An extended auto warranty is a protection plan you can buy from an automaker or dealership to cover mechanical breakdowns. Third-party providers offer similar coverage in the form of vehicle service contracts. We use these terms interchangeably in this article for simplicity.
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A Japanese car manufacturer, Mitsubishi paved the way for reliable cars, especially in the late ‘90s and early 2000s. The car brand’s reputation is only elevated by the Mitsubishi warranty, which has one of the longest powertrain terms on the market.
In this article, we get into the nitty-gritty details of Mitsubishi’s warranty. We also discuss the benefits of extending your Mitsubishi coverage and weigh out which is worth the money: the manufacturer’s extended warranty or a third-party warranty company’s plan.
Overview of the Mitsubishi Warranty
The Mitsubishi warranty covers your vehicle from bumper to bumper for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Mitsubishi’s powertrain warranty lasts for 10 years or 100,000 miles.
| Mitsubishi Warranty | Term Length |
|---|---|
| New Vehicle Limited Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 10 years/100,000 miles |
| Restraint System Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| Anti-Corrosion/Perforation Limited Warranty | 7 years/100,000 miles |
| Adjustments Warranty | 1 year/12,000 miles |
| Federal Emissions Warranty | Up to 8 years/80,000 miles based on defect or performance |
| California Emissions Warranty | Up to 7 years/70,00 miles based on defect or performance |
| Roadside Assistance | 5 years/unlimited miles |
New Vehicle Limited Warranty
Mitsubishi’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty provides bumper-to-bumper coverage with authentic Mitsubishi parts. This Mitsubishi warranty is exclusionary, so the only parts not covered will be specifically listed in your contract.
The New Vehicle Limited Warranty includes 24/7 roadside assistance for five years. This covers:
- Towing services
- Jump-starts
- Flat tire services
- Emergency fluid delivery
- Trip reimbursement up to $175 for up to three days
In our opinion, Mitsubishi’s roadside assistance plan is on the lean side, especially with the budget and time limit drivers are given for trip reimbursement costs. In that same vein, Mitsubishi doesn’t outline any plan of action for rental car reimbursement. If your car is in the shop for warranty work, it might be up to you to figure out alternative transportation options.
Powertrain Limited Warranty
The gem of Mitsubishi’s coverage is easily its Powertrain Limited Warranty. The Mitsubishi warranty covers the following components:
- Engine
- Transmission
- Transaxle
- Transfer case
- Gaskets and seals
- Shaft assemblies
One of the longest warranties in the car industry, Mitsubishi coverage is only matched by Hyundai, Genesis and Kia. It’s important to note that Mitsubishi’s powertrain warranty does not transfer to subsequent owners. Instead, they’ll be covered by the remaining New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
If you’re interested in comparing the Mitsubishi warranty to other manufacturers, we’ve covered other popular protection plans like the Toyota warranty and Kia warranty.
What Excluded from Mitsubishi’s Warranty?
The Mitsubishi warranty, like all warranties, has some exclusions to take into account. Here are those explicitly noted:
- Accidents or collisions
- Misuse
- Normal wear-and-tear maintenance
- Audio/entertainment systems after three years
- Environmental damage
- Improper maintenance
- Paint defects
- Commercial use
- Unauthorized modifications
- Sand
- Damage caused by incorrect tire sizing
The last three bullets seemed to be aimed at drivers intent on taking Mitsubishi’s sports car models out for a joy ride, but be aware that they also pertain to drivers interested in offroading.
While it’s not a clear exclusion in the vehicle service contract, Mitsubishi warranty repairs need to occur at a Mitsubishi dealership. There are currently about 350 dealers in the United States.
Mitsubishi Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) Warranty
CPO Mitsubishis are another popular option among drivers. A CPO Mitsubishi is a vehicle less than five years old with fewer than 60,000 miles that goes through a 123-point inspection.
CPO Mitsubishis are covered by the original New Vehicle, Powertrain and Anti-Corrosion/Perforation limited warranties given to new vehicles. However, the coverage terms don’t change to accommodate CPO cars. For example, if you have a CPO Mitsubishi that’s four years old and has 40,000 miles, your bumper-to-bumper coverage only covers you for an additional year and 20,000 miles.
Looking at the big picture, this isn’t unlike other manufacturers. Most manufacturers will extend a new vehicle limited warranty for one year or 12,000 miles if the original warranty has expired. But, because Mitsubishi vehicles have to be less than five years old, you’ll never receive a CPO with an expired factory warranty.
