetrain warranty?

Key points

• A drivetrain warranty covers the transmission, drive axle and transfer case.
• Drivetrain warranties are less common than powertrain warranties, which include drivetrain coverage.
• A drivetrain breakdown typically costs between $800 and $5,000.

Picture this: You change gears to back out of a parking space and find the car suddenly refuses to go into reverse. Since the car’s gears aren’t cooperating, there’s likely an issue with the transmission.

A drivetrain warranty can cover transmission issues along with drive axle breakdowns, but so can a powertrain warranty. All manufacturers and major warranty companies can cover the powertrain, while only some used car dealers and third-party companies offer drivetrain-only coverage.

Strictly speaking, a drivetrain is a collection of components that transfer energy from the engine to the wheels. It’s made of the drive axles, transmission and transfer case.

Confusingly, drivers and salespeople often refer to the powertrain as the drivetrain. So, if someone is explaining what the Hyundai drivetrain warranty covers, they’re talking about Hyundai’s powertrain warranty. No manufacturer provides just a drivetrain warranty; manufacturers always include the drivetrain and engine within powertrain coverage.

In this article, we’ll cover typical drivetrain breakdown symptoms and how much drivetrain repairs cost. We’ve reviewed the best extended car warranties and we encourage you to compare powertrain warranties, as they include engine coverage.

What’s covered by a drivetrain warranty?

A drivetrain warranty covers mechanical breakdowns to the transmission, drive axle and transfer case (on all-wheel drive vehicles). These systems include many parts, such as the flywheel, clutch, gearbox, propeller shaft and differential. Front- and rear-wheel drive vehicles have one drive axle, while four-wheel drive vehicles have two drive axles with a transfer case that distributes power. Constant velocity (CV) joints manage torque for each powered wheel.

A mechanical breakdown occurs when a component fails prematurely during regular use. Most automotive warranties require a part to have failed in order for coverage to apply. A part that has worn down over time but still functions isn’t considered a breakdown. In other words, the warranty might not cover everything your mechanic recommends you do.

Drivetrain vs. powertrain warranty

The main difference between a drivetrain and a powertrain warranty is the powertrain warranty covers the engine in addition to the transmission and drive axle. In other words, it includes the components that generate the power (engine) and those that transfer the power (drivetrain).

What are some typical symptoms of a drivetrain breakdown?

Drivetrain breakdowns are serious issues that require prompt diagnosis. If you encounter slipping gears or a loss of power, take the car in right away. Here are some symptoms of a failing transmission to watch for:

• Gears slipping: You feel the engine rev while shifting gears
• Abnormal noise: You hear clunking, grinding or other loud mechanical sounds
• Delayed shifting: You feel the car hesitate before shifting gears
• Loss of power: You sense sluggish acceleration or the car even stalls
• Shaking: At high speeds, your car starts to shudder, especially when changing gears

Here are a few signs of a drive axle issue:

• Clicking: If your wheels click while you turn, the CV joint may be failing and allowing metal parts to rub against each other.
• Grease splatter: CV boots enclose the CV joints with grease — if they crack, you may see grease on the wheel or undercarriage.
• Driving vibration: Damaged drive shafts can’t balance the wheels properly, so you’ll feel a regular vibration.

How much do drivetrain breakdowns usually cost?

Drivetrain breakdowns are infrequent, but the cost of repairs can be expensive. Replacing a transmission control module can cost around $800, while replacing the whole transmission can cost over $5,000. Here are a few drivetrain repair cost estimates, according to RepairPal:

Repair	Cost Estimate
Transmission control module replacement	$738–$792
Axle shaft replacement	$858–$949
CV joint replacement	$1,111–$1,159
Transfer case replacement	$2,911–$3,035
Transmission replacement	$5,266–$5,469

Do cars come with drivetrain warranties?

All new vehicle warranties include two main coverage types: bumper-to-bumper coverage and powertrain coverage. Drivetrain components are covered within the powertrain warranty. Manufacturers don’t offer just a drivetrain warranty — the powertrain warranty is the lowest level of coverage.

Manufacturer warranties also include coverage for corrosion, emissions components and accessories, but these don’t have anything to do with the drivetrain.

How long is the drivetrain covered?

Powertrain warranties last between 4 years/50,000 miles and 10 years/100,000 miles. For example, the Mercedes factory warranty includes the drivetrain within its New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 4 years/50,000 miles.

Kia, on the other hand, covers the powertrain for 10 years/100,000 miles. Mitsubishi, Genesis and Hyundai also share this powertrain warranty length for original owners (secondary owners get 5 years/60,000 miles of powertrain coverage.)

Automakers often offer longer warranties for the powertrain than they do for comprehensive coverage because powertrain components usually last longer without breaking down.

Who offers drivetrain warranties?

As mentioned above, no manufacturer offers just a drivetrain warranty that excludes the engine. So who offers it? You might find this warranty type from used car dealerships or some third-party warranty companies.

Unlike extended powertrain or bumper-to-bumper warranties, extended drivetrain warranties don’t have a basis in what manufacturers offer on their vehicles. Used car dealers offer drivetrain warranties just to have another way to upsell customers who might not even know the plan doesn’t cover the engine.

Some third-party companies have similar tactics. However, all third-party providers we recommend, such as Endurance and Carchex, offer powertrain coverage as the most basic vehicle protection option.

Is a drivetrain extended warranty worth it?

If you have a choice between a drivetrain or powertrain extended auto warranty, we recommend going for the powertrain plan. You’ll find peace of mind knowing that your engine is covered for specific breakdowns along with the transmission and drive axle.

Also, look at the warranty plan’s specific requirements. Some used car dealers require you to visit that exact location for repairs, otherwise it isn’t covered. This type of plan is very restrictive and not worth purchasing.

Reputable extended warranty companies work with any licensed repair facility. The best extended warranty companies also include perks such as roadside assistance and rental car coverage with their plans.

What voids a drivetrain warranty?

Having a tampered odometer or a salvage title will void any car warranty, including a drivetrain warranty. A tampered odometer obscures the true vehicle mileage, so it’s impossible to know whether the mileage limit has been reached. If the vehicle was totaled and then salvaged after an accident or environmental event, the warranty company will void coverage, too.

Some things can cause your claim to be denied without voiding the warranty. Say your manufacturer recommends changing the transmission fluid at 60,000 miles but you wait until 100,000. If your transmission develops an issue, the warranty company could deny the repair because you didn’t follow the recommended service. The same is true if your drivetrain is damaged from misuse or aftermarket modifications.

How can regular maintenance help prevent drivetrain breakdowns?

A transmission can easily last 150,000 miles or longer, but not if you don’t take care of it. Regular maintenance makes a huge difference in how long the drivetrain components last. For the drivetrain, this includes regular inspections and some fluid changes. Of course, keep up with oil changes to maintain your engine, too.

Manual and automatic transmissions have different maintenance requirements. Some types of automatic transmissions need new transmission fluid every so often, while others are “filled-for-life” and don’t need a change under optimal conditions. That said, if you do frequent towing or put the car under stress, it’s good to change fluid on those as well.

Drive axles require proper lubrication, so be sure to get yours inspected according to the owner’s manual. As the vehicle ages, you may have to replace leaking seals and gaskets. It’s better to catch a leaking seal before it leads to bigger issues.

What’s next?

If you’re looking to cover your vehicle’s drivetrain, we recommend comparing companies that offer powertrain warranties. You can find plans that cover just the powertrain or plans that add extra systems including air conditioning and electrical.

Compare plans from our top recommendations below.