Vehicles from Kia are reasonably priced and generously backed. The automaker’s claim to fame is the 10-year/100,000-mile Kia warranty, which is available on all models sold in the U.S. It’s one of the reasons the brand has gained greater public favor since 2008. Although it has without a doubt one of the longest guarantee terms in the sector, the warranty itself contains a number of restrictions that shouldn’t be disregarded.
1. Limited Transferability
When a used Kia is sold, the vast majority of new car factory warranties are completely transferable to the new owner. The renowned Kia powertrain warranty, however, is not entirely transferable to new owners. The powertrain warranty immediately shortens from a 10-year/100,000-mile term to a 5-year/60,000-mile term once the car is sold.
Although this shouldn’t deter potential buyers from buying a Kia because the second owner will still be entitled to a warranty period equivalent to that offered by other automakers, it is an essential distinction to be aware of.
2. Exceptions to Bumper-to-Bumper Warranties
Another thing we discovered is that many things that would have the full five years of the limited basic warranty coverage have shorter periods. For instance:
- Refrigerant charge for air conditioners is covered for 12 months/unlimited kilometers.
- Any Kia’s original battery is only guaranteed for three years or 36,000 miles. Only a battery that is totally damaged is considered replacement.
- The audio, entertainment, and paint of the vehicle are covered for the same 3-year/36,000-mile period.
3. Unexpected Limitations
The guarantee for Kia covers several items, but not all of them. Unexpected exclusions like some repairs using the UVO system (Kia’s in-vehicle media controller and entertainment system) are also specified in the contract along with the expected exceptions brought on by things like negligent maintenance by the car owner and accidental damage. Additionally, owners must service their Kias at a Kia dealership that has been approved by the manufacturer in order to receive warranty coverage.
4. Benefits of Kia Warranties
The Kia Roadside Assistance Program provides roadside assistance for five years and 60,000 miles. This provides drivers with a great safety net because they will always have access to a Kia-staffed toll-free hotline, even on holidays.
With up to $75 in coverage per occurrence, additional benefits include petrol delivery, flat tire assistance, towing to a Kia dealership or alternative service site, and more. There is no cap on the number of roadside assistance incidents that each vehicle or driver is insured for under the Kia warranty contract. When claims or service requests are made too frequently, Kia does have the right to restrict or refuse these services.
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Does a new owner receive the Kia warranty?
Another owner may inherit the Kia warranty. Remember that when you sell the vehicle, the 10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain guarantee is changed to a 5-year/60,000-mile limited powertrain warranty. The remaining coverage will be given to the next owner.
Does a car’s warranty continue with a new owner?
Therefore, if you purchase a car that has a warranty that is still in effect, it will be valid until the end of the original warranty period. It’s critical to keep in mind that the car’s actual purchase date by the original customer, not the model year, determines the warranty’s active date. Therefore, in most cases, the guarantees do transfer.
How does Kia’s warranty operate?
Most repairs and replacements of items that fail owing to flaws in the design or construction are covered by the Kia warranty. The automaker, based in South Korea, offers coverage lengths that are above normal. Powertrain coverage is provided to new owners for 10 years/100,000 miles, and bumper-to-bumper protection is provided for 5 years/60,000 miles. In addition to the bumper-to-bumper guarantee, new Kias come with 24-hour emergency roadside assistance for the same period of time.
The warranty terms offered by Kia are among the longest in the industry. Only a few other automakers, like Hyundai and Mitsubishi, can match the brand’s powertrain, bumper-to-bumper, and roadside assistance terms. Corrosion protection is an area where Kia lags behind; on the short end of warranty coverage periods, it is tied with Ford and Toyota. Kia was contacted by our staff for a reaction regarding its corrosion protection restrictions, but we did not hear back.
The Kia factory warranty, which is included with all new cars, is broken down as follows:
- Basic limited warranty: Kia offers bumper-to-bumper protection. Except for a few exclusions and parts that are broken through natural wear and tear, this guarantee covers almost all of the vehicle’s components.
- Limited powertrain warranty: This comprehensive guarantee covers the engine, gearbox, drive axles, and associated components that enable the vehicle to move.
- Limited anti-perforation warranty: Under this warranty, body panels that rust and corrode from the inside out are replaced.
