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.)
Coverage comparison at a glance
- OEM or manufacturer warranty: Covers manufacturing defects; excludes road-hazard and impact damage.
- Dealer or extended service contracts: May cover certain components, rarely road-hazard wheel damage; exclusions vary.
- Tire-and-wheel protection: Typically covers road-hazard damage; may exclude collision and cosmetic-only damage.
- Auto insurance: May cover wheel damage from collisions or vandalism, depending on comprehensive or collision coverage; excludes wear and tear.
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.
Is a tire and wheel plan worth buying?
Factory warranties typically cover wheels only for manufacturing defects, not damage from potholes, curbs or road hazards. A tire-and-wheel protection plan may be worth the cost if the plan price is lower than what you would likely pay for damage your driving conditions make probable.
Most plans charge a one-time fee for multi-year coverage. Pricing often falls in the same range as one wheel repair to one wheel replacement, depending on wheel size, vehicle type and coverage term.
If you drive daily on pothole-prone roads and one wheel replacement costs roughly the same as the plan, a single bent or cracked wheel claim can cover the plan cost. Add any deductible when comparing.
If you drive infrequently or mainly on highways and could pay for occasional repairs, self-insuring typically costs less over time, particularly with per-claim deductibles and strict coverage caps.
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.
Are wheels covered under warranty if I hit a pothole?
Pothole damage is typically not covered under an OEM or manufacturer warranty. Factory wheel warranties exclude road hazard and impact damage. Coverage may be available through a tire and wheel protection plan, a retailer road hazard certificate or your auto insurance policy with the appropriate coverage.
Are bent or cracked wheels covered under warranty?
Bent or cracked wheels are covered under OEM warranty only if the damage results from a manufacturing defect verified by inspection. Impact damage from potholes, debris or curbs is not covered by OEM warranties. Tire and wheel protection plans or certain insurance policies may cover impact damage depending on your specific coverage terms.
