Acura Warranty Overview
Acura’s factory warranty includes both 4 years/50,000 miles of bumper-to-bumper warranty protection and 6 years/70,000 miles of powertrain coverage.
For our #1 rated provider, 
Motor1 Reviews Team Take:
- The Acura factory warranty includes its New Vehicle Limited (bumper-to-bumper) warranty, Limited Powertrain coverage, and several other limited warranties.
- RepairPal ranks Acura as the second-most reliable automaker under its sister brand Honda. However, J.D. Power ranks Acura below average for reliability.
- An extended warranty can help protect your peace of mind once your Acura factory coverage expires.
If you invested in a new Acura, you want to ensure it remains in the best possible condition for as long as possible. The original Acura warranty will take care of your vehicle for the first few years of ownership—but after that, it’s up to you to pay for repairs.
In this article, we’ll detail the Acura factory warranty’s coverage, exclusions, and term limits. If you’d like to avoid paying out of pocket for unexpected repairs after your Acura warranty expires, it’s wise to consider an extended car warranty. Our team has spent over 1,475 hours researching and ranking the best extended warranty providers in the industry, so we’ll also offer our recommendations on where to look for coverage quotes.
What Does An Acura Warranty Cover?
Acura offers several limited warranties for new vehicles. The two most important are the New Vehicle Limited Warranty and Limited Powertrain Warranty. Here are some Acura warranty coverages and their term limits:
| Acura Warranty | Terms |
|---|---|
| New Vehicle Limited (bumper-to-bumper) | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| Limited Powertrain | 6 years/70,000 miles |
| Federal and California Emissions | Varies based on state requirements |
| Hybrid Powertrain | Varies |
| High-Voltage Battery Capacity (hybrid and electric vehicles) | 8 years/100,000 miles |
| Rust Perforation Limited | 5 years/unlimited miles |
| Accessory Limited | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| Seat Belt Limited | 15 years/150,000 miles |
| Replacement/Remanufactured Parts Limited | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Replacement 12-Volt Battery | 100 months (8 years and 4 months) |
| Replacement Exhaust Components | Lifetime |
Acura New Vehicle Limited Warranty
Acura’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty begins when the vehicle is first put into use and lasts for 4 years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first. Under this type of warranty, commonly known as bumper-to-bumper coverage, Acura will repair or replace almost any part at no charge.
However, the repair must be due to manufacturing defects or faulty workmanship. Normal maintenance services or simple items often subject to wear and tear aren’t covered. Some examples include brake pads, oil changes, or parts of the suspension.
Acura’s manufacturer warranty also covers these items but for shorter terms:
- Original equipment batteries for key fobs and remotes (for the first 6 months)
- Original equipment wiper blade inserts (for the first 6 months)
- Wheel balancing and wheel alignment (for 1 year/12,000 miles)
- Air conditioner refrigerant (for the first 2 years/24,000 miles)
Acura Limited Powertrain Warranty
Acura’s powertrain warranty is good for 6 years or 70,000 miles, whichever comes first. Any powertrain part or component that’s defective due to manufacturing or workmanship is covered at no cost to the owner. This includes any part related to the engine, transmission, and front-wheel-drive and rear-wheel-drive systems. Here’s a more specific breakdown of coverage components for each powertrain system.
| Powertrain System | Components Covered |
|---|---|
| Engine | Cylinder block and head and all internal parts, timing gears, timing chain/belt and cover, flywheel, valve covers, oil pan, oil pump, intake and exhaust manifolds, engine mounts, engine/powertrain control module, water pump, fuel pump, and seals and gaskets |
| Transmission and transaxle | Transfer case and all internal parts, torque converter, transmission/powertrain control module, and seals and gaskets |
| Front-wheel-drive | Drive housing and internal parts, driveshafts, constant velocity joints, front hubs and bearings, and seals and gaskets |
| Rear-wheel-drive | Differential housing and all internal parts, propeller shafts, universal joints, driveshafts, constant velocity joints, rear hubs and bearings, and seals and gaskets |
Acura Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle Warranty
There are two different certifications under Acura’s certified pre-owned warranty program—Precision Certified and Precision Used. Acura-certified technicians conduct a 182-point inspection for Precision Certified and a 112-point inspection for Precision Used. The table below highlights the coverage, benefits, and vehicle eligibility standards for both warranties:
| Acura CPO Warranty | Vehicle Eligibility | Coverage | Benefits |
| Precision Certified | 2019-2024 models with less than 80,000 miles | Powertrain: 7 years/100,000 miles Non-powertrain: 2 years/100,000 miles Roadside assistance: 2 years/100,000 miles |
|
| Precision Used | 2014-2024 models with no mileage limit | Powertrain: 6 months/7,500 miles Non-powertrain: 6 months/7,500 miles Roadside assistance: 1 year/12,000 miles |
|
Acura Maintenance Program
The Acura Maintenance Program gives all new Acura owners free maintenance services for up to 2 years/24,000 miles. These services include oil changes, tire rotations, and multi-point inspections. You can even be alerted when it’s time for your next service through the AcuraLink app.
