Acura Certified Preowned vehicles come with a powertrain warranty, roadside information, and a vehicle history report, but the coverage length and what's included depends on the car's age and mileage when you buy it

Acura's CPO program is run by Acura dealers, not by a separate company. When you buy an Acura CPO vehicle, you're buying from an Acura dealership that has inspected and reconditioned the car to Acura's standards. The warranty and services that come with it are backed by Acura Financial Services, which is part of Honda.

The main benefit is the powertrain warranty. On a vehicle with fewer than 50,000 miles, you get six years or 100,000 miles of powertrain coverage, whichever comes first. On a vehicle with 50,000 to 80,000 miles, you get five years or 80,000 miles. The powertrain includes the engine, transmission, and drivetrain—the parts that move the car and transfer power to the wheels. It does not cover wear items like brake pads, wiper blades, or the air filter.

Every Acura CPO vehicle also includes a vehicle history report from Carfax or AutoCheck, roadside information for six years with no mileage limit, and a 182-point inspection checklist. The dealership must disclose any accidents, title issues, or flood damage on that report before you buy.

Key Takeaways

  • Acura CPO powertrain warranty covers six years or 100,000 miles on vehicles under 50,000 miles, and five years or 80,000 miles on vehicles between 50,000 and 80,000 miles.
  • The powertrain warranty covers the engine, transmission, and drivetrain but not routine maintenance, wear items, or electrical components outside the powertrain.
  • Every Acura CPO vehicle includes a Carfax or AutoCheck report, roadside information for six years, and a 182-point inspection, all disclosed before purchase.
  • Acura CPO vehicles must be no more than six model years old and have fewer than 80,000 miles to enter the program.

What the 182-point inspection actually checks

Before a vehicle can be sold as Acura CPO, the dealership runs it through a standardized inspection. This is not a quick walk-around. The inspection covers the engine, transmission, suspension, brakes, steering, electrical systems, air conditioning, and the body and interior. The dealership documents the condition of each major system and notes any repairs that were needed.

If the vehicle fails any part of the inspection, the dealership must repair it to Acura's standard before it can be sold as CPO. This is different from buying a used car from a private seller or a non-certified dealer lot, where you have no may provide that any system has been checked at all. The inspection report itself is not usually given to you—what you get is the assurance that the car passed, plus the Carfax or AutoCheck report that shows the vehicle's service history and any accidents.

Keep in mind that passing the inspection does not mean the car is perfect or that nothing will ever go wrong. It means the car met Acura's minimum standards at the time of inspection. Wear and tear will continue after you buy it, and some systems may fail outside the warranty period.

Powertrain warranty: what is and is not covered

The powertrain warranty is the core protection in Acura's CPO program. It covers the engine block, cylinder head, internal engine parts, transmission case and internal parts, transfer case (on all-wheel-drive models), and the front and rear differentials. If any of these components fail due to a manufacturing defect or normal wear within the warranty period, Acura will repair or replace it at no cost to you.

The warranty does not cover the alternator, starter, water pump, fuel pump, air conditioning compressor, or electrical components. It also does not cover scheduled maintenance—oil changes, filter replacements, spark plugs, brake fluid flushes, or transmission fluid changes. If your transmission fluid needs to be changed at 60,000 miles and you're at 59,000 miles when you buy the car, that service is your responsibility, not Acura's.

Wear items like brake pads, rotors, wiper blades, and tires are not covered. If you need new brakes at 65,000 miles, you pay for them. The warranty also excludes damage from accidents, neglect, or using the wrong fuel or oil type. If you put regular gasoline in a car that requires premium, and the engine is damaged as a result, the warranty will not cover it.

Roadside information and other included services

Acura CPO vehicles come with roadside information for six years with unlimited mileage. This means if you break down anywhere in North America, you can call Acura roadside information and they will send a tow truck or send someone to help you at the roadside. The service covers towing, lockout service, fuel delivery, battery service, and minor repairs. You do not pay per call or per service—it is included in your purchase.

The roadside information does not expire based on how many miles you drive. A six-year-old CPO vehicle with 150,000 miles still has roadside information if you bought it within the last six years. This is different from some manufacturer programs that tie information to mileage limits.

Acura also includes a Carfax or AutoCheck vehicle history report with every CPO purchase. This report shows previous owners, service records, accident history, title status, and whether the vehicle has been in a flood or major accident. The dealership must disclose any negative information on this report before you buy. If the report shows an accident and the dealership did not tell you, you have grounds to dispute the sale.

