BMW, Endurance Auto Warranty, Omega Auto Care, Concord Auto Protect, Toco Warranty and American Dream Auto Protect
In the throes of summer, nothing beats driving in your car, listening to your favorite playlist and blasting the air conditioning. So when your AC breaks, you probably want to get it fixed before you melt.
Cooling failures can sometimes be caused by your AC compressor, which is the part that takes the refrigerant and pumps it into your air conditioning system. If your AC compressor is broken, then you’ll likely only get hot air back — which is not fun if it’s already sweltering outside.
Keep reading to understand which warranties cover AC compressors and how much you’ll owe for a repair if it’s not.
Most bumper-to-bumper warranties offer coverage for AC compressors.
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Just be aware that warranties exist to protect you from manufacturing defects, not issues that you had a part in causing.
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Replacing an AC compressor without a warranty can be costly.
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AC compressor warranty coverage
There are several kinds of warranties that can provide coverage for AC compressors. So, if you live in a hot climate and don’t want to run the risk of driving without an air conditioner in the summer heat, you should be protected as long as you have some kind of warranty.
But remember, coverage also depends on the circ*mstances that led to the AC compressor breaking. For example, if you’re working on your car’s AC system and break the compressor, it likely won’t be covered under warranty. However, if the part is defective from the manufacturing process, it could be covered.
» LEARN: What does a car warranty cover?
What types of warranties cover AC compressors?
Your car’s factory bumper-to-bumper warranty will usually cover your AC compressor if you still have coverage. (These warranties usually last a minimum of three years or 36,000 miles from when your car was new.)
Once the factory warranty expires, you should be able to purchase an extended warranty that can cover your AC compressor, too. However, make sure to do your due diligence and compare warranties carefully. (Not all extended warranties cover AC compressors.)
“I've used Endurance twice. I had a compressor for the air conditioning replaced as well as an EGR valve that regulated the turbo in my truck,” said an extended warranty reviewer from Arizona. “The claim process was very quick. I have not had to pay as much money for my vehicle as I would have if I didn't have Endurance. They've covered everything that they said they would cover.”
» MORE: Car warranty guide: what you need to know
Is your AC compressor covered under an extended warranty?
Many companies that offer extended warranties will cover AC compressors. However, exact policies may vary. We recommend you go through your policy line-by-line to see what it includes before you buy.
We gave you a head start by checking the AC compressor coverage of some extended warranty providers below.
| Warranty provider | Plans offering AC compressor coverage |
|---|---|
| Endurance | Superior, Supreme and Secure Plus |
| American Dream Auto Protect | Platinum, Gold and Silver |
| olive | Powertrain Plus (compressor only); Complete Care (all compressor parts) |
| Omega Auto Care | Exclusionary, Used Stated, Powertrain Enhanced and Powertrain Plus |
| Toco Warranty | Orange, Yellow and Blue |
| Concord Auto Protect | Premium |
How much does it cost to fix your AC compressor?
When it comes to items you want to fix on your car, AC compressors should be pretty far down your list. They’re fairly expensive to repair — averaging about $2,000, according to our research.
Your cost will depend on the type of car you have, with luxury or imported vehicles having pricier repairs than AC compressors on domestic vehicles. For example, on our sample 2017 Ford F-150, the total cost (with parts and labor) ran around $1,319, and the average price jumped to $1,757 for a 2017 Honda Civic. Meanwhile, owners of a 2019 BMW 740i would pay $2,515 on average.
» MORE: Cost of car AC repair
FAQ
How long is an AC compressor under warranty?
Your car’s factory warranty will usually cover your AC compressor for about three years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first. However, some brands offer considerably longer bumper-to-bumper coverage.
How often should AC compressors be replaced?
AC compressors are tough and hardy. They should generally last more than 10 years — or about 150,000 to 200,000 miles. However, it’s also possible for an AC compressor to last for a car’s entire life. So don’t be surprised if you never have to replace an AC compressor in your car.
Is an AC compressor covered under a powertrain warranty?
If something goes wrong with your AC compressor, your powertrain warranty probably won’t help. (These warranties usually don’t include anything related to your air conditioning, including the compressor.)
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