- Roadside assistance benefit: The Kia roadside assistance benefit provides towing to the closest Kia dealership, battery jump-starts, flat tire changes, and other services at a cost of $75 each time you seek service.
As you can see, the Kia warranty is actually composed of various auto warranties, which is customary in the auto sector. Despite the fact that Kia models have longer warranties than many other cars, it’s vital to remember that some parts have lesser guarantees:
- Battery: Kia will only swap out your car’s factory-installed battery if it entirely fails within the first three years or 36,000 miles of ownership.
- A new Kia vehicle only receives a year’s worth of air conditioning refrigerant charge coverage.
- Audio system: Your speakers and entertainment system are insured for three years or 36,000 miles, much like the battery.
What else is excluded from the Kia warranty?
Although the Kia guarantee covers a number of components, it does not cover all potential problems with your car. The following situations are exempt from your factory car warranty’s protection:
- Services for routine maintenance, such as oil changes or inspections
- Damage resulting from owner abuse or negligence
- Damage caused by a vehicle accident
- wearable components such as brake pads and wiper blades
- damage to the environment caused by a disaster such a flood, storm, or fire
- damage brought on by poor repairs
When did Kia’s seven-year warranty begin?
All new automobiles will now come with a seven-year, unlimited-mile guarantee from the manufacturer, along with seven years of service agreements with set prices and roadside support.
The guarantee surpasses a six-year agreement Citroen unveiled in March as the longest in Australia.
The program establishes a new benchmark for customer service, according to Damien Meredith, chief operating officer of Kia Australia.
Customers of Kia now enjoy a level of security unmatched in the Australian new car market.
For vehicles sold after October 1, 2014, the seven-year warranty, servicing, and assistance coverage is applicable. While those with automobiles covered by Kia’s current limited price servicing plan will have their servicing schedules extended to a total of seven years, existing owners will not benefit from the lengthened warranty.
The contract may be the first of its sort in the country, but Kia Australia is lagging behind its European subsidiary, which started offering seven-year guarantees in 2006.
The manufacturer’s current five-year, unrestricted-mileage warranty is one of the best in the nation. In Australia, Hyundai was the first business to do so in 2007, and Kia followed suit in 2008.
Some Renault models come with a five-year, unlimited-mileage guarantee, whereas some Mitsubishi models have a five-year warranty with a cap of 100,000 miles on the Lancer and Pajero and 130,000 miles on the Outlander and Mirage hatchback.
In recent years, automakers have increased their efforts in the area of customer service.
The majority of the most popular automakers now provide capped pricing servicing schemes, lead by Hyundai, which has done so since 1986 for all domestically marketed automobiles.
A transferrable warranty
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According to Amy Schmitz, a professor at the University of Colorado School of Law, it is likely impossible to enforce a warranty that makes it difficult, if not impossible, to obtain satisfaction. For instance, a manufacturer cannot charge you shipping fees that are greater than the cost of the equipment in order to receive warranty service, as Schmitz said a company attempted to do with a faulty blender she purchased. In order to prove that she wasn’t attempting to commit fraud, she sent a picture of the damaged blender with the cord severed in order to bargain for a replacement.
Talk the talk: How to sound like a lawyer
Or at least, the following explains what the terminology employed in warranties actually means:
- A manufacturer or retailer’s express warranty is a promise made in writing or verbally. Written warranties that come with products costing more than $10 must bear the words “full” or “limited” in capital letters. Full warranties allow customers to choose between a replacement or a full refund following a fair number of unsuccessful repair attempts, are transferable, do not limit implied warranties, and do not charge the consumer any expenses in order to receive service (such as shipping fees). Limited warranties are exempt from some of those specifications.
- Implied warranty is a tacit, unwritten safeguard provided by state law.
- Lifetime warranty isn’t always a reference to how long you’ll have the product; it can also apply to how long the manufacturer keeps the product in stock. Check the small print to see if a lifetime warranty is permitted under state law.
- Losses brought on by a defective product are known as consequential or incidental damages. The cost of food that was ruined due to a malfunctioning refrigerator is one such. These may be recoverable, particularly in states with strict consumer protection legislation.
- Tie-in sales clauses mandate that customers purchase goods or services from a certain business in order to keep their warranty coverage active. They are typically forbidden.
