Volkswagen Extends Powertrain Warranty to Six Years/72,000 Miles
The new warranty doubles the automaker's current three-year, 36,000-mile warranty. Called the People First Warranty, the coverage can be transferred to subsequent owners for up to six years or 72,000 miles from the date it was first sold new.

HERNDON, Va. — For the 2018 model year, most new Volkswagen vehicles in the United States will come with a six-year, 72,000-mile bumper-to-bumper limited warranty, which can be transferred to subsequent owners throughout its duration.
The new warranty doubles the automaker’s current three-year, 36,000-mile warranty. First introduced with the 2018 Atlas and Tiguan, the People First Warranty now covers the 2018 Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Golf, Golf Alltrack, Golf GTI, Golf R, and Golf SportWagen, Jetta, and Passat.
“Volkswagen has always been ‘the people’s car,’ and with the People First Warranty, we’re putting our customers first,” said Hinrich J. Woebcken, president and CEO of Volkswagen Group of America. “By bringing the right cars, at the right time and making the offer very competitive, we believe we’re in the position to grow in the U.S. market.”
The move comes as the automaker recovers since admitting in September 2015 to installing software that allowed its vehicles to cheat emissions tests for six years. The scandal cost the German company nearly $25 billion in fines, penalties, and compensation.
Year to date through August, U.S. light vehicle deliveries for Volkswagen have increased 6% from a year ago to 364,124 units, according to Autodata Corp.
“Volkswagen has begun to grow again in America, and buyers have welcomed the Atlas and Tiguan into their homes,” said Derrick Hatami, executive vice president of sales and marketing for Volkswagen of America. “Expanding this warranty beyond those two models gives our dealers another compelling argument for the rest of our lineup, and we believe it will lead to a reduced overall cost of ownership for buyers.”
The new warranty includes powertrain coverage for engines, transmissions, and the automaker’s optional 4Motion all-wheel-drive system. All the elements of the People First Warranty can be transferred to subsequent owners for up to six years or 72,000 miles from the date it was first sold new.
Hyundai-Kia’s 10-year, 100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty is still the industry longest, but the coverage is reduced to five years or 60,000 miles if transferred. Most mainstream competitors to the Volkswagen brand, such as Honda, Toyota, and Ford, offer a three-year, 36,000-mile basic warranty and a five-year, 60,000-mile powertrain warranty on their cars and SUVs.
More F&I

Integrating Nontraditional F&I Products
The niche presents a strategic advantage for auto dealerships as they move to adapt to fast-changing consumer expectations in today’s market.
Read More →
Trust Is Personal
Technology, no matter how efficient, can’t replace what the human F&I manager can do, which is to bridge the divide between cyberspace and the in-store experience.
Read More →
Amplify 2026 Billed as Turning Innovation Into Results
Reynolds and Reynolds says its annual retail summit will connect dealers with practical strategies, peer insight, and technology-driven ideas.
Read More →
Own Your Outcome: F&I in the Digital Customer Journey
Finance has historically been the last step in the car-buying process, but it doesn’t have to be. The customer’s journey starts long before they arrive at the dealership, and so should F&I’s involvement.
Read More →
Tariffs Could Raise Insurance Premiums
As U.S. import tariffs affect repair costs, consumers might find it more affordable to replace a damaged vehicle, according to recent Insurify tariff analysis.
Read More →
Smaller Loans, Longer Terms
The youngest generation of car buyers is more likely to finance less expensive vehicles, more than half of generation Z consumers borrowing less than $25,000.
Read More →
New Lifetime Battery F&I Product Meant to Drive Dealer Traffic
EFG Cos. offering is intended to create lifetime auto dealer engagement with customers.
Read More →
The Psychology Behind Menus That Increase Add-On Sales
There is a science to crafting a menu that gives customers confidence in the choices presented, and moving the process outside the F&I office can further boost results.
Read More →
Why Your F&I PVR Is Misleading You
Here’s a handy checklist of the numbers to track in 2026 instead.
Read More →
Auto Consumer Anxiety Presents Opportunity
A survey of U.S. drivers found the majority are concerned about finances and the economy, but those fears make many ready to buy vehicle-protection products.
Read More →