Is an exhaust covered under warranty?
Good news: You might be covered
Leaks, loud sounds and a check engine light are all signs your exhaust system is struggling. Your exhaust can be very costly to repair, but warranties are there to help with some of the unexpected expenses you might face. The key is knowing if you’re still under warranty and if your plan includes exhaust coverage at all.
Exhausts are typically covered under warranty.
Jump to insightNot all parts of an exhaust system are included in some extended warranty plans, though.
Jump to insightReplacing exhaust pipes and related components averages between $1,000 and $1,100 if you’re paying out of pocket.
Jump to insightExhaust warranty coverage
As a rule of thumb, factory warranties and extended warranties can both cover exhausts, but it ultimately depends on the terms of your warranty agreement and the issue in question.
For example, your exhaust falling off unexpectedly might be covered by your manufacturer’s bumper-to-bumper warranty. However, an emissions test failure would be covered under your emissions warranty. And damage to your exhaust from bottoming out on a speed bump wouldn’t be covered by either because that’s not considered a factory defect.
» LEARN: What does a car warranty cover?
What types of warranties cover exhausts?
The factory warranty that came with your vehicle should include exhaust coverage for a specific period of time, usually at least three years or 36,000 miles — whichever comes first. New cars come with coverage for most of your exhaust components, such as the pipes, manifold and catalytic converter, but they may cover different parts of your exhaust system differently.
Extended warranties have been known to cover parts of exhaust systems as well, but not all do. Your exact coverage depends on your plan and provider. (Some parts of exhaust systems are deemed as wear-and-tear components, which means they aren’t covered because they’re designed to need replacing.)
The main thing to keep in mind when shopping for exhaust coverage once your manufacturer’s warranty expires is that not all extended warranties provide coverage for the entire exhaust system. Just remember to read the contract carefully, especially the section that lists the items included or not included.
Does your extended warranty cover exhausts?
Since not every extended auto warranty is the same, coverage will be different per plan and per company. Some extended warranties cover your entire exhaust system, while others only cover specific parts. And some will not cover the exhaust system at all.
For example, a reviewer in New York had no problem getting his car’s touchscreen fixed under warranty, but “then there was also a ticking noise, which was the exhaust manifold, but that wasn't covered by the warranty, so I had to pay for that.”
View the chart below to see which companies include exhaust coverage and what specific parts are included.
| Warranty provider | Plans offering exhaust coverage |
|---|---|
| Endurance | |
| American Dream Auto Protect | Not available with any plans |
| olive | All plans: exhaust manifold |
| Omega Auto Care | Exclusionary: exhaust manifold |
| Toco Warranty | All plans: all exhaust components |
| Concord Auto Protect | All plans: exhaust valves |
How much does it cost to fix your exhaust?
It’s hard to predict what an exhaust repair will cost you since the exhaust system is made up of so many parts, like the muffler, exhaust manifold and catalytic converter. And some of these parts cost more than others to replace.
For instance, replacing your catalytic converter can cost over $4,000, while replacing the exhaust manifold averages between $1,100 and $1,200, according to RepairPal. But, if we are talking about fixing your exhaust pipes specifically, RepairPal estimates those repair costs to be between $1,000 and $1,100.
FAQ
How long are exhaust warranties?
The exact length of exhaust warranties varies between manufacturers and extended auto companies. The standard length for a factory bumper-to-bumper warranty is three years or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first), while the length of extended auto warranties depends solely on the company and plan you choose.
Does a car warranty cover your muffler?
Car warranties usually cover vehicle mufflers, though not all parts of the exhaust system are covered.
Is your exhaust manifold covered under warranty?
Your exhaust manifold should be covered under warranty since factory and extended warranties typically cover exhaust systems.
(Extended auto warranties often list “exhaust” as part of their covered items, but they may not cover all parts of your exhaust system. You will have to read the fine print or ask a representative what their coverage entails.)
