Kia 7-Year Manufacturers Warranty: What’s Covered, What’s Not
When buying a car, a long warranty means peace of mind. It means you can drive with confidence, knowing you won’t be hit with unexpected repair costs. Kia understands this, which is why they offer one of the longest and most comprehensive manufacturer warranties in the industry—7 years or 100,000 miles.
But what does that really mean for you as a Kia owner? What’s included, what’s not, and how do you make sure you stay covered? Let’s break it all down.
Kia 7-Year Warranty: What’s Included?
Kia’s warranty applies to new vehicles purchased from an authorized Kia dealer and follows the owner’s manual maintenance schedule. It’s also fully transferable—so if you sell your Kia, the new owner benefits from whatever is left of the warranty.
Here’s a quick overview of what’s covered:
✅ 7 years or 100,000 miles (whichever comes first) of basic warranty coverage.
✅ Rust protection for 12 years (if regularly checked by Kia).
✅ Electric & Hybrid battery warranty for up to 9 years.
✅ Free repairs or replacement of faulty parts due to manufacturer defects.
✅ Labor costs included when repairs are done at an authorized Kia dealer.
Sounds pretty solid, right? Let’s take a closer look at each section.
The Basics: What Kia Covers
1. General Warranty Coverage
✔️ The first 3 years have unlimited mileage coverage.
✔️ From years 4 to 7, coverage continues up to 100,000 miles.
So if you’re a high-mileage driver, you’ll get full coverage for at least 3 years, while lower-mileage drivers benefit from protection for up to 7 years.
💡 Exceptions:
🚗 12V & 48V batteries – Covered for 2 years.
🚗 eCall emergency battery – Covered for 3 years.
🚗 Air conditioning refrigerant – Covered for 2 years.
🚗 Wheel alignment & balancing – Covered for the first 1,000 miles or 1 month.
🚗 Cracks in exterior glass – Covered for the first 1,000 miles or 3 months.
2. Anti-Perforation (Rust Protection) Warranty
✔️ Covers body sheet metal against rust for 12 years (unlimited mileage).
✔️ To stay covered, you must have periodic inspections at a Kia dealer (they might charge for this).
If you live by the coast or in areas with harsh winters, this is an important warranty to keep up with!
3. Kia Parts Warranty
✔️ Genuine Kia parts replaced by a Kia dealer are covered for 2 years or 12,500 miles (whichever comes first).
✔️ If Kia installs the part, labor is also covered.
💡 If a third-party garage installs the part, you’ll still get the part covered—but you’ll have to pay for labor.
4. Hybrid & Electric Vehicle Warranty
If you own a Kia hybrid or electric vehicle, your battery is protected too!
🔋 Lithium-Ion Battery Warranty:
📅 Cars registered before 31/12/2023: 8 years or 100,000 miles.
📅 Cars registered from 01/01/2024: 9 years for EVs / 8 years for PHEVs (100,000 miles).
🔋 Kia guarantees that your battery will retain at least 70% capacity during the warranty period. If it drops below that, Kia will repair or replace it.
✔️ Covers electric motors, power control units, and onboard chargers.
✔️ Covers hybrid starter generators and traction motors.
What’s NOT Covered?
As great as Kia’s warranty is, it doesn’t cover everything.
1. Normal Wear & Tear
🚫 Brake pads, wiper blades, bulbs, spark plugs, clutches – Covered only for 2 years or 12,500 miles.
🚫 Gradual mechanical wear – Parts like suspension and door hinges wear out naturally over time.
🚫 Paint & cosmetic damage – Stone chips, fading, and scratches aren’t covered.
💡 If a part fails because of a factory defect, it’s covered. If it wears out from normal use, it’s not.
2. Accidents, Damage & Environmental Factors
🚫 Accidents, fire, theft, vandalism – Anything caused by an accident isn’t covered.
🚫 Weather damage – Hail, flooding, storms, salt corrosion, or tree sap aren’t Kia’s responsibility.
🚫 Stone chips, dents, and scratches – These are considered normal exterior wear.
3. If You Modify or Misuse the Car
🚫 Modifications, tuning, or non-Kia parts – Using non-approved parts or fluids could void your warranty.
🚫 Skipping maintenance – If you don’t service your Kia on time, Kia can deny a warranty claim.
🚫 Using the car improperly – Racing, towing more than the car’s limit, or driving off-road when the car isn’t designed for it voids the warranty.
💡 Stick to the service schedule, use genuine Kia parts, and don’t modify the car—you’ll stay covered!
Special Rules for Taxis & Private Hire Vehicles 🚖
If you’re using a Kia for taxi or private hire services, the warranty changes:
7 years / 100,000 miles (if properly registered as a taxi/private hire).
Only 60,000 miles covered if not officially registered as a taxi.
💡 If you use a Kia for ride-sharing or taxi work, make sure it’s registered properly to avoid losing warranty coverage!
How to Keep Your Kia Warranty Valid
✔️ Service your car on time – Stick to Kia’s recommended service schedule.
✔️ Use Kia-approved parts & fluids – Avoid cheap, low-quality alternatives.
✔️ Keep maintenance records – Kia may ask for service history if you make a claim.
✔️ Fix scratches & chips quickly – Prevents rust from forming and keeps your anti-perforation warranty valid.
✔️ Respond to warning lights – Ignoring a check engine light could lead to bigger problems Kia won’t cover.
How to Make a Kia Warranty Claim
1️⃣ Take your car to an authorized Kia dealer – Warranty repairs must be done by Kia-approved repairers.
2️⃣ Provide your service records – Kia may ask for proof of proper maintenance.
3️⃣ Allow an inspection – Kia will check if the issue qualifies for warranty coverage.
4️⃣ Repairs will be done for free – If covered, Kia pays for parts and labor.
💡 If the issue is minor or cosmetic, Kia may deny the claim unless it affects the car’s function.
Final Thoughts: Is Kia’s Warranty Worth It?
Absolutely! Kia’s 7-year/100,000-mile warranty is one of the best in the industry. It offers:
✔️ Longer coverage than most brands (most stop at 3-5 years).
✔️ A fully transferable warranty—great for resale value.
✔️ Electric & hybrid battery protection for up to 9 years.
✔️ Rust protection for 12 years if properly maintained.
If you want a car with long-term reliability and solid warranty protection, Kia is one of the smartest choices on the market today!
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