Automaker-Provided Roadside Assistance: What You Get

Many vehicle manufacturers provide their own versions of emergency services.

Benjamin Hunting | 

Jul 7, 2023 | 4 min read

Ford

Most major automakers now provide roadside assistance with every new vehicle. Roadside assistance programs even cover certified pre-owned automobiles with services competitive with those available for new vehicles.

Although most roadside assistance programs are similar in how they protect owners, there are differences in how long they last, how they are managed, and what additional services are available. Here's a look at some of the large automakers' roadside assistance programs.

BMW

BMW offers buyers roadside assistance during the first four years of ownership for new cars or six years from the original in-service date for certified pre-owned vehicles. BMW doesn't impose any mileage restrictions during either of those periods.

The program provides tire changes, delivery of fluids, jump-starts, and towing. BMW roadside assistance also offers up to $1,000 in trip interruption reimbursement and concierge services to help owners reconfigure their travel plans.

Ford

Ford's roadside assistance is available for new car owners for the first five years or 60,000 miles after they purchase their vehicle. There are three certified used programs under the Ford banner, and they provide coverage of 90 days (Blue Certified), seven years (Gold Certified), and eight years (EV Certified) of roadside assistance.

Ford owners can count on fuel delivery, towing (including trailers), flat-tire replacement, and jump-starts. EV owners benefit from tows to the closest charger if they are more than 50 miles from a Ford dealership. Ford also provides reimbursement for towing expenses, rental cars, travel expenses up to $1,000, and lock-out services paid out of pocket.

Honda

Honda provides complimentary roadside assistance for its new automobiles. The automaker bundles coverage with each vehicle's bumper-to-bumper warranty, and the plan is good for three years from the date of purchase or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first. Honda True Certified+ used vehicles qualify for two years or 50,000 miles of roadside assistance, starting from the date of expiration of the new car warranty or the date of purchase, while Honda True Certified vehicles get coverage for one year or 12,000 miles.

Honda roadside assistance covers towing, flat-tire replacement, winching, jump-starts, locksmith services, and fuel delivery. It also includes a trip interruption benefit of up to $300, rental car and hotel reservation assistance, and help getting in touch with airlines or loved ones.

Hyundai

Hyundai roadside assistance is provided for five years from a new car purchase date, with no mileage restrictions. Certified pre-owned vehicles come with an even more extended roadside assistance stint from Hyundai, enjoying 10 years of coverage with no mileage component, starting from the original vehicle in-service date.

In addition to towing service in case of a breakdown, Hyundai roadside assistance provides jump-starts, fuel delivery, lock-out service, tire replacement, and trip interruption reimbursement of up to $100 a day, provided owners are more than 150 miles away from home.

Kia

Kia bundles its roadside assistance into its new car warranty program, which means 10 years or 100,000 miles of coverage from the date you purchase a new vehicle. Kia's CPO program continues this warranty and the roadside assistance coverage for the same period.

Kia's roadside assistance features are similar to Hyundai's, providing towing services, flat-tire changes, fuel for an empty tank, and jump-starts. A trip interruption component will reimburse customers $100 a day for inconveniences related to a vehicle breakdown for up to three days.

Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz includes roadside assistance with any vehicle under warranty. This program includes new cars and SUVs for four years or 50,000 miles, extended limited warranty for up to three years past the new car warranty's expiration up to 100,000 miles, and certified pre-owned vehicles for one year and unlimited mileage.

Mercedes-Benz owners benefit from towing, fuel delivery, flat repairs, tire replacements, and jump-starts as part of the roadside assistance program. If problems arise more than 100 miles from home, Mercedes-Benz will cover up to $300 a night for trip interruption expenses.

Tesla

Tesla links its roadside assistance to its new and used warranty programs. The Tesla new vehicle warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles of driving, while the used warranty adds two years or up to 100,000 miles of coverage.

Roadside assistance offers locksmith services, towing, and flat-tire replacement to Tesla owners. Lock-out services include attempts to open the vehicle remotely.

Toyota

Toyota provides roadside assistance as part of its ToyotaCare maintenance program, lasting two years with no mileage restriction after purchasing a new vehicle. Certified pre-owned Toyotas come with a seven-year roadside assistance period for up to 100,000 miles of driving. Coverage begins at the date of purchase rather than the original in-service date.

Toyota roadside assistance includes the standard bevy of services: towing, jump-starts, locksmith services, fuel delivery, and flat-tire repair or replacement. Toyota also covers winching for a vehicle stuck in a precarious situation.

Benjamin Hunting

Benjamin Hunting is a writer and podcast host who contributes to a number of newspapers, automotive magazines, and online publications. More than a decade into his career, he enjoys keeping the shiny side up during track days and always has one too many classic vehicle projects partially disassembled in his garage at any given time. Remember, if it's not leaking, it's probably empty.