According to Forbes, Lexus is the fourth largest luxury-car brand, with its vehicles noted as the most dependable new cars by J.D. Power. Every new Lexus comes with a comprehensive factory warranty, and it’s advised to also secure a Lexus extended warranty for after the factory warranty expires.
We’ll explain all you need to know about the brand’s coverage options, from the original factory warranty for new vehicles to the best Lexus extended warranties for further protection.
We’ve also conducted research on all the best extended car warranty providers, so you can compare them to the Lexus product. We recommend getting free quotes from multiple providers to find a good fit and price.
Benefits of Getting a Lexus Extended Warranty
| Lexus Extended Warranty | Coverage Terms |
|---|---|
| Extra Care Platinum | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| Extra Care Gold | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| Extra Care Powertrain | 4 years/50,000 miles |
Lexus is currently receiving a fair share of acclaim, being rated as one of the top brands and producing some of the most trusted models in 2020. In fact, Consumer Reports names three of 10 of the top reliable models this year to be Lexus: Lexus GX, Lexus NX and Lexus GS.
No matter how highly a vehicle is rated, it’s always best to protect yourself with a comprehensive warranty plan. The Lexus factory warranty does a good job of taking care of customers for the first four or so years. But if you plan to keep your Lexus in the long term, you can benefit greatly from one of the many extended warranty plans, also known as vehicle service agreements (VSAs).
Not only will you be left without coverage once the original factory expires, but you will also have to pay for any repairs or replacements out of pocket. For a luxury brand like Lexus, these costs can add up.
Lexus owners have complained of these common issues on RepairPal, which provided repair cost estimates.
| Lexus Repair | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Ignition coil replacement | $556–$731 |
| Windshield washer fluid reservoir replacement | $276–$318 |
| Tie rod replacement | $264–$494 |
| Oil pressure sensor replacement | $123–$142 |
RepairPal found the average annual repair cost for a Lexus to be $551. Having an extended warranty can save you from paying for these repairs, which even a well-maintained car may need in due time.
If purchased from a Lexus dealership, extended warranties typically range between $2,800 to $3,000 or even higher according to the Rallye Lexus dealership in New York. This mostly depends on the vehicle details and your location. This sets average payments at about $250 for 12 months, which may be much less than even one repair.
Even if you’re willing to shoulder unexpected payments, most extended warranties come with extra perks, such as 24/7 roadside service and directly dealing with any paperwork and payments needed for repairs.
Ultimately, the biggest benefit of having a Lexus extended warranty is the convenience and comfort knowing you’re well protected in case anything should happen to your vehicle.
Review of Lexus Extended Warranty Options
Lexus offers three different extended warranty plans available for both new and used vehicles:
- Lexus Extra Care Platinum: Most similar to Lexus’ factory warranty, this provides extensive coverage for new vehicles. The plan covers most major parts and repair costs for any mechanical breakdown of your vehicle.
- Lexus Extra Care Gold: This plan offers quality coverage for most of your vehicle’s components, protecting many parts across most systems.
- Lexus Extra Care Powertrain: This powertrain warranty provides flexible terms and essential coverage for vehicles with existing mileage, covering the engine, transmission, front- and rear-wheel-drive systems, and more.
Lexus offers its extended warranties to “new” vehicles under 4 years/50,000 miles and used vehicles within current plus nine model years and less than 125,000 miles. Beyond this time or mileage, the vehicle is no longer deemed eligible for extended warranty coverage.
Lexus also carries extended warranties for L/Certified vehicles, which have been inspected and reconditioned by a professional Lexus-certified technician. The Lexus Extra Care L/Certified Plan offers premier protection for eligible components and mechanical breakdowns in L/Certified vehicles. However, the plan is only available while the L/Certified Limited Warranty is active, which is only two years.
All Lexus extended warranty plans have a $0 or disappearing $100 deductible option, which applies to each eligible repair visit.
Plans also come with 24/7 roadside assistance, including towing, flat tires, dead battery jump-starts and fuel delivery, within the continental U.S. and Canada. Substitute transportation of up to $50 a day (up to five days) and travel protection of up to $100 a day (if more than 150 miles from home) is also included.
Lexus plans can be transferred to another party at no cost or cancelled within 30 days for a full refund (less a $50 processing fee).
Third-Party Lexus Extended Warranty Providers
While an extended warranty straight from Lexus may be convenient, the coverage might not be what you want. If you don’t like one of the three Lexus extended warranties, you do have other options.
If you choose to go with a reputable third-party extended car warranty company, you’ll have your pick of providers, coverage levels, repair shop and payment plans. Many plans cover vehicles of almost any age or mileage.
To see how much extended warranty coverage can differ, we compare the options between Lexus and CARCHEX, a leading third-party provider, below.
| Lexus Vehicle Service Agreement | CARCHEX Extended Vehicle Protection Plan | |
|---|---|---|
| Available Plans | 3 (1 for L/Certified vehicles) | 21 (across 5 coverage levels) |
| Coverage Length | 4–9 years | 5–10 years |
| Benefits | Transferable at no cost Cancellations allowed up to 30 days for a $50 fee (prorated refund after 30 days) Option for $0 or disappearing $100 deductible per visit | Offers comparable coverage to brand warranties with even more options Can be purchased almost anytime Ability to customize coverage according to need and budget Wide nationwide network of repair facilities Recognized name and good reputation in extended warranties |
| Restrictions | Plans only available at the time you buy your vehicle or during limited periods Service only allowed in Lexus repair shops and by Lexus technicians Several parts not included in standard coverage | Actual coverage is not handled by CARCHEX after plan has been purchased |
| Pricing | Estimated at $250 a month | Estimated at $78 a month* |
We recommend shopping around and getting a few quotes before making your decision.
*Figure accurate as of May 2017. Average monthly coverage cost is based on the average total price of the Vehicle Protection Plan over a four year coverage period. Actual monthly payments will vary per plan’s payment policy. Individual pricing is subject to change based on the combination of make, model, year and mileage, as well as coverage level and term length.
Lexus Factory Warranty — Is Yours Still Active?
Every new Lexus owner starts out with a factory warranty that offers comprehensive exclusionary coverage for breakdowns due to material or workmanship errors.
| Lexus Warranty | Description |
|---|---|
| Basic Warranty (4 years/50,000 miles) | Bumper-to-bumper coverage, including wheel alignment and balancing for 1 year/12,000 miles but excluding normal wear and tear |
| Powertrain Warranty (6 years/70,000 miles) | Covers the engine, transmission and transaxle, front-wheel drive system and rear-wheel drive system |
| Hybrid Warranty (8 years/100,000 miles)* | Covers special components found in hybrid vehicles, such as the hybrid battery control module (battery voltage sensor), the hybrid control module (power management control module) and inverter with converter |
| Corrosion Perforation Warranty (6 years/unlimited mileage) | Covers repairs and replacements for any original Lexus body panels that develops perforation from corrosion (rust through) |
*For 2020 or newer models, hybrid battery coverage extends to 10 years/150,000 miles.
Methodology
The Detroit Bureau collects data from every major car warranty provider to formulate rankings of the best warranty companies. Our in-depth rating system takes into account coverage, pricing, transparency, customer satisfaction and ratings from industry experts. Each provider is given a weighted score in five categories, as well as an overall score out of 10.0.
We recommend auto warranty companies based on these rankings, but we also encourage you to perform your own research and compare quotes to find the best coverage.