Age and mileage limits for Acura CPO vehicles

Not every used Acura can be sold as CPO. The vehicle must be no more than six model years old at the time of sale and have fewer than 80,000 miles on the odometer. A 2024 model year Acura sold in 2024 qualifies. A 2018 model year Acura sold in 2024 qualifies. A 2017 model year Acura sold in 2024 does not, because it is seven model years old.

The mileage limit is firm: if a car has 80,001 miles, it cannot enter the CPO program, even if it is only four years old and in perfect condition. This is why you will sometimes see used Acuras at a dealership that are not labeled as CPO—they either exceed the age or mileage threshold, or they failed the inspection and the dealership chose not to repair them to CPO standards.

Once you buy a CPO vehicle, the warranty follows you for the full term, regardless of how many miles you add. If you buy a CPO Acura at 79,000 miles with a six-year warranty, and you drive it to 120,000 miles, the powertrain warranty still covers you until six years have passed from the purchase date.

How Acura CPO differs from other manufacturer programs

Acura's CPO program is similar in structure to Honda's CPO program—both are run by Honda dealers and backed by Honda Financial Services. The main difference is that Acura focuses on luxury and performance, so the inspection standards are slightly more rigorous and the roadside information is included at no extra cost. Honda CPO also includes roadside information, but some Honda dealers charge extra for premium roadside packages.

Compared to Toyota's CPO program, Acura's powertrain warranty is shorter. Toyota CPO vehicles typically come with a longer warranty period on the powertrain, though the exact terms vary by model year and mileage. Lexus, Toyota's luxury brand, offers a warranty similar to Acura's but with some additional coverage for electrical components.

The key difference between Acura CPO and buying a used Acura from a non-certified dealer is the inspection, the warranty, and the disclosure. A non-certified used car has no warranty unless the manufacturer's original warranty is still in effect, and the dealer has no obligation to disclose accidents or service history. With Acura CPO, you know the car has been inspected, you have a warranty on the powertrain, and you have a documented history of the vehicle.

What happens if something breaks during the warranty period

If a powertrain component fails while you own the car and you are still within the warranty period, you take the vehicle to an Acura dealership. You show the service advisor your proof of purchase and explain the problem. The dealership will diagnose the issue and determine whether it is covered under the powertrain warranty.

If it is covered, the dealership repairs or replaces the component at no cost to you. You may have to pay for a diagnostic fee if the problem is not when ready obvious, but once the dealership confirms it is a warranty claim, that fee is usually waived. If the component is not covered—for example, if it is an electrical part or a wear item—you pay for the repair.

You do not have to return to the dealership where you bought the car. Any Acura dealership can handle a warranty claim. This matters if you move or if your local dealership is inconvenient. The warranty is honored nationwide at any Acura dealer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Acura CPO warranty cover the air conditioning system?

The compressor and clutch are not covered, but if the compressor fails due to a manufacturing defect within the warranty period, you would need to pay for the repair. The air conditioning system is considered separate from the powertrain. However, if the failure is caused by a powertrain component—for example, if a transmission fluid leak damages the compressor—the underlying powertrain issue would be covered.

Can I transfer the Acura CPO warranty to a second owner?

Acura CPO warranties are transferable to a second owner, but the coverage period may change. The powertrain warranty on a vehicle with fewer than 50,000 miles becomes five years or 80,000 miles for the second owner. Roadside information transfers as well, for the remainder of the six-year period from the original purchase date.

What if the Carfax report shows an accident but the dealership says it was minor?

The dealership must disclose any accident shown on the Carfax or AutoCheck report before you buy. If you disagree with their assessment of how minor it was, you can have an independent mechanic inspect the car before you purchase it. Many dealerships allow a pre-purchase inspection by a third-party mechanic. If you discover after purchase that the dealership misrepresented the damage, you may have grounds to dispute the sale depending on your state's lemon law and consumer protection rules.

Does the CPO warranty cover transmission fluid changes?

No. Transmission fluid changes are scheduled maintenance and are your responsibility. The warranty covers the transmission case and internal parts if they fail, but not routine service. Check your owner's manual for the recommended transmission fluid change interval—it varies by model year and driving conditions.

What if I buy an Acura CPO vehicle and it breaks down before I drive it home?

Roadside information covers you when ready. Call Acura roadside information and they will tow the vehicle to an Acura dealership. The dealership will diagnose the problem and determine whether it is covered under the powertrain warranty. If it is, the repair is covered. If it is not, you pay for the repair, but you have the option to return the vehicle to the dealership where you bought it and discuss your concerns with the sales manager.