How to Extend Your Pontiac Warranty

One of the all-time, classic American car brands, the Pontiac saw tremendous success in the 1960s. The muscle cars with their sleek bodies, sporty luxury features, and large, powerful engines had a cult-like following in the country and were prominently featured in movies of that time. However, the brand’s entry into the SUV and minivan markets in the early 2000s did not go as well as expected. Sales declined gradually, and in 2010, a slumping economy forced the parent company, General Motors, to announce it was shutting down the Pontiac brand as part of its restructuring efforts.

The last Pontiac model was released in 2010, so any vehicles on the road today are not covered by a car warranty. If you would love to keep your Pontiac running for many more years in top condition, an extended warranty from a reputable auto warranty provider like CARCHEX could be your best option.

What Is the Pontiac Warranty?

Before the Pontiac brand became defunct, a new Pontiac car—for example, the 2008 Pontiac Solstice—came with the following warranties:

New Vehicle Limited Warranty

Lasting three years or 36,000 miles, the New Vehicle Limited Warranty or bumper-to-bumper warranty issued for new Pontiac vehicles covered repairs for any defects in material or workmanship during the warranty period. It was fully transferable and was accepted at all Pontiac dealers and covered the cost of labor, parts, and towing.

In a departure from other car brands, the Pontiac standard warranty also included coverage for tires during the warranty period. Accessories sold and installed by GM prior to purchase were covered for the entire duration of the standard warranty. GM accessories sold over the counter and those that did not require installation were covered for one year.

Powertrain Warranty

Lasting five years or 100,000 miles, Pontiac’s powertrain warranty provided coverage for specific parts of the major powertrain components of the car: the engine, transmission, and drive systems.

Sheet Metal Warranty

This corrosion and rust-through warranty provided protection against:

• Corrosion or rust on the body sheet metal parts for up to three years or 36,000 miles
• Rust-through (where an actual hole forms on the sheet metal) for up to six years or 100,000 miles

Emission Control System Warranties

The Federal Emission Control Systems Warranty warranted that the manufacturer had designed, built, and equipped the car to conform with federal emission regulations.

For cars and light-duty trucks with a gross vehicle weight rating of 8,500 lbs. or less, the coverage extended to two years or 24,000 miles, or eight years or 80,000 miles for certain parts such as the catalytic converter or control module.

For light-duty trucks with a gross vehicle weight rating greater than 8,500 lbs., the warranty provided protection for up to five years or 50,000 miles.

If the vehicle was registered in California, it was also covered by the California Emission Defect and Emission Performance Warranties. These provided protection for performance and parts defects for up to three years or 36,000 miles, or seven years or 70,000 miles for certain listed parts.

6.6L DURAMAX® Diesel Engine

If your Pontiac is equipped with a 6.6L DURAMAX® Diesel Engine, the coverage is the same as noted above.

Extra Benefits

In addition to the above warranties, new Pontiac owners were also offered for Roadside Assistance and Courtesy Transportation for five years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first, from the date of purchase.

Why Do You Need a Pontiac Extended Warranty?

Since the original Pontiac warranties are no longer valid today, your car does not have protection against any unexpected and potentially expensive repairs that can come your way—unless you have already purchased a Pontiac extended warranty.

According to RepairPal, a Pontiac owner spends around $460 annually to maintain their car with common repairs such as drive belt tensioner replacement and window switch replacement, costing upward of $224 and $243 respectively. Other common Pontiac repair costs are listed below.

While these costs are just estimates, they can add up over time, especially as your car ages. If you don’t fix problems in time, they will only continue to grow and cost you more in the long run.

Pontiac cars are known for their reliability, but like any other car, it will eventually need repairs. With a Pontiac extended warranty, you can protect yourself from paying for expensive repairs out of pocket and keep driving it in top condition.

While the parent company, General Motors, does offer service and support for Pontiac cars at their other brand dealers—Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, and Cadillac—the original parts are not as easy to come by and are also growing increasingly expensive. There is speculation in the market that Pontiac may make a limited comeback with models like the GTO or Firebird, but until then or even then, an extended warranty for your Pontiac from a reliable auto warranty provider like CARCHEX may be your best option to protect your car.

Before we move on to your Pontiac extended warranty options from third-party providers, here is a quick look at GM Protection Plans for Pontiac vehicles.

GM Protection Plan

General Motors offers a manufacturer-backed Protection Plan to help GM-brand car owners protect themselves from expensive repairs. There are two levels of coverage—Silver and Platinum— with different mileage and month limits and additional benefits such as roadside assistance, trip interruption benefits, and rental car coverage.

