Question: I’ve had my Kia for two years and noticed the air conditioning doesn’t work as well as it used to. Does Kia’s warranty cover air conditioning? It would be a bummer if I already have to pay for a major repair.
Answer:
Yes, you would be covered for air conditioning issues, but only under certain conditions—and only if your car still has a valid warranty.
Kia has what it calls an “industry leading” 10-year/100,000-mile warranty program. The program, which was a major company milestone when it debuted in 2008, consists of the:
- 10-year/100,000 miles limited powertrain warranty.
- 5-year/60,000 miles limited basic warranty.
- 5-year/100,000 miles limited anti-perforation warranty.
- 5 year/60,000 miles roadside assistance plan.
Each warranty lasts until either the year or miles limit is reached, whichever comes first.
Keep in mind that the basic warranty covers manufacturer defects but doesn’t cover maintenance, external damage, or wear and tear. So if you find yourself needing AC repairs, they should be covered under the limited basic warranty as long as the issue is not due to normal wear and tear.
You’re also covered should you have a refrigerant leak, but the air conditioner refrigerant replenishment charge is only covered for 12 months (unlimited miles), unless it is part of a warranty repair.
What happens to my Kia’s warranty if I bought the car used?
If you didn’t buy your Kia new and are having an AC issue with your used car, you may still be covered under warranty. Kia warranties are transferable if you decide to buy used. The original 10-year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty shortens to a five-year/60,000-mile term length, but the remaining terms for the other original warranties at the time of purchase will be fully transferred.
Other options if your warranty is expired
If you’re worried about a repair that may not be covered under warranty, it may be a good idea to look into car repair insurance. Let’s say your used Kia has 61,000 miles on it and is no longer covered under basic warranty, so you’re out of luck on an AC repair. This is where a third party car insurance would come in handy—but it’s important to read the fine print before signing on the dotted line. You want to make sure you know exactly what falls under your third-party insurance plan so you know if you’re covered should a mechanical issue occur.
For example, Progressive offers “Mechanical Breakdown Insurance” for vehicles that are no more than 15 model years old and have less than 100,000 miles. This coverage is a comprehensive plan that covers mechanical issues should your car be out of warranty or your valid warranty does not cover the issue at hand.
Chris Burkhardt is a writer and editor with over a decade of experience across various storytelling mediums. With Jerry, Chris hopes to help anyone with a question about their vehicle easily find the answers they are looking for. Whether you need to know how much insurance costs for a classic car, how to replace a broken light or tell if you need an oil change, Chris wants to help you find solutions the best he can. Prior to joining Jerry, Chris was a digital content producer and writer for NBC and a freelance editor for NerdWallet. A graduate of the University of Oregon’s School of Journalism and Communication, if Chris is not working on content, he’s sure to be found cheering on his Ducks!
Everett Cook is an award-winning journalist and editor with more than 10 years of experience across a variety of industries. In editing for Jerry, Everett’s mission is to help readers have a better understanding of the costs of owning or leasing a car and to better understand their vehicle in terms of insurance and repairs. Prior to joining Jerry, Everett was an editor for Axios. His previous work has been featured in The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The San Francisco Chronicle, The Atlantic, Atlantic Re:think, The Boston Globe, USA Today, and others. He’s also been a freelance writer and editor with experience in SEO, audience building, and long-term content roadmaps. Everett is a proud graduate of the University of Michigan.
