Volvo Warranty Review
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All new Volvos come with a Volvo warranty that covers repairs to certain vehicle components and systems for a set period of time. This warranty is free of charge and can be transferred to the next vehicle owner if you sell your car before your coverage expires. Volvo warranty coverage is provided with new and certified pre-owned vehicles.
In this review, we’ll take a closer look at what parts and systems your Volvo warranty covers, how long your factory coverage lasts, and the benefits of purchasing long-term coverage from one of the industry’s best extended car warranty companies.
Table of contents
Volvo Warranty Overview
Here’s a breakdown of all Volvo warranty coverages:
Volvo Warranty |
Term Length |
Coverage Details |
|---|---|---|
Bumper-to-bumper warranty (includes powertrain coverage) |
4 years/50,000 miles |
Covers nearly all Volvo-installed parts damaged due to defects in workmanship or materials |
Routine maintenance |
3 years/36,000 miles |
Covers factory-recommended scheduled services |
Service adjustments |
1 year/12,000 miles |
Covers the cost of mechanical alignments |
Hybrid system coverage |
8 years/100,000 miles |
Covers hybrid components including the lithium-ion battery pack |
Safety restraint coverage |
5 years/unlimited miles |
Covers seat belts and airbags |
Emissions coverage |
2 years/24,000 miles - 8 years/80,000 miles |
Covers emission defects and performance |
Volvo’s bumper-to-bumper warranty includes powertrain protection to cover your engine, transmission, and drivetrain. Many new car warranties have two separate warranties for bumper-to-bumper coverage and powertrain coverage. However, the Volvo warranty lumps them together.
Volvo’s 3-year/36,000-mile complimentary factory scheduled maintenance plan covers the cost of services such as:
- Oil and filter changes
- Recommended inspections and adjustments
- 10,000-, 20,000-, and 30,000-mile full maintenance services
- Diagnostic checks
Covered maintenance must be completed at the dealership by factory-trained technicians within 1,500 miles of the recommended mileage interval.
Volvo Certified Pre-Owned Warranty
Benefits that come with all CPO Volvo warranties include:
- Roadside assistance
- Free three-month trial of SiriusXM radio
- No deductible
Do You Need Volvo Extended Warranty Coverage?
After your original Volvo warranty expires, you’ll be responsible for covering mechanical repairs out of pocket. Unfortunately, vehicles are more prone to severe breakdowns as they age, which means the most expensive fixes will likely be needed well past your factory warranty term limit.
An extended auto warranty is one way to keep your vehicle protected in the long run. But is the price of a vehicle service worth it for Volvo vehicles?
Two important factors to consider when deciding whether you could benefit from an extended warranty are your vehicle’s reliability and average repair costs.
RepairPal gives Volvo a 3.5 out of 5.0 Reliability Rating, ranking it 17th out of 32 car brands. This rating takes into account vehicles’ average annual repair costs, the frequency at which repairs are needed, and the probability that repairs will be severe.
On average, Volvo repairs cost owners $769 per year. This is much higher than the industry-wide average of $652. However, as Volvos are more expensive vehicles, it makes sense that their repairs would cost more. Here are some average costs for common Volvo repairs, according to RepairPal:
Volvo Model |
Common Repair |
Average Cost |
|---|---|---|
Volvo 940 |
Distributor assembly replacement |
$372 to $496 |
Volvo S60 |
Intercooler replacement |
$915 to $1,014 |
Volvo S80 |
Air conditioner evaporator replacement |
$564 to $974 |
Volvo C30 |
Water pump replacement |
$412 to $554 |
Volvo XC60 |
Air conditioning expansion valve replacement |
$211 to $265 |
If you would feel comfortable paying any of these prices unexpectedly, you may not need an extended Volvo warranty. However, if you’d rather finance repairs over time and only have to pay a small deductible out of pocket when repairs arise, a vehicle service contract may be a great investment.
About the Volvo Extended Warranty
You have two options to extend your Volvo warranty: Purchase one of the Volvo Increased Protection (VIP) plans that Volvo offers, or find coverage from a third-party provider.
There are three Volvo extended warranty plans to choose from when you purchase from the manufacturer, each of which covers certain parts and the labor your car may need after a mechanical breakdown. They can cover your vehicle for an additional 6 years or 120,000 miles.
Here’s how each plan breaks down:
Extended Volvo Warranty |
Type of Coverage |
Coverage Details |
|---|---|---|
Platinum Warranty |
Exclusionary bumper-to-bumper coverage |
Covers all vehicle components, except for a short list of exclusions |
Gold Warranty |
Comprehensive stated-component coverage |
Covers major powertrain components, plus the air conditioning, brakes, suspension, electrical, and steering |
Powertrain Warranty |
Basic powertrain coverage |
Covers your Volvo’s most vital parts, including the engine, transmission, and drive axle |
Benefits of a Third-Party Extended Warranty
- Warranty companies offer higher coverage limits than manufacturers.
- Prices are less expensive and more likely to be negotiable, unlike prices set by the car manufacturer.
- Covered repairs can generally be made at any repair shop certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE®) instead of having to be made at a Volvo dealership.
However, finding reputable extended car warranty companies can take more research. We’ve done the homework for you, evaluating each major extended warranty company’s coverage options, costs, customer reviews, and more. You can start getting quotes from our top providers below and check out a few of our extended warranty reviews for more information:
Methodology
- 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 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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