What does a new car warranty actually cover?

A new car warranty covers repairs needed because of defects in materials or workmanship from the factory, for a set number of years or miles, whichever comes first. It generally does not cover normal wear items, routine maintenance, accident damage, misuse or damage from environmental causes. Most new vehicles come with a basic warranty plus a longer powertrain warranty, and many add separate coverage for corrosion, emissions parts and, on EVs and hybrids, the high-voltage battery. Your owner's manual or warranty booklet lists the details.