While Pontiac dealerships aren’t available to take your car to anymore, you can get all covered repairs done at an authorized Chevrolet, Buick, Cadillac, or GMC dealership under the warranty. If the nearest GM-brand dealership is two hours away or if you would rather have your repairs done by a local mechanic you know and trust, this can be inconvenient.

Depending on the coverage you choose, there may be a $0 or $100 deductible. If you decide to sell your Pontiac, the warranty can be transferred to the new owner within 30 days paying the applicable transfer fee.

Why Should You Buy an Extended Warranty for Pontiac from CARCHEX?

As you may have understood by now, protection for Pontiac cars is not as easily available as it once was and getting the necessary repairs done at an affordable price can be tricky. With CARCHEX, you can choose from multiple Extended Vehicle Protection Plans for Pontiacs that are tailored to help car owners keep their older, high-mileage vehicles without breaking the bank.

Not only will extended Pontiac protection help you save money by covering your big-ticket repairs and getting you back on the road quicker, but it could also increase your car’s resale value. While a lot of people think that an extended warranty makes sense only if you are planning to keep your car for a long time, a transferable Pontiac extended warranty is always a huge plus if you plan to sell your vehicle soon.

Here are a few reasons why CARCHEX Extended Vehicle Protection Plans are a good fit for Pontiac owners.

Trusted and Endorsed by Industry Leaders

When you purchase an extended warranty for your Pontiac, you want to be sure you’re getting the best protection from an established, reputable company with a proven track record. CARCHEX has been in the business for over 20 years and is one of the few companies accredited by the Better Business Bureau and endorsed by top industry leaders like Edmunds.com and CARFAX. Our continued commitment to customer service and customer satisfaction has won us an A+ rating and accreditation from the Better Business Bureau.

Affordably Priced

CARCHEX warranties are affordably priced to fit into any budget. You can make low monthly payments and avoid the stress of an expensive repair bill.

Freedom to Choose Your Repair Facility

If you have a Pontiac extended warranty from the dealer, your warranty will be accepted only at authorized dealership centers. However, with a CARCHEX protection plan, you can take your car to your choice of over 30,000 licensed repair shops across the country. That includes local independent shops, national chains, and dealership service centers.

Customizable Plans

Unlike preset manufacturer warranty plans, CARCHEX extended warranties for Pontiacs are customizable, which means that you get to decide what protection you would like for your car. CARCHEX auto warranty experts can answer any warranty coverage questions you may have and help you choose a plan that is exactly right for your budget, vehicle make and model, and unique driving habits.

Direct Settlement of Claims

With some warranty providers, you have to pay the repair shop up front and then file a claim for reimbursement, which can be a long and cumbersome process. CARCHEX pays the repair shop directly to ensure you have a smooth, hassle-free experience.

Extra Perks and Benefits

CARCHEX vehicle service contracts come with additional benefits like towing, gas delivery, rental cars, and trip protection that can bring peace of mind and confidence on the road.

CARCHEX Extended Vehicle Protection Plans for Pontiac Vehicles

CARCHEX offers five tiers of coverage with different options in each level to make sure that every driver and vehicle gets the best protection available, even if their brand is no longer active.

• Titanium—The Titanium level is the CARCHEX version of a bumper-to-bumper warranty, which is usually provided by manufacturers, and is the most comprehensive plan, covering almost everything under the hood with a few listed exclusions.
• Platinum—The Platinum level covers hundreds of major car components and systems of your car and is the highest level of inclusionary coverage available.
• Gold—The Gold level provides protection for all major systems of your Pontiac and has flexible terms that make it a good fit for cars with 60,000 miles and more.
• Silver—The Silver level is best suited for cars with high mileage and offers coverage for many major systems of your Pontiac.
• Bronze—The Bronze level is good for owners who want essential protection for the most important parts of the car: the engine and transmission.

Depending on your vehicle’s eligibility, our extended protection for your Pontiac can provide protection for up to 10 years and may even qualify you for wider coverage than the original factory warranty.

Sources:

Time: http://content.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1894293_1875612,00.html

General Motors: https://my.gm.com/content/dam/gmownercenter/gmna/dynamic/manuals/2008/pontiac/solstice/2008_pontiac_solstice_warranty.pdf

RepairPal: https://repairpal.com/pontiac

AutoWise: https://autowise.com/2020-pontiac-gto-limited-edition-minus-pontiac-part/

Better Business Bureau: .org/us/md/hunt-valley/profile/extended-warranty-contract-service-companies/carchex-0011-23015869