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Tesla’s extended warranty is the Extended Service Agreement (ESA), a monthly subscription in the Tesla app that costs $50 a month for a Model 3, $60 for a Model Y, $125 for a Model S and $150 for a Model X, according to Tesla’s Extended Service Agreement page. It starts when the 4-year/50,000-mile Basic Vehicle Limited Warranty ends and can run until the car reaches 8 years or 100,000 miles. It does not cover the high-voltage battery or drive unit, which have their own, longer factory warranty.
That last point is the one most owners miss. Below we break down what each layer of Tesla coverage protects, what the ESA really costs over its life, which repairs it excludes, and when a third-party plan might make more sense.
Tesla’s factory warranty, in one table
Before you pay for anything extra, check what you already have. These are the U.S. terms listed on Tesla’s vehicle warranty page (the warranty document that came with your car is the one that legally applies):
| Coverage | Term | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Vehicle Limited Warranty | 4 years or 50,000 miles | Covers most defects in materials and workmanship |
| Supplemental Restraint System | 5 years or 60,000 miles | Airbags and seat belts |
| Battery and Drive Unit: Model 3 RWD, Model Y RWD and AWD | 8 years or 100,000 miles | Minimum 70% battery capacity retention over the period |
| Battery and Drive Unit: Premium and Performance Model 3 / Model Y | 8 years or 120,000 miles | Same 70% retention minimum |
| Battery and Drive Unit: Model S, Model X, Cybertruck | 8 years or 150,000 miles | Same 70% retention minimum |
| Body rust (perforation) | 12 years, unlimited miles | Vehicles bought before February 1, 2019 are not covered |
| Certified Pre-Owned from Tesla | Rest of the Basic warranty plus 1 year / 10,000 miles | If the Basic warranty already expired: 1 year / 10,000 miles from delivery |
What the Tesla ESA covers and excludes
Per Tesla, the ESA pays to repair or replace most Tesla-made or Tesla-supplied parts that break down or stop working as designed under normal use, and it includes 24/7 Tesla Roadside Assistance. A deductible applies to each Service Center visit with a covered repair; the amount is set in the ESA terms and conditions, so check it before you subscribe.
Tesla lists these as not covered:
- Maintenance parts such as filters, brake pads, the low-voltage (12V) battery, shocks and struts.
- Maintenance services such as alignment, wheel balancing and brake service.
- Appearance items, normal wear items like body seals and trim, wheels and tires.
- Parts with separate warranties: keys, the high-voltage battery, drive units, and safety and restraint systems.
- Damage from accidents, abuse or improper maintenance.
Who can buy it
- Model S, Model 3, Model X and Model Y owners in the U.S. and Canada.
- You must be the registered owner, and the car must still be under (or close to the end of) its Basic or Pre-Owned warranty when Tesla tells you it is eligible.
- Leased cars, branded or salvage titles and total-loss vehicles are not eligible.
- If your warranty expired before May 19, 2025, Tesla may require a paid inspection; the car must be under five years old and under 62,500 miles to qualify for it, and you then have 30 days or 1,000 miles to subscribe.
What the ESA really costs: three examples
Because the ESA is billed monthly and stops at 8 years or 100,000 miles, the total depends on how fast you drive. These examples assume the price stays the same, which Tesla does not guarantee:
| Owner | Driving | When Basic warranty ends | When ESA ends | Months of ESA | Total at current price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model 3, low mileage | 10,000 miles a year | Year 4 (40,000 miles) | Year 8 (80,000 miles) | 48 | $2,400 |
| Model Y, average | 15,000 miles a year | About 3.3 years (50,000 miles) | About 6.7 years (100,000 miles) | About 40 | About $2,400 |
| Model X, high mileage | 25,000 miles a year | Year 2 (50,000 miles) | Year 4 (100,000 miles) | 24 | $3,600 |
The rule of thumb: the ESA makes sense if you expect at least one non-battery repair whose cost, plus the deductible, would exceed the total you pay in subscription fees, or if a surprise bill of that size would genuinely strain your budget. If you could absorb it, setting the same $50 to $150 a month aside is a reasonable alternative; our guide to extended warranty vs self-insuring walks through that math.
Cancelling the Tesla ESA
You can cancel at any time in the app (Upgrades, then Manage Upgrades, then Extended Service Agreement, then Cancel Agreement). Coverage runs to the end of the billing cycle, and after that you cannot re-subscribe. If coverage has not started yet, Tesla refunds the monthly fee; once it has started, Tesla says refunds are available only in certain states, which it lists on its ESA page.
The separate Battery ESA (Model 3 and Model Y)
Tesla also sells a one-time Battery and Drive Unit ESA for Model 3 and Model Y bought new or Certified Pre-Owned directly from Tesla. According to the Battery ESA page, it adds up to 24 months or 30,000 miles after the original battery and drive unit warranty ends, with a $500 deductible per service visit. It must be bought while the battery warranty is still active, cannot be rolled into your car loan, and unused coverage transfers to a new owner. The price is shown only in the app.
Tesla ESA vs a third-party extended warranty
| Tesla ESA | Third-party plan | |
|---|---|---|
| Where repairs happen | Tesla Service Centers | Depends on the contract; check whether shops near you can work on a Tesla |
| Battery and drive unit | Not included (separate Battery ESA for Model 3/Y) | Varies widely; some exclude high-voltage parts entirely |
| Billing | Monthly, cancel anytime | Usually monthly or upfront over a fixed term |
| Eligibility window | Must enroll while under or near the end of the factory warranty | Often available later, subject to age and mileage limits |
| Who decides claims | Tesla | The plan’s administrator |
A third-party plan can make sense if your Tesla is no longer eligible for the ESA, but read the contract for the words “high-voltage battery,” “drive unit” and “inverter” before you buy. Our guide to the best extended warranties for electric vehicles lists the questions to ask, and manufacturer vs extended warranty overlap explains how to avoid paying twice for the same coverage. For general consumer protections on service contracts, see the FTC’s guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Tesla extended warranty worth it?
It is most useful for owners who drive moderate miles, plan to keep the car past the 4-year/50,000-mile Basic warranty, and would struggle with an unexpected repair bill. If you drive very high miles, the ESA ends sooner (at 100,000 miles), so you pay for fewer months but also get fewer months of protection.
How much is the Tesla extended warranty per month?
Tesla lists $50 for Model 3, $60 for Model Y, $125 for Model S and $150 for Model X, and says prices and terms can change.
Does the Tesla ESA cover the battery?
No. The high-voltage battery and drive unit have their own 8-year factory warranty (100,000 to 150,000 miles depending on model). For Model 3 and Model Y, Tesla sells a separate Battery ESA that extends that coverage by up to 24 months or 30,000 miles.
Can I buy a Tesla extended warranty after my warranty expires?
Generally you need to enroll while the Basic or Pre-Owned warranty is still active or about to expire. If it expired before May 19, 2025, Tesla may let you qualify through a paid inspection if the car is under five years old and under 62,500 miles. Otherwise, a third-party plan is the remaining option.
Can I get a Tesla extended warranty on a leased car?
No. Tesla excludes leased vehicles from the ESA.
Autwary is supported by advertising and has no paid relationship with the companies we review. See our Advertising Disclosure. Tesla prices and terms were checked on tesla.com in October 2026 and can change.
