Tesla Extended Warranty

Tesla vehicles may only require minimal maintenance, but that doesn’t mean repairs don’t come up. That’s where a Tesla extended warranty comes in to help cover repair costs beyond the factory warranty period. However, this warranty is only available for two models.

There are other options for repair coverage beyond Tesla’s offerings. We’ve reviewed the best extended warranty companies available to help drivers find coverage that works. Get quotes from multiple providers to see what you’d pay to cover your Tesla.

Tesla’s extended warranty plan is available for Model S and Model X vehicles. It’s called the Tesla Extended Service Agreement, or ESA for short. You can choose between two term limits: 2 years/25,000 miles or 4 years/50,000 miles.

Tesla extended warranty coverage begins when factory warranty coverage ends. As far as coverage goes, there is only one option, and it’s similar to a standard bumper-to-bumper plan. It will repair or replace most parts on the car except for a list of exclusions. Lithium-ion batteries and drive units are not included in coverage because those parts have their own warranty terms.

Here are a few vehicle parts that the Tesla extended warranty doesn’t cover:

• Battery and drive unit
• Tires and wheels
• Paint
• Sheet metal
• Shock absorbers
• Lighting
• Weather stripping
• Maintenance items like brake pads and alignment

And here are some situations that exclude a repair from coverage:

• Repairs done by a third party without prior authorization from Tesla
• Failure to take the vehicle to Tesla when a covered problem is discovered
• Damage from misuse, accidents, or lack of maintenance
• Commercial vehicles
• Vehicles with altered odometers
• Corrosion from the outside in
• Damage to a covered part by a non-covered part

The key thing to remember is that the Tesla Extended Service Agreement covers defects in materials or workmanship, not normal wear and tear.

Additional Perks

If you experience a breakdown in your Tesla, stop using it if it would cause more damage. You are required to take your car to the nearest Tesla Authorized Service Center. Since there are areas of the country with no nearby Tesla service center, the company will cover vehicle transportation for the first 500 miles to the nearest one.

Tesla’s extended warranty includes roadside assistance, which covers the long-distance towing mentioned above and towing for a flat tire up to 50 miles. It also covers lockout assistance, which has a towing limit of 50 miles, as well.

Since Tesla models are electric vehicles, there is no need for other roadside services like fuel delivery or battery jump-starts.

Tesla Extended Warranty Prices

Tesla conveniently lists extended warranty prices on its website. Since it sells plans directly to consumers, you’ll pay these prices whether you live in Florida or Montana. The following prices apply if you buy a protection plan within 180 days of the in-service date:

• Model S 2-year agreement: $2,100
• Model S 4-year agreement: $4,250
• Model X 2-year agreement: $2,400
• Model X 4-year agreement: $4,800

Tesla allows you to purchase an extended warranty up to 30 days/1,000 miles beyond the expiration of the factory warranty. If you purchase a plan after 180 days from the in-service date, it will cost an extra $500, no matter the vehicle model or plan duration. The plan requires a $200 deductible for repairs.

Can You Buy An Extended Warranty On A Used Tesla?

You can buy an extended warranty on a used Tesla only if you did not buy that Tesla from a third-party dealer. If you purchased a used Model S or Model X directly from Tesla, it will come with an additional factory warranty period. You can purchase a Tesla extended warranty during this time.

If you bought a Tesla from a private party, the original New Vehicle Limited Warranty was transferred to you, and you can purchase an extended warranty while it lasts.

However, if you bought a used Tesla from another used car dealership (any dealer except Tesla), you can’t purchase an extended warranty, even if the car is still under the manufacturer’s warranty.

Tesla Isn’t A Franchise (And Why That Matters)

Here’s an interesting bit of trivia. Most car dealerships are franchises. So, your local Acura dealer is actually an independent business that sells Acura products. Tesla, on the other hand, skips the middleman and sells its vehicles directly to consumers. Regulations around car sales require Tesla to sell vehicles online and have customers pick them up in stores.

Why does this matter? Well, Tesla’s website provides many more details about the Tesla extended warranty program than other automakers’ sites. It even lists warranty prices. Since other companies use a franchise model, individual dealers are able to offer different incentives and even different plans from time to time. That can make it hard to know if you’re getting the best deal.

An Acura extended warranty, for example, can be offered at different prices even between two dealerships in the same town. But Tesla has complete control of all its products and can keep its offerings consistent between locations, which is nice to know when you’re shopping around.

While Tesla’s vehicles are considerably different from standard cars with combustion engines, they still share many similarities. Tesla models still have suspension and steering systems, air conditioning, and electronics. In some cases, the systems in a Tesla are much more complex than its counterparts in a standard car.

For example, a driver’s side door handle on the Model S is made from dozens of sensors, motors, and micro switches. Tesla can charge around $500 to replace a door handle or more if a new handle is going onto an older Model S.

With a Tesla, you won’t have to repair a radiator or fix misfiring engine cylinders. Repairs may be few and far between, but they can still carry a hefty price tag due to the advanced design of the car.

According to YourMechanic, an average Model S repair costs around $283, though more expensive repairs can reach $4,074. Model X average costs per repair are about $162 with an upper range of $769. The average repair for a Model 3 is $193, and more expensive repairs reach $1,134. Remember, the manufacturer doesn’t offer a Tesla extended warranty for the Model 3 or Model Y.

What Coverage Do You Already Have?

All Tesla vehicles come with a 4 years/50,000 miles New Vehicle Limited Warranty that covers almost any part of the car except a list of exclusions. The battery and drive unit are covered with a longer warranty as follows:

• Model S and Model X: 8 years/150,000 miles with 70 percent battery retention
• Model 3 and Model Y (Standard Range or Plus): 8 years/100,000 miles with 70 percent battery retention
• Model 3 and Model Y (Long Range or Performance): 8 years/120,000 miles with 70 percent battery retention

Used vehicles sold by Tesla still within the factory warranty period receive an additional 4 years/50,000 miles limited warranty from the delivery date. Used vehicles sold outside of the factory warranty period are covered for an additional two years from the delivery date or up to 100,000 miles on the odometer.

Once your Tesla has passed 30 days/1,000 miles beyond its factory warranty, you won’t be able to purchase an extended warranty from the company. In contrast, third-party auto warranty providers let you add a warranty at almost any point in time.

Another thing to think about is the maximum coverage term available. If we add Tesla’s extended warranty to the factory warranty period, it covers a maximum of 100,000 miles on the odometer. Other companies like Endurance can cover vehicles up to 200,000 miles. If you take good care of your Tesla, there’s no reason it wouldn’t last well beyond 100,000 miles. Third-party plans can give you peace of mind that repairs are covered for much longer.

Tesla’s service agreement extends coverage for a few years, but it’s not the longest coverage option on the market. There’s also only one choice for Tesla owners, and it doesn’t apply to Model 3 or Model Y vehicles. If you’re thinking about an extended warranty for your Tesla, it would be a good idea to check out third-party providers. Get free quotes from a few leading warranty companies below.