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About MaxCare Auto Warranty
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If you purchase a vehicle through the national used car seller CarMax, you automatically receive its 4,000-mile/90-day limited warranty. However, you’re also eligible to buy a more robust MaxCare extended auto warranty. MaxCare offers a high level of coverage and a suite of benefits, but it’s only available at the point of purchase.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Can be included in monthly payment
- Variety of plans and deductibles
- Cancel anytime
Cons
- Only available at time of car purchase
- Possible cancellation/transfer fee
Bottom Line
MaxCare is the optional extended warranty that CarMax customers can add to a used vehicle purchase. The plans are transferable and provide good coverage, but some companies offer more benefits.
Top MaxCare Auto Warranty Reviews
Well whenever something is wrong or if I even think something might be wrong they take care of me. Got the car from Carmax and happy I got extended warranty. I thought just for pe...
Read full reviewI have always had a good experience using their MaxCare warranty. My first car I purchased … had a problem with one of the windows. … The process could have been faster, but they ...
Read full reviewWhat is MaxCare?
MaxCare is an extended auto warranty that extends coverage past CarMax’s 90-day/4,000-mile limited warranty. If your car breaks down, you can take your vehicle to a repair shop and CarMax will pay for the covered repairs, minus your deductible. There are a number of different MaxCare plans and deductible options, so you can find coverage that meets your needs and budget. MaxCare is only available at the time you purchase a used vehicle from CarMax.
What does MaxCare cover?
MaxCare auto warranties cover the following parts and systems:
- Engine
- Transmission
- Drivetrain
- Electronics
- Electrical systems
- Steering
- Suspension
- Cooling systems
- Climate control
Repairs for these parts and systems can be made at any licensed facility in the U.S. or Canada that offers a six-month/6,000-mile warranty on labor and parts. MaxCare pays the shop directly. You can ask for a sample contract to see more details about MaxCare’s coverage.
MaxCare cost
The cost for a MaxCare auto warranty varies based on the following factors:
- The make, model, model year and mileage on your vehicle
- The plan and deductible amount you select
- How many miles you drive per year
- Whether you pay upfront or finance the purchase
You can get a quote on a MaxCare contract when you purchase a vehicle from CarMax.
MaxCare FAQ
How do I contact CarMax MaxCare?
You can reach out to CarMax by calling, filling out an online message form, reaching out on social media or visiting a CarMax store.
What does the CarMax limited warranty cover?
CarMax’s limited warranty, which comes automatically with every vehicle, covers repairs to the car’s major systems and hundreds of parts, plus labor. It lasts for 90 days or 4,000 miles (whichever comes first). For more details, speak to a CarMax representative or ask for a sample contract at a store.
What voids a CarMax warranty?
For information about what voids your warranty, see your contract, or ask a CarMax representative.
How long is a CarMax warranty?
The limited warranty that comes with every car from CarMax lasts 90 days or 4,000 miles — whichever comes first. A MaxCare warranty lasts multiple years.
Is MaxCare worth it?
If you’re able to afford a MaxCare extended warranty, it might be worth it. It offers coverage for essential systems and parts in your car. Several consumer reviewers mention being grateful for having the cost of significant repairs covered. If you’re buying a used car from CarMax, consider an extended auto warranty to protect against the cost of unexpected breakdowns.
MaxCare Auto Warranty Reviews
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I bought a vehicle from Carmax and purchased the Extended Maxcare warranty. I have taken this vehicle to the shop 5 times. I needed a new transmission. The dealership could not get the part in for 7 days and now Maxcare will not extend my rental. I have had nothing but problems with this company since DAY ONE. They are not about taking care of their customers!!!! Not to mention the out of pocket cost I have had to pay and having a warranty. I should have purchased a different warranty!! This company is trash!!!! Carmax is trash as well!!!!
My car failed safety inspection due to defective front strut. Dealership said they needed to order part. Scheduled to have strut replaced but 3 weeks later. In between warranty expired. MaxCare would not honor even with proof of first visit.
