LAST UPDATED: August 3, 2019
Looking at Volkswagen’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty
Volkswagen’s factory warranty may entice consumers soured by the automaker’s emissions scandal
Your Guide
The Drive and its partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links. Read more.
PUBLISHED ON August 3, 2019
All Volkswagens come with a standard factory warranty that covers mechanical defects that may come up within a specific period after you purchase a new vehicle. The German automaker has a fairly long warranty compared to its competitors, and it features a lot of inclusions and benefits.
The robust New Vehicle Limited Warranty, also referred to by the company as “The People First Warranty”, is sure to placate consumers about potential repair costs, particularly after the automaker's diesel emissions scandal. If you are thinking about purchasing a new VW, such as an Atlas, Tiguan, or Touareg, check out some of the important details in its warranty coverage.
Volkswagen Warranty At-A-Glance
Pros
- It’s fully transferable, which can lift resale values
- The warranty is much longer than the industry standard of three years or 36,000 miles
- There are several extra perks outside of its basic warranty, including trip reimbursement
Cons
- The warranty for the VW e-Golf is much smaller in scope
- The roadside assistance service period is rather short
Save $350 on an Endurance warranty plan with coupon code: DRIVE350
Going with a factory extended warranty is a good option for basic protection, but you can get more and save more with Endurance, ranked the top extended warranty provider by Consumer Advocates, Consumer Affairs, and Retirement Living.
Save $350 with coupon code: DRIVE350
CarShield — USA’s #1 Auto Protection Provider
CarShield pays claims directly to a US or Canadian ASE-Certified® repair facility of your choice. Our contracts have low or no deductibles to prevent stress to your wallet at a critical time. Never worry about being stranded somewhere after a breakdown. All of our vehicle repair contracts include towing services to transport you and your vehicle to a safe repair facility.
Nationwide coverage for cars new and old
CARCHEX has something for everyone. Have an old car? No problem. Live in California? Not an issue. CARCHEX 's plethora of warranty plans includes options for cars up to twenty years old with up to 250,000 miles, regardless of any existing or expired warranties. Click below or call 1-877-207-3304 for a free quote.
Warranty In-Depth
VW's New Limited Vehicle Warranty covers any repair to correct a defect in the manufacturer's material or workmanship. Its bumper-to-bumper warranty includes powertrain coverage. It is better than the industry standard in its coverage period but similar in its inclusion lists.
Bumper-to-Bumper Coverage
The factory warranty protects a new VW for up to six years or 72,000 miles and covers nearly everything from the body to the electrical systems.
Some items in its warranty are covered for a shorter length of time. For example, it covers the following for three years or 36,000 miles: OEM batteries, halogen and xenon bulbs, and paint. The automaker covers the following for one year or 12,000 miles: brake pads and shoes, bulbs that aren't halogen or xenon, and mechanical adjustments (i.e. headlight adjustments).
The Volkswagen warranty does not cover wheel alignment, tire balance, and the repair or replacement of tires unless it's to correct a defect in the manufacturer's material or workmanship.
Similar to other factory limited warranties, VW’s limited warranty covers construction and design defects but not problems related to general wear and tear accidents, and modifications, which limits the coverage common in many extended and third-party warranty options.
Powertrain Coverage
The six-year or 72,000-mile powertrain warranty is standard in its offerings and covers most of the vehicle's engine and transmission parts. Specifically, it covers the engine, transmission and transaxle, transfer case and vehicle drive system (front or all-wheel-drive), and internally lubricated parts. The warranty is transferable.
Additional Coverage
If you run out of gas, get a flat tire, get locked out of your vehicle, or your battery dies, Volkswagen Roadside Assistance will take care of you. The automaker will also tow your car to an authorized Volkswagen dealer or Certified Collision Repair Facility. Roadside Assistance is free for the first three years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first
If you purchase a Certified Pre-Owned vehicle, you get an extra two years of free roadside assistance when the original coverage expires or starting at the date of the Certified Pre-Owned vehicle purchase, whichever is greater.
VW also offers Trip Interruption Reimbursement. If your VW is disabled due to a mechanical condition over 100 miles from your residence address and it's covered under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty or Certified Pre-Owned Warranty, you may receive reimbursement for lodging up to $100 per day, meals up to $100 per day, and alternate transportation up to $100 per day.
The Corrosion/Rust-Through Warranty lasts for seven years or 100,000 miles to protect against defects that may cause rust perforation (rust-through) of the vehicle body. It does have some warranty exclusions, including issues such as cosmetic or surface corrosion due to stone chips or scratches in the paint.
VW also has an adjustment period that lasts for one year or 12,000 miles.
New vehicles from California are covered by a California Emissions Standard Warranty to comply with the state’s anti-smog standards. For vehicles sold or registered in Kansas, safety belts and related components are covered against defects for 10 years from the vehicle's original in-service date, regardless of mileage.
