Are wheels covered under warranty?
Wheel coverage is a little tricky
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Wheels are one of the most visible parts of a car. However, they’re one of the few items that warranties usually don’t cover. In fact, getting a warranty for your wheels can be difficult unless you purchase a special policy. And, even then, it may not cover everything.
Wheels aren’t covered by most car warranties.
Jump to insightYou can purchase a separate tire and wheel policy that will cover your wheels against certain hazards.
Jump to insightAccident-related wheel damage is typically covered by car insurance, not warranties.
Jump to insightReplacing your wheels can cost hundreds of dollars (if not thousands), but the cost varies significantly from vehicle to vehicle.
Jump to insightWheel warranty coverage
Despite being one of the most important parts of your car, wheels are rarely covered by traditional warranties unless there is some kind of defect with the wheel. (In fact, if you want your wheels to be covered by a warranty, you’ll probably have to pay for a separate special policy.)
» LEARN: What does a car warranty cover?
What types of warranties cover wheels?
Even though powertrain warranties usually cover all of the parts that make your car go, that doesn’t include your wheels.
If you’re dead set on having wheel protection, you can purchase a separate tire and wheel protection policy. This will be a separate policy that kicks in if you hit something while you’re driving and it damages your tire or wheel. But, like any warranty, it doesn’t include damage caused by a car accident. (You’ll have to use your car insurance for that.)
How much does it cost to fix your wheels?
Wheel prices vary considerably. You can theoretically find replacements for under $100 each, but if you have a high-end performance car, you might spend $2,500 or more for a new carbon fiber wheel — and that’s not including the labor involved.
Some factors affecting cost are what kind of car you’re driving and how many wheels you need to replace. Sometimes, you only need to replace one wheel. In a worst-case scenario, you may have to replace all four wheels.
FAQ
What does a tire and wheel plan cover?
In general, a wheel and tire plan pays for repairs and replacements if your tires or wheels are damaged because of a road hazard. Some plans may also pay for the cost of towing the car to a tire shop or even pay for a rental car.
However, because tires are designed to wear out at specific intervals, you shouldn’t expect a tire and wheel plan to cover new tires needed due to routine wear-and-tear. Also, if you get into a car accident and damage your wheels, then you should go through the insurance company for your repairs.
Are tires covered under warranty?
While other car parts may be covered under some kind of warranty, tires are one of the few exceptions. When it comes to wear-and-tear items on your car, tires take the most abuse. They have to support the car through whatever conditions you may encounter — rain, sleet, snow, mud and more.
Wheels are often not covered by most warranties unless there is a detectable defect. If you need to replace one or more tires, you’ll probably have to pay out-of-pocket. This even applies if you get a nail in your tire while driving or if you hit a curb and you get a flat tire.
Are rims covered under warranty?
Rims usually aren’t covered under a standard manufacturer’s warranty unless you have separate wheel and tire coverage. Be careful shelling out a lot of money on rims because if they get damaged, you’ll likely be on the hook for repairs.
If you don’t have a special tire and wheel policy, rims typically won’t be covered by a manufacturer’s warranty. But if your rim is damaged in a car accident, your insurance company may cover some of the cost.
