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Kia Extended Warranty Coverage Options, Discounts, and Terms

BY: Alex Perrone
Young man traveling by car getting out of the car

Kia drivers march to “A Different Beat.” In its early days, Kia handcrafted bicycle parts in Seoul, South Korea, and the same personal and youthful spirit still exists in its cars.

Kia is a cornerstone of the international auto industry and was South Korea’s first automobile export, predating even Hyundai. Kia is an exciting brand, not just because of its occasionally clever ad campaigns and slogans. Much like their now parent company, Hyundai, Kia is dedicated to constantly surprising new customers and the industry with all sorts of creative ideas.

Up until 2015, Kia’s motto was “A Different Beat.” In 2021, Kia revealed its new slogan as “Movement That Inspires.” And that’s both a creative ethos and a promise.

Kia vehicles constantly rank high in reliability and safety ratings. Still, ultimately, Kia owners are faced with the decision of whether or not to buy a Kia extended warranty for their car.

Like Hyundai, Kia is so confident in its cars that it is covered by “America’s Best Warranty” just in case those upcoming surprises aren’t so pleasant. What we mean by that is that every car, even one built meticulously like Kia, needs to be fixed sooner or later.

Kia Manufacturer’s Warranty

Kia promises they will cover every new car for 10 years/100,000 miles. They, like Hyundai, are built to last, and so is the warranty. And since this is an automaker with so much confidence in the quality of their cars and the durability of their parts, they can match the industry-leading “America’s Best Warranty” program.

New Kia Vehicle Warranty Coverage

  • 10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty
  • 5-year/60,000-mile limited basic warranty
  • 5-year/100,000-mile limited anti-perforation warranty
  • 5-year/60,000-mile roadside assistance plan

Note that only Kia vehicles manufactured between 2009 and the present qualify for this coverage.

This extensive factory warranty coverage sounds like a total win-win for buyers, as many people plan to keep their car for ten years or more. However, this coverage is limited, as this 10-year/100,000-mile warranty only covers the basic powertrain components. So, while a Kia vehicle’s powertrain is important and expensive to fix, if you want full coverage after the factory warranty expires, you would need to look at a third-party provider like Endurance.

The Limits of the Kia Warranty

There’s no denying that Hyundai and Kia are industry leaders when it comes to providing coverage for vehicles in the event of a manufacturer’s defect. However, they have the same limits that every automaker has. For one thing, every Kia owner must only take their vehicle to certified Kia of America dealership service centers to have any repairs performed.

Another limit is that your coverage option will simply never be the same for you if you purchase a used or certified pre-owned Kia vehicle. At most, you would qualify for Kia’s 5-year/60,000-Mile “New Vehicle Limited Warranty.”

Only specific vehicles under the Kia brand would also qualify for the 7-year/unlimited “anti-perforation warranty,” too. There’s also the matter that your access to Kia’s 24-hour roadside assistance ends in 5 years or 60,000 miles if you buy a used car.

Kia’s 10-year/100,000-mile warranty program will help new Kia owners cover their repairs.

However, we know that many Kia owners either keep their cars longer than 10 years OR purchase older models. There are many upsides to accessing Kia’s network and service but few options for Kia drivers who don’t fit into the limits and criteria that even Kia’s industry-leading warranty protects.

Cars Covered Under Kia Extended Warranties

Rio Soul Forte
Optima Cadenza K9
Niro Sportage Sorrento
Carens Carnival Cerato

What To Do If Your Kia Manufacturer’s Warranty Has Expired

Automakers provide warranties in the first place because they understand that repairs will begin to cost more over time, especially if drivers keep their cars longer. So even if the cars are made to last, every driver will inevitably spend on an unpleasant surprise sooner or later, which is where an extended warranty can help. However, while most other automakers can provide drivers with extended coverage (sometimes only when their factory coverage is still active), Kia doesn’t have an extended warranty cost option per se. Not like Hyundai. Instead, most retailers work with independent providers to offer Kia extended warranty options on select vehicles.

Kias are some of the best in the world, but consider how the most common repairs really add up. We’ll use the Kia Soul, a previous bestseller, as an example. According to RepairPal, replacing or repairing a broken alternator can cost several hundred dollars.

Other common repairs, if unattended, can be costly. Since all of the parts of Kia models work together, the chances that they break down together are very high. And suddenly, you are left with a repair bill in the high thousands, and that is certainly not the “surprise” Kia had in mind for you, either.

