Transmission
What it does
Transfers power from the engine to the wheels at the right gear ratio for the vehicle's speed and load.
Possible failure symptoms
Slipping between gears, delayed or rough shifting, unusual noises while shifting, fluid leaks, or a burning smell from transmission fluid.
Potential consequences
Continued driving with a failing transmission can lead to complete transmission failure, leaving the vehicle undrivable.
Typical repair process
A technician diagnoses whether the issue is fluid-related, electronic (a sensor or control module), or mechanical, then repairs, rebuilds or replaces the transmission based on that diagnosis.
Parts involved
Ranges from fluid and filters for minor issues to the transmission assembly itself for major failures.
Questions to ask a mechanic
Ask for the specific diagnosis — fluid, electronic, or mechanical — before agreeing to a rebuild or replacement, since not every symptom means the transmission itself has failed.
How coverage generally treats this
General guidance about how these categories typically work — not a claim about your own coverage.
Manufacturer warranty
Potentially covered under bumper-to-bumper coverage while active, and almost always named explicitly in powertrain coverage.
Powertrain coverage
Typically included — the transmission is one of the core components powertrain coverage is built around, alongside the engine and drivetrain.
Exclusionary service contract
Usually included in most service contract tiers, since transmission repair is one of the more expensive failures contracts are commonly bought to protect against — but always confirm against the specific contract, especially for exclusionary vs. named-component plans.
Auto insurance
Ordinary mechanical failure or wear-out is normally not covered by standard auto insurance.
Manufacturer recall
Only applicable if there's an open recall for a specific transmission defect on that vehicle.
Related warning lights
Noticing a related symptom on your own vehicle? The Symptom Explorer shows what other owners of your specific year, make and model have reported to NHTSA.
This is general guidance, not a diagnosis or a repair-cost estimate — we don't have reliable cost data, so none is shown here. A qualified technician should confirm the actual cause and cost for your vehicle.