Do car warranties cover batteries?

Battery warranty coverage

Generally speaking, batteries are covered under warranty, but the specifics are a little complicated. For example, your starter battery is usually covered under your vehicle’s bumper-to-bumper warranty. However, if you drive an EV or hybrid, the traction battery that helps move your car will likely be covered under a separate warranty.

And even if your battery is under warranty, there are exclusions as to what warrants coverage and what doesn’t. Batteries are deemed wear-and-tear items, which means they’re designed to eventually need replacing. Battery coverage usually only applies if the failure is due to a manufacturing defect — not regular use or wear.

If your battery dies from age or general wear and tear, you’ll likely have to pay for a replacement yourself. Misuse or aging is typically not covered under warranty.

» LEARN: What does a car warranty cover?

What types of warranties cover batteries?

Because batteries can be covered under different types of warranties — including coverage from the vehicle or the battery manufacturer — it’s worth checking all your options before paying out of pocket.

• Bumper-to-bumper warranties: Most new cars come with bumper-to-bumper warranties that help cover the cost of a starter battery replacement should yours fail prematurely. These warranties usually last for three to six years or until a specified mileage cap.
• EV warranties: While the powertrain warranty on an internal combustion vehicle typically won’t cover any batteries, hybrids and electric vehicles usually have special warranties that cover their drive units and traction batteries even after their bumper-to-bumper warranties expire.
• Extended warranties: Extended warranties, also known as vehicle service contracts, don’t usually cover batteries. But some companies have battery coverage that’s either included with certain plans or available for an extra charge.
• Battery manufacturer warranties: If you’ve already replaced your car’s battery, the one you bought might still be under warranty from the manufacturer. For example, OPTIMA offers a three-year warranty on its REDTOP and YELLOWTOP batteries.

EV and hybrid vehicles usually come with separate warranties for their high-voltage traction batteries, often lasting eight years or 100,000 miles.

» MORE: Car warranty guide: what you need to know

Does your extended warranty cover batteries?

Although extended warranties don't normally cover starter batteries, some warranty plans do. We checked with a few popular auto warranty companies to see which offer battery coverage.

How much does it cost to fix your battery?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, but the average starter battery replacement costs between $378 and $388, according to RepairPal. Your cost will likely depend on the kind of car you drive, what kind of battery you buy and where you buy it. For example, many car parts stores offer free installation, but some mechanics might charge you for the service.

If you’re paying out of pocket to replace the high-voltage traction battery in your electric vehicle or hybrid, your bill is likely going to be much larger, though. According to our research, replacing an EV battery usually costs thousands. In fact, it’s generally the most expensive single repair a car can need.