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My 2017 Suburban needs lifter repair. It has been in repair shop for 9 days.. Repair finally approved by MaxCare. The manifold is back ordered for delivery another 30 days. My contract allows for 7 days car rental. Due to parts not available from GM, MaxCare refuses to extend my rental days. So here I am, no car, have to pay out of pocket for a month of car rental!!! I am so angry! What ever happened to caring about the consumer?? This is so unfair and you would think after making 1 claim in 4 years they would extend me a courtesy and extend the rental coverage. Nope - flat out refused to assist.
My Wife and I bought a 2018 Dodge heavy duty truck from CarMax. At deal closing we were offeredd an extended warranty that covered drivetrain components. Our transmission failed while In California, long story short CarMax is refusing to fix it due to tire size. Stock size is approx 32” we upgraded to a 35” with a okay from a dodge dealer that it wouldn’t be an issue. MaxCare is scapegoating the failed transmission and refusing our just repair. Stay away from Carmax.
I have had MaxCare Auto Warranty company for both vehicles for many years. I don't know if they are just hiring just 'anybody' because of Covid, or this company is just that bad! I have never had the horrible service I am experiencing now. I have been dealing specifically with their 'CLAIMS' department, and I have been getting the runaround for about a month now! I paid $134 more than my deductible, which I did even think that was possible. I thought you only pay your deductible and no more, but that is not what happened so be aware! MaxCare was/is supposed to reimburse me that amount, but ummmm no. They said they will only reimburse me $111 because of some 'tool' fee from the company that fixed my car, Firestone. That sounds like ** but whatever.
I have spoken to 5 different people from supervisors to just regular workers about sending me my check. First, they said they had a bad address, then they said it was a problem with another section that sends the checks. When I called back two weeks later, they said they still needed my address!!!! This company is horrible. If customer service within the claims department is this bad, imagine how many consumers are being cheated, looked over, and mistreated! IJS.
I have a problem with my F150's Turbos not working. It's been in the shop twice for the same issue. This time Max Care has told the dealer to tear the engine down because they don't know what the problem is. That means that if the dealer doesn't find the issue that I would have to pay the estimated $500 for the tear down. What a asinine approach to an automotive problem. When I called Max Care they said tough nuts as that is what their policy says. I asked to speak to a supervisor and they wouldn't comply and in the end the agent just hung up in my ear. I'm going back to Car Max and complain to them because they sold me the warranty and it appears that they have skin in the game with Max Care which makes both of them sleazy.
I have had my car for over a year and I still have plenty of mileage available for the warranty. I took my car in for service because it was having engine issues. I am now being stuck with a bill because CARMAX and MaxCare want to play back-and-forth that who's at fault for my car. They are trying to stick me with the bill. I bought this warranty so they would cover everything on the car and I'm not able to utilize it because no one will take fault for the problem at hand. I have supplied everything they've asked for and they are still giving me the runaround. What's even worse is the shop I have my car at has a several cars there that are in the same predicament as mine as carmax Max care will not cover the fixes they to be done.
Not only are they sticking me with a $1700 bill for taking the car apart they are trying to get me to pay $1300 more to have the valve cover taken off so one additional picture can be sent in when that was the inspector's responsibility to make sure the car was how he needed to be able to take pictures. I would never recommend going to carmax for a car or using MaxCare to find a warranty plan.
Updated on 08/20/2022: This is a continuation of a Previous Post documenting my experience with CarMax's MaxCare Warranty. So my 2017 Ford Escape is in the shop for a total engine replacement with approximately 71,000 miles. My first call when my check engine light came on was to CarMax's Service Department. They were unable to give me an appointment to drop off the car for TWO entire weeks. Here I was without an operational vehicle and, even though they were unable to get me in for two weeks, MaxCare only covers 1 week of vehicle rental at $40 a day (the cheapest car rental available in my area is $46 a day). The rental would be over before the vehicle was able to even be seen by CarMax. I spoke with management in the Service Department and, basically, they will do nothing to remedy this situation (no loaner car, no contacting MaxCare for an extension, nothing, no help at all).
Updated on 08/18/2022: This is a continuation of my post from the other day (Day 2 of 7). I contacted the CarMax Roseville location where I purchased my vehicle in 2019 to share my frustration about the TERRIBLE experience that I had with their MaxCare Vehicle Warranty Customer Service. I spoke at length with the woman that answered, she put me on hold then came back and said that she was transferring me to a Supervisor in the Vehicle Maintenance Dept (She said they were the ones that handled warranty issues). I assumed that she was transferring me directly to someone . . . NOPE, I went into voicemail. I left a message and TWO DAYS LATER, I still have not received a return call. This is how CarMax treats customers. Stay tuned for Post #3 tomorrow. . . Yes, there is more to the story.
