Nissan Extended Warranty Overview
The Nissan extended warranty can cover up to 8 years/120,000 miles and comes with three coverage options: Gold, Silver, or Powertrain Preferred.
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Motor1 Reviews Team Take:
- Nissan’s extended warranty options are called Security+Plus® Extended Protection Plans.
- You can choose Gold Preferred, Silver Preferred, or Powertrain Preferred coverage.
- A third-party service contract can offer more flexibility in some situations.
Purchasing a Nissan is a safe bet for many car buyers, but a Nissan extended warranty can ensure protection long after the 3-year/36,000-mile Nissan factory warranty expires. While the company’s standard bumper-to-bumper warranty will cover most repairs, it is on the shorter end when compared to most automakers in the United States.
In this article, we’ll discuss the Nissan extended warranty in depth, including coverage options, costs, and how it compares to other reputable third-party warranties. We’ve also researched the best extended car warranty companies to help you find the best coverage.
Nissan Extended Warranty Overview
Nissan offers three coverage options, which are branded as Nissan Security+Plus® Extended Protection Plans. These include the baseline Powertrain Preferred plan, which covers over 840 components, and the Silver Preferred plan, which covers over 680 additional components. Nissan’s flagship plan, the Gold Preferred, covers virtually all mechanical and electrical components, except for a short list of exclusions.
The extended service plans are valid for up to 8 years/120,000 miles, whichever comes first, once the initial factory Nissan warranty expires. For full coverage details and limitations, refer to the complete Extended Protection Plan agreement.
Below is a quick comparison between the three plans. Note that multiple plans may cover the same system but not the same number of components in the system.
| Nissan Component or System | Gold
Preferred | Silver
Preferred | Powertrain
Preferred |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | All | Most | Some |
| Transmission | All | Most | Some |
| Drive axle | All | Most | Some |
| Brakes | All | Most | Some |
| Electrical | All | Most | Some |
| Advanced driver assistance systems | All | ||
| Fuel system | All | Most | Some |
| Steering | All | Most | Some |
| Suspension | All | Most | Some |
| Climate control | All | Most | Some |
| Body and interior | All | Some | |
| Audio/video/navigation | All | All |
Gold Preferred
The Gold Preferred plan is Nissan’s highest level of coverage and protects virtually every component in your vehicle. The only items not covered are regular maintenance (wiper blades, tires, brake pads, lights, batteries, etc.), cosmetic damage, and physical damage.
Silver Preferred
The Silver Preferred warranty covers all the components described in the lower-tier Powertrain Preferred plan, plus over 680 additional components and three extra benefits listed below:
| Component | What’s Included |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Oil cooler and transfer control unit |
| Rear-wheel drive
and four-wheel drive | Companion flanges |
| Steering | Power steering pump and reservoir tank, and belts and hoses |
| Suspension | Rear-axle beam and electric adjustable shock absorbers |
| Electrical | Manually and mechanically operated switches, motors, sensors, driver information display and module, keyless entry, automatic speed control, OEM anti-theft system, Nissan-supplied audio system components, mobile entertainment systems, and navigational systems |
| Brakes | Anti-lock braking system, belts, and hoses |
| Nissan air conditioning
(OEM only) | Temperature control programmer, blower motor, heater core, belts, and hoses |
Powertrain Preferred
Nissan makes a point of telling customers the Powertrain Preferred plan covers more than the factory powertrain warranty. The factory plan covers the engine, transmission, and drive axle, while the extended plan adds more components. The Powertrain Preferred plan covers the cost of repair or replacement due to mechanical breakdown on the parts listed below:
| Component | What’s Included |
|---|---|
| Engine | All internal components |
| Transmission | All components except oil cooler and transfer control unit |
| Front-wheel drive | All components of final drive housing, seals and gaskets, and constant velocity joints (excludes constant velocity boots) |
| Rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive | All components of rear-wheel drive axle housing, axle shafts, axle bearings and retainers, universal joints (journal assemblies), free running hubs, seals and gaskets, constant velocity joints (excludes constant velocity boots), and more |
| Suspension | Upper and lower control arms and bushings, tension/compression rods and bushings, upper and lower ball joints, hubs, kingpins and bearings, and more |
| Electrical | Covers selected motors and sensors and all wiring harnesses (refer to the full agreement for a complete list) |
| Fuel system | Fuel pump(s), fuel tank and lines, electro injection unit, seals and gaskets, control units, and more |
| Steering | All components of steering gear housing, seals and gaskets, steering pump, main and upper shafts of steering column, and more |
| Brakes | Disc calipers, hydraulic valves, master cylinder, seals and gaskets, and more |
| Nissan air conditioning
(OEM only) | Covers selected components such as compressor, condenser, and evaporator (refer to the full agreement for a complete list) |
For further context of Nissan extended warranty options, the graphic below shows the major differences between the two most popular coverage choices in the extended warranty industry: the bumper-to-bumper contract and the powertrain plan.
