Chevrolet Equinox extended warranty: cost, coverage and plans
Why an extended warranty could make sense
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Chevrolet Equinoxs are known to have average reliability, so extended warranty options could offer extra protection against unexpected repairs as the vehicle ages.
We’ll break down what a Chevrolet Equinox warranty covers, how much it costs, what your options are and whether a warranty is worth it in the long run.
All new Chevrolet Equinoxs come with a three-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty from the factory.
Jump to insightQuotes we received for an extended auto warranty on a 2021 Equinox ranged from $1,038.60 to $2,212.53 a year. That’s more expensive than the average cost of an extended warranty.
Jump to insightChevrolet has average reliability compared with other vehicles.
Jump to insightGetting an extended warranty on an Equinox gives you peace of mind and protection against repair bills once the factory warranty expires.
Jump to insightChevrolet Equinox extended warranty coverage
An extended auto warranty is an optional, paid extension of the factory warranty your Equinox comes with. For context, Chevrolet Equinoxs come with the following warranties from the factory:
- A three-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty
- A five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty
Factory warranties follow the vehicle, not the owner. So if you buy a 2-year-old truck with 20,000 miles on it, you still have one year or 16,000 miles worth of factory bumper-to-bumper warranty remaining.
For an extended warranty on your Chevrolet Equinox, you have two options:
- Buy the official Chevrolet extended warranty, called Chevrolet Protection Plan.
- Buy a plan from a third-party extended warranty company, which allows you to take your truck to any ASE-certified mechanic for repairs.
Regardless of whether you go with an extended warranty from a dealer or a third-party provider, you’ll typically get the most value by purchasing whichever plan offers comprehensive, exclusionary protection (often called bumper-to-bumper or Platinum). These plans cover 90% or more of the parts on your vehicle. Less comprehensive Gold, Silver and powertrain plans are less expensive, but the coverage they provide may leave you no option but to pay out of pocket for pricey repairs.
Auto warranties only pay for repairs and replacements of specifically covered parts that fail from normal wear and tear, not from damage or accidents. Repairs generally aren’t covered under warranty if you don’t properly maintain the vehicle or you make aftermarket modifications.
In general, here are the differences between what a bumper-to-bumper warranty and a powertrain warranty cover:
| Warranty type | Typically covered | Not covered |
|---|---|---|
| Bumper-to-bumper | ||
| Powertrain | Parts that create power and deliver it to the wheels | Parts not related to the engine, transmission or drive axle |
Note that some extended auto warranty plans fall somewhere between bumper-to-bumper and powertrain coverage.
A ConsumerAffairs investigation found most drivers couldn't afford to cover a $1,000 repair bill with cash, and 13% had no way to pay a bill that large, even with credit.
» LEARN: What to know about manufacturers’ extended warranties
How much does a Chevrolet Equinox extended warranty cost?
We were quoted $2,212.53 a year from olive for three years of bumper-to-bumper coverage for a 2021 Chevrolet Equinox registered in Austin, Texas, with 40,000 miles. From Endurance, the quote for similar coverage was $1,038.60 annually for 30 months of coverage for the same vehicle with the same mileage. Both quotes assumed a $100 deductible. Note that both of these are third-party extended auto warranty companies.
The “official” Chevrolet extended warranty is called Chevrolet Protection Plan, and it may cost less than a third-party option. Be sure to get a quote from your local Chevrolet dealer to compare your options.
In general, quotes for extended auto warranties vary based on coverage, vehicle, deductible, location and other factors. A 2022 Equinox with zero miles typically has cheaper extended warranty options than a 2020 model with 50,000 miles, for example.
For context, the average cost of an extended warranty is around $1,000 per year of coverage. The quotes we collected for our hypothetical 2021 Chevrolet Equinox were more expensive by comparison.
Extended warranty pricing varies significantly among providers. Compare quotes from multiple companies to ensure you're getting a good deal.
It's worth mentioning that a "Gold" or powertrain extended warranty can keep costs lower, but it comes with risks. Lower-level plans only cover a fraction of the parts that a comprehensive plan does, which can leave you frustrated when you have to pay out of pocket for certain repairs.
Some third-party providers start counting the coverage at the time when you purchase the plan. For example, if you get a 36-month, 185,000-mile plan from olive, you're covered for three years after purchasing the plan, or when your vehicle hits 185,000 total miles. Other providers may start the timer from the original purchase date of the car. In that case, you'll have to subtract the car's current age and mileage (plus any remaining factory warranty) from the length of the plan to determine how long coverage will last.
Is a Chevrolet Equinox extended warranty worth it?
Yes, a Chevrolet Equinox extended warranty is worth it. In general, an extended auto warranty is worth it if any of the following are true:
- Your vehicle has a bad reputation for reliability.
- The warranty costs less than you expect to spend on repairs.
- A big repair bill could hurt you financially.
- You don’t mind paying for peace of mind.
Chevrolet as a brand has average reliability, with J.D. Power ranking Chevrolet 4th out of 29 car brands for overall dependability. As for the Equinox specifically, RepairPal gave it a 3.5 out of 5.
Some ConsumerAffairs reviewers reported issues with their Chevrolet Equinoxes.
Jamie in Ohio wrote: “Bought my 2015 Chevy Equinox in 2020 with 70,000 miles. First problem I had was my rear main seal busting. … Now I am dealing with the timing chain issue that is also common in this car.”
Issues with Chevrolet Equinox maintenance can be pricey. The likelihood of needing repairs and the prices we found for Chevrolet Equinox extended warranties means you may come out ahead by purchasing a protection plan.
Article sources
- J.D. Power, “Vehicle Dependability Slumps as Rate of Deterioration Increases, J.D. Power Finds.” Accessed Aug. 14, 2024.
- RepairPal, “Chevrolet Equinox Reliability Rating.” Accessed Aug. 14, 2024.
