Your new vehicle from the manufacturer comes with a Kia warranty, but what does that coverage entail? According to industry studies, Kia vehicles have a reputation for low-cost repairs, so we’ll evaluate what this means when it comes to warranty coverage.
You can just read on to get all the details on the Kia warranty program and learn about typical repair costs. We will also discuss Kia extended warranty options from the manufacturer and some of the best extended car warranty companies.
Kia Factory Warranty
The factory Kia warranty that comes with all new vehicles includes a 5-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. Most Kia parts and components are covered after mechanical breakdowns.
The manufacturer’s warranty includes 5 years/100,000 miles of anti-perforation coverage, which handles corrosion-related damage, and a 5-year/60,000-mile emergency roadside assistance plan. Compared to other manufacturers, Kia’s warranty is generous.
Kia Warranty Coverage
Here’s a quick summary of the warranties that come with new Kia vehicles, including their term lengths. In this section, we will explain the specific parts covered by each factory warranty in more detail.
Kia New Vehicle Limited Warranty |
Terms |
---|---|
Limited Basic Warranty |
5 years/60,000 miles |
Limited Powertrain Warranty |
10 years/100,000 miles |
Limited Anti-Perforation Warranty |
5 years/100,000 miles |
Roadside Assistance Plan |
5 years/60,000 miles |
Kia Basic Warranty
Kia’s basic warranty is a 5-year/60,000-mile limited basic warranty. Most of your new Kia vehicle’s components are covered, though items such as the audio and entertainment system, battery, and brake and clutch linings are covered for shorter periods.
Kia Powertrain Warranty
Kia’s powertrain warranty is a 10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty: For original Kia owners, the powertrain warranty begins when the Limited Basic Warranty ends. Its coverage includes essential parts of the engine, transmission, and transaxle.
Kia Anti-Perforation Warranty
Kia’s anti-perforation warranty is a 5-year/100,000-mile limited warranty. Kia will repair or replace body sheet metal panels that are perforated due to manufacturing defects.
Kia Roadside Assistance
Kia’s roadside assistance is a 5-year/60,000-mile warranty. In addition to 24/7 roadside assistance of up to $75 per occurrence, the Kia warranty includes up to $100 of trip interruption coverage per day for up to three days if you break down more than 150 miles from home and repairs require more than 24 hours to complete.
Kia Certified Pre-Owned Warranty
Like new vehicles, Kia-certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicles are covered under the Kia warranty. To qualify as pre-owned, the vehicle must be no more than five years old, have fewer than 60,000 miles, and pass a 165-point inspection, which includes:
- Test drive
- Engine
- Transmission
- Steering and suspension
- Electrical
- Brakes
Kia Certified Pre Owned Limited Powertrain Warranty
The Kia CPO warranty last for 10 years/100,000 miles. Coverage begins on the in-service date, when the vehicle was first sold, leased, or used as a company car. It includes mechanical breakdowns of the transmission, engine, and drive axle, travel breakdown protection of up to $100 per day with a maximum benefit of $500 per occurrence if you’re more than 100 miles from home, and an allowance of up to $35 per day for a maximum of 10 days for rental car expenses while your Kia gets covered repairs.
Kia Comprehensive Warranty
Kia’s Comprehensive CPO warranty provides 1-year/12,000-mile coverage. You’ll get Kia’s highest level of coverage, starting on the date you purchase your Certified Pre-Owned Kia.
Kia Roadside Assistance Warranty
Roadside assistance for CPO vehicles lasts for 10 years/unlimited miles. Starting on the date you purchase your Certified Pre-Owned Kia, you can get help 24/7 for towing, flat tires, gas replenishment, lockouts, and jump-starts.
What Is Not Covered By A Kia Warranty?
While Kia’s factory warranty provides extensive coverage, the following are examples of damage you can expect to be responsible for:
- Misuse of your Kia vehicle
- Collision damage
- Environmental damage
- Alterations, modifications, tampering, or rewiring
- Damage due to lack of regular maintenance
- Damage caused by the owner of the vehicle
- Window scratches and breaks
- Wear and tear
- Damage caused by incorrect tire installation
- Salvage or total-loss vehicles
These exclusions are standard among manufacturer warranties.
Kia Warranty Review
Among automakers, the Kia extended warranty is a strong choice for coverage, but you may find a better deal with a third-party warranty provider.
If you have purchased a used Kia vehicle from the dealership, your factory warranty might still be in place. In the event that your coverage has expired, it might be time for you to look into an extended warranty, especially if your particular model tends to have high repair costs.
Are Kias Expensive To Repair?
According to RepairPal, the average annual repair cost for a Kia Optima is $471. RepairPal gives this vehicle a 4.0 out of 5.0 reliability rating and ranks Kia third out of 32 brands for reliability.
Here’s a look at some of the average repair costs for a Kia Optima:
Repair |
Average Repair Cost |
---|---|
Air conditioning evaporator replacement |
$765 to $866 |
Cylinder head replacement |
$3,018 to $3,295 |
Oxygen sensor replacement |
$322 to $334 |
Because repair costs for Kias are relatively low, you may not need an extended vehicle warranty. However, a vehicle service contract provides many drivers with peace of mind on the road. With a good plan, you will pay only a deductible when it comes time for covered repairs.
Third-party warranty companies tend to offer a variety of plans with multiple deductible options. Costs can be lower than Kia dealer warranties, and drivers can get their vehicles repaired at any certified repair shop nationwide. Three of the highest-rated providers in the industry are Endurance and CARCHEX.
Kia Manufacturer Warranty: Conclusion
Kia Vehicles have a reputation for being reliable, but that does not mean Kia offers a standard industry warranty. Kia has one of the longest extended factory warranties in the auto industry. They are known for their 10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty. However, all warranties eventually run out, and unexpected costly repairs can break the bank.
Recommended Providers
Our review team extensively reviewed the best-extended warranty companies in the industry, considering plan options, pricing, customer reviews, and more. Third-party extended warranty providers often offer longer Kia coverage at more affordable prices than extended warranty plans from the automaker. Third-party providers also allow you to purchase extended warranty coverage after the new vehicle warranty expires.
Endurance: Best Overall
Our review team ranked Endurance 4.6 out of 5 stars and gave it the award of Best Overall. The company has been a third-party extended warranty provider since 2005. The company has 4 out of 5 stars from customer reviews on Truspilot.
Endurance offers multiple plans, deductibles, and payment installment options. All Endurance plans include additional benefits such as 24-hour roadside assistance, trip interruption benefits, and rental car coverage.
CARCHEX: Best For Used Cars
CARCHEX offers five coverage levels and 16 plans. The Better Business Bureau accredits it with an A+ rating. CARCHEX offers Kia owners the opportunity to add ten years of additional coverage to their vehicles with its Extended Vehicle Protection Plan. CARCHEX has five levels of coverage and 16 different plans. For drivers looking for affordable coverage options, CARCHEX is our recommendation.
Kia New Car Warranty: FAQ
Below are common questions people ask about Kia car warranties: