Car ownership can come with a hefty price tag. Beyond the purchase price, even new vehicles demand periodic tune-ups, routine upkeep, and occasional repairs. Annually, these expenses accumulate to an average of $1,452. While warranties can offset some of these costs, they’re often limited to three years or 36,000 miles, which can disappear quickly, especially with the average driver covering around 15,000 miles yearly.

As vehicles age and warranties expire, many owners seek methods to cut repair costs. However, it’s essential to confirm if your vehicle is genuinely out of warranty. There’s a possibility that hidden protections, often referred to as “policy adjustments,” “service campaigns,” or “customer goodwill programs,” may still apply. For our purposes, let’s refer to these as “secret warranties,” which could lead to significant savings.

Understanding Secret Warranties

A secret warranty arises when a manufacturer discovers a defect in a specific part across certain car models, often due to an alarming failure rate or other issues. To shield themselves from potential liability, manufacturers may extend the warranty for that part, offering complimentary replacements or discounted service.

So, why are they termed “secret”? Unlike formal recalls, these warranty extensions are voluntary, meaning manufacturers aren’t legally obligated to inform customers. While some vehicle owners receive notifications, often through postal mail, many do not read these letters. Furthermore, second-hand owners typically miss out on such notifications, as dealerships rarely make additional efforts to publicize these free or reduced-cost repairs.

The Center for Auto Safety estimates that there are currently more than 500 active secret warranties spanning various auto manufacturers, each representing potential costly repairs or safety work that might be available at no charge or at a discount—if discovered.

How to Investigate Secret Warranties

Secret warranties are typically disseminated to dealerships via a document known as a technical service bulletin (TSB), which informs them about permissible replacements or services on selected models (sometimes even specific ranges of Vehicle Identification Numbers, or VINs) at little to no cost.

Three primary methods exist for uncovering TSBs and secret warranties:

• State Regulations: Although there are no federal laws mandating the disclosure of secret warranties, five states—California, Connecticut, Maryland, Virginia, and Wisconsin—require that car dealerships notify customers when a warranty is extended or altered.
• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA): The NHTSA maintains a database of TSBs. By entering your vehicle’s details, you can view “Manufacturer Communications.” While sifting through this information may be tedious, discovering free servicing might justify the effort. For instance, consider this memo from Ford outlining an extension on warranties for specific Escape SUVs and Fusion sedans.

  A word of caution: a TSB does not necessarily imply the existence of a secret warranty—it simply signals a known issue and the dealer’s guidance on addressing it. Nonetheless, having that document can assist in verifying any potential secret warranties with your dealership.

• Contact the Dealer: Reaching out directly to the dealership that sold your vehicle can also provide insights. Have your VIN handy and inquire about any warranty adjustments or extensions.

It’s important to remember that, similar to standard warranties, secret warranties also come with expiration dates. If you discover a secret warranty after its validity has lapsed, you will forfeit the chance to benefit from it.