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When you consider that a Class 8 semi truck can travel up to 1 million miles during its lifetime, its components will inevitably start to break down or experience issues over time. Unfortunately, repairs and maintenance costs for commercial trucks can quickly add up. And an emergency or catastrophic issue, such as an engine failure, can cost anywhere from $20,000 to $50,000 and lead to downtime that can hurt your business’s bottom line.
As a business owner, you most likely take precautionary steps to protect your investments, and commercial trucks should be no different. That’s where a warranty that covers the cost of repairs for your truck comes into play.
Here’s everything you need to know about the different types of commercial truck warranties and how they work.
What Is a Commercial Truck Warranty?
At a basic level, a warranty is a written guarantee from the manufacturer or third-party vendor that they will pay to replace or repair specified parts or major components of your vehicle if they fail over a certain time period or mile range. Essentially, warranties help offset the major financial risk a breakdown can pose for a single truck or a fleet owner. When your truck eventually needs service, the service provider will verify your coverage and let you know which parts and repairs are covered by the warranty and which you need to pay for out-of-pocket.
When it comes to commercial vehicles, there are typically two types of warranties available: original equipment manufacturer (OEM) factory warranties and extended warranties.
OEM Factory Warranties
OEM factory warranties are offered by the brand at no extra cost when a truck is first purchased and covers any early issues with specified parts, components and systems. Coverage typically lasts for a set time period or until a certain number of miles are driven after the truck is purchased, which will vary depending on the OEM, model and year of the vehicle. Should you sell the truck while the warranty is still in effect, the remaining coverage transfers to the new owner.
What Do Factory Warranties Cover?
The factory warranties provided by most commercial truck OEMs include separate coverage periods and mileage limits for:
- Basic coverage
- The powertrain/drivetrain
- The chassis
- The emissions/aftertreatment system
The parts and components covered under each warranty will vary depending on the manufacturer, so make sure you fully understand what is and isn’t covered when purchasing the vehicle. As an example, the OEMs that Rush Truck Centers represents currently offer the following factory warranties*:
- Peterbilt Heavy-Duty Trucks – 1 Year/100,000 Miles Basic Warranty | 3 Years/360,000 Miles Powertrain Warranty | 5 Years/500,000 Miles Frame/Gusset/Cab/Hood Warranty
- Peterbilt Medium-Duty Trucks – 1 Year/100,000 Miles Basic Warranty | 2 Years/Unlimited Miles Powertrain Warranty | 3 Years/Unlimited Miles Frame/Gusset/Cab/Hood Warranty
- International Heavy-Duty Trucks – 1 Year/100,000 Miles Basic Warranty | 1 Year/Unlimited Miles Drivetrain Warranty | 2 Years/Unlimited Miles Engine Warranty | 5 Years/Unlimited Miles Chassis Warranty
- International Medium-Duty Trucks – 1 Year/Unlimited Miles Basic Warranty | 2 Years/Unlimited Miles Drivetrain Warranty | 5 Years/Unlimited Miles Chassis Warranty
- Hino – 2 Years/Unlimited Miles Basic Warranty | 5 Years/100,000 Miles Emissions/Aftertreatment Warranty | 4 Years/Unlimited Miles Cab/Frame/Transmission Warranty
- Isuzu – 3 Years/36,000 Miles Basic Warranty | 5 Years/75,000 Miles Powertrain Warranty | 5 Years/50,0000 Miles Emissions Warranty
- Ford Super Duty® Trucks – 3 Years/36,000 Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty | 5 Years/60,000 Powertrain Warranty for Gas Trucks | 5 Years/60,000 Powertrain Warranty for Diesel Trucks
- Ford F-650 and F-750 Trucks – 2 Years/Unlimited Miles Basic Warranty | 5 Years/100,000 Miles Powertrain Warranty on 7.3L Gas Trucks | 5 Years/250,0000 Powertrain Warranty on 6.7L Diesel Trucks | 5 Years/50,000 Miles Emissions Warranty on Gas Trucks | 5 Years/100,0000 Miles Emissions Warranty on Diesel Trucks
Most factory warranties require that the owner keep up with routine vehicle maintenance in order to maintain coverage, meaning repairs for equipment that fails due to owner negligence may not be covered. Truck owners are typically required to ensure the following preventive maintenance services are performed regularly: oil changes, tire rotations, belt replacement, fluid checks, brake pad inspections and replacement, and overall vehicle inspections.
Extended Truck Warranties
Once the original OEM factory warranty on your truck expires, you have the option of purchasing an extended warranty that provides additional coverage. These warranties are offered by the manufacturer as an extended OEM warranty or by third-party providers as an aftermarket extended warranty. Both options typically include an upfront cost, deductibles, specific dollar limits for repairs and an aggregate coverage total, much like insurance.
If you are considering an extended warranty, make sure you understand exactly what it will cover and where you’ll be able to get service should you need it. If purchased through the OEM, your extended warranty will typically cover new factory parts, but you may be required to visit the dealership for service. Aftermarket warranties may offer a larger network of service providers, but you’ll need to be sure they cover parts compatible with your truck.
Do You Need an Extended Warranty?
If you’re wondering if an extended warranty is worth the cost, keep in mind that used trucks are more likely to experience costly equipment failures as they age. To put it into perspective, if a Class 8 semi truck travels 1 million miles in its lifetime, repairs and breakdowns are not covered for nearly 80% of the truck’s life once the standard OEM warranty expires.
Extended warranties are ideal for truck owners who drive long distances and will quickly surpass the mile range for standard OEM warranty coverage or for those who do not drive many miles but would like to extend the amount of time that repairs are covered.
Full-Service Truck Maintenance and Repairs at Rush Truck Centers
When your truck needs service, Rush Truck Centers is ready to help get you back on the road as soon as possible. Our service experts at our more than 140 service locations nationwide will help you to fully understand what is covered by your warranty and will always seek your approval before starting work using our proprietary Service Connect™ portal.
If you have questions about warranty coverage or need to schedule service, contact a Rush Truck Centers location near you or reach out to our RushCare Customer Support Team for assistance.
*Actual coverage will depend on the specific vehicle, OEM, model and year.
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