Buick’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty Provides Decent Protection

But before you invest your hard-earned money on a brand-new car, you may want to take a look at the factory warranty (because some are better than others). See how Buick's warranty stacks up to the competition in our review below.

Uproar.car will cover your car for less, protecting you against expensive repairs from bumper to bumper. With a focus on customer care and no middleman to complicate repairs and claims, you’ll get easy coverage you can actually use. The plan even pays for itself — Uproar.car’s warranty coverage gives you exclusive access to discounts, auto concierge service, and a 100 percent online claims process. And with clear, upfront price quotes, you’ll know exactly what to expect when it comes to the cost. It should also be noted, however, that this coverage does not extend to some luxury vehicles, cars over 120,000 miles, and cars more than 10 years old.

Buick dubs its warranty coverage the "Experience Buick Protection Program." If you purchase a 2020 vehicle, you will receive a new vehicle limited warranty that has no deductible. The bumper-to-bumper portion of the warranty has coverage of three years/36,000 miles, whichever comes first. The powertrain limited warranty is five years/60,000 miles, whichever comes first.

Buick's bumper-to-bumper warranty covers everything inside and outside the vehicle that's not related to the powertrain. This can include problems with the entertainment system to issues with the upholstery or the headlights. The warranty covers defects in materials or workmanship, and the owner is not billed for either parts or labor.

You get one complimentary maintenance visit under the warranty. Subsequent services, such as oil changes and new windshield wipers, are not included in the bumper-to-bumper warranty.  Also, if you need to replace your tires, you're responsible for the cost.

All repairs are made by certified technicians who use genuine GM parts. Buick recommends warranty repairs be carried out at an authorized Buick dealership; however, if you are "significantly inconvenienced" or a covered part is not reasonably available, Buick allows consumers to get the repairs at other types of facilities.

Also, should you decide to sell your Buick before the warranty expires, it is transferable to another owner.

The powertrain portion of the warranty covers defects related to the engine, transmission, and transaxle. It does not cover vibrations, slight noise, or "other normal characteristics" made by the vehicle.

When it comes to the engine, the warranty covers lubricated parts, hoses, lines, actuators, electrical components, cylinder head, block, timing gears, timing chain, timing cover, and the oil pump/oil pump housing. It also covers items such as the valve covers, oil pan, seals, gaskets, manifolds, flywheel, and water pump, as well as the turbocharger or supercharger.

As for the transmission/transaxle, the warranty covers lubricated parts, the case, torque converter, mounts, seals, gaskets, actuators, and internal electrical components. 

The warranty does not cover transmission cooling lines, hoses, radiator, sensors, wiring and electrical connectors, the engine radiator, the heater core, the starter motor, the pressurized fuel system, the clutch and pressure plate, or the transmission/engine/powertrain control module and/or module programming.

The timing belt is only covered until the first scheduled maintenance. 

When it comes to corrosion, Buick provides three-years/36,000 miles of protection on all body and sheet metal components. If you notice that a hole has rusted through the sheet metal, the warranty provides coverage for up to six years/100,000 miles.

Buick also provides 24-hour roadside assistance under its limited warranty. Certified technicians will assist by towing your vehicle to the nearest GM dealer for service. The roadside crew is also available to provide a flat tire change, a jump start, and fuel delivery. If you have an OnStar subscription, an advisor can even remotely unlock your doors.

In addition, Buick provides a Courtesy Transportation program that is very helpful if your vehicle is in the shop for a few days. The program provides alternate transportation and/or reimburses owners for certain transportation-related expenses. For more information, check with the dealer or consult the owner's manual.

One of the best things about the Buick limited warranty is the type of coverage it provides. You get both bumper-to-bumper and powertrain protection on nearly all parts of the vehicle. Whether you have engine problems, suspension issues, or electrical trouble, it's all covered as long as your vehicle is within the warranty period.

Also, the warranty is transferable to another owner. This can increase your vehicle's resale value. Potential buyers find vehicles with warranty coverage more appealing compared to those that don't have the protection.

Warranty repairs are also made using genuine GM parts, so you know that your vehicle is being cared for properly. In addition, there's no deductible for repairs. Some automakers charge $50 or more for service visits, even if the repair is warranty related.

Finally, the warranty includes roadside service. Whether you break down on your way to work or on a road trip, you have peace of mind knowing that help is available 24 hours a day.

The biggest complaint we have about Buick's warranty is the duration of its bumper-to-bumper and powertrain warranties. At three years/36,000 miles and five years/60,000 miles, respectively, these are on the low end when compared to some other automakers. Hyundai, for example, provides a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. However, Buick's warranty length is comparable to many others in the industry.

Also, while Buick's warranty is fairly comprehensive, it does have some limitations. Parts such as sensors, wiring, electrical connectors, etc. are excluded. So if items like this fail within the scope of the warranty, you are obligated to pay for parts and labor.

Finally, only the first maintenance service is covered. After that, you must pay for every oil/filter change and items such as new tires. While some automakers provide additional maintenance coverage, many do not, so Buick does not stand out in this regard.

Some of the most common issues and repair costs with Buick vehicles:

There are certain benefits to buying a new vehicle as opposed to a used one. The biggest is the warranty. It provides protection that you often can't get from a third-party seller. We answer some commonly asked questions about the Buick factory warranty and related expenses in our FAQs below.

A. If you buy a 2020 Buick, you receive bumper-to-bumper coverage of three years/36,000 miles, whichever comes first. The powertrain warranty is five years/60,000 miles, whichever comes first.

A. Yes. If you sell your Buick to a new owner, the warranty stays with the vehicle until it expires. 

A. Buicks can cost several hundred dollars per year to maintain. However, the exact cost you will pay varies based on the vehicle's age and mileage, as well as where you live and the type of repair shop you use.

Brand-new vehicles come with factory warranties to protect the owner from unexpected repair bills. Usually, factory defects surface within the first couple of years of a vehicle's service life. As a result, even shorter-length warranties, such as the one provided by Buick, do an adequate job of saving car owners money.

While it's not the best on the market, Buick's new vehicle limited warranty will safeguard your vehicle in the event that a component fails prematurely.

Here are a few more resources you can use:

Uproar.car will cover your car for less, protecting you against expensive repairs from bumper to bumper. With a focus on customer care and no middleman to complicate repairs and claims, you’ll get easy coverage you can actually use. The plan even pays for itself — Uproar.car’s warranty coverage gives you exclusive access to discounts, auto concierge service, and a 100 percent online claims process. And with clear, upfront price quotes, you’ll know exactly what to expect when it comes to the cost. It should also be noted, however, that this coverage does not extend to some luxury vehicles, cars over 120,000 miles, and cars more than 10 years old.