How Long Should a Car Alternator Last?

How long should a car alternator last?  When you buy a new vehicle off of a car lot, you might expect things like the alternator to last for the duration of the vehicle’s lifetime. The problem with that idea is that not every alternator is created equally, and some do suffer breakdowns from time to time. So, how long will a car's alternator last?

In the majority of vehicles, the car's alternator should last without malfunction or without need for replacement for at least 100,000 miles. At this point in the vehicle’s life, electrical components like the alternator are prone to suffer different problems like shorts or wear on the electrical circuitry. 

• If your alternator freezes up any time before your vehicle has reached 100,000 to 120,000 miles, you may be able to have it replaced at no charge depending on the warranty that came with your vehicle when you purchased it.
• If you do have to purchase a new alternator, make sure that the alternator you purchase has a lifetime warranty before it’s installed in your vehicle. 
• If your alternator, or any other part of your vehicle, does not work properly or is subject to repeated repairs, you may be able to get recourse from your state's Lemon Laws or Implied Warranties, unless you bought your vehicle in a private and/or "as is" sale.

If you need to replace your alternator and you do not have the luxury of a warranty, sometimes you may wish to buy an alternator that has been salvaged from a damaged vehicle. If you decide to take this cost-saving measure, you should be sure to have the one you buy tested in front of you before it’s installed in your vehicle.