Feeling overwhelmed?
You aren't alone. Warranties have many benefits that aren't always clear. If you're new to the industry, check out our Factory Warranty Guide that helps explain some key fundamentals.
What We Like
VW’s warranty offers significantly more than many other automakers’ bumper-to-bumper coverage, which is typically three years or 36,000 miles.
Volkswagen's limited warranty is quite comprehensive. Even though new vehicles don't typically have major problems during the first few years, the warranty provides some security in case defects do become apparent.
In addition, the warranty is fully transferable, making it very attractive to potential buyers if you want to resell your VW not long after acquiring it. Also, the automaker's roadside assistance is a bonus, allowing you to travel with a peace of mind with the knowledge that help is around the corner if you need a jumpstart or towing assistance.
What We Don’t Like
The e-Golf is the only model from Volkswagen with a much shorter, three-year, 36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty (it also has a five-year, 60,000-mile powertrain warranty.)
Volkswagen has many limitations in its warranty just like the majority of other automakers’ factory warranties. While it’s inclusive when it comes to parts coverage, the situations in which it covers those parts is limited. For example, the list of exclusions includes:
- Modifications
- Occasional maintenance costs
- Collisions, vandalism, or fire
- General wear and tear
- Aesthetic or design elements
- Environmental damage (i.e., floodwater)
- Glass breakage
As for its Limited Warranty Against Corrosion Perforation, VW does not cover surface corrosion without perforation, perforation due to accident, environmental damage, or corrosion perforation due to failure to rustproof when collision damage is repaired.

Volkswagen launched its new warranty program after the emissions scandal
Common Repair Costs
Some of the most common issues and repair costs with Volkswagen vehicles:
- VW Beetle: Window regulator replacement for power window failure ($1,114-$1,147)
- VW Beetle: Headlight bulb replacement ($72-$94)
- VW Eos: Fuel pump replacement ($781-$980)
- VW CC: Cabin air filter replacement ($65-$99)
- VW Passat: ABS control module replacement ($1204-$1308)
- VW Jetta: Ignition coil, spark plug or wire replacement ($149-$252)
FAQs
Q. Do warranty repairs need to be completed at the dealership where the vehicle was purchased?
A: No. Limited warranty repairs can be performed at any Volkswagen dealership. However, they cannot be done at an independent dealer.
Q. If I put an aftermarket part on my VW, will that impact the warranty?
A: Volkswagen will not cover aftermarket parts and does not claim responsibility for them if they break or cause damage to your vehicle.
Q: I bought a certified pre-owned vehicle. Is the CPO warranty transferable?
A: Yes. If it's a private sale, you need to submit a letter with your name, address, and phone number as well as the name of the previous owner and vehicle VIN number to Volkswagen of America, Inc. Send the letter (Attn: WorldAuto Certified Pre-Owned Warranty Department) to 3800 Hamlin Road, Auburn Hills, MI 48326.
Q: Is the factory warranty automatically transferred to a new owner?
A: Yes, the limited warranty is automatically transferred for free. To make sure your information is on file, call VW at 1-800-822-8987.
Q: Can I extend my VW warranty?
A: The automaker does offer extended warranties, which are called Vehicle Service Protection Plans. For up to 10 years or 150,000 miles, these plans cover mechanical repairs, including parts and labor.
Is Volkswagen’s Warranty Worth It?
The Volkswagen factory warranty is a very good offering from the automaker for any new vehicle. The coverage period for its bumper-to-bumper warranty alone is much longer than the industry standard.
The coverage is more than enough to take care of a new vehicle through the most common period for factory defects.
If you are considering a new Volkswagen, the included factory warranty should protect you if you encounter some problems with your new car within a few years or several thousand miles of use.
More Information
Here are a few more resources you can use:
- Volkswagen phone number: 1-800-822-8987
- VW Website
- VW Recalls
Save $350 on an Endurance warranty plan with coupon code: DRIVE350
Going with a factory extended warranty is a good option for basic protection, but you can get more and save more with Endurance, ranked the top extended warranty provider by Consumer Advocates, Consumer Affairs, and Retirement Living.
Save $350 with coupon code: DRIVE350
CarShield — USA’s #1 Auto Protection Provider
CarShield pays claims directly to a US or Canadian ASE-Certified® repair facility of your choice. Our contracts have low or no deductibles to prevent stress to your wallet at a critical time. Never worry about being stranded somewhere after a breakdown. All of our vehicle repair contracts include towing services to transport you and your vehicle to a safe repair facility.
Nationwide coverage for cars new and old
CARCHEX has something for everyone. Have an old car? No problem. Live in California? Not an issue. CARCHEX 's plethora of warranty plans includes options for cars up to twenty years old with up to 250,000 miles, regardless of any existing or expired warranties. Click below or call 1-877-207-3304 for a free quote.