Author’s Note
With the headline “Warranty Protection,” a version of this story appeared in the May 2013 edition of Consumer Reports.
What nullifies the Kia warranty?
The following items are not covered by a Kia warranty: normal deterioration. Infotainment system and in-car media controller made by Kia. damage caused by car accidents.
Do Kia’s 10 year warranties still exist?
Most new automobile manufacturer warranties are valid for three years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first. A powertrain warranty is frequently provided separately and has a duration of five years or 60,000 miles, again depending on whether the first limit is reached. The numerous components of an automobile that make it move, such as the engine, transmission, etc., are referred to as the powertrain.
According to Motor1, Kia’s trust in their designs and the general caliber of their automobiles is powerfully conveyed by this lengthy warranty. You’re setting yourself up to lose a lot of money if you promise to cover any powertrain problems for 10 years on a vehicle that is likely to have many of these problems. Kia doesn’t appear concerned though.
Ten-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty
Kia claims that their 10-year, 100,000-mile warranty is proof of the high caliber of their cars. The powertrain is covered under this package for up to 10 years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first. The following components are affected by this:
- Engine
- Transmission
- Axles
- Driveshafts
Five-year/60,000-mile limited basic warranty
According to Kia of Marin, they also provide a bumper-to-bumper coverage five-year or 60,000-mile limited basic warranty package. This warranty, as its name implies, essentially covers anything on the car between the front and rear bumpers. Common products that experience typical wear and tear are excluded from coverage.
The Drive informs us that frequent problems will be covered if you buy a brand-new 2021 Kia Sorento with this basic limited warranty. These topics solely include difficulties that would arise from subpar manufacturing work or subpar materials. This indicates that issues brought on by accidents or environmental degradation aren’t covered by the policy.
The warranty offers some support for routine maintenance, but for the maximum protection, it’s best to follow the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance program.
Five-year/100,000-mile limited anti-perforation warranty
Drivers may also choose a five-year or 100,000-mile restricted anti-perforation warranty, according to Auffenberg Kia. This coverage extends to exterior body panel perforation and corrosion that originates from the interior of the car and moves outward. However, this warranty does not cover harm caused by mishaps or severe weather, such as hail.
Five-year/60,000-mile roadside assistance plan
A five-year or 60,000-mile package is furthermore offered for roadside assistance. This caps the cost of covered services at $75 per incident, including any towing fees to the closest Kia dealership. Other expenses covered by the insurance include:
- delivery of gas
- Jumpstart assistance
- tire assistance
Are transferrable auto extended warranties available?
Extended auto warranties purchased from dealers are typically transferable in terms of time and mileage. The majority of warranties purchased through car warranty brokers are also transferrable, depending on the type of vehicle and the new vehicle’s current mileage.
How can I use my car’s VIN number to check the warranty?
Your VIN number and mileage are all you need to know to find out if your vehicle’s warranty is still in effect. Now all you have to do is ask by giving a dealership a call.
Start by calling the dealer with whom you have a positive working relationship. Otherwise, you should be able to get the information you need from any dealer for your manufacturer. Therefore, if you own a Ford vehicle, for instance, any Ford store should be able to inform you of the condition of your truck’s warranty.
In the worst-case situation, you might need to go to the dealership if you can’t locate a VIN number. They will be able to help you even in this situation because they have all the information they need.
Your car’s handbook is one area you should avoid consulting for warranty information. The handbook will frequently contain details on the warranty terms and conditions, so it makes sense to start there. Why then should you refrain from doing so?
This technique has a flaw in that the guarantee only becomes effective on the date of purchase, not the date of production or the model year. You might have bought your used 2016 car in the fall of 2015, or you might have sold it at a dealer sale a year later. A five-year warranty in this case might end in the fall of 2020 or it might conclude in the fall of 2021, depending on the terms and the actual date of purchase.
Notice to Our Loyal Service Customers Regarding Your Kia Warranty And Kia’s New Synthetic Oil Requirement
All Kia vehicles built after April 2021 must now use 100% synthetic oil in order to remain protected by factory warranty. Any vehicle that is still covered by a factory warranty after June 2022 will need to use full-synthetic oil to stay protected. Your guarantee may be void if conventional or semi-synthetic oil is used.