That’s why it is a good idea to look into extending the coverage Kia once provided under its manufacturer’s warranty. An independent third-party provider of vehicle service contracts, like Endurance, will work to match that level of protection for longer.

What Components and Parts are Covered Under the Kia Factory Warranty?

As a major subsidiary of Hyundai, Kia is a comprehensive warranty provider in the industry. Since they don’t have to compete directly with an industry leader like Hyundai and aren’t really competing with third-party providers given their own unique limits, providers like Endurance can match the warranty coverage.

Endurance will match the comprehensiveness of Kia’s coverage before continuing it so long as the car is yours or whoever you transfer it to. That’s another benefit of buying from a third party. The ability to transfer your coverage benefits to the next vehicle owner is something that no automaker can do.

Ten years is a long time, and Kia is right to tote the quality of their cars. However, the modern driver simply doesn’t always buy new, nor do they buy and trade within that 10-year period. And while Kia’s new car warranty is almost akin to Exclusionary coverage, fewer things besides the powertrain and core driving components will be protected after a while.

Here are parts that a vehicle service contract, commonly referred to as an extended auto warranty, can cover beyond the powertrain:

  • Air Conditioner
  • Brakes
  • Cooling System
  • Drive Axle Assembly
  • Electronic Components
  • Front & Rear Suspension
  • Fuel System
  • Seals & Gaskets*
  • Transfer Unit
  • Transmission
  • Turbocharger / Supercharger

None of these components qualify for coverage under the limited contracts Kia provides, even when still under the 10-year warranty. These are gaps that few in the auto industry bother to cover, and that’s where a reputable independent Kia extended warranty provider can provide additional safety nets.

It’s quite simple; you don’t necessarily need to wait for your car’s manufacturer’s warranty to end to consider an extended car warranty. There are so many benefits that will help you immediately.

Kia Emergency Roadside Assistance, Trip Interruption, and Rental Car Benefits

Kia has roadside assistance; however, you’ll most likely only be able to use and call them toll-free for the first five years of your vehicle ownership. They do this because they know that their cars are less likely to break down in that time period, even if they are willing to lend a hand in emergencies, regardless.

Yes, Kia happily assists you out of the usual minor mishaps — dead batteries, flats (provided you have a spare that isn’t flat), running out of gas — and they’ll do it at no charge.

However, bigger warranty issues are less likely to happen at this time. After? If your car breaks down in your sixth or seventh year of ownership, you can still call Kia, but it may no longer be as financially beneficial to you as if that breakdown happened a few years earlier.

Under a third-party vehicle service contract, you’ll have access to 24/7 roadside assistance with far fewer limits. So long as you are covered, you will have the ability to call for towing even away from Kia service centers.

If you have the misfortune of experiencing a breakdown late in the day, during a weekend or a holiday, unlike Kia, who will tow and store your car with a Kia-approved vendor before waiting the next business day to begin repairs, companies like Endurance will immediately take you to the nearest repair shop immediately if that is what you want.

Trip Interruption and rental car benefits remain even in the later, higher mileage time of your car’s life, and that’s something that ends with most manufacturers’ warranties early.

Kia Extended Warranty Cost and Coverage Options

As mentioned, the main limit with manufacturer’s warranties is that they provide only the best level of coverage for brand-new vehicles. But we know how much car buyers want to save money and choose to buy used or pre-owned vehicles, and they deserve just as equally comprehensive coverage options as new owners too.

At most, a used Kia will only be protected by them for five to seven years. Kia is not doing this for bad reasons; they are just following the path of the larger auto industry.

The truth of the matter is that every automaker, no matter how well-intentioned or confident in their cars, they are going to be hesitant to cover cars and components that have been driven a long time or bought and traded a couple of times with the same completeness of new cars that rolled out of the factory.

That’s the one big advantage independent companies like Endurance have over automakers when it comes to protecting cars. Third-party providers can afford to take the risk and offer that same level of coverage for an older or used car. So it’s as if you have all of the benefits and the same kind of safety net afforded to you with a new car.

Shopping for Extended Kia Warranty Coverage

Whenever you look around the internet for insurance or a Kia extended warranty, you need to do your proper research. Look at every provider’s accreditation. Familiarize yourself with the vocabulary, as some providers call their coverage an extended auto warranty, and others use the proper name vehicle service contract (VSC), and these are often used interchangeably.

Either way, the name tells you that this is not directly from the manufacturer’s plan. Kia and Hyundai offer industry-leading warranties, but neither the company nor their direct competitors cover beyond that.