What Isn’t Covered by an Acura Warranty?
As with any warranty plan, there are components that are excluded from Acura’s coverage:
- Normal wear or deterioration of any part
- Cleaning and polishing
- Fluids (unless they are necessary as part of a covered repair)
- Broken, chipped, or scratched window glass
- Regular maintenance items (filters, brake pads, etc.)
- Tires (covered by the tire manufacturer instead)
All in all, any cosmetic imperfection—or issue concerning the vehicle’s general appearance not due to defective manufacturing or workmanship—isn’t covered. In some cases, cosmetic defects, such as minor dings, scratches, and dents may occur during the shipment of the vehicle. If you notice any such issues, notify the dealer as soon as possible.
What Are the Benefits of an Acura Extended Warranty?
An extended warranty is a vehicle service contract that helps you manage repair costs after the original warranty expires. Rather than worrying about trying to pay for a huge, expensive repair, you can pay a provider an affordable annual or monthly payment with an extended warranty. When a covered repair comes up, you just pay your deductible, and the extended warranty provider takes care of the rest.
Take a look at the average cost of Acura repairs from RepairPal in the table below.
| Model | Problem or Repair | Cost to Repair |
|---|---|---|
| Acura MDX | Seat heater replacement | $629 to $672 |
| Acura ILX | Exhaust pipe replacement | $559 to $579 |
| Acura RDX | Battery replacement | $252 to $265 |
| Acura TLX | Headlamp switch replacement | $120 to $138 |
As your vehicle ages, the cost of repairs and replacement parts might be enough to keep you up at night. An extended warranty can provide peace of mind that you have a way to quickly afford an important car repair.
Acura Reliability
As far as dependability goes, Acura has mixed reviews. RepairPal awards Acura second place out of 32 brands in its reliability rankings, only behind its sister brand Honda. However, the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study℠ ranked Acura well below the industry average—as the 21st most reliable provider out of 32 car brands. However, it’s important to remember that no car is perfect, and even cars with high reliability scores break down and can benefit from extended protection.
Acura Extended Warranty Plans
You essentially have two main choices when it comes to extended warranty providers: you can purchase an official Acura Care® vehicle service contract from the dealership, or you can buy one from a third party. Most Acura dealers offer Acura extended warranties. A dealer will likely try to sell you a plan the day you buy your new Acura, but you’re not required to purchase one at that time.
Acura Care Plans
There are six extended coverage options available that are backed by Acura. These include:
- New Vehicle Coverage
- Pre-Owned Vehicle Coverage
- Certified Additional Coverage
- Certified Used Additional Coverage
- Certified Used Powertrain Coverage
- Powertrain Coverage (used vehicles only)
While all levels of coverage are available for Acura models, the New Vehicle Coverage, Pre-Owned Vehicle Coverage, and Powertrain Coverage plans can cover cars from other automakers.
New Vehicle Coverage, Pre-Owned Vehicle Coverage, and Certified Additional Coverage can protect systems and components such as the:
- Drivetrain
- Heating/cooling
- Electronics
- Suspension, steering, and brakes
- Acura Genuine Accessories
Powertrain Coverage protects the engine, transmission, front and rear-drive axles, seals, gaskets, and fluids.
Like most extended warranty providers, Acura also includes benefits like roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement, trip interruption services, and concierge emergency services. Acura Care coverage is transferable, and you can see the full sample contracts online.
Our Manufacturer Extended Warranty Surveys
In 2023, we surveyed 1,000 consumers across the country who had purchased an extended warranty from their car’s manufacturer. A number of respondents got Honda warranties, but no respondent had an Acura extended warranty. That said, here are some general trends from the survey:
- When asked about cost, the most popular answer was that respondents paid between $1,000 and $2,000 for a plan. This was followed by the $2,000 to $3,000 range.
- The majority of respondents were satisfied with their manufacturer’s extended warranty coverage.
- 48% of respondents bought comprehensive coverage while 34% bought mid-level coverage and 11% bought powertrain coverage.
