Key Takeaways:
Compared to other automakers’ coverage, the length of the Toyota factory warranty is pretty short. Some drivers opt for additional coverage when their manufacturer’s warranty expires by purchasing a Toyota extended warranty.
In this article, we at the MarketWatch Guides team will explain what’s covered by the Toyota extended warranty and how much coverage costs. We’ll also look at some of the best extended car warranties from third-party providers and compare their plans to those from Toyota.
Toyota Owners Top Pick
Toyota Owners Top Pick
Best Comprehensive Coverage
4.6/5
Purchased by 68% of Toyota owners shopping for warranty*Plans accepted at repair shops nationwideDirect provider
844-830-9923
Explore Plans On Endurance’s Website
866-604-0211
Explore Plans On Carshield’s Website
855-518-8720
Explore Plans On Carchex’s Website
On July 31, 2024, the Federal Trade Commission announced that CarShield must pay $10 million to settle charges that its advertisements and telemarketing for vehicle service contracts are deceptive and misleading, and that many consumers found that repairs were not covered. The company said in a statement that its marketing now offers consumers more details about the car repairs typically covered and notes that customers can visit its website, where they can look at full plans before buying. The MarketWatch Guides team is reviewing this information and will reevaluate all CarShield rankings.
Learn more about our methodology and editorial guidelines.
Toyota Vehicle Service Agreement: Overview
Toyota provides extended vehicle protection through its three Toyota vehicle service agreement (VSA) plans. These warranties prolong coverage past your new vehicle limited warranty when it expires. All Toyota VSA plans must be bought during the time of your manufacturer’s warranty.
Toyota Extended Warranty Coverage
A Toyota extended warranty provides coverage for your vehicle in the event of a mechanical breakdown. While the Toyota factory warranty lasts up to three years or 36,000 miles, extended coverage can greatly prolong your car’s protection.
Toyota Extended Warranty Plans
Owners of new cars can pick from one of three Toyota extended warranty options. New Toyota vehicles are eligible for automaker extended warranties if they’re within the 3-year/36,000-mile term of basic coverage.
Toyota has three extended warranty plans: Platinum Protection, Gold Protection and Powertrain Protection. All three coverage levels are available for new and used vehicles, though the coverage terms vary for both.
ToyotaExtended Warranty | Vehicle Coverage Terms | Coverage Details |
Platinum Protection | 3 years/50,000 miles to10 years/125,000 miles | Extensive bumper-to-bumper protection that offers coverage for most part breakdowns |
Gold Protection | 3 years/50,000 miles to8 years/125,000 miles | Powertrain protection and coverage for other systems including electrical, climate and suspension |
Powertrain Protection | 6 years/100,000 miles | Basic protection for the most important powertrain parts that make your car move |
What Does a Toyota Extended Warranty Cover?
Compare what each of the three Toyota extended warranties covers below:
Platinum Plan | Gold Plan | Powertrain Plan | |
Engine | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Manual transmission | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Automatic transmission | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Axle assembly | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Hybrid and alternative fuel | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Suspension | ✓ | ✓ | |
Steering | ✓ | ✓ | |
Fuel system | ✓ | ✓ | |
Cooling system | ✓ | ✓ | |
Air conditioning and heating | ✓ | ✓ | |
Brakes | ✓ | ✓ | |
Electrical | ✓ | ✓ | |
Computer and electronics | ✓ | ||
Additional components | ✓ | ||
Exclusionary coverage | ✓ |
Read more: What Does a Vehicle Warranty Cover?
Toyota Roadside Assistance and Other Benefits
All Toyota extended warranties come with the following features:
- Travel protection that reimburses up to $100 per day ($50 for Gold and Powertrain) for lodging and meals if your car breaks down over 150 miles from home
- Reimbursement of up to $50 a day ($35 for Gold and Powertrain) for alternative transportation for five days if your car breaks down
- Transferable coverage from the original owner to a private party once at no cost
- Disappearing deductible of $0 or $100 if covered repairs are made at the dealership where the Toyota extended warranty was purchased
- Ability to cancel the plan within 30 days for a full refund, minus a $50 processing fee
Read more: What Is Roadside Assistance?