So look up reputable extended warranties and their providers. Get a sense of their history and what they can offer on certain makes and models, not just Kia.

Endurance can be called for a quote directly and quickly and will help run through all of your coverage options in a matter of minutes. You’ll hear and see for yourself how Endurance will pick up the slack from automakers like Kia and continue to shield you from the high costs of repairs.

Take note that there truly are no actual Kia extended warranty plans. Many Kia dealers who offer such coverage may or may not tell you, but the coverage they are selling you doesn’t come directly from Hyundai themselves.

What they sell is from other providers. It is convenient to buy from the same dealer selling you the car, but the caveat is that they will upcharge you for that convenience and profit. It’s a convenience fee. How comfortable you are with that or not is up to you, but as with all investments, the key is to save money on your Kia extended warranty coverage.

How a Kia Vehicle Service Contract Works

We know that Kia drivers like surprises, but that usually means surprises in their cars’ performance, style, and reliability. No driver likes surprises like hidden fees or realizing their coverage isn’t accepted at a shop of their choice.

That’s why Endurance puts our coverage plans to work no differently than factory coverage. It’s almost as if you won’t notice the difference once you go from one safety net to the next.

Endurance, like Kia motors, knows who our customers are. And we all know what a Kia driver will want and need when it comes to covering their vehicles should the time come to make life-saving repairs. Endurance will work very hard to deliver even as competitors, and some automakers avoid delivering on automotive protection.

Kia’s warranty is one of the best, but fine print, such as limiting your service to their dealerships and only using OEM parts, are things that a vehicle service contract isn’t limited by.

If your car breaks down, call Endurance roadside assistance, and we’ll take you to the certified repair shop or ASE-certified mechanic of your choice. Then just give the mechanic your card, and we’ll take care of the rest.

The best part is that all of the tertiary benefits, such as trip interruption coverage, rental car reimbursements, and award-winning customer service, come directly from Endurance.

Kia Factory Warranty + Endurance = Total Protection

Kia vehicles get top marks from consumer publications, and rightly so. Kia and their parent company, Hyundai, have strong reputations and have long been in the industry to be considered leaders.

So is Endurance. With more than 15 years in the industry and several industry awards under our belt, Endurance can continue to protect you and your car by following the example set by automakers like Kia. Like any company in the business of cars, we offer all sorts of payment options and coverage options that will shift depending on your needs, including some plans starting as low as $79/month.

You may find you don’t want the exact coverage you had under the manufacturer. With Endurance, you can choose what aspects of your car are specifically important to you, including your make/model and driving habits.

All you need to do is give Endurance a call to see that the power to surprise when protecting your car isn’t exclusive to Kia.

More About Kia Warranties

You might have more than a few questions about your Kia models. For the most frequently asked questions regarding Kia or your make and model’s history, visit one of the sites below.

Drivers and vehicle owners alike should never let themselves wait for more unpleasant surprises to happen to their cars. The key is to stay knowledgeable about anything and everything that could go wrong with your car.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Kia Extended Warranty

Where can I get my Kia serviced for repairs?

Endurance provides well-rounded coverage for both new and used vehicles that allow you to take your car to any certified mechanic. To remain covered under Kia’s warranty agreement, you must go to a Kia dealership, limiting the customer from receiving service anywhere.

Is my warranty transferable through Kia?

The only way you could transfer your warranty when selling a car is if you were under warranty with a third-party provider, like Endurance.

What do Endurance plans cover that Kia extended warranties do not?

The nice thing about Endurance is that we offer customizable coverage options that cover all different items and vary in price. You can even receive up to one year of Endurance Elite Benefits for additional perks such as key fob replacement, complete tire repair, total loss protection, and more with any Kia protection plan.* Also, stay up-to-date with your plan on our Endurance Mobile app, which allows easy access to your account.

What extended warranty covers the most for the best price?

Endurance offers fully customizable coverage plans. For example, the Supreme Plan covers everything from A/C to turbos and superchargers, and the Select Premiere eliminates powertrain coverage items like brakes, gaskets, and steering. Everybody looks for something different in their Kia warranty coverage, so we recognize that and work to provide an option suitable for everyone.

How do I get a quote for an extended warranty?

When your factory warranty expires, request a FREE quote from Endurance by filling out your vehicle information, phone number, and email. You can also call (800) 253-8203 to speak with a plan representative. We’ll be happy to get you on the road with a customized plan for your Kia!

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