Infiniti Extended Warranty Review: Everything You Need To Know

By Mike Hagerty
Contributor
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Infiniti, Nissan’s near-luxury brand, has been nearly invisible the past few years, selling an aging product lineup of mostly gasoline-powered vehicles, like the QX60 SUV and Q50 sedan. Lately, Infiniti has let us know that there is new product in the pipeline, and more of it is likely to be electrified, either as hybrids or battery electric vehicles.

Infiniti buyers are prime candidates for extended warranties, as the 2023 J.D. Power U.S. Dependability Study found its vehicles ranked 19th out of 32 brands surveyed—considerably below the industry average.

Like every new car, Infiniti backs all of its new vehicles with a bumper-to-bumper warranty called the Infiniti Vehicle Limited Warranty. Standard coverage is four years or 60,000 miles, whichever comes first. That’s a little longer than some other brands, which have a mileage cutoff of 50,000. Infiniti’s powertrain warranty is six years or 70,000 miles, and again that beats the industry average of 60,000 miles, but there are even more generous warranties out there. For example, Genesis offers a 10-year powertrain warranty to new-vehicle purchasers.

For those who would like some longer-term peace of mind, Infiniti offers what it calls its Elite Protection Program, a group of additional coverages that expand what components are covered and for how long. Let’s break them down:

Infiniti Elite Protection Programs

Infiniti’s first offering is the most common type of extended warranty. It’s really a vehicle service contract. For an upfront payment, 1,850 components are covered against not just manufacturing defects, as they would be in the standard warranty, but against wear and failure under normal use. The contract extends coverage from the standard warranty up to 8 years and 120,000 miles.

There are two available deductibles, which will affect the cost of the package at signing and repairs when they occur, and a zero-percent payment plan available in six, 12, 18 or 24-month lengths, with no additional loan qualification required. As to how much it costs, Infiniti, like most manufacturers, leaves that up to your local dealer.

Repairs must be completed by Infiniti-trained technicians using Infiniti-approved replacement parts. The plan also includes roadside assistance, towing, car rental and trip interruption reimbursement. It’s available only for the original owners of new Infiniti vehicles, and must be purchased before the standard 48-month/60,000-mile factory warranty expires.

Infiniti also offers what it calls Platinum Protection for leased vehicles—covering wear and tear, missing keys, paint, sheet metal or glass imperfections that might otherwise result in significant fees at return time. Again, it’s an upfront payment, and exact amounts are left up to the dealer.

There’s a wide range of pricing of extended warranties on the market as a whole—as low as $1,500, as high as $5,000. Even in heavily regulated California, dealers are allowed by law to mark up extended warranties they sell and make a profit from them.

A further complication: Some Infiniti dealers may not sell Infiniti Elite Protection programs, and instead partner with third-party extended warranty firms. On its informational brochures, Infiniti is cagey about who’s actually providing its extended warranty in most states, saying only that “In Florida, Infiniti Extended Services North America is backed by Nissan Extended Services North America, Inc.”

What’s Covered by Infiniti Elite Protection?

  • The original bumper-to-bumper defect warranty is extended for an additional four years and 60,000 miles
  • 1,850 vehicle components are covered, with only a few exceptions (see below)
  • 24-hour roadside assistance
  • Rental car reimbursement
  • Trip interruption reimbursement

What’s Not Covered by Infiniti Elite Protection?

The extension of the factory warranty also excludes the same things as that warranty, but it doesn’t extend the new-vehicle corrosion warranty. Infiniti Elite Protection does not cover the following:

  • Paint
  • Body
  • Interior trim
  • Headlight or taillight assemblies
  • Maintenance
  • Damage from weather, theft, vandalism or collisions
  • Neglect
  • Improper modifications
  • Tires

Infiniti Certified Pre-Owned Warranty

The only used Infinitis eligible for extended warranty coverage from the company are its Certified Pre-Owned vehicles. The Infiniti Elite CPO Wrap Upgrade provides enhanced coverage of more than 220 components plus exclusive infotainment system coverage for up to eight years, with unlimited mileage. Hybrid system coverage, roadside assistance, long-distance towing and rental car assistance (up to 5 days and $250 total) are included.

Again, pricing is left to the local dealers, but the amount can be financed over six, 12, 18 or 24 months at 0% without additional qualification.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What Is Infiniti’s Extended Warranty Called?

Infiniti calls it Infiniti Elite Protection. It’s actually a service contract, with upfront costs and deductibles when work is performed.

Is Infiniti’s Extended Warranty Available Through My Local Infiniti Dealer?

You need to ask specifically. In general, many dealers of most brands appear to prefer selling extended warranties from third–party providers that are not associated with the brand.

How Much Does Infiniti’s Extended Warranty Cost?

Pricing is left to the dealers but expect at least $1,500 for a basic plan. Additionally, Infiniti offers two different deductibles. Based on which is chosen will affect the upfront price of the extended warranty and the out-of-pocket expense when work is done.

Can You Cancel an Infiniti Extended Warranty After Purchase?

Infiniti allows for a full refund of the price of an extended warranty within 60 days of purchase. After that period, the refund will be prorated.

Can I Have Work Covered By the Infiniti Extended Warranty Done Somewhere Other Than a Dealer?

Infiniti’s extended warranty requires the use of Infiniti-approved replacement parts, with the work done by Infiniti-trained technicians.

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