In January 2024, we surveyed 220 vehicle owners from high-income households who had purchased manufacturer extended warranties. There were 20 Acura extended warranty holders in the survey, and here’s how much they paid for their plans:
- 20% paid less than $1,000
- 20% paid between $1,000 and $2,000
- 15% paid between $2,000 and $3,000
- 10% paid between $3,000 and $4,000
- 20% paid between $4,000 and $5,000
- 15% paid more than $5,000
Here’s how a couple of these Acura extended warranty owners described their experiences with submitting claims:
- “I submitted a claim for an issue with my A/C. It took two weeks to fix.”
- “The only claim I submitted was around early last year and I found it very easy because of the nature of this brand.”
Acura Vs. Third-Party Extended Warranty Coverage
We’ve read many contracts, made tons of phone calls, and compared factors like customer service, benefits, coverage options, and online reputation to determine our list of the best third-party car warranty companies. While many dealerships and third-party providers offer similar contracts, there are a few key differences that make third-party extended warranty companies worth considering:
- More coverage options: Your plan can be customized to your particular car and budget. For example, Endurance has six coverage tiers that range from exclusionary to powertrain protection, with several contract options under each tier.
- Flexibility: Many independent warranty companies protect high-mileage cars for 10 years or well beyond 100,000 miles. While Acura limits you to using its mechanics and parts, a third-party provider lets you choose any certified repair shop.
- Competitive prices: Third-party vehicle service contracts tend to be cheaper on average because most independent companies are brokers that provide plans from several administrators.
You also won’t miss out on perks like roadside assistance and towing or rental reimbursement with a third-party provider. What’s important to know is that the amounts will vary between all providers, so make sure to compare those benefits.
See our comparison between Acura and third-party providers:
| Acura Care | Third-Party Warranty | |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage Options | Six coverage options lasting up to 8 years/120,000 miles | Customizable coverage from multiple providers, levels of coverage, and specific plans |
| Cost | One-time or monthly payments (can also be financed with your new Acura) | Flexible pricing models to fit every budget |
| When To Purchase | When you buy your new, pre-owned, or certified-pre owned Acura | Anytime, including if the new car warranty has expired or if it has high mileage |
| Repair Facility | Acura dealerships | Choose from thousands of certified repair facilities |
| Repair Parts | Acura Genuine Parts | Not limited to a certain brand |
Acura Warranty Overview: Bottom Line
Acura provides model owners with 4 years/50,000 miles of bumper-to-bumper warranty coverage and 6 years/70,000 miles of powertrain warranty coverage. While these warranties are better than what some other automakers offer, the coverage won’t last forever.
All in all, you want to ensure that your Acura remains in the best possible condition for as long as possible. Although you can’t always control the repairs or replacement parts your car needs, you can choose to purchase an extended Acura warranty to help cover those costs. We encourage you to reach out for quotes from both dealerships and third-party providers to compare. This way, you’ll find the best coverage for your needs.
Acura Extended Warranty Recommendations
As mentioned previously, our team has spent over 1,475 hours researching extended warranties. We’ve mystery shopped with providers, pored over thousands of customer reviews, surveyed customers ourselves, and even purchased plans for our own cars. Based on this research, we recommend getting quotes from Endurance and Carchex.
FAQ: Acura Warranty Overview
Here are some frequently asked questions about Acura warranties:
What is Acura’s warranty?
Acura provides a 4-year/50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and a 6-year/70,000-mile powertrain warranty on all new Acura models. Other warranties with varying coverage terms that come with a new Acura include those for emissions, rust perforation, accessories, and more.
How much does it cost to extend the Acura warranty?
Acura doesn’t freely offer cost information for its extended warranty plans. You’ll need to contact your local authorized dealership to find more information on how much a manufacturer-backed warranty plan with Acura will cost.
What is an Acura vehicle service contract?
An Acura vehicle service contract is the automaker’s version of an extended warranty. You’ll find six levels of protection catering to vehicles at different life stages for both Acura and non-Acura models. Coverage ranges from bumper-to-bumper to powertrain plans.
Methodology
In an effort to provide accurate and unbiased information to consumers, our expert review team collects data from dozens of extended auto warranty companies to formulate rankings of the best providers. Companies receive a score in each of the following categories, as well as an overall weighted score out of 5.0 stars.
- Industry Standing: Warranty providers with a history of strong business practices and endorsements from experts receive the highest scores in this category.
- Coverage: This rating is based on types of extended warranty plans available, coverage terms, and added benefits like roadside assistance.
- Cost: Our research team reviews sample quotes for a variety of plans and vehicles. Companies with lower prices per year of coverage receive the best scores.
- Transparency: This score takes into account contract transparency and the availability of a money-back guarantee.
- Customer Service: We comb through customer reviews and perform our own shopper analysis to get a sense of the responsiveness and helpfulness of each warranty company.
*Data accurate at time of publication.