What Does the Toyota Extended Warranty Not Cover?
Toyota extended warranty plans will repair or replace certain defective parts, but not everything is covered. Here are a few exclusions to Toyota’s extended coverage as listed on its website:
- Paint
- Accessory drive belts
- Batteries
- Spark plugs
- Body panels
- Glass, including windshields
- Carpet
- Brake pads and shoes, rotors, drums and linings
- Routine maintenance like oil changes
- Exterior damages
- Seats
- Batteries
It’s also important to note that extended warranties only cover parts that fail due to mechanical breakdowns. Warranty coverage won’t repair issues caused by car accidents, environmental damage or wear and tear.
Read more: Car Warranty vs. Car Insurance
Toyota Extra Care: Terms and Conditions
Below are the terms and conditions for every vehicle service contract from Toyota:
- Availability: Purchases of the Toyota extended warranty must be made at certified dealerships before your factory warranty expires. If you’re buying a certified pre-owned vehicle, you must decide whether to buy at the point of sale.
- Eligibility: Toyota vehicles are eligible for factory extended service plans before their 3-year/36,000-mile new car warranty expires.
- Vehicle financing: Toyota vehicle service contract costs can be included in your car loan.
- Repairs and maintenance: All covered repairs and maintenance must be performed at Toyota dealerships. Coverage includes the cost of replacement parts and labor for all covered items.
- Benefits: Toyota roadside assistance is available for covered breakdowns along with fuel delivery services, vehicle lockouts and battery jump-starts. Rental car reimbursement will also be covered up to $35 or $50 per day and travel-related expenses caused by mechanical breakdowns will receive up to $50 or $100 each day if you’re more than 150 miles from home.
- Deductible options: You can choose a disappearing deductible anywhere from $0 to $100 for eligible repair visits. A disappearing deductible means that your out-of-pocket costs will be waived if car repairs are performed by the dealership where you bought your Toyota. Only the selling dealer has the ability to waive your deductible.
- Transfers: No-cost warranty transfers can be made one time only excluding dealerships.
- Cancellations and refunds: If you cancel your VSA within 30 days of purchase you’ll receive a full refund minus a $50 processing fee. After this point, you will get a prorated refund which will be the value of the unused portion of your policy.
Additional Toyota Extended Protection Plan Options
Other than Toyota’s extended warranty offerings there are many other plans available for you to choose from. We’ll outline other available options along with coverage details and any benefits that come with them.
Read more: Extended Vehicle Service Plans Guide
Toyota Used Car Extended Warranty
Toyota offers the same three extended warranty options for used vehicles as for new cars. However, the coverage terms of the used car warranties are significantly shorter.
Toyota certified used vehicles are eligible for the company’s extended warranty if they’re within the last 6 model years and have less than 85,000 miles on them. Standard used Toyotas are eligible if they are within the current model year plus 9 prior years and have fewer than 150,000 miles. A used or certified pre-owned Toyota extended warranty can only be purchased at the time of the vehicle sale.
Toyota Extended Warranty | Used Vehicle Coverage Terms |
---|---|
Platinum Protection | Up to 5 years/60,000 miles |
Gold Protection | Up to 5 years/60,000 miles |
Powertrain Protection | Up to 2 years/24,000 miles |
Toyota Extended Maintenance Plan
Toyota has three choices for prepaid maintenance plans: ToyotaCare Plus, ToyotaCare Plus Service Drive and Toyota Service Care. Below, you can compare all three offerings:
ToyotaMaintenance Plan | Term Lengths Available | Coverage | Eligibility Details |
ToyotaCare Plus | Up to 5 years/75,000 miles from in-service date | Routine maintenance like oil changes and tire rotations | Within 37 months/31,000 miles |
ToyotaCare Plus Service Drive | Up to 4 years/45,000 miles from in-service date | Routine maintenance plus factory services at major milestones | Within 37 months/31,000 miles |
Toyota Service Care | 2 years/unlimited miles with renewal option | Routine maintenance like oil changes and tire rotations | Most Toyotas are eligible regardless of mileage |
All plans can be transferred to new owners for a $50 fee, and cancellations can be done within 30 days of purchase for a full refund. If you cancel past 30 days or have made a claim before the first month is up, the refund will be prorated or for the unused part of the plan.
