Chevrolet has begun offering a longer standard warranty for its gasoline Chevrolet Low Cab Forward trucks to qualified fleet customers, which broke a deadlock with Isuzu Commercial Truck of America. The two truck manufacturers, which are offering similar versions of the cab-over-engine model, previously had both offered a warranty of three years or 75,000 miles, until GM began offering terms of five years or 100,000 miles.

While these manufacturers are currently the only ones who now offer a gasoline cabover to U.S. fleet buyers, when it comes to diesel-powered cabovers, the field broadens. The warranty offerings, however, remain fairly close to equilibrium among rival manufacturers, which offer an array of plans on various components beyond just the standard terms.

Diesel cabover warranties typically differ from gasoline cabover warranties because the trucks see different usage patterns. Diesel-powered cabovers typically rack up higher mileage numbers in their first three years or use compared to gasoline trucks. 

While a typical Chevrolet gasoline cabover would be driven about 15,000 to 20,000 miles per year, a typical Chevrolet diesel cabover would be driven 25,000 to 30,000 miles per year or more, GM's Paul Loewer, medium-duty commercial product manager, told us last week.

Isuzu dealers offer a cost-of-ownership calculator that helps customers determine whether gasoline or diesel would be a better fit for their business, said Brian Tabel, Isuzu's executive director of marketing.

Digging into Diesel Cabover Options

Let's take a closer look at the warranties offered for the current crop of diesel cabovers available to commercial buyers.

Isuzu, Chevrolet, Hino, and Mitsubishi Fuso Truck of America offer similar standard warranties for their diesel cabovers, and provide additional component warranties to increase a fleet manager's piece of mind. The manufacturers also offer extended warranties at an added cost through dealers for heavier duty cycles.

Isuzu offers a basic three-year warranty with unlimited miles with its pair of diesel-powered N-Series trucks — a 3.0-liter turbo diesel (4JJ1-TC) powers the NPR, while a 5.2L turbo diesel powers the NPR-HD, NPR-XD, NQR, NRR, and Class 6 FTR that was launched earlier this year.

Chevrolet offers a similar warranty with its diesel-powered 3500HD, 4500HD, 4500XD, 5500HD, and 5500XD, which are rebadged version of the Isuzu models. GM follows Isuzu's guidelines on the diesel warranty.

Hino offers a basic warranty of three years and unlimited mileage for its 155, 195, and 195h diesel-electric hybrid cabovers. A 5.0-liter turbo diesel (J05E-TP) powers all models.

Mitsubishi Fuso offers a three-year basic warranty for unlimited miles for its four diesel models, including the FE130, FE160, FE180, and FG4x4. A 3.0-liter turbo diesel (4P10-T5) powers all models.

In addition to the basic warranty, the manufacturers also offer standard warranties for the powertrain, frame rails, emission control system to meet federal and California regulations, tires, and corrosion.

Isuzu's powertrain warranty covers the engine, transmission, drive axles, propeller shaft, front axle I-Beam, crossmembers, flywheel housing, and clutch housing for three years and unlimited miles.

Hino offers an extended engine warranty for five years or 200,000 miles that extends to the Aisin six-speed transmission, rear axle, and hybrid system components including the battery. The warranty also covers engine fuel injectors, the fuel supply pump, and turbocharger but not the gaskets or seals.

Mitsubishi Fuso's powertrain warranty covers "all powertrain components" for five years or 175,000 miles. Components include the engine, flywheel housing, injectors, common rail, fuel supply pump, water pump, starter, alternator, Duonic manual transmission, clutch housing, rear axle, front axle on the FG4x4, propeller shafts. Exclusions include the axle shafts, wheel hubs, wheel bearings, constant velocity joints, and clutch damper. Exceptions include the gaskets, O-rings, and oil seals.

Isuzu covers the frame rails for three years at unlimited miles and two additional years at unlimited mileage and 50% of the cost of parts and labor. Hino covers frame rails and cross members for five years at unlimited mileage. Mitsubishi Fuso also covers its frame of its trucks (except the FG4x4) for up to five years and unlimited mileage.

Isuzu's engine control system for federal regulations is covered up to five years or 100,000 miles. For California, it's covered for up to three years or 50,000 miles. For long-term defects, it's covered for seven years or 70,000 miles.

Hino offers standard coverage of its emissions and aftertreatment systems for five years or 100,000 miles.

Mitsubishi Fuso offers a five-year warranty on its emission control system for either 50,000 miles or 100,000 miles depending on the model and state of registration. The FE and FG are covered for five years or 50,000 miles, while the FE and FG with a GVWR over 14,000 pounds and registered in California are covered for five years and 100,000 miles.

Isuzu's tire warranty provides coverage for up to two years or 24,000 miles.

For corrosion or rust through, Isuzu's coverage covers four years at unlimited miles. Hino covers against corrosion perforation in the cab structure for four years at unlimited miles. Mitsubishi Fuso also offers four years of coverage of the cab's sheet metal.

For full details, visit the warranty pages for Isuzu, Chevrolet, Hino, and Mitsubishi Fuso.