Tesla Warranty Guide: What’s Covered, For How Long, and What Isn’t

Buying a Tesla means trusting its battery, its software and its drivetrain for years. Tesla backs the car with a New Vehicle Limited Warranty made up of several separate coverages, each with its own length. This guide covers each one, plus used-car coverage, parts warranties, extended plans and how to make a claim.

Note: Tesla says its public warranty pages are for general knowledge. The authoritative terms are in the Tesla warranty document provided with your specific vehicle.

Tesla Warranty at a Glance

Each coverage ends at whichever limit you reach first, except body rust, which has no mileage cap.

What the New Vehicle Limited Warranty Includes

Your new Tesla is protected by the Basic Vehicle Limited Warranty, the Supplemental Restraint System Limited Warranty, the Battery and Drive Unit Limited Warranty, the Body Rust Limited Warranty and the Zero-Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) Limited Warranties. Tesla publishes the current Tesla warranty terms for the Model S, Model 3, Model X, Model Y and Cybertruck.

Basic Vehicle Limited Warranty

The basic warranty covers the vehicle for 4 years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first. It is the broadest coverage and applies to most defects in materials or workmanship.

Supplemental Restraint System Limited Warranty

The airbags and related restraint components are covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles, a year and 10,000 miles longer than the basic warranty.

Battery and Drive Unit Limited Warranty

This is the coverage most buyers care about. The length depends on the model and trim, and every tier guarantees at least 70% battery capacity retention over the Tesla warranty period.

• Model S, Model X and Cybertruck: 8 years or 150,000 miles
• Model 3 RWD, Model Y RWD and Model Y AWD: 8 years or 100,000 miles
• Model 3 Premium RWD, Premium AWD and Performance AWD; Model Y Premium RWD, Premium AWD and Performance AWD; Model Y L Premium Launch Series: 8 years or 120,000 miles

Check your trim before assuming a mileage limit, because Model 3 and Model Y owners can land in either the 100,000-mile or 120,000-mile tier.

Body Rust Limited Warranty

This covers rust perforation, meaning a hole through a body panel from the inside outward, caused by a defect in material or workmanship. Coverage lasts 12 years with unlimited miles. It doesn’t cover surface rust or cosmetic corrosion, and vehicles purchased before February 1, 2019 have no body rust coverage.

Zero-Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) Limited Warranties

In the United States and Canada, your vehicle may also be covered by the ZEV Limited Warranties. They largely overlap with the rest of the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.

One of them is the High-Priced Propulsion-Related Parts ZEV Limited Warranty, which covers repair or replacement of defective propulsion parts that reach a pricing threshold, for 7 years or 70,000 miles. The eligible parts list is in your Tesla warranty booklet.

Emissions Performance Warranty

For model year 2027 or later Model 3 and Model Y vehicles with a valid Tesla warranty in the United States, Canada or Puerto Rico, Tesla adds an Emissions Performance Warranty. It covers components that charge the high-voltage battery, store energy or transmit power to move the vehicle, for 8 years or 80,000 miles.

Tesla Pre-Owned Vehicle Warranty

Certified Pre-Owned vehicles bought directly from Tesla get the remainder of the 4-year/50,000-mile Basic Vehicle Limited Warranty. After that expires, the Pre-Owned Vehicle Limited Warranty adds 1 year or 10,000 miles. If the basic warranty has already expired, you get the same 1 year or 10,000 miles starting from your delivery date.

• Leased vehicles: coverage runs for the lease term or original mileage instead of 1 year or 10,000 miles.
• Battery and drive unit: the balance of the original warranty still applies.

Tesla Parts, Body and Paint Repair Warranty

If Tesla replaces a part, or you buy one from Tesla over the counter, online, or installed by Tesla Service or a Tesla Collision Center, a separate Tesla warranty applies. The default is 12 months or 12,500 miles from the purchase date. It covers a “failure,” meaning a part that completely stops performing its designed function because of a defect under normal use. Gradual wear and tear is not a failure.

Some parts get different terms:

Tesla Extended Service Agreements

When the original Tesla warranty runs out, two optional plans may be available:

• Extended Service Agreement (ESA): For Model S, Model X, Model 3 and Model Y owners. It starts the day your New Vehicle Limited Warranty expires.
• High Voltage Battery and Drive Unit ESA (Battery ESA): For Model 3 and Model Y owners. It starts the day your Battery and Drive Unit Limited Warranty expires.

Eligibility and pricing depend on your model, mileage and region. Check the Tesla app for current offers.

How to Check Your Tesla Warranty in the App

1. Open the Tesla app.
2. Scroll to the bottom of the home screen and select Specs & Warranty.
3. Tap the Warranty tab to see the coverage for your vehicle.

Tesla Warranty FAQs

Do I have to use a Tesla Service Center?

For warranty-covered work, yes. For non-warranty repairs and maintenance, you can use Tesla or a non-Tesla shop. Tesla isn’t responsible for problems caused by improper third-party repair or maintenance.

Does the Tesla warranty transfer if I sell my car?

Yes. The New Vehicle Limited Warranty follows the vehicle and passes to the new owner when the ownership transfer is performed through Tesla.

How do I know if a repair is covered?

Before your appointment, Tesla reviews your details, runs remote diagnostics and prepares an estimate. In the Tesla app, tap Service > View estimate. Repairs expected to be covered show as $0. Some repairs need an in-person inspection first and may appear with an initial cost. If they qualify, the charge is removed at your appointment. Tesla notifies you of any changes, and service won’t proceed without your approval of updated costs.

Does the warranty cover damage from third-party bi-directional adapters or chargers?

No. Damage caused by third-party vehicle adaptors or chargers is excluded. See the Exclusions and Limitations section of your warranty for the full list.

Who do I contact about a warranty dispute?

Tesla asks that you first give written notice of any defect, within a reasonable time and during the applicable warranty period, and allow Tesla to attempt repairs before pursuing other remedies. Details, including the Dispute Resolution Program, are in your warranty booklet. In California, a consumer requesting a vehicle repurchase or replacement must send written notice to [email protected] or by certified or registered mail to Tesla’s registered agent address listed in the warranty.

Is the warranty available in Spanish?

Yes. Tesla publishes Spanish versions of the New Vehicle Limited Warranty for the Model S, 3, X and Y and for the Cybertruck, and of the Pre-Owned Vehicle Limited Warranty.

Bottom Line

Tesla’s coverage is strongest where EV buyers worry most: the battery and drive unit carry 8 years and a 70% capacity guarantee, and rust perforation is covered for 12 years. The basic warranty is a fairly standard 4 years or 50,000 miles. Confirm your trim’s battery tier, keep your service records, and use the Tesla app to check what your car is covered for.