Toyota Gap Insurance
Guaranteed asset protection from Toyota will essentially pay a portion of your lease or financing contract after a total loss claim. Gap insurance can also cover up to $1,000 of your insurance deductible if you end up making a claim.
Read more: What Is Gap Insurance for Cars?
Tire and Wheel Protection
Toyota’s tire and wheel protection plans cover damages and replacements to those specific parts. Coverage applies for defective parts, eligible labor costs and road hazards such as nails and glass. Plans include the Platinum and Gold coverage options:
- Platinum plan: This highest-level protection plan offers the same coverage as the Gold plan but also comes with dent fixes and windshield repairs.
- Gold plan: This provides coverage for all tire and wheel damages including cosmetics for up to six years. You can make unlimited claims if you’re within the plan’s term length.
You can also purchase key replacement protection, which will replace lost car keys and provide lockout assistance. All tire and wheel protection plans are only available during the new vehicle purchase process or when you sign a Toyota lease.
Excess Wear and Use Protection
This coverage applies to leased vehicles and takes care of wear and tear damages such as torn seats, dents and exterior scratches. Single events are covered up to $1,000, each missing part has up to $200 of coverage and the total claim limit is $5,000. Toyota’s wear and use protection plan must be purchased at the dealership when a lease deal is going through.
Toyota Extended Warranty Cost
Toyota extended warranties typically cost an average of about $1,800 based on direct quotes we got from Toyota dealers. Owners can expect to find affordable prices for Toyota models because of the brand’s reputation for reliability.
Most car manufacturers don’t list prices for vehicle service contracts on their websites, and this includes Toyota. However, the following factors are considered by dealers when pricing VSAs:
- Vehicle age
- Car model
- Mileage
- State regulations
- Level of coverage
- Chosen deductible
- Repair part accessibility
To get an accurate idea of how much a Toyota extended warranty could cost you, it’s best to check with your local Toyota dealership.
Toyota Extended Warranty Price List
Below is a list of sample quotes for four Toyota vehicles under various plan types:
Vehicle | Mileage | Plan | Term Length | Total Cost |
---|---|---|---|---|
2021 Toyota Tacoma | 26,000 | Platinum | 5 years/75,000 miles | $1,936 |
2021 Toyota RAV4 | 25,000 | Platinum | 9 years/100,000 miles | $2,287 |
2023 Toyota RAV4 | 20,000 | Platinum | 7 years/125,000 miles | $1,140 |
2021 Toyota Camry | 30,000 | Gold | 5 years/60,000 miles | $2,714 |
2021 Toyota Camry | 30,000 | Platinum | 6 years/60,000 miles | $3,222 |
2022 Toyota Corolla | 20,000 | Platinum | 10 years/100,000 miles | $1,130 |
*Prices for plans were gathered in September 2023 from Toyota dealers in the southeast U.S. Prices may vary depending on your chosen vehicle and car dealer.
Toyota Owners Top Pick
Toyota Owners Top Pick
Best Comprehensive Coverage
4.6/5
Purchased by 68% of Toyota owners shopping for warranty*Plans accepted at repair shops nationwideDirect provider
844-830-9923
Explore Plans On Endurance’s Website
866-604-0211
Explore Plans On Carshield’s Website
855-518-8720
Explore Plans On Carchex’s Website
Is the Toyota Extended Warranty Worth It?
Toyota extended warranties are worth buying if your car is unreliable and lacks warranty protection. However, most Toyota models are extremely reliable and may not actually need extended coverage. Even so, a vehicle service contract could give you peace of mind if you wouldn’t be able to afford unexpected repair costs.
Before choosing to purchase a Toyota extended warranty, it’s helpful to research the overall reliability of your vehicle. You should also factor in what coverage you already have, your financial situation and what would make you feel safe on the road.
Read more: Is an Extended Car Warranty Worth It?
Toyota Reliability
Toyota is known for building very reliable vehicles. Vehicle repair cost estimation site RepairPal gives Toyota 4 out of 5 stars for reliability, ranking the automaker eighth of 32 car brands.
