Is a Timing Belt Covered Under Warranty?

Timing belt warranty coverage

A timing belt replacement could be covered under a warranty if it fails because of a factory defect — as long as you have stuck to the car’s prescribed maintenance schedule. Also, a warranty may not cover your timing belt if your vehicle was damaged in an accident or driven recklessly (a lot of off-roading, for example). This is how most car warranty terms work.

If you’ve followed all the rules and your timing belt snaps for no apparent reason, your warranty might pay to replace it.

Some timing belts need to be replaced as low as 60,000 miles, while others can last up to 100,000 miles. If you plan on owning a new car until it dies, you may have to replace the timing belt two or three times, depending on how long you drive the car.

Why your car’s timing belt is important

The timing belt is like a conductor keeping the pistons and valves in perfect rhythm. If the timing is off by even a little, the engine can’t run smoothly. In interference engines, if the timing belt breaks, the pistons can collide with open valves. This causes severe engine damage, often requiring costly repairs or even an engine replacement.

» RELATED: Most expensive car repairs

What types of warranties cover timing belts?

You can find many types of car warranties, but not all of them will cover a timing belt. Some powertrain warranties may cover timing belts, even though they’re designed to wear out over time. Also, there may be situations that void your warranty.

For example, if you get into a car accident and damage your timing belt, you may not be able to utilize your warranty. But your car insurance (or the other driver’s car insurance) may cover the replacement cost.

If you buy a used car that is already having issues with its timing belt, purchasing a new warranty will often specifically exclude any preexisting issues. This is fairly standard across all types of warranties.

Manufacturer’s vs. extended warranties

A manufacturer’s warranty, sometimes called a factory warranty, typically covers a timing belt for up to three years or 36,000 miles. Most timing belts should not wear out that quickly. There is no set time frame for how long a timing belt can last, and even having a car warranty does not guarantee that a timing belt will last for a specific number of miles on your odometer.

An extended car warranty or vehicle service contract might not help either. That’s because a timing belt is only designed to last a certain amount of time. After that, replacing it is simply standard maintenance. Warranties only cover costs if the malfunction was caused by a factory defect.

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

Which extended warranties cover timing belts?

Multiple extended warranty companies and plans cover timing belts. Below are some popular providers and details on which of their policies include timing belts.

Endurance and olive cover the timing belt in their powertrain or bumper-to-bumper plans. American Dream Auto Protect plans cover only timing chains, while Omega Auto Care offers coverage for your timing gear and cover, but not the belt.

How can I tell if my timing belt or chain is failing?

A failing timing belt or chain could cause any of the following:

• A ticking noise coming from your engine
• Rough idling or a rattling noise coming from your engine
• An oil leak near the motor
• Engine won’t start or fully ignite properly
• Changes to RPM meter 
• More exhaust fumes than usual

While many of these problems can be a result of something else, it’s important to check whether the timing belt or chain could be the instigator, especially if you know your timing belt has more than 60,000 miles on it.

What happens if your timing belt fails while driving?

If your timing belt fails while you’re driving, you should immediately try to pull over in a safe spot and shut off the car. Do not attempt to keep driving; doing so could result in major damage to your engine. A timing belt breaking can cause engine damage, but you should try to minimize it as much as possible.

Have your car towed to the dealership or auto repair shop of your choice and get it evaluated there.

How much is a timing belt change?

The average cost to replace a timing belt is between $884 and $1,284, according to RepairPal. That’s a pretty big range.

Average timing belt replacement costs in 2025

Timing belt replacement cost factors

The variation in cost partly comes down to the type of car you have. In general, the more expensive your vehicle, the more you’ll pay for a timing belt. Also, some timing belts are easier for the mechanic to access, which can reduce labor time and, therefore, lower the total replacement cost.

There’s also a cost difference based on how far along the damage is. If the timing belt has already broken, it may have damaged other car parts. In this case, the cost of replacing the timing belt may be higher because you’ll have to fix or replace the other parts as well.

Some mechanics may recommend replacing other parts — such as your water pump, camshaft and crankshaft seals, timing belt tensioner and idler pulleys or drive belts —  that are next to the timing belt at the same time, even if there’s nothing wrong with them yet. This can save you money in labor costs later on. But you can always opt to skip this.

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