Written by: Jen Wagner
Last updated: May 17, 2025
A comprehensive factory warranty is a valuable perk when buying a new car. Knowing the policy covers several replacement parts can give you peace of mind about your purchase decision and financial worries. After all, fewer repair bills equal more money in your pocket.
But how can you tell if a service contract is worthwhile? Understanding what the policy includes (or excludes) is an excellent way to help decide if a new vehicle purchase is in your best interests.
If you visit a Hyundai dealership, you will discover that the Hyundai factory warranty is one of the most comprehensive contracts on the market. It covers so much of the vehicle that it is often easier to list the exclusions. But before you sign the paperwork to become a Hyundai owner, ensure you understand the contract so you can financially plan for any issues that might pop up.
About the Hyundai Factory Warranty
Noted as “America’s best warranty,” Hyundai provides near bumper-to-bumper protection for five years or 60,000 miles, whichever comes first. The policy covers almost every car component, with a few exceptions. To start, Hyundai’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty covers the repair or replacement of most vehicle components not listed in the powertrain warranty. (The powertrain warranty covers the engine, transmission, and drivetrain.)
Coverage applies to any component that the factory installed during the vehicle’s manufacturing. One of the only exceptions is that you must have properly maintained any of the Hyundai parts you want the warranty to replace. Stipulations such as this are why it is so important to properly maintain any new car you own to ensure you don’t void the warranty.
What the Hyundai Warranty Doesn’t Cover
As with any bumper-to-bumper warranty, explaining what the Hyundai warranty doesn’t cover is often easier. Why? Knowing what to watch out for lets you plan before scheduling an appointment with your mechanic and receiving an unexpected repair bill. Furthermore, understanding your contract’s limitations and exclusions can help you decide if investing in an additional third-party warranty would be beneficial. So, what does Hyundai’s warranty exclude? Consider the following:
Labor Costs
The Hyundai warranty only covers the cost of the parts or components that wear out or break during the first five years or 60,000 miles of the car’s life. It does not cover the labor costs associated with part replacements. Because of this, you may want to invest in an extended warranty that covers labor in addition to your factory coverage.
Normal Maintenance Services
The factory warranty coverage will also not cover any repairs caused by a lack of essential upkeep. This means you should never skip regular preventative procedures for normal use. Examples of preventative maintenance exclusions are:
- Oil changes
- Tire rotations
- Wheel alignments
- Transmission fluid changes
- Engine tune-ups
If a lack of regular maintenance leads to damage, as noted in the Hyundai owner’s manual, the repair costs will be your responsibility. However, the warranty may cover one or more of the above services if your mechanic performs the repair as part of a covered, warrantable repair.
Auto Accident Repairs
Hyundai’s factory warranty also excludes car accident repairs. Therefore, having high-quality insurance alongside any warranty is highly advisable. Even though you pay a premium, you can rest easy knowing your auto insurance policy covers any breakdown, accident, or unexpected repair.
Cosmetic and Environmental Damage
Hyundai’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty does not protect drivers against damage caused by a natural disaster or environmental conditions. This includes paint scratches, dents, body damage caused by road salt or debris, acid rain, tree sap, hail, and wind. Therefore, if debris like a stone kicks up on the road and chips your car’s paint or glass, you are financially responsible for fixing the damage.
Wear and Tear Items
All vehicles experience normal wear and tear with time and mileage. Because of this, Hyundai does not protect drivers from the regular deterioration or wear of any part, including:
- Spark plugs
- Worn brake pads/linings/discs
- Worn clutch linings
- Filters
- Worn wiper blades
Do Any Systems Have Limited Coverage?
Yes. Although the Hyundai factory warranty covers most of the components on a new car, some systems only come with limited coverage. These systems include:
- Radio – 2015 and before: 3 years/36,000 miles / 2016 and later: 5 years/60,000 miles
- Paint – 3 years/36,000 miles
- Battery – 2015 and before: 3 years/unlimited miles / 2016 and later: 5 years/60,000 miles
- Air Conditioner – 1 year/unlimited
- Regular wear items – brake pads, belts, filters, bulbs, fuses, wiper blades (1 year/12,000 miles, but only when a defect in material or factory workmanship necessitates a replacement.)
What Other Coverage Does Hyundai Offer?
On top of the factory warranty, the manufacturer includes various specific coverage when you purchase a new Hyundai model, like a Santa Fe or Sonata. These extras are considered one of the best vehicle warranties available to a potential new car buyer and include a:
Powertrain Warranty
This warranty covers all powertrain component replacements for up to 10 years or 100,000 miles. This includes the engine, transmission, and transaxle. As long as the manufacturer originally installed the parts, they will be covered.
Anti-Perforation Warranty
If you live in an area where cars experience rust or corrosion, this inclusion can be beneficial. For seven years and unlimited miles, Hyundai covers the car’s original body sheet metal from rust or any holes that occur and could potentially harm the structure of the vehicle’s body.
Still, there are limitations to the Anti-Perforation Warranty. Items not covered include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Exhaust system components
- Corrosion of any part of the vehicle other than body panels
- Corrosion of the exterior surface of the underbody panels, such as the floor pan
- Corrosion due to lack of proper maintenance, misuse, or abuse
- Corrosion other than perforation. (The Paint Coverage Warranty does cover cosmetic and surface corrosion due to material defects or factory workmanship for 3 years or 36,000 miles.)
24-hour Roadside Assistance
For the first five years of owning your new Hyundai, you can access 24-hour roadside assistance. Services include protection against dead batteries, flat tires, and empty gas tanks.
Before an emergency, ensure you have the Hyundai roadside assistance phone number accessible: 1-800-243-7766. Consider storing it as a contact in your phone and glove compartment. Additional information to keep handy includes the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which you can find on the driver’s side dashboard, and the car’s mileage.
Additional information to keep handy includes the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which you can find on the driver’s side dashboard, and the car’s mileage.
California Emission Warranty
If you live in California, you will want your new Hyundai to have working emissions equipment. Hyundai offers coverage for all its California-compliant emissions equipment for up to seven years or 70,000 miles.
Federal Emission Warranty
Hyundai also guarantees all the equipment that keeps its vehicles compliant with federal emissions standards. For eight years or 80,000 miles, you can be sure your new Hyundai will be up to code with all EPA-regulated emissions programs.
Battery Warranty
All hybrid models receive Hyundai’s Lifetime Hybrid Battery Warranty, which covers the battery as long as the original owner keeps the vehicle.
Protect Your Hyundai for Years With an Extended Warranty
While your Hyundai vehicle’s factory warranty is impressive, it will eventually run out. When this happens, you can protect your car even longer with an extended warranty.
If you would like the ultimate vehicle protection, you can even cover your Hyundai while it’s still under the factory warranty to get coverage on things like labor costs. Knowing that you and your new car are protected helps build confidence and stability while on the road.
Check out our extended warranty reviews for help finding the most valuable protection plan for your needs and budget. You can also visit the FAQ section for answers to some of your biggest auto protection questions.