Nissan Extended Warranty Benefits
Nissan’s extended warranty provides several benefits, but their availability depends on the coverage level you choose. Powertrain Preferred only allows for emergency roadside assistance, but Gold Preferred and Silver Preferred allow for the following benefits:
- 24-hour emergency roadside assistance: Up to $100 per claim for towing service, tire services, fuel delivery, locksmith, and battery jump-start with no deductible required
- Emergency travel/trip interruption benefits: Alternative transportation, meals, and lodging covered up to $500 per claim should a mechanical breakdown occur 100 miles or more away from home
- Towing: Reimbursement up to $100 per claim for towing to the nearest participating Nissan dealer
- Car rental reimbursement: Reimbursement up to $35 per day for rental cars (up to 5 days) and $175 per breakdown
Nissan Extended Warranty Terms And Conditions
Here are a few key things to note about Nissan vehicle service contracts (VSCs)**:
- Transferability: You may transfer your extended warranty for a nominal fee to a new owner if you decide to sell your vehicle.
- Deductible: Rather than foot the bill for repair costs, you may choose between a $0 or $100 deductible per visit. The $0 option will have a higher monthly premium than the $100 deductible option.
- Dealership specific: Your car must be serviced at an authorized Nissan dealership rather than a local car repair shop.
- No upfront repair payment: Nissan will pay the dealership directly for the repairs, so there is no need to pay up front and wait for reimbursement later.
- Flexible terms: Nissan offers a wide range of term options for both new Nissan vehicles and certified pre-owned vehicles. However, if your extended coverage plan is bundled with the rest of your new car’s financing, that also means you’re paying interest on the extended warranty and will see a higher monthly payment.
Nissan Extended Warranty Cost
There are multiple factors that contribute to the final cost of a Nissan extended warranty, such as:
- Type of coverage: The more comprehensive your warranty coverage, the more your monthly premium will cost.
- Mileage and age: Older or high-mileage vehicles will have a more expensive extended warranty cost because of the increased likelihood that some parts will experience a mechanical breakdown.
- Deductible: Extended warranties with a deductible will have a lower monthly premium.
- Model: Some models are known to experience more mechanical breakdowns than other available models.
What Nissan Owners Paid
In 2023, our team surveyed 1,000 people who had purchased an extended warranty from their car’s manufacturer. Respondents came from varying demographics across the country. Out of 1,000 total, 78 respondents owned Nissan vehicles.
We asked respondents what they paid for their coverage. Below are the results for Nissan owners:
- 13 percent paid under $1,000
- 36 percent paid between $1,000 and $2,000
- 24 percent paid between $2,000 and $3,000
- 10 percent paid between $3,000 and $4,000
- 10 percent paid above $4,000
- 6 percent weren’t sure what they paid
Do You Need A Nissan Extended Warranty?