CPOs also come with a roadside assistance plan depending on the remaining New Vehicle Limited Warranty or the Powertrain Limited Warranty. If your CPO is still covered by the bumper-to-bumper Mitsubishi warranty, all the same roadside assistance perks are included. However, if you only have the powertrain warranty, you’re only eligible for towing services.
How to Find Out if You Have a Mitsubishi Warranty
If you purchased a newer model from an individual seller rather than a dealership, the factory Mitsubishi warranty might still cover your repair or replacement. Here are some simple steps to help you find out if you’re still covered:
Locate the car’s vehicle identification number (VIN). It should be listed on your insurance card or the car’s title. Another place to look for the VIN is in the car on the driver’s side door or under the driver’s side windshield. Look for a series of letters and numbers to identify the VIN.
Call your Mitsubishi dealer. Give your local dealer a ring and ask for a customer representative. You might want to try calling the dealer from which the car was originally purchased to get the Mitsubishi warranty information that you need.
When in doubt, check CARFAX. If the dealer can’t provide information about the car’s warranty status, try searching CARFAX. Using your VIN, locate the car’s vehicle history. There may be some details about the warranty.
Do You Need Extended Warranty Coverage?
Your choice to buy extended warranty coverage greatly depends on your vehicle, how long you intend on keeping it and where it stands in terms of reliability. With those factors in mind, you should at least check out what extended warranty options are available to you once your factory Mitsubishi warranty expires.
Reliability and Repair Costs
According to RepairPal, a trusted repair estimate site, Mitsubishi gets a 4.0 out of 5.0 rating for reliability, or above average. It stands sixth out of 32 brands with this rating. What propels a Mitsubishi toward the top of the pack for RepairPal is the average number of visits to a repair shop: a low 0.2 times a year.
Repairs cost an average of $535 annually, more than $100 cheaper than the average of all car brands. Here are some common repairs for Mitsubishis according to RepairPal:
| Model | Repair | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Mitsubishi Montero | Cylinder head replacement | $2,492 to $3,220 |
| Mitsubishi Galant | Exhaust pipe replacement | $1,055 to $1,087 |
| MitsubishiMirage | Spark plug wire replacement | $94 to $187 |
| MitsubishiOutlander | Starter replacement | $484 to $758 |
Does Mitsubishi Have an Extended Warranty?
Mitsubishi does have an extended warranty, but it’s more complex than that. Referred to as the Diamond Care Protection plan, Mitsubishi’s extended warranty comes from a third-party provider. Depending on what state you’re in, the provider may change.
Broadly, Mitsubishi’s extended warranty allows you to extend your New Vehicle Limited Warranty for an additional 2 years or 40,000 miles. All in all, that’s 7 years or 100,000 miles of bumper-to-bumper warranty protection when you consider the limited factory warranty.
Here are some of the pros and cons of an extended car warranty from the manufacturer:
Benefits of a Third-Party Extended Warranty
Since Mitsubishi already offers a third-party warranty, why not skip the middleman and dealerships markups? Warranty companies offer the freedom of flexibility regarding cost, repair shop and availability.
Like we mentioned before, a dealership will likely tack on additional costs to your coverage. The manufacturer also might also dismiss the flexible payment options reputable extended car warranty companies offer. Another limitation to Mitsubishi’s warranty is when you have to purchase it. Third-party providers not only allow you to add extended coverage when you deem fit but also grant you 30 days to cancel.
Finally, with companies like Endurance and CARCHEX, you’re afforded over 30,000 repair shop choices.
To kick off your research into vehicle service contracts, get a few free, personalized quotes from our top recommended providers.
The listings on this site may be from companies that compensate us, which could influence their placement and order. Not every company, product, or offer has been reviewed.
Our Methodology
Our expert review team takes satisfaction in providing accurate and unbiased information. We identified the following rating categories based on consumer survey data and conducted extensive research to formulate rankings of the best extended auto warranty providers.
- Industry Standing: Our team considers Better Business Bureau (BBB) ratings, availability, and years in business when giving this score.
- Coverage: Because each consumer has unique needs, it’s essential that a car warranty company offers an array of coverage options. We take into account the number of plans offered by each provider, term limits, exclusions, and additional benefits.
- Affordability: A variety of factors influence cost, so it can be difficult to compare quotes between providers. Our team performs ongoing secret shopper analyses for different vehicles, mileages, warranty plans, and locations to give this rating.
- Customer Service: Reputable extended car warranty companies operate with a certain degree of care for consumers. We take into account customer reviews, BBB complaints, and the responsiveness of the customer service team.
*Data accurate at time of publication.
