Are Brake Calipers Covered Under Warranty?

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While the repair and replacement of some of the components of the brake system are cheap and affordable, others are not. The brake calipers are the brake system parts whose repair or replacement does not come cheap. Warranty coverage goes a long way in easing the financial burden of such repair or replacement.

So, are brake calipers covered under warranty? indeed, they are. Speaking of warranty, there is a great need to be clear on which warranty you are referring to at all times. The bumper-to-bumper warranty for example may not cover the calipers. This is usually the warranty policy that gets most people confused about the status of the caliper coverage.

Car parts such as the pads or bulbs or the foot mat and tires which are constantly under conditions that cause them to become worn out are not covered by the bumper-to-bumper warranty. So, the caliper may not be covered by this warranty as well.

As the bulbs, foot mats, brake pads, wipers, and other similar parts are put into use, they become worn out over time. similarly, the engine oil over time will also need replacement as a result of use. such routine maintenance practice may not fall under the bumper-to-bumper warranty.

The standard warranty however covers the caliper repair and replacement, particularly if the caliper thickness is retained. A limited warranty may be provided for the pads and disc. This usually allows for coverage of the pads and disc within the first 12 months of usage. In terms of miles, most policies allow for about 12,000 miles.

This same limitation may also apply to tire replacement or tire balancing services. Warranty condition is not the same for all manufacturers. There may be some shared policies, most manufacturers however craft the warranty policy according to their preference.

So, while some may limit the warranty for brake pad replacement, tire repair, and replacement and others to only about 12 miles or 12 months, others may extend the same policy to cover up to 18 miles or a year and 6 months.

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Does the bumper-to-bumper warranty cover the brake caliper?

Bumper-to-bumper warranty coverage is usually not beyond 3 years or 36,000 miles and does not cover parts of the car that undergo wearing such as the calipers, pads, and discs.

It equally does not cover oil changes, floor mats, bulbs, brake lights, wipers, and other similar wear parts. Asides from these parts, it provides coverage for almost every other car part.

It is nice to have a warranty that covers these worn parts. The brake disc for example can only be used for about 50,000 to 70,000 miles, beyond which it will need replacement. The cost of replacement may not be affordable for every car owner. Even if you can pay for this, it won’t hurt to have it paid for, so the money can be used for other things.

Every car owner should take out the time to learn about what the manufacturer’s warranty policy covers, what it does not cover, what invalids the coverage and gives the dealer or manufacturer to revoke your right to the warranty and the differences that exist between different manufacturers in terms of the warranty coverage and conditions.

Ensure your caliper is covered to avoid paying huge money for its repair or replacement. On average, the caliper cost about $734 to $1,477. A steep price for those whose earnings are barely enough to cover their basic needs and pay for bills. This cost does not include what is to be paid for labor, taxes, and commission. When this other cost is included, the repair and replacement of calipers will cost significantly.

One of the warranty issues that needs addressing is the issue of some dealers or manufacturers requiring or making it a condition of qualifying for the warranty a copy of evidence of the number of repairs or work done on the car. You do not have to have several works done on the car to be qualified for warranty coverage.

what can invalidate the bumper warranty?

The bumper warranty just like other car warranties only covers damages as a result of a manufacturing defect. When the cause of the damage is outside this bracket, the manufacturer is unlikely to cover for this.

So, damages caused by environmental factors, factors that are outside the control of a human being are not those covered by the warranty policy. For example, when an earthquake causes any damage to the car, the bumper-to-bumper warranty may not cover this.

Should I extend my car warranty?

Extension of the car warranty is a matter of debate, in terms of whether this is worth it or not. Most times, when the warranty is extended, it still does not cover all damages, although, the extension covers more than the standard manufacturer’s warranty provision.

Secondly, after paying for the extension, which does not come cheap, you may never experience damage requiring to be covered by the warranty. This means, that all that money was never put to use.

Luckily, the warranty extension policy allows you to cancel whenever you want to. Upon cancellation, how much refund you are qualified for is calculated and transferred back to you.

Car parts such as the car engine and its parts have a special provision of warranty that covers them and not the bumper-to-bumper warranty.

What type of warranty covers the brake caliper?

Of the brake parts in a car, the calipers play one of the most important roles in brake function. Without a functioning caliper, the brake system will fail to stop the moving car. When this part needs repair or replacement, it is important to know whether the cost is covered under a warranty or will have to come out of your pocket.

Do not underestimate the cost of repair or replacement of the calipers. They can be costly especially when the labor cost is included. You must therefore ensure you confirm their warranty coverage before heading out to the auto repair shop, to avoid spending your own money when this would have been covered for by the manufacturer.

The powertrain warranty is the designated warranty policy that covers the caliper as well as the car engine and drivetrain. Get yourself familiar with what your manufacturer warranty policy looks like for the caliper and other parts of the car.

While heading out to the auto repair shop, do not leave behind a copy of the manufacturer’s warranty. This will serve as the yardstick for the repair guy to carry out whatever repair or replacement that the warranty covers without demanding any payment.

Some dealers may require you to pay for the labor cost. There are manufacturers whose warranty policy has conditions such as a particular number of previous works done on the car. If that is the case, ensure to have the document that covers this.

If you are of those who bought the extended warranty, a copy of this document should always be in your position each time you head out to the auto repair shop.

Stay vigilant about your calipers and other brake parts. Keep an eye out for the typical and atypical signs of defect or damage to the caliper or other brake parts. As soon as one or more of such signs is noticed, the car should be taken to the auto repair shop.

Warranty coverage is similar to health insurance in the sense that its facilities early detection of a problem and its treatment. If the problem is covered under a warranty policy, meaning, you do not have to pay for it, you are more likely to visit the auto repair shop the very first time you suspect something may be wrong with your car.

Health-seeking behavior of most persons is also linked to health insurance coverage. How soon you visit the health facility when seeking may have a lot to do with your ability to afford the healthcare bill. However, with insurance coverage, most people will present at the early stage of the disease, which guarantees a better prognosis.

When should the calipers be replaced?

No matter the quality or durability of the caliper, it will eventually become damaged needing to be replaced. Most times, the primary problem is corrosion. This is a result of contact with water. When the caliper becomes corroded or worn out, signs such as squeals and noises as well as brake infectiveness will soon become apparent.

Replacement becomes compulsory at this point. In instances where the caliper does not have direct warranty coverage, look for the possibility of coverage under other car parts. It may sometime happen that the caliper is covered under the bumper-to-bumper warranty. Even when there is no warranty coverage, the use of used parts can significantly reduce how much you spend on the caliper replacement.