Toyota performed even better in the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study℠, ranking second out of 30 brands overall. J.D. Power’s study ranks manufacturers based on how many mechanical issues owners report during the first three years of ownership, finding the industry average to be 190 issues per 100 vehicles. Toyota owners report 147 issues, performing better than the industry average.
Toyota Repair Costs
According to RepairPal, the average annual maintenance and repair cost for Toyota vehicles is $441 per year, which is well below the industry average of $652. Here are a few common Toyota repairs and their average costs according to the RepairPal website:
Common Toyota Repair | Average Repair Cost |
Radiator fan clutch replacement | $269 to $314 |
Rack and pinion replacement | $771 to $1,226 |
Brake proportioning valve replacement | $514 to $539 |
If your car is no longer under warranty, you’ll have to pay out of pocket for repairs that your Toyota may need. Consider your financial outlook to determine whether a Toyota extended warranty is the right choice for you.
Is My Toyota Still Under Warranty?
It’s possible that your Toyota is still under warranty, especially if you recently purchased a new or certified pre-owned car. If the car is currently under warranty, you already have comprehensive protection and don’t need extended coverage.
Toyota New Car Warranty
Since your car must be under factory coverage to be eligible for a Toyota extended warranty, look at the terms of your current plan to see if it’s covered. All Toyota factory warranties include three years or 36,000 miles of bumper-to-bumper coverage and five years or 60,000 miles of powertrain protection.
Here’s a breakdown of what the Toyota factory warranty includes:
Toyota Factory Warranty | Warranty Length |
Basic coverage | 3 years/36,000 miles |
Powertrain warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles |
Corrosion perforation warranty | 5 years/unlimited miles |
Emissions coverage | Varies based on federal and California regulations |
Accessories warranty | 3 years/36,000 miles |
Hybrid battery warranty | 10 years/150,000 miles |
Hybrid-related component coverage | 8 years/100,000 miles |
Toyota Warranty Check
Toyota factory and CPO warranty lengths can be checked at the dealership you bought or leased your car from. While the company doesn’t offer an online warranty check service, other websites exist to help you check your coverage. Give a call to the dealership, though, if you want specific information about your Toyota’s warranty plan.
Toyota Extended Warranty Reviews
The Toyota extended warranty tends to be a middle-of-the-road choice in terms of overall value. While coverage is similar to that of competitors and benefits tend to be strong, the average cost of Toyota’s plan is higher than average.
Toyota Extended Warranty Complaints
Typically, complaints about Toyota extended warranties revolve around the buying experience at dealerships. Many people report being pressured into purchasing plans and receiving promises of coverage types that weren’t actually included. However, your experience will likely vary based on your local car dealer.
Before going into a dealership to make a purchase, make sure that you understand all of the warranty plans available to you, including third-party options. Once armed with this information, you can be confident that you’re making the right investment decision when buying or leasing a Toyota.
Should I Buy a Toyota Extended Warranty?
With strong reliability and below-average repair costs, it’s not always the right choice to buy a Toyota extended warranty. While the automaker’s factory coverage doesn’t last long, you’ll most likely be better off taking good care of your Toyota without a vehicle service contract.
Best Extended Car Warranty for Toyota
Our research team found that the best extended auto warranties for Toyota vehicles are from CarShield, Olive® and Endurance. Each of these companies offers plenty of coverage options and provides exceptional affordability, benefits and customer service.
Below, you can learn more about each extended warranty provider in our full reviews:
- Endurance Warranty Review
- CarShield Review
- Olive Review
Toyota Third-Party Extended Warranty Benefits
If you’re not totally sold on a Toyota VSA after reviewing all coverage options, consider buying an independent extended car warranty. The best car warranty companies provide vehicle owners with a wide variety of coverage options along with the following benefits:
- Third-party warranty companies offer more chances to buy coverage for a vehicle that’s up to 20 years old for up to 300,000 miles.
- You don’t have to purchase a plan before your factory warranty expires.
- Companies like Carchex help you to avoid the high markups that local dealerships often impose on warranty plans.
- Independent warranty coverage isn’t subject to interest.
Another selling point for independent warranty companies is that they provide far more choices when it comes to repair facilities. Manufacturer warranties typically require that vehicles be repaired at a dealership, while independent companies let you take the car almost anywhere. However, be advised that you won’t get original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts or manufacturer-certified mechanics with independent coverage.
