Are Shocks and Struts Covered Under Warranty? Answered

Short Answer: Manufacturers’ warranties typically cover defective shocks and struts. Some extended service warranties also cover shocks and struts, but powertrain warranties do not. For more details about shock and strut coverage by warranty type and brand, see below.

Are Shocks and Struts Covered Under Warranty?

Whether or not your warranty covers shocks and struts will depend on the type of warranty you have and the manufacturer of your vehicle. New vehicle factory or manufacturer warranties typically cover shocks and struts, but only if the components are defective. A new vehicle’s extended service warranty — which you must purchase separately — may also cover these parts, but the circumstances of repair or replacement will depend on the level of coverage you buy. Limited powertrain warranties do not cover shocks and struts.

Factory Warranties

Manufacturer’s factory warranties, also known as new vehicle warranties or bumper-to-bumper warranties, cover new vehicles. This type of warranty typically covers repair or replacement due to defects in parts, including shocks and struts. However, it will not cover damage to the shocks and struts from normal wear and tear. We confirmed this information with representatives from Toyota, Lexus, Nissan, and Chevrolet.

Factory warranties are typically valid for three years or 36,000 miles, whichever occurs first. Some manufacturers extend this warranty to four years or 48,000 miles.

One exception is Volvo’s New Vehicle Warranty, which will cover defects on vehicle parts for the warranty period (including the replacement of shock absorbers due to wear and tear) during the first 12 months or 12,000 miles, whichever occurs first.

Extended Service Agreements

Most vehicle manufacturers offer extended warranties that are available at the time of purchase for new vehicles. The dealer will add the cost of the extended warranty to the vehicle price. These warranties, also known as vehicle service agreements, offer different levels of coverage, such as Silver, Gold, or Platinum; shock and strut coverage vary by level and manufacturer. For specific coverage details, it is best to check with the vehicle manufacturer or your local dealership.

Silver Extended Warranties

Silver extended warranties occasionally cover shocks and/or struts, but coverage varies by manufacturer. For example:

The Volvo VIP Silver Coverage extended warranty covers struts but not shocks.
The Ford Protect BaseCARE Plan covers struts but not shocks.
The Nissan Silver Preferred Plan covers strut assemblies and shock absorbers.

Gold or Platinum Extended Warranties

Gold and Platinum warranties are typically more comprehensive than Silver, but coverage will still vary by manufacturer. In the course of our research, we found several examples of Gold and Platinum extended warranties with different levels of shock and strut coverage:

Do not cover shocks or struts:
- Lexus Extra Care Gold Plan
- Toyota Extra Care Gold Plan
Cover struts but not shocks:
- Ford Protect BaseCARE Plan
- Ford Protect ExtraCARE Plan
- Ford Protect PremiumCARE Plan
- Volvo VIP Gold Coverage
- Volvo VIP Platinum Coverage
Cover both shocks and struts:
- Chevrolet Platinum Protection Plan
- Nissan Gold Preferred Plan
Cover rear shock absorber and strut rods:
- Lexus Extra Care Platinum Plan
- Toyota Extra Care Platinum Plan

Powertrain Warranties

Powertrain warranties do not cover shocks or struts. This type of warranty covers only the “powertrain” components of a vehicle, including the engine, transmission, and drivetrain. Most vehicle manufacturers offer a limited powertrain warranty on new vehicles in addition to the factory warranty, and you can also typically purchase a powertrain warranty as a type of extended service agreement.