The Kia Warranty: Details You Should Know | Autance

What IS Included

Kia has a fairly standard factory coverage program in terms of what parts are and aren’t covered between the various limited warranties. The thing that really makes the company standout, however, is the longer term lengths that will keep a new Kia covered much longer than other manufacturers.

Bumper-to-Bumper

This specific warranty coverage lasts for five years or 60,000 miles, whichever comes first. Compared to most manufacturers that only offer a three-year/36,000-mile warranty, Kia’s coverage lasts almost as long as most automaker powertrain warranties. This keeps the driver protected from major out-of-pocket expenses as the vehicle begins to experience age-related issues.

Almost all parts are covered under this warranty. Primary systems like drivetrain, electrical, electronic, and safety components will all be replaced or repaired for free by a Kia-approved facility or dealership. For complete details of the Kia 10-year warranty parts list, it may be necessary to speak to a customer representative. 

Powertrain

The powertrain coverage is where Kia really stands out among the competition. The Kia 10-year/100,000-mile warranty program is one of the longest offered by any automaker today. This length is plenty to keep the car running as it ages in terms of time and mileage.

The focus of the warranty is on the most important parts of a vehicle that begin to wear as it ages. Covering major components like the engine, drivetrain, and transmission, the powertrain warranty is the primary coverage Kia owners will have after the primary comprehensive coverage has expired. 

Other

Like other automakers, third-party providers, and emergency roadside assistance providers, Kia throws in a few extra perks that center around travel and roadside emergencies. The five-year/60,000-mile roadside assistance plan, for example, can reduce or reimburse the costs of getting a tow (to a nearby Kia dealer) or mechanical assistance if a breakdown (i.e. dead battery) happens while traveling on the road. There is also a limited anti-perforation warranty.

The plan also includes a trip interruption program that can pay for travel expenses, rental car expenses, and reasonable reimbursements, in the event of a breakdown. This inclusion tends to be more valuable to frequent road travelers since the program only kicks in when the driver is away from home. 

What’s NOT Included

There is a lot to like about the Kia factory warranty, but there are also a few limitations that keep it from being truly comprehensive. Most of the limits are in the causes of issues the factory warranty will address. 

Incidental Issues

As a factory warranty, Kia’s coverage only kicks in when there is a “warranty-related disablement caused by an event of a warrantable concern.” In plain words, if the problem is caused by poor materials or workmanship, the company will pay for the repairs. Other issues and causes, however, will fall outside of the scope of the warranty.

This means that most damage related to accidents, bad weather, or other environmental factors won’t be covered. General wear and tear is also not covered since there is no major maintenance program included in the extra perks or general terms of the comprehensive warranty.

The layout doesn’t inspire much confidence when unforeseen services are needed. 

Routine Service and Parts

Most unexpected repair bills come from the frequent repairs and services a vehicle needs to keep running. The Kia factory warranty includes a one-year maintenance plan for factory-recommended services, but there isn’t much else in the coverage to address these common costs. In other words, don’t expect to save much on regular maintenance costs.

General parts that need to be replaced for maintenance also aren’t covered. Known as wear items, these parts will cost you extra, even with the Kia factory warranty. To see what is and isn’t covered, it’s best to contact a Kia consumer assistance center to get a lot of confidence in the service. 

The Good

The most attractive part of this warranty is the term lengths it offers for the powertrain and bumper-to-bumper warranties. There are a couple automakers that offer longer terms, especially for the limited basic warranty, but they are few and far between. 

The lengthy coverage is a great way to offer some extra peace of mind for Kia drivers. The ten years that the powertrain warranty lasts, for example, will be ten years the owner doesn’t need to worry about paying for expensive engine or drivetrain parts. 

The extra perks like roadside assistance and trip interruption can also potentially come in handy for frequent travelers. The assistance is limited to issues caused by defects, and towing must be to the nearest dealer, but it’s still better than nothing when the unexpected happens. 

The Bad

The major dislike of this factory warranty is the limited use it may have for most Kia customers. The main point of having insurance and/or factory coverage is to increase the expense benefits of services and repairs when something other than the “usual minor mishap” occurs. If a warranty doesn’t offer much cost-reducing benefits, its usefulness is limited.

This is the case of the Kia factory warranty. Since it is limited to factory defects, the main point where a Kia owner will see the savings is when the automaker has made a mistake. For a reputable brand like Kia, this should be a rare occasion. So, the more likely-to-happen issues like incidentals and wear and tear will probably remain uncovered under this warranty. 

Takeaway Value

If you are looking for an extra-long warranty (especially powertrain warranty), Kia’s factory coverage is hard to beat. Driven by the precise Kia standards and skilled hands of Kia hands that make the cars in the first place, there is a lot of value in having the extra time and distance to keep the car covered, especially for frequent traveling. Therefore, if you are interested in owning a Kia, you shouldn’t be disappointed by the warranty coverage.