| Primary U.S. Warranty Law | Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act (1975) (Federal Trade Commission) |
| Minimum Written Warranty Disclosure | Required for consumer products sold for more than $15 (FTC Warranty Rules) |
| Types of Written Warranty | Full and Limited (federally defined categories) (Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act) |
| Implied Warranty Disclaimer | Allowed in some states; prohibited or limited in others (Varies by state consumer protection law) |
| Common Exclusion: Physical Damage | Virtually universal across limited warranties (Standard industry practice) |
| Warranty Must Be Available Pre-Sale | Yes — FTC requires access before purchase in-store and online (FTC Pre-Sale Availability Rule) |
The Two Federally Defined Warranty Types
Under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, any written warranty on a consumer product sold for more than $15 must be clearly labeled as either Full or Limited. The label isn't marketing language — it has specific legal meaning.
A full warranty requires the manufacturer to repair or replace a defective product within a reasonable time, at no cost to the consumer. If multiple repair attempts fail, the consumer is entitled to a refund or replacement — no questions asked.
A limited warranty is far more common and far more restrictive. It may exclude labor costs, cap coverage to specific parts, require the consumer to pay shipping for repairs, or simply limit the coverage period to a narrow window. None of these restrictions are inherently illegal, but they must be disclosed in writing. When you see a product advertised with a warranty, assume it's limited unless the documentation explicitly states otherwise.
| Primary U.S. Warranty Law | Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act (1975) (Federal Trade Commission) |
| Minimum Written Warranty Disclosure | Required for consumer products sold for more than $15 (FTC Warranty Rules) |
| Types of Written Warranty | Full and Limited (federally defined categories) (Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act) |
| Implied Warranty Disclaimer | Allowed in some states; prohibited or limited in others (Varies by state consumer protection law) |
| Common Exclusion: Physical Damage | Virtually universal across limited warranties (Standard industry practice) |
| Warranty Must Be Available Pre-Sale | Yes — FTC requires access before purchase in-store and online (FTC Pre-Sale Availability Rule) |
For a deeper look at how these two types play out in practice, see what a warranty actually covers.
What Most Warranties Exclude
The exclusions section is where warranty value is often quietly eroded. Common carve-outs include:
- Normal wear and tear — degradation expected from ordinary use is almost never covered.
- Physical or accidental damage — drops, spills, and cosmetic damage are routinely excluded.
- Unauthorized repairs or modifications — if someone outside the manufacturer's authorized network services the product, coverage can be voided. Note: under U.S. law, manufacturers generally cannot void a warranty solely because you used a third-party repair service, unless they can show the third-party work caused the defect.
- Commercial or non-residential use — many consumer warranties explicitly exclude use in business settings.
- Consumable components — batteries, filters, and similar items that deplete through use are typically excluded.
Consequential damages — losses resulting from the product failure itself, rather than the product cost — are almost universally disclaimed. Some states limit a manufacturer's ability to make this disclaimer; worth checking your state's laws if a failure causes significant secondary losses.
State Law Can Expand Your Rights
Federal warranty law sets a floor, not a ceiling. Many states have stronger consumer protection statutes that may prohibit sellers from disclaiming implied warranties or that extend implied warranty durations. If a product fails and the manufacturer disputes your claim, your state attorney general's consumer protection office is a useful starting point. See also key consumer protection terms for a plain-language glossary of relevant legal concepts.
Reading the Fine Print: A Practical Checklist
Before assuming a warranty protects you, locate the written document (the FTC requires it to be available before purchase) and check for the following:
- Coverage duration — Is it one year, two, or longer? Does it vary by component?
- Who is covered — Is the warranty tied to the original purchaser only, or is it transferable?
- Claim process — Does it require registration? Is there a notification window after a defect appears?
- Remedies available — Repair, replacement, or refund? Who decides which remedy applies?
- Void conditions — What specific actions or failures to act will cancel coverage?
For a comparison of manufacturer coverage versus third-party plans, see manufacturer vs. extended warranty differences.
Implied Warranties: Coverage That Exists Without a Document
Even when no written warranty is provided, the law recognizes implied warranties — baseline guarantees that arise automatically from the sale. The most significant is the implied warranty of merchantability: a product must be fit to do what it's ordinarily sold to do. A blender that won't blend, or a waterproof jacket that leaks in light rain, may violate this implied guarantee.
Sellers can attempt to disclaim implied warranties in writing (often using phrases like "sold as-is"), but many states either prohibit this entirely or restrict it. A disclaimer of implied warranties buried in fine print is not always enforceable.
Implied warranties and formal written coverage share some conceptual ground with insurance — both define what protection applies and under what conditions. If you're navigating related coverage questions, our consumer protection glossary defines these terms in plain language.
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Warranty rights vary by state and by specific product terms. Consult a qualified legal professional or your state attorney general's office for guidance specific to your situation.