Is a timing belt covered under warranty?
It depends on how it broke
+1 more
We all need something to keep us running. For some people, that’s a cup of coffee in the morning. And for your car? It’s the timing belt. The timing belt ensures that the engine and its supporting parts run smoothly. Without it, your vehicle can’t function.
So what happens when your timing belt needs to be replaced? Well, sometimes you may be able to rely on your warranty coverage — but sometimes you can’t. Read on to learn when your warranty will pay for a new timing belt and when you may need to open your wallet.
A manufacturer’s warranty typically lasts for up to three years or 36,000 miles. Timing belts are designed to last 60,000 to 100,000 miles.
Jump to insightTiming belts are considered wear-and-tear items, like brake pads or wiper blades. They don’t often break because of factory defects.
Jump to insightThe average timing belt replacement costs between $874 and $1,264.
Jump to insightTiming 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.
However, 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. Powertrain warranties usually 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, then you may not be able to utilize your warranty. In this instance, you may be able to have your car insurance (or the other driver’s car insurance) cover the replacement cost.
If you buy a used car that is already having issues with its timing belt, then purchasing a new warranty will often specifically exclude any preexisting issues. This is fairly standard across all types of warranties.
Manufacturers 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?
There are many extended warranty companies and plans that cover timing belts. Below are some popular providers and details on which of their policies include timing belts.
All Endurance and olive cover the timing belt in their powertrain or bumper-to-bumper plans. American Dream Auto Protect and Concord Auto Protect plans cover only timing chains, while Omega Auto Care offers coverage for your timing gear and cover, but not the belt.
| Company | Customer rating | Timing belt coverage available | Waiting period | Availability | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Endurance Warranty | Get Pricing | 4.5 |  | 30 to 60 days and 1,000 miles | Nationwide (not MA) |
 olive | Learn More | 4.0 | |  | Most states (not FL) |
 American Dream Auto Protect | Get Pricing | 4.0 | | 30 days | Nationwide (not CA) |
 Concord Auto Protect | Learn More | 1.2 | | 30 days | Nationwide (not CA) |
 Omega Auto Care | Learn More | 4.0 | | 30 days | Nationwide |
How much is a timing belt change?
The average cost to replace a timing belt is between $874 and $1,264, according to RepairPal. That’s a pretty big range.
Average timing belt replacement costs in 2025
| Total cost | Labor | Parts | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ford F-150 | $2,270 to $3,268 | $2,135 to $3,133 | $135 |
| Ford Escape | $1,125 to $1,570 | $954 to $1,400 | $171 |
| Honda CR-V | $786 to $1,002 | $390 to $573 | $396 to $429 |
| Honda Accord | $753 to $1,117 | $481 to $706 | $271 to $410 |
| Toyota RAV4 | $558 to $994 | $329 to $483 | $229 to $511 |
| Toyota Corolla | $448 to $782 | $305 to $447 | $143 to $335 |
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 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.
Also, 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.
FAQ
Are timing belts considered wear and tear items?
A timing belt is an item that goes through normal wear and tear, which means there’s nothing you can do to avoid replacing the timing belt eventually.
No matter what kind of car you have or how you drive, you will have to replace your timing belt at some point if you drive it long enough. A timing belt can last between 60,000 and 100,000 miles, depending on various factors. This should give you a few years’ worth of driving, depending on your annual mileage. All in all, you shouldn’t be surprised when it’s time to replace the timing belt.
Is a timing belt covered under a powertrain warranty?
A timing belt is normally included in the powertrain coverage and will, therefore, be covered if something happens while the powertrain warranty is still active. A powertrain warranty period usually lasts five years or 60,000 miles, whichever comes first.
However, most timing belts won’t break until you’re past the 60,000-mile mark. In that case, your powertrain warranty from the dealership will have likely expired and will no longer be in effect. Incidentally, you shouldn’t count on your warranty covering the timing belt replacement. It’s better to assume that the timing belt won’t need to be replaced until your powertrain warranty has expired.
A powertrain warranty is available even when you buy a used car. When you’re buying the car, ask about transferring the warranty coverage over to you.
What are signs of timing belt failure?
In automotive engines, a worn timing belt can cause ticking noises, misfires or coolant leaks if it also drives the water pump. If it breaks, the engine may stop running and suffer major damage. That’s why following the owner’s manual’s recommended service interval and replacement interval is so important. Replacing it on time saves money and prevents serious problems.
Article sources
ConsumerAffairs writers primarily rely on government data, industry experts and original research from other reputable publications to inform their work. Specific sources for this article include:
- Endurance, “What Does a Powertrain Warranty Cover?” Accessed July 9, 2025.
- RepairPal, “Timing Belt Replacement Cost Estimate.” Accessed July 9, 2025.
- RepairPal, “Get a free car repair estimate.” Accessed July 9, 2025.