Finding the best price for a Toyota extended warranty means taking the time to compare providers. To get a free quote for Toyota extended coverage, contact your local dealership. Compare third-party warranty providers if you want to find more flexible coverage options.
Below are some of our other provider reviews to help you compare similar options:
- Carchex Review
- Autopom! Review
- Omega Auto Care Review
- Ox Car Care Warranty Review
- Toco Warranty Review
- EasyCare Warranty Review
- Everything Breaks Review
- Select Auto Protect Review
Toyota Extended Warranty Review: The Bottom Line
Toyota extended warranties are decent options when it comes to vehicle coverage, but they’re rarely worth the cost. Since third-party options may suit your budget better, it’s best to compare car warranty quotes and plans to find the best deal.
Toyota Owners Top Pick
Toyota Owners Top Pick
Best Comprehensive Coverage
4.6/5
Purchased by 68% of Toyota owners shopping for warranty*Plans accepted at repair shops nationwideDirect provider
844-830-9923
Explore Plans On Endurance’s Website
866-604-0211
Explore Plans On Carshield’s Website
855-518-8720
Explore Plans On Carchex’s Website
Toyota Extended Warranty: FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about the Toyota extended warranty:
Like most car manufacturers, Toyota doesn’t list the cost of extended warranties on its website. However, our research shows that Toyota extended warranties usually cost somewhere between $1,000 and $3,300 in total.
We found that the Toyota Platinum extended warranty costs around $1,600 based on quotes for four separate Toyota vehicles. However, the price you receive for a dealer warranty will vary depending on vehicle age, model and mileage.
You can buy a Toyota extended warranty at any point before the factory warranty expires at three years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first. You can also purchase a third-party warranty plan after your Toyota factory warranty expires.
Toyota extended warranties can only be purchased from certified dealerships. Since there’s no online purchase option, you’ll need to either call the dealership to set up an appointment or travel to the dealership to speak with a sales representative.
Toyota’s extended warranty is called a vehicle service agreement. Toyota offers three VSAs for new and used vehicles: Platinum Protection, Gold Protection and Powertrain Protection.
The Toyota extended warranty covers your vehicle in the case of mechanical breakdowns or parts failures. The parts covered vary based on which plan level you choose. A Toyota extended warranty offers coverage for up to 10 years or 125,000 miles, though it can be shorter if desired.
Yes, you can transfer the Toyota extended warranty if your vehicle gets purchased by a third party. To get the transfer authorized, head to whichever dealership sold you the warranty and pay a $50 transfer fee if necessary.
To cancel a Toyota extended warranty, head to the dealership that sold it to you or send a letter in writing indicating that you wish to terminate it. Ask for an extended warranty cancellation form, fill out the necessary paperwork and hand it to a sales representative.
You can contact a Toyota extended warranty representative at 1-800-228-8559 to either file a claim or purchase a plan.
Our Methodology
Because consumers rely on us to provide objective and accurate information, we created a comprehensive rating system to formulate our rankings of the best extended car warranty companies. We collected data on dozens of auto warranty providers to grade the companies on a wide range of ranking factors. The end result was an overall rating for each provider, with the companies that scored the most points topping the list.
Here are the factors our ratings take into account:
- Coverage (30% of total score): Companies that offer a variety of choices for warranty coverage, long contract terms and added benefits are more likely to meet consumer needs.
- Cost (30% of total score): Auto warranty companies with affordable rates and multiple deductibles score highest in this category.
- Transparency (20% of total score): This score is based on contract transparency and the availability of a money-back guarantee.
- Reputation (10% of total score): Our research team considers availability, ratings from industry experts and years in business when conferring this score.
- Customer Experience (10% of total score): Based on customer satisfaction ratings and our extensive shopper analysis, we consider the responsiveness, friendliness and helpfulness of each warranty company’s customer service team.
Our credentials:
- 500+ hours researched
- 40+ companies reviewed
- 2,000+ consumers surveyed
*Data accurate at time of publication.
If you have questions about this page, please reach out to our editors at editors@marketwatchguides.com.
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