According to RepairPal*, you should expect to pay around $500 a year for repair and maintenance costs on your Nissan. This is lower than the industry average of $652 per year. It’s also comparable to brands like:
As your vehicle gets older, however, the number of mechanical breakdowns could increase. These breakdowns can be costly to repair directly out of pocket. Below are some average cost ranges for specific component replacements of different Nissan models:
| Model | Part Replacement | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Nissan Quest | Air bag control module replacement | $1,045 to $1,115 |
| Nissan Xterra | Brake master cylinder replacement | $288 to $430 |
| Nissan Armada | Trans oil cooler line replacement | $340 to $380 |
What are the most common repairs? According to the Director of Marketing at Endurance, Jessica Campbell:
“Transmissions are the most common repair claim, followed by water pumps. Repair costs can vary widely depending on several factors, including vehicle type, model, age, and the complexity of the individual repair.”
*RepairPal is a trusted site that analyzes average repair prices, part replacement costs, maintenance costs, recalls, and mechanical problems across many auto manufacturer brands and models.
Nissan Factory Warranty
You may also want to account for the coverage you already have. Nissan’s factory warranty includes 3 years/36,000 miles of bumper-to-bumper coverage and 5 years/60,000 miles of powertrain coverage.
Purchasing an extended auto warranty for a vehicle still covered by the manufacturer is often cheaper, but a plan’s cost-effectiveness varies between car brands. Nissan’s new vehicle limited warranty is short by industry standards, making added coverage an option worth considering.
What Nissan Owners Say
In our 2023 manufacturer warranty survey, we also asked respondents about their satisfaction level with coverage plans. The majority of Nissan owners were satisfied with the plans, but some weren’t. Below are a few quotes from respondents on our survey:
- “I was extremely satisfied. […] There were two pretty major repairs that I needed for the car and the warranty really covered almost all expenses…”
- “I am completely satisfied because it has paid for things that happened to my car.”
- “I am satisfied with the coverage. It has covered everything I have needed done.”
- “I’m not satisfied. I feel like I overpaid.”
- “I wasn’t satisfied at all… When I needed work, they wouldn’t do it.”
What Are The Benefits Of A Third-Party Warranty?
Nissan’s extended warranty is not your only option when it comes to protecting your vehicle from unexpected repairs. You can find similar extended warranty plans with more flexibility and possibly lower rates from a number of third-party providers. Independent coverage offers a variety of benefits, including:
- Contracts for older, higher-mileage vehicles
- Flexible, month-to-month payment plans
- Licensed repair shops available nationwide
- Additional coverage plans to choose from
Our Take On The Nissan Extended Warranty
A Nissan extended warranty is a decent choice for added coverage. We like the number of contracts available, but we would’ve liked to see better added perks and longer term limits. It’s always a good idea to compare manufacturer-backed options with third-party offerings.
To give you the best recommendations, we’ve researched and reviewed the most popular extended car warranty companies based on a variety of different criteria such as company reputation, customer service, coverage options, and additional perks.
Endurance: Best Coverage
Purchasing an extended warranty from Endurance is a solid decision if you value peace of mind when processing claims. As a direct administrator of the warranty plans it offers, Endurance works directly with you and the repair shop to pay for your car’s repairs. Endurance also offers 36-month payment plans, which are some of the longest payment plans available and will help keep your monthly payment low.
While there are no maximum term lengths specified on Endurance’s website, in our “secret shopper” analysis, we were offered contracts that lasted over 200,000 miles. Endurance’s versatile benefits and warranty options are why we gave it our “Best Coverage” award. You can see what an Endurance warranty would cost for your vehicle by getting a free quote below.
Read more: Endurance Warranty reviews
Carchex: Best For Used Cars
Carchex is a standout extended warranty provider for offering coverage for high-mileage vehicles, earning our title of Best for Used Cars. The Better Business Bureau (BBB)* gives Carchex an A+ rating for handling customer complaints. There are five plans to choose from, which range from basic powertrain coverage to exclusionary contracts, and each comes with perks like rental car reimbursement, trip interruption coverage, and roadside assistance.
Read more: Carchex reviews
*The BBB is a trusted organization that studies and rates the business practices, customer experiences, and licensing information of many different companies.
CarShield: Best For Electric Vehicles
CarShield has been serving customers since 2005, and its popularity continues to grow. It’s protected over 2 million vehicles, has paid out over $1 billion in claims, and has been featured on HGTV, CNN, TBS, BET, CNBC, and more.
CarShield offers seven VSCs, one of which caters to electric vehicles (EVs) specifically. Since EV extended warranties are so rare in the warranty industry, we gave CarShield the designation “Best for Electric Vehicles.” On top of that, the company has over 43,000 reviews on Trustpilot, the vast majority of which are positive, and year after year, CarShield continues to grow in market share.
Read more: CarShield reviews
Compare: CarShield vs. Endurance
Extended Warranties From Nissan Vs. Third-Party Companies
| Coverage Factor | Nissan
Extended Warranty | Carchex | Endurance | CarShield |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Start date | Date of car purchase (new),
date of contract purchase (used) | Any time | Any time | Any time |
| Max. length of coverage | 8 years/
120,000 miles | 10 years/
250,000 miles | 8 years/
200,000+ miles | 10 years/
300,000 miles |
| Number of plan options | 3 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Transferable | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Deductible | $0 or $100 | $0, $50, $100 | $0, $50, $100, $200 | $0, $50, $100, $200 |
| Trip interruption | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Roadside assistance | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Repair network | Nissan dealers only | > 30,000 facilities nationwide | Repair facilities certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE®) | ASE-certified repair facilities |
| Cancellation policy | No | Refund
if within 30 days | Refund
if within 30 days | Refund
if within 30 days |
| Availability | From local dealer | Free,
instant quote | Free,
instant quote | Free,
instant quote |
Nissan Extended Warranty: Bottom Line
Nissan’s extended warranty program provides up to 8 years/120,000 miles of coverage, but it’s likely your Nissan will last much longer than that. For plans with higher limits and more flexibility, consider third-party options.
Nissan Extended Warranty: FAQ
Below are a few frequently asked questions about Nissan’s extended warranty:
Can you buy a Nissan extended warranty after purchase?
Yes, as long as you purchase the extended warranty before your factory warranty expires. Once the factory warranty expires, you can look for extended coverage through a third-party company.
How long is Nissan's factory warranty?
Nissan’s limited factory warranty lasts for 3 years/36,000 miles, whichever comes first. Nissan also provides a powertrain warranty for all new cars that lasts 5 years/60,000 miles.
Which company has the best extended warranty?
Based on our research, we named Endurance, Carchex, autopom!, CarShield, and Olive as the most reputable providers. We rated each company based on its reputation, cost, coverage, and more.
Methodology
In an effort to provide accurate and unbiased information to consumers, our expert review team collects data from dozens of extended auto warranty companies to formulate rankings of the best providers. Companies receive a score in each of the following categories, as well as an overall weighted score out of 5.0 stars.
- Industry Standing: Warranty providers with a history of strong business practices and endorsements from experts receive the highest scores in this category.
- Coverage: This rating is based on types of extended warranty plans available, coverage terms, and added benefits like roadside assistance.
- Cost: Our research team reviews sample quotes for a variety of plans and vehicles. Companies with lower prices per year of coverage receive the best scores.
- Transparency: This score takes into account contract transparency and the availability of a money-back guarantee.
- Customer Service: We comb through customer reviews and perform our own shopper analysis to get a sense of the responsiveness and helpfulness of each warranty company.
*Data accurate at time of publication.
**VSCs are technically not extended warranties, but serve the same function. VSCs are often created by separate companies (though offered and sold through dealerships) – and have their own regulations. However, VSCs can be considered as extended warranties when offered by auto manufacturers.