Original review: I cannot believe that a reputable company like CarMax is even affiliated with MaxCare Warranty. My experience over the past week will definitely make me think twice about ever purchasing another vehicle from CarMax. I purchased a vehicle in 2019 from CarMax with 46,000 miles on it. Just last week at only 72,000 miles the car needs a complete engine replacement. It is difficult enough that parts are hard to come by putting a lot of extra pressure on repair shops to get jobs done. I confirmed with the repair shop that they had sent all requested documentation to MaxCare (which they had) and I next reached out to MaxCare just to confirm that things were moving along. For some reason, even though the repair facility had already provided everything to MaxCare and was waiting for MaxCare to give authorization to proceed, the idiot at MaxCare kept insisting that they were an 'Incoming Call Center Only' and that the repair shop was somehow to know that they needed to call them back for authorization.
I kept asking for them to please explain their procedure to me and all that the idiot at CarMax kept saying is 'We are an Incoming Call Center Only' . . . basically meaning that they do not call anyone back. The more that I asked about the procedure, I kept getting the same stupid response. I hung up and called the repair shop again and they had no idea that the ball was back in their court to call MaxCare again for authorization. My car has already been sitting in the shop for 1 week today. Hey CarMax, why would you have such a stupid system in place where the client (me) could never get a call back and the repair shop could never get a call back. Seriously, an 'Incoming Call Center Only' to handle questions on repairing vehicles. CarMax, you should be ashamed. I am going to write something each day for a week about these idiots. Stayed tuned.
My partner and I purchased our MaxCare plan in late 2020, and it has been an unmitigated nightmare ever since. We just tried for the first time in a year and a half to get in contact with CarMax, and while the last time we spoke with them was bad enough (no two people that we spoke with were able to give us the same information), we discovered this time around that they've taken their contact information completely offline, I assume because their reviews are universally negative. Out of desperation, we contacted the Carmax corporate office in Richmond, VA to get Maxcare's contact information, because we had an electric motor failure & had no other option (the car that we bought from Carmax has been plagued with constant & myriad electrical failures), and it's been a constantly combative process ever since we've made contact.
They say that they need a diagnostic code to get a claim started, which is reasonable enough, but they have barely any shops that they work with directly, and there aren't any facilities of theirs that will even get us in the door until late July (it's June 2nd as I write this), and it's becoming clear to me that they make it maximally difficult to actually make good on your warranty by partnering with next to nobody, and not beginning a claim until a car is in the shop & has a diagnostic code, which is impossible to do since they don't proactively work with anything like a reasonable number of mechanics.
Maxcare also, in our experience, has a history of doing everything in its power to deny claims in a bad-faith way. In a previous instance when we'd had a mechanical failure, we'd managed, after significant hassle, to get the car in with an approved facility that worked with Maxcare, where it sat in the shop. The mechanic said there was clearly something going on with our AC compressor, but they would need to run a diagnostic to get a better sense of what exactly was happening, and Maxcare told him that he WASN'T ALLOWED to perform the additional diagnostic. It was one of the most stunning, breathtaking instances of a bad-faith/fraudulent business practice that I had ever seen.
Run, do not walk, away from any offer that you're ever given for a Maxcare extended warranty. For the love of God, save yourself the hassle, just go to a dealership & get a used car. The cars themselves will usually be in better condition than at Carmax, and just about any extended warranty/CPO/etc. that you get from a dealer or third party will be infinitely more useful to you than this worthless nothing of a policy.
I purchased a 2015 GMC Acadia from CarMax and got the best MaxCare warranty - 5 years, 50K miles, zero deductible at preferred shops. After 2 years, the car started falling apart. In the space of a year and a half, I had it in the shop at least 10 times. MaxCare paid out a solid $10K in repair bills in that time, with never a bit of hassle. Never cost me a dime. Couldn't have been a better experience.
MaxCare Auto Warranty Company Information
- Company Name:
- Maxcare Auto Warranty
- Website:
- www.carmax.com
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