What Does Your Cadillac Warranty Cover?

Stephen Kenney
by Stephen Kenney

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New and certified pre-owned Cadillacs come with a factory warranty that covers auto repairs for the first few years of your vehicle’s life. But how much protection does your Cadillac warranty really offer?


In this article, we’ll discuss what’s covered under the Cadillac warranty and for how long. We’ll also go over the extended Cadillac warranty options that could help you save money on vehicle repairs down the line.

Cadillac Warranty Overview

The Cadillac warranty covers cars after mechanical breakdowns for 4 years or 50,000 miles. Cadillac’s warranty also includes powertrain coverage for 6 years or 70,000 miles.

Cadillac Warranty

Term Length

Coverage Details

Bumper-to-Bumper

Limited Warranty

4 years/50,000 miles

Covers nearly all mechanical and electrical vehicle failures

Powertrain

Limited Warranty

6 years/70,000 miles

Covers the engine, transmission, drive axle, and some related parts

Limited Parts Warranty

Varies

Covers General Motors manufactured and installed replacement parts

Cadillac Premium Care

Varies

Covers your first routine maintenance visit, including an oil and filter change, tire rotation, and multi-point inspection

Roadside Assistance

6 years/70,000 miles

Covers roadside services including towing to the nearest GM dealership

Courtesy Transportation

6 years/70,000 miles

Covers alternative transportation when your vehicle is in the shop

Cadillac warranties are transferable and can increase the resale value of your vehicle if you choose to sell before your warranty expiration.

Certified Pre-Owned Cadillac Warranty

Certified pre-owned (CPO) Cadillac vehicles are covered by a warranty as well. CPO Cadillac warranty plans extend your original bumper-to-bumper coverage from 4 years/50,000 miles to 6 years/70,000 miles. Powertrain components are also covered for 6 years/70,000 miles.


CPO Cadillacs must be no more than four years old, have less than 50,000 miles on them, and pass a 172-point inspection at the dealership before being approved. If you still experience an issue after purchasing your vehicle, your CPO Cadillac warranty will have you covered.

Is an Extended Cadillac Warranty Worth It?

While not legally required, extending your Cadillac warranty could be the key to peace of mind on the road, knowing your finances are protected from the cost of common repairs associated with mechanical breakdowns.

In order to decide if an extended Cadillac warranty is right for you, we recommend honestly assessing your personal finances and your vehicle’s reliability.


Some people find it more effective to save for unexpected car repairs themselves rather than pay the monthly cost of a car warranty. This way, you avoid paying for coverage that you don’t need, especially if your car never breaks down.

However, if you aren’t able to save or if you just want the reassurance that you won’t need to pay out of pocket for your vehicle’s most expensive repairs, an extended warranty may be the way to go.

Common Cadillac Repair Costs and Warranty Coverage

Let’s take a closer look at common Cadillac repair costs and the brand’s reliability as examined by RepairPal to see if a Cadillac warranty is right for you.


RepairPal is a reliable repair cost estimation site that releases an annual Reliability Rating for all car brands. RepairPal currently rates Cadillac a 3.0 out of a possible 5.0 stars for reliability, placing it 26th out of 32 car brands.

This rating was based on three categories: average annual repair cost, frequency of trips to the repair shop, and likelihood that repairs will be severe. See details of Cadillac’s ratings below:

Cadillac Ratings

Average Across All Car Brands

Average Annual Cost

$783

$652

Frequency of Repairs

0.4 repairs per year

0.4 repairs per year

Chance of Severe Repairs

17 percent

12 percent

As you can see, Cadillacs are on par with the average number of trips to the repair shop per year, but they’re above average for annual costs and likelihood that a major repair will be needed.


To give you a better picture of how Cadillac repair costs break down, here’s a list of common repairs and what they cost, as reported by Cadillac owners to RepairPal:

Common Cadillac Repair

Repair Cost

Head gasket replacement

$852 to $2,310

Alternator replacement

$588 to $603

Starter replacement

$332 to $347

Fuel pump replacement

$1,059 to $1,573

If you’d be able to easily cover these common Cadillac repair costs out of pocket as they arise, purchasing an extended car warranty may not be the right choice for you. But if you’d feel more comfortable financing these costs over time, you should look into either purchasing an extended warranty from Cadillac itself or a third-party alternative.

Cadillac Extended Warranty Overview

It’s a good idea to look into your options for an extended Cadillac warranty before you drive your car off the lot. At a Cadillac dealership, you may have the option to upgrade your Bumper-to-Bumper Limited Warranty to last 6 years/70,000 miles instead of the standard 4 years/50,000 miles.


If you pass on this offer, you’ll still have the option to buy a Cadillac extended warranty. Cadillac Protection Plans can be purchased at any time before your vehicle reaches 80,000 miles. There are two plan options, which can each give you up to 5 years/60,000 miles of added protection.

Benefits of a Third-Party Extended Warranty

Third-party extended warranties provide comprehensive coverage, often at more affordable rates than a manufacturer extended warranty. Some benefits to choosing a third-party Cadillac warranty include:
  • Plans often have a lower total cost and affordable monthly payment plans.
  • Any licensed repair shop can complete covered repairs, including dealerships.
  • You can purchase coverage at any time.
  • More customizable plan options are available.

If you want to explore your third-party Cadillac warranty options, we recommend looking into a few of our top-rated providers, like Endurance and CARCHEX.



Methodology

Our review team prides itself on sharing accurate and unbiased information with consumers. We have accumulated data from dozens of extended auto warranty companies to formulate our rankings of the industry’s best providers. Companies receive a score out of 5.0 overall, as well as a rating in each of the following categories:
  • Price: Comparing providers can be difficult due to the many factors that influence cost. To determine this score, we employ a secret shopper analysis using different vehicles, mileages, warranty plans, and locations.
  • Coverage: A wide variety of coverage is essential to support the differing needs of customers. We take into account the number of extended car warranty plans available, term limits, exclusions, and additional benefits.
  • Customer Service: The level of customer service and care provided by an extended warranty company is an important consideration. Our review team sifts through customer reviews and complaints from reputable sources such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Trustpilot. We also consider the responsiveness of each company’s customer service team based on our secret shopper analysis.
  • Reputation: Good extended warranty providers consistently provide quality experiences. Our team takes into account BBB ratings and the company’s history of reliable service when giving this score.
  • Transparency: Customers value a commitment to open and honest communication when it comes to vehicle service contracts. Our team of experts takes into account the availability of money-back guarantees and sample contracts.
Stephen Kenney
Stephen Kenney

Stephen Kenney is a writer and editor who focuses on car insurance, auto financing, and vehicle shipping services. He's a graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill and has experience covering categories ranging from travel to sports to environmental sustainability. In his free time, Stephen enjoys going on long-distance runs, trying out new recipes, and exploring his adopted hometown of Cincinnati.

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