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Mar 22, 2020
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A new vehicle is a huge investment, and you probably expect it to perform without any problems. Your new Kia comes with an industry-leading warranty. Kia stands by its quality and durability with one of the best warranties on the market. The Kia warranty program details a commitment to quality and excellence. Learn more about what’s covered with a Kia warranty.

What Is the Kia Warranty?

The Kia warranty is a 10-year or 100,000-mile warranty that consists of four main parts:

  • Limited basic warranty: Covers five years or up to 60,000 miles.
  • Limited powertrain warranty: Covers 10 years or up to 100,000 miles.
  • Limited anti-perforation warranty: Covers five years or up to 100,000 miles.
  • Roadside assistance plan: Covers five years or up to 60,000 miles.

What Does the Kia Warranty Cover at the Limited Basic Level?

The limited basic warranty is Kia’s bumper-to-bumper warranty which includes most parts and accessories for 10 years or up to 100,000 miles. Almost every service item is covered under this warranty except for typical wear-and-tear items such as brake pads, tires, and windshield wiper blades. As a Kia owner, knowing that unforeseen Kia service and repairs are protected under the warranty can allow you to rest easily during the first 10 years of your vehicle’s lifespan.

Several specific items have a shorter warranty coverage time:

  • Original battery: Covers three years or up to 36,000 miles.
  • Audio and entertainment system and paint: Covers three years or up to 36,000 miles.
  • Paint repair due to nonimpact reasons: Covers three years or up to 36,000 miles.
  • Air conditioner refrigerant charge: Covers for 12 months and unlimited mileage.
  • Brake and clutch linings: Covers for 12 months and unlimited mileage.

What’s Included in the Limited Powertrain Warranty?

kia warranty length
Image via Flickr by CapCase.

With one of the longest powertrain warranties on the market, Kia can’t be beaten. Through standing by its materials, workmanship, and quality, Kia communicates a strong statement of belief about the performance of its vehicles.

The Kia powertrain warranty will cover any manufacturer damage or defects for 10 years or up to 100,000 miles. This warranty covers all of the vehicle’s essential systems, including the transmission, axle, transaxle, engine, driveshaft, propeller shafts, and differential.

What’s Included in the Limited Anti-Perforation Warranty?

Kia’s limited anti-perforation warranty protects the vehicle’s body sheet metal from issues due to rust, corrosion, or perforation from the inside out for five years or up to 100,000 miles. This warranty does not, however, protect against perforations from the outside in, including hail, rocks, and accidental damage.

What’s Included in the Roadside Assistance Plan?

Available 24 hours a day in the United States, the Kia Roadside Assistance Plan provides a network of more than 17,000 providers who will help you with minor issues. Some examples of minor issues include running out of gas, getting a flat tire, or encountering a dead battery. The plan also has a Trip Interruption Policy which covers long road trips. If you’re more than 150 miles from your home, Kia will reimburse the cost of meals, lodging, or rental car expenses if the repairs you need take more than 24 hours to complete.

What Does the Kia Warranty Not Cover?

As with all vehicle warranties, the Kia warranty does not cover several areas. When you service your new Kia or take advantage of an item under warranty, make sure to have your service work performed at an authorized Kia dealership such as Tom Kadlec Kia. Using a service provider that isn’t authorized to perform repairs on a Kia vehicle may result in invalidating your Kia warranty. A Kia warranty will not cover the following:

  • Normal wear and tear.
  • Kia’s in-vehicle media controller and infotainment system.
  • Damage from auto accidents.
  • Window scratches and breaks.
  • Damage from incorrectly sized tires.
  • Misuse, such as driving over curbs or hazardous objects.
  • Damage caused by a lack of regular maintenance.
  • Environmental damage, such as road salt or hail.
  • Consumer-caused damage, such as spills or burns on carpet or surfaces.
  • Service adjustments such as tire alignment and balancing. These are covered for the first year or 12,000 miles by default.

Does the Kia Warranty Transfer?

The ability to transfer a Kia warranty gives a new vehicle owner peace of mind and allows you to more easily sell your Kia. The one limitation, however, concerns the 10-year or up to 100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty, which changes to a five-year or up to 60,000-mile limited powertrain warranty when transferred. The other three parts of the Kia Warranty (the limited basic warranty, the anti-perforation warranty, and the roadside assistance plan) transfer to the new owner in full.

What Is the Extended Warranty?

The older a vehicle gets, the more likely it will need repairs. Often these repairs occur after the factory warranty has expired. Although Kia vehicles are known for their long-term reliability, you can expect to pay about $474 a year in general repairs, according to RepairPal.com. Something as simple as replacing an alternator or air conditioner compressor can cost between several hundred dollars to almost a thousand dollars.

To protect your vehicle, and your wallet, purchase an extended warranty. You can offset the cost of repairs by getting an extended warranty from either an authorized Kia dealership or from a third party. Many extended warranties come with more coverage than the original factory warranty. Some of the benefits include the following:

  • Continued protection means you pay less, or nothing, for repairs.
  • The warranty terms can be customized to fit your needs.
  • The monthly payments are quite affordable.
  • You have more flexibility to have repairs completed outside authorized dealerships (if the warranty is purchased from a third party).
  • Usually, more parts are covered with an extended warranty compared to an original factory warranty.

Purchasing a new vehicle is a big decision, and it can take some research on your part. The factory warranty that comes with your new vehicle should be a big part of your decision-making process. While no one anticipates repairs or service problems with a brand-new vehicle, you can feel confident knowing that you have an excellent warranty. For more information about one of the best new car warranties on the market, visit Tom Kadlec Kia in Rochester.