Last reviewed: 3 October 2026

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How do appliance manufacturer warranties work?

A manufacturer's warranty on an appliance is a written promise that comes with the product. The warranty text sets what is covered. Federal law sets some ground rules. This page explains those rules and where to find your warranty's terms.

What the warranty text decides

The covered parts, the time limit, the exclusions and how to claim are in the warranty document. The FTC sources do not publish a list of typical appliance exclusions, so this page does not give one. Read the "what is not covered" section of your own warranty.

Which appliances the federal law reaches

The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act applies to "written warranties on tangible personal property which is normally used for personal, family, or household purposes."² The FTC's rule says the definition brings under the Act "separate items of equipment attached to real property, such as air conditioners, furnaces, and water heaters." It does not extend to "the wiring, plumbing, ducts, and other items which are integral component parts of the structure."²

The Act covers only written warranties. It does not apply to oral warranties, or to warranties on products sold for resale or commercial purposes.¹ For the full picture, see our guide on the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act.

"Full" or "limited"

A written warranty on a consumer product costing more than $10 must be titled "full" or "limited."¹ The FTC says a warranty is "full" if all five statements are true:¹

1. The warrantor does not limit the duration of implied warranties.
2. Warranty service is provided to anyone who owns the product during the warranty period.
3. Warranty service is free of charge.
4. After a reasonable number of tries to repair it, the consumer can choose a replacement or a full refund.
5. The consumer need not do anything as a precondition for service, except notify the warrantor, unless the duty is reasonable.

If any of these is not true, the warranty is "limited." A warranty can be part full and part limited.¹ The second test means a full warranty covers anyone who owns the product during the warranty period. For a limited warranty, check its own terms. Our guide on full vs. limited labels has more.

Seeing the warranty before you buy

For a product costing more than $15, the pre-sale rule says the seller must make the warranty text readily available before sale, by displaying it near the product or giving it on request and posting signs.³ A manufacturer may instead post the terms on its website. If it does, the product manual, product or packaging must say where, and give a phone number, mailing address or other way to ask for a copy.³

What the law does and does not let a warranty say

• No tie-ins. The FTC says provisions that state or imply you must buy or use an item or service from a particular company to keep your warranty are generally not allowed.¹ A warrantor can require specific items or services if they are provided free under the warranty or the FTC grants a waiver.¹
• Damage from other parts or service. It is permissible to disclaim coverage for defects or damage caused by using parts or service the warrantor did not provide.¹
• No deceptive terms. The FTC says "warranties must not contain deceptive or misleading terms," for example a warranty covering only "moving parts" on an electronic product with none.¹

Your state-law rights

An implied warranty is an unwritten promise created by state law.¹ The "implied warranty of merchantability" is a merchant's basic promise that the goods "will do what they are supposed to do and that there is nothing significantly wrong with them."¹

The FTC says implied warranties are about the product's condition at the time of sale. They "do not assure that a product will last for any specific length of time," and do not cover problems caused by "abuse, misuse, ordinary wear, failure to follow directions, or improper maintenance."¹ State time limits for breach of an express or implied warranty are "generally four years from date of purchase," which does not mean the product must last four years.¹ State law varies; ask your state attorney general or a lawyer about your facts.¹

If there is a problem

1. Read the warranty for its claim steps and any dispute-settlement process.
2. If the warranty requires a dispute process before a lawsuit under the Act, the process must meet the FTC's Part 703 rule, which says it must not charge consumers a fee.¹⁴
3. The Act makes breach of warranty a violation of federal law and allows recovery of court costs and reasonable attorneys' fees.¹
4. The FTC takes complaints at ftc.gov or by phone at 1-877-FTC-HELP.¹

Extended plans are a different product

A plan bought separately from the appliance is a service contract, not the manufacturer's warranty.¹ See our hub on other warranties and protection plans and the guide on extended vs. manufacturer warranties.

Where this fits in our standard

Point 1 of our standard asks whether contract terms are available in plain language before purchase. The Register shows how we check providers. It describes a method, not a recommendation.

How to verify this yourself

• Read the FTC's Businessperson's Guide (reference 1) and the rules (references 2 to 4) yourself. The guide is written for businesses; this page reads it from a buyer's side.¹
• Find your warranty text in the product manual or on the manufacturer's website, and check the "full" or "limited" title and the "not covered" section.
• For state implied-warranty law, ask your state attorney general's office or a lawyer. The FTC guide says state law varies.¹

What this page is not

This is general information, not legal advice. It covers federal rules on manufacturer written warranties and a short note on implied warranties. It does not cover repairs, product choice, or any particular brand's terms. Retailer or third-party plans bought separately are not covered here.

What to do next

Find your appliance's warranty document and read its title ("full" or "limited"), what is covered, what is not, and how to claim. Then read the Magnuson-Moss Act guide, or go back to the hub on